Booksellers, publishers, librarians, and agents are encouraged to look at the 55 self-published titles below. Each appears with a list of retailers that are selling the book and a description provided by its author. Some of these writers are waiting to be discovered; others have track records and followings and are doing it on their own. If you are a self-published author interested in listing titles in this section, please visit publishersweekly.com/pw-select for more information.
Fiction
As Time Goes By
W. Royce Adams. RJK Books. $21.99 paper (274p), ISBN 979-89-86488-50-9; $8.99 e-book, ISBN 979-89-86488-51-6
Amazon, BN.com, Ingram
Nearing the end with all his loved ones gone, Old decides to examine his life’s worth and meaning by writing his memoir.
Boys in Exile
Richard Duggin. BookLocker Press. $28.95 paper (422p), ISBN 979-88-85312-03-5; $10.99 e-book, ISBN 979-88-85312-04-2
Amazon, BN.com, BookLocker Press
Boys sent to a summer camp to learn lifelong skills must learn to survive running the gauntlet of bullying and hazing that fashions the man from the boy.
A Camp Without FIre
Ignacio Ramirez Bautista. Ignacio Ramirez. $3.99 e-book, ASIN B01MY0SOIL
Amazon
Marlene and Derek barely talked in high school. Seven years after graduating, they come into contact again after both losing their first loves.
Canley
Stella Grosjean. Austin Macauley Publishers. $12.95 paper (216p), ISBN 978-1-398-42011-3; $4.50 e-book, ISBN 978-1-398-42012-0
Amazon, BN.com
An accused and an accuser. Relationships are tested as loyalties are torn, friends betray each other, and emotions run high. All fired by the events in the small town of Canley.
January 6th and the Millennial Horde
Andy Lazris. Andy Lazris. $13.99 paper (309p), ISBN 979-88-380-5942-0; $9.99 e-book, ASIN B0B57THYZX
Amazon
This dystopian novel asks what might have occurred if two very passionate and driven fictional characters were inserted into the national narrative after the January 6 Capitol attacks.
Kitty’s People: An Irish Family Saga About the Rise of a Generous Woman
Susan Barrett Price. Mad in Pursuit. $16 paper (376p), ISBN 978-0-9841292-6-3; $5.99 e-book, ASIN B0B8LG4NFL
Amazon
A biographical novel and family saga with Irish roots, ill-fated siblings, unconventional love stories, and big hearts, set in the Midwest, 1885–1934.
Most Famous Short Film of All Time
Tucker Lieberman. tRaum Books. $25 paper (455p), ISBN 978-3-949666-08-7; $11.99 e-book, ISBN 978-3-949666-09-4
Amazon, Ingram, Gumroad, Traumbooks.com
Lev tells campfire stories with his longtime friend Stanley and coworker Aparna. When he receives an anonymous threatening email, he reports it to his boss, but he is not believed.
Silver Bottle
Joan Spilman. Moon Valley Publishing. $16.95 paper (399p), ISBN 979-87-18-82453-7
Amazon
Abandoned by her alcoholic mother, Lorraine learned to survive in her small rural town, until her mother reaches out to her, upsetting everything she knows and loves.
Squeeze Plays
Jeffrey Marshall. Atmosphere Press. $17.99 paper (263p), ISBN 978-1-63988-369-1; $7.99 e-book, ASIN B0B54YFT3R
Jmarshbks.com, Amazon, BN.com
A contemporary tale about money and power that finds the fortunes of three principal characters intersecting in a character-driven narrative about the corrupting influences of wealth.
The Student
John Amos. Austin Macauley Publishers. $13.95 paper (216p), ISBN 978-1-398-44272-6; $4.50 e-book, ISBN 978-1-398-44273-3
Amazon
A semiautobiographical account of the author’s experiences as a student at the American University in Cairo immediately following the 1967 Six-Day War.
Poetry
Beauty and the Dark
Chyanne Myers. Austin Macauley Publishers. $22.95 (80p), ISBN 978-1-64536-239-5; $7.95 paper, ISBN 978-1-64536-238-8
Amazon
The inner workings of Myers’s mind and life are put on a page for readers to enjoy. Hopefully, they’ll find it both relatable and cathartic to read.
Mystery/Thriller
A Death Most Dastardly
Jaris Ash. Austin Macauley Publishers. $8.95 paper (104p), ISBN 978-1-398-45543-6; $4.50 e-book, ISBN 978-1-398-45544-3
Amazon
In the library, Guy trips over the coal scuttle, discovering a secret passageway, and Jeanie identifies knots as being crucial to the murderer’s identity.
Harrowing Roses
Barbara Cooper. Barbara Cooper. $34.99 (197p), ISBN 978-1-73971-721-6; $14.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-73971-728-5
Amazon, Apple iBooks, BN.com
Dana feels the atmosphere of the marsh seeping into her skin each day she spends in the cold, unwelcoming mansion of her father’s family, when her cousin suddenly goes missing.
Lasseter’s Truth
John Somerset. Austin Macauley Publishers. $27.95 (204p), ISBN 978-1-5289-9419-4; $13.95 paper, ISBN 978-1-5289-9418-7
Amazon
A thriller taking readers through coming-of-age, the greed of the ’90s, and an adventure in the Great Australian Desert in a quest for Lasseter’s legendary gold reef.
The Mirror Man
J.B. Manas. Somerton Press. $12.99 paper (299p), ISBN 979-89-86259-10-9; $4.99 e-book, ASIN B0B9KDPYK5
Amazon
A reclusive writer with the power to read memories is forced by a mysterious stranger to steal government secrets that could send the West back to the Dark Ages.
Old Sins
Lynne Handy. Lynne Handy. $12 paper (295p), ISBN 979-88-390-0390-3; $4.99 e-book, ASIN B0B5HS2YCC
Amazon
Murder, kidnapping, and other crimes—old and new—weave together in unexpected ways in this standalone sequel with sleuth Maria Pell determined to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Soulstealer
Shane Boulware. Theorybee. $17.25 paper (290p), ISBN 978-1-73470-635-2; $4.99 e-book, ISBN 978-1-73470-633-8
Amazon, BN.com, Books-a-Million
A man gathers his allies in a fight against a soul-eating force threatening the world in the second installment of this supernatural thriller series.
Stumble and Fall
Amy Rivers. Compathy Press. $14.99 paper (292p), ISBN 978-1-73451-606-7; $5.99 e-book, ASIN B09YKQZSP6
Amazon, BN.com, Bookshop
In this sequel to Complicit, Kate and Tilly struggle with fear and self-doubt while the lives of the victims they are helping hang in the balance.
The Unraveling (Jeremiah and Susanne Series #1)
Max W. Justus. Newman Springs Publishing. $23.95 paper (360p), ISBN 978-1-63881-827-4; $9.49 e-book, ASIN B0B5FKBQQN
Amazon
A cast of characters joins together to solve a centuries-old mystery.
The Velvet Badge: A New York Noir
Bob Mantel. Jakey Press. $9.95 paper (231p), ISBN 979-88-12-31123-0; $4.95 e-book, ASIN B09Z9M7BRN
Amazon
Lesbian disco-era careerists fall afoul of a New York City revenge murder in this hard-edged neo-noir.
White Wolf
Cary Allen Stone. Fine Line Books. $7.99 paper (190p), ISBN 979-8-8432-7746-8; $4.99 e-book, ASIN B0B86P4JD1
Amazon, Apple iBooks, Google Play
SEAL Zach Kincaid and his Delta team must stop a violent takeover of the government. The survival of the United States of America is at stake.
SF/Horror/Fantasy
Ghosts of Randsburg: The Madame’s Secrets (Ghost Huntress Diaries)
Marie Mason. Marie Mason. $24.99 paper (136p), ISBN 979-8-8240-6654-8
Amazon
A fictional version of real-life ghost hunter Mason acquires tangible evidence in the ghost town of Randsburg, revealing secrets from the past.
In a Black Tapestry: A Tale Woven in Dread
Daryl K. Hill. KDP. $8.44 paper (195p), ISBN 979-84-244-0694-2; $7.28 e-book, ASIN B09T6XDHKM
Amazon
A horror novel set in a fantasy reimagining of the Livonian crusade, about a village with a dark past threaded in its mysterious tapestry.
The Vessel of Elseland
D.A.N.T.E. Austin Macauley Publishers. $4.50 (66p), ISBN 978-1-398-44027-2; $7.95 paper, ISBN 978-1-398-44026-5
Amazon
Dante is a tormented artist plagued by nightmares of strange creatures. The walls of madness and reality are crumbled by his demons, and he suspects they are linked with his dreams.
Romance/Erotica
Black Switch
D. Van Bui. Austin Macauley Publishers. $30.95 (270p), ISBN 978-1-63829-368-2; $16.95 paper, ISBN 978-1-64750-597-4
Amazon
Sebastian Sinclair wants to come down to earth and live a life—only the journey he signed up for ends up being way more than he can handle.
Looking for Love at 82
Alex Gall. Alex Gall Publishing. $9.99 paper (144p), ISBN 978-1-956161-51-9
Amazon
Gall chronicles and summarizes the trials and tribulations of the online dating experience as his characters figure out how to use a computer in order to meet dates, soulmates, and future brides.
Love in Sayre Valley
Dennis Carr and Judi Burton-Carr. Austin Macauley Publishers. $29.95 (240p), ISBN 978-1-64750-648-3; $15.95 paper, ISBN 978-1-64750-649-0
Amazon
When fate draws two musicians from opposite ends of the music spectrum together in West Virginia, can they overcome their many philosophical, cultural, and musical differences to find love?
Nonfiction
Bas-Relief Modeling
Ross Pollard. Mixam. $10 paper (76p), ISBN 979-82-18-04165-6
Alibris, eBay
A concise introduction to the tools and techniques of traditional bas-relief sculpture. It covers the fundamentals of working with clay, wax, plastilina, plaster, and bronze.
Breaking the Spell over America: How to Stop Satan’s Plan to Destroy America
Scott Wallis. Xulon Press. $26.49 (208p), ISBN 978-1-66284-389-1; $16.49 paper, ISBN 978-1-66284-386-0
Amazon, BN.com
America is on the verge of civil war. Political factions, media pundits, and zealotry have placed America on the precipice. Wallis provides his thoughts on hope, context, and wisdom for America.
Comedy Techniques for Variety Artists (Creativity for Entertainers #4)
Bruce Johnson. Charlie’s Creative Comedy. $28.99 paper (566p), ISBN 979-89-86277-20-2; $9.99 e-book, ISBN 979-89-86277-22-6
Amazon, BN.com
A complete course in creating comedy for variety artists with a discussion of techniques, historical examples, and exercises.
Family: A Family Doc’s Memoir of Life in Africa and the US
Ed Dodge. Wheatmark. $11.95 paper (226p), ISBN 978-1-62787-571-4; $4.99 e-book, ASIN B07B3V1GT5
Amazon
Dodge sought to share what he learned about life and health with others.
Forget Me Not: A Caregiver’s Guide to Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease: Tips for Caring for Your Parent While Maintaining Your Peace and Avoiding Burnout
Torri L. Fisher. iTreatMyself. $13.99 paper (168p), ISBN 979-88-372-1110-2; 99¢ e-book, ASIN B0B6BGMBV7
Amazon
Fisher argues that staying sane while still being able to care for loved ones is possible with the guidance of her work.
Healing America’s Narratives: The Feminine, the Masculine, & Our Collective National Shadow
Reggie Marra. From the Heart Press. $22 paper (526p), ISBN 979-89-86269-00-9; $9.99 e-book, ISBN 979-89-86269-01-6
Amazon
A multidisciplinary cautionary tale and love letter that invites Americans to “re-vision” current and historical narratives in order to heal individually and collectively before it’s too late.
Hurling Words into Darkness: A Book Doctor’s Dose of Brain Science for Writers (2nd ed.)
Peter Gelfan. Sargasso Press. $14.99 paper (118p), ISBN 979-89-86345-10-9; $7.99 e-book, ISBN 979-89-86345-11-6
Amazon, BN.com, Ingram, Kobo
Veteran editor, novelist, and teacher Gelfan uses cognitive science and unique insights to show writers of all kinds how to create a more effective reading experience.
The Last Stop
Patricia Street. Acorn Publishing. $12.95 paper (400p), ISBN 978-1-952112-55-3
Amazon, BN.com, Books-a-Million, Kobo
A true story about a son’s drug use, treatment, and relapse, and about coping and grieving. A read for families immersed in the life-altering aspects of active addiction.
Lost
Barbara Ann Quinlan. Book Reality Experience. $8.95 paper (126p), ISBN 978-0-648-94976-3; $3.99 e-book, ASIN B0964MC6GZ
Amazon
Quinlan was born in the sheltered world of upstate New York in the 1950s. When her family moved to California, she easily slipped into the embodiment of a 1960s wild child.
The Model and Other Critical Knowledge (Life Enabling Enterprise: An Alternative Approach to Commerce, #1)
Raphael L. Vitalo and Christopher J. Bujak. Lowrey Press. $28 paper (614p), ISBN 978-0-9722810-8-9; $15 e-book, ISBN 978-0-9722810-9-6
Vitalentusa.com
The authors claim their book is the first to evaluate capitalism’s effects from economic, social, and evolutionary perspectives. They also present a new economic approach, which they claim enriches human life and its ecosystem.
The Monzelli Tales: True Stories of a Film Buff Gone Wild
John Gloske. Gatekeeper Press. $22.95 paper (206p), ISBN 978-1-66291-171-2
Amazon
Join in Monzelli’s wild, vodka-fueled film buff life. Contains unheard stories and unseen photos of his adventures with Richard Burton, Sam Peckinpah, and many others.
A Parent’s Guide for Educational Success for Their Children
Joann Falciani. Authors’ Tranquility Press. $7.99 paper (32p), ISBN 978-1-957208-66-4
Amazon
This is a parent’s guide for the educational success of their children.
The Prisoner’s Cross
Peter B. Unger. Wipf and Stock. $19 paper (169p), ISBN 978-1-5326-9613-8; $9 e-book, ISBN 978-1-5326-9615-2
Amazon, BN.com
A survivor of a WWII Japanese POW camp mentors a seminary student traumatized by childhood experiences that have left him doubting his faith.
Purposeful Memoir as a Quest for a Thriving Future: Inspiration for Writers and Seekers
Jennifer Browdy. Green Fire Press. $29 paper (103p), ISBN 978-1-73284-149-9; $9.99 e-book, ASIN B09N9WL7T1
Amazon, BookBaby, Ingram
Browdy’s book, through the contemplative practice of purposeful memoir, seeks to help readers explore the past, understand the present more fully, and step with greater intention into the thriving future.
A Reason to Live
Chris Wilkins. Chris Wilkins. $14.99 (160p), ISBN 979-88-376-9402-8; $6.99 e-book, ISBN 979-86-87335-98-0
Amazon
A book about people, places, and things that matter in Wilkins’s life—in short, his reasons to live.
The Reject Bench: A Memoir
James H. Morgan. James H. Morgan. $13.95 paper (468p), ISBN 979-8-4637-6682-3; $1.99 e-book, ASIN B09DTMGL4X
Amazon
A coming-of-age memoir about a boy whose family moves to a new neighborhood. It follows Jim through six years of his life, from 1961 to 1967.
A Sky of Infinite Blue: A Japanese Immigrant’s Search for Home and Self
Kyomi O’Connor. She Writes Press. $17.95 paper (312p), ISBN 978-1-64742-227-1; $8.99 e-book, ASIN B09NNDM5VQ
Amazon, Bookshop, Diesel Bookstore
After O’Connor lost her husband to brain cancer, she began writing—a practice that brought light to the dark places inside and helped her reach a place of peace and healing.
Children/YA
Advent 9
T. Alan Horne. Tristellation Media. $9.99 e-book, ISBN 979-89-86496-12-2; $14.99 audio (13 hrs 52 mins), ISBN 979-89-86496-13-9
Amazon, Apple iBooks, BN.com, Google Play, Kobo
The last superhero on Earth teams up with an old-guard supervillain to stop a world-ending threat. Their relationship gets complicated when the villain discovers the hero’s weakness.
Beyond the Veil
Michael Thursby. Michael Thursby. $5.99 e-book, ISBN 978-1-77800-210-6
Amazon, Kobo
A boy is pulled into a world of myths and legends where he must come to terms with who he is if he has any chance of succeeding at the task he was assigned.
Bourgueil Tapestry: How People Really Lived in France from 1003 Through 1975
Douglas Bullis. Atelier Books. Free e-book, ISBN 978-1-998965-01-4
Issuu.com
How did ordinary people live in France through the ages? Walk alongside those people on a single day each century from 1003 through 1975.
The Gate to Htrae
Kerry Gough, illus. by Sheila Fein. BookBaby. $15 paper (285p), ISBN 978-1-66783-303-3; $7.99 e-book, ISBN 978-1-66783-304-0
Amazon, BN.com, BookBaby
Young Alex unlocks a majestic gate, steps through, and disappears onto Htrae, Earth’s mirror image. Blessed by Pure Light, he joins the Htraeans to battle Natas and his Slegna Nellaf.
Lost in Hanks Hollow (Hanks Hollow #3)
Rachelle Kampen. Rachelle Kampen. $12.99 paper (212p), ISBN 979-89-86075-22-8; $3.99 e-book, ASIN B0B46FY2FQ
Amazon
The Hart pack is left reeling after tragedy strikes right in their backyard.
Love in the Age of Dragons: A Novel
Fatima R. Henson. SparkPress. $17.95 paper (360p), ISBN 978-1-68463-163-6; $9.95 e-book, ISBN 978-1-68463-164-3
Amazon, BN.com, Indiebound
A wormhole opened and vicious dragons entered. Now, Ayanna Grace, a 17-year-old Black girl, must survive in an abandoned subway system where water and medicine are running short.
Muses and Inspirations
Gosta W. Iwasiuk. Cutting Edge Publishing. $20 (92p), ISBN 978-0-9763928-8-0
Gusiwasiuk.com, Amazon
Two Ukrainian artists want to share their inspirations. Iwasiuk and his father have works spanning nearly a century.
Nothing You Can’t Do: A Book for Every Girl and Boy
Lindsay J.L. Angus. The Angus Library. $16.95 (24p), ISBN 978-0-9958608-2-7; $12.95 paper, ISBN 978-0-9958608-1-0
Lindsayjlangus.com, Amazon
A picture book for children everywhere about big dreams and endless possibilities.
Painting Joy: The Art and Life of Fernando Llort
Teddi Ahrens. IngramSparks. $17.50 paper (54p), ISBN 979-89-85285-90-1
Storytreeprints.com, Amazon, BN.com
Fernando Llort, national artist of El Salvador, mixed fantasy with pre-Columbian images. He created a community of artisans and reconnected Salvadorans to their ancient past.
Peanut Butter Monster
Melissa Kowalik. Cow Lick Publishing. $10 paper (34p), ISBN 978-0-648-90009-2; $2.99 e-book, ISBN 978-0-648-90010-8
Amazon, BN.com
The Peanut Butter Monster eats jars and jars of peanut butter every day. But what happens when the Peanut Butter Monster runs out of peanut butter?
You Can’t Be My Oxygen
T.K. McCann. T.K. McCann. $16.99 (319p), ISBN 979-88-440-3969-0; $2.99 e-book, ASIN B0B8SGMMMW
Amazon
A 16-year-old girl from Detroit is shipped off to her grandmother in Wyoming after suffering violence at the hands of her cousin.
