Lucci's List: August 2019

This month is "Indie August," a month-long celebration of independent authors. Some independent authors self-publish; others use a small press or publisher. Indie authors usually collaborate with other professionals, such as editors, proofreaders, distributors, cover designers, photographers, illustrators, publicists, and social media managers. Being independent does not necessarily mean working alone, although the majority of book creation is completed by the writer.

Independent publishing has revolutionized the book-reading world. No longer considered "vanity press," modern indie authors are seen as equals to traditionally published authors. You can find books written independently at book stores, online stores (such as Amazon), and public libraries. If your library does not carry a book by an indie author you are looking for, ask for it to be ordered.

Publishing independently is not a new phenomenon. Beatrix Potter, Charles Dickens, Marcel Proust, and e.e. cummings all famously self-published. Better-known contemporary indie authors include John Locke, Hugh Howey, Amanda Hocking, and Rupi Kaur.

Indie August is set aside to recognize independent authors, who do not normally have the budget for expensive promotions, advertisements, and book tours. As an indie author myself, I know the struggle of maintaining devotion to your writing career even when sales peak and plummet. I also know the joy of sharing written words with a supportive community.

My selections this month have the added bonus of including local authors. Supporting local arts is a powerful way to build communal appreciation for creativity.

I have written a series about writing independently. I also include indie authors in my book reviews. Please feel welcome to contact me with suggestions of local or independent authors!

Thank you for your continual readership, for spreading the word about my own books, and for being a community that values literacy and literature. You are the best!

Self-Help/Inspiration

"Leading from Your Best Self: Develop Executive Poise, Presence, and Influence to Maximize Your Potential" by Rob Salafia is a smoothly written guidebook to improving social interactions and self-promotion. With relatable real-life stories, clear explanations, and exercises to recognize goals and work towards them, this smoothly written book is perfect for teens and adults seeking focus.

I had the opportunity to meet this Massachusetts author at a literary event. His calm demeanor and genuine desire to share his knowledge, along with his professional yet approachable image, showed me that he knows what he is writing about.

"Great Idea! And...Helping others learn to see the beauty in your ideas" by Deb Wild is a clearly written resource.

This workbook is a fun, inspiring, clear, guide to becoming a better leader and an expert at sharing ideas. It is also a self-guided tool to improve your personal communication style.

Meant for professional managers, this book offers valuable insights in general for those people hoping to promote respectful dialogue and conversation.

I had the pleasure of meeting Deb Wild at her book launch in Waltham, Massachusetts, and her joy of sharing ideas was warm and genuine.

Memoir/Biography

"Tresor's Miracle" by Tresor Samantha Williams is a short memoir by a young girl. It details her miraculous birth and survival.

Poetry

"An Exhaltation of Shadows (Volume 1) with Rachel Lightfood, Nekroturnal Bat, Macarena Maurin Garcia, and Anne Stagg, narrated by Darion McGinnis, is a poetry compilation seeded with sorrow and pain. Following is an excerpt.

From "Monsters (Part 1) by Rachel Lightfoot
I feed them and then I fight them and
it always goes the same way:
I invite them to my table
but wish they'd go away.

They sit there laughing
and expose all of my fears
So I try to murder my Monsters
by drowning them in tears.

"Weather of the Soul" is a collection of poetry from Sabrina Pemberton, Nitya Swaruba, Danielle Grace, Linda M. Crate, John Hein, and Meghan Christiansen. Nature photography accompanies the poems. This is an enjoyable collection to read by a window. It would make an appropriate gift for almost any holiday.

Sci-Fi/Fantasy

"Shard's Thugs" by Dexter Herron is fast-paced and furious. Action, fantasy, adventure, and milk-through-your-nose comedy.

I recommend this book for mature readers over eighteen years old who like their princesses foul-mouthed and their goblins decidedly depraved.

"Ten Lives" by Christian Terry is a Young Adult paranormal adventure. It is sure to thrill young fans of "Stranger Things," and avid Zelda players.

Steampunk

"Adventure: A Collection of Steampunk Short Stories (Volume 1)" from the Citizens of Antiford includes stories by Justin Thibault, Brett Parsons, Jada Taylor, Brad Gentges, Gregory A. Brown, Nathan Powell, with a preface by Samuel Sarette.

A wildlife safari, a brazen burglar, poisonous escapades, bloody battles, toothy beasts, and steam contraptions bearing life and death. Classically written with attention to logistical detail, this is a collection for every steampunk library.

I had the pleasure of meeting Citizens of Antiford at a steampunk panel in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and they are dedicated to the history and science within steampunk culture.

Sneak Peek at Lucci's List: September 2019

Self-Help/Inspiration

"How to Relax" by Thich Nhat Hanh

Memoir/Biography

"Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption" by Bryan Stevenson

Poetry

"Rain and Embers" by Ari Nuri

Novels

"The Muslim Prince" by Roger Ley

"Loser" by Jerry Spinelli

Sci-Fi/Fantasy

"Kraken" by China Mieville

Steampunk

"The Girl Aviators Sky Cruise" by Margaret Burnham