Oliver’s Twist

Tips to Avoid Manuscript Rejection

Getting a book published gives the best sense of fulfillment for every author. Imagine being one of those lucky ones who have unlocked your goal and seen the fruit of your labor. You are already a few steps closer to your dreams. However, people might have no idea about the struggles and rejections that lies behind that success. The author journey is indeed a tough path to take.

There are, in fact, various remarkable authors that have been through manuscript rejections. Some best examples are J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, Agatha Christie, Meg Cabot, and Dr. Seuss. Whether you have been demotivated to pursue your career, just think about them and reset your mindset — because soon you’ll have your own breakthrough.

If you are wondering on how you can get away with manuscript rejection or at least widen the chance of having your book published, then this article is perfect for you! Listed below are the best tips on how to avoid manuscript rejection.

Secure the complete draft

You couldn’t hand out a manuscript if the draft for every part of the book is not yet finished. Also, your publisher will not get happy when you submit an incomplete document. Ensure that you have finished the draft before the submission and compile it. If it is a softcopy, print two or more copies of the file where one is for you while the other is for your publisher. However, do not send it yet. Check it first from the first page to the last in order to spot if there are missing parts. You can also arrange them from beginning to end if you printed them by chapter.

Read from top to bottom

As an author, you are required to do a lot of reading. It is for your benefit to evaluate the style of your fellow and perhaps find your own writing style. So, reading your work will not be a hassle, wouldn’t it? This time, read your work as if you are an editor and not the author. It will help you view your story from a different perspective, and make your eyes sharper when it comes to mistakes in the plot and grammar. You are not required to read it in one go, instead read it thoroughly so you can really see what needs improvement and what parts are already perfect. Do not rush.

Take note of both major and minimal errors

Get a medium where you can list the mistakes and errors that you found in your manuscript. You may write them in your journal, post it, or paper. Do this in a very organized manner. For example, you’ve spotted a mistake in the sentence structure. Then, write it in your notebook along with the page number and chapter so that you can easily locate it when you get to the editing part. You can take notes of the errors while reading the draft. In that way, you can save time. Just ensure that you can multitask, because reading while writing will probably challenge the comprehension and understanding of the text.

Avail some editorial services

You have already read the draft and take note of the errors, now what? You can either be your own editor or avail of editorial service. The former is a good idea but has a lot of disadvantages while the latter is perfect especially if you really want to go for gold. There are many promising editors in the world of publishing, who offer the best services. Additionally, these editors offer different packages. Some of them offer fixed options while others have customized services. You can tap author-editor Greg Van Arsdale on customizing editorial package, for example. It is guaranteed that your manuscript will become error-free, with the perfect grammar and gapless plot. Hence, availing of the services of an editor is a great option.

In conclusion, you should be mindful of your work before you embark on the publishing journey. Your perception of your story might not be the same with your publisher; hence, the many revisions. It is also needed that you examine your work from inside out and perhaps get a professional editor to clean your manuscript but still maintain the greatness of it.

Promising Novels of Different Genres to Read on Your Holiday Break

The holiday is coming, and what’s more exciting than Christmas is the holiday break! Finally, you will have the time for yourself and get away from the stress of work, school, or life in general. What could be the best activities to make your vacation more productive and meaningful? One answer is for sure, reading. There are many books that bring you both entertainment and learning, which makes reading really perfect for your break.

Although people commonly associate reading during holidays should be about books about winter, Christmas, and such, there are also books that are good reads even if they didn’t talk about the said subjects. The point is, you really don’t have to wait for the holidays to read books about it and there is no rule restricting you to read novels that are completely not revolving around the season. There are just great books that you should check out during days that you have more time to spend some leisure. That said, here are the best titles from different genres to read this holiday break.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Originally titled as A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, this book by Charles Dickens is a classic fiction book about Christmas. It was first published on December 19, 1843, by Chapman & Hall, and has been making readers feel the spirit of the holidays even if it is not yet December. 5 days after the release of the first edition, it was already sold out. At the end of the following year, Dickens has written 13 editions already. A Christmas Carol is a classic novel that centers on the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge who is an old shrew that is haunted by his past business associate Jacob Marley along with the spirits of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come. The old protagonist was turned into a nicer and kinder person after the visitation of the spirits.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

This young adult fiction book is among the pieces that are co-authored by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is a New York Times bestseller that was adapted into a film that starred Kat Dennings and Michael Cera. The story centers on two people Nick who is treating his broken heart by regularly visiting an alternative rock scene in New York and Norah who is criticizing all her perceptions about the universe. Both of them have completely nothing in particular aside from their musical taste until an unexpected meeting leads to a night-long adventure to search for a legendary classified show and ultimately turned into a first date that might change their whole lives. This humorous and sexy roller-coaster tale will surely refresh your memory on how much you can be not certain on wherever the evening will bring you.

Deathwind of the Border by Irv Lampman

Published in 2010, Deathwind of the Border by Irv Lampman is indeed a must-read historical novel! It is based upon Lew Wetzel’s life and days. He is known to be among the best frontiers in America who is accountable for opening up the country called the Ohio River. Due to his determination and fierceness in searching Native American Indians and cruel white raiders referred to as Gargoyles, Lew Wetzel was called the “Deathwind of the Frontier.” He was among the earliest prominent pioneers in America. Moreover, he was a fellow countryman of Jonathan Zane — who is the forefather of the prominent novelist named Zane Grey. Wetzel is unbeatable with his tomahawk and ability with a long rifle. He had a relatively good aim and was also skilled in reloading while running after his prey.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Popular Willy Wonka is from this remarkable children’s book titled Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. It is intended for children ages 8 to 12 years old but is also read by adults. This classic book was published in 2004 by Puffin Books. The adventure started when the infamous chocolate factory run by Willy Wonka is, at last, opening its doors! But, the catch is that only 5 fortunate kids are allowed to enter. The winners include the fat Augustus Gloop, spoiled brat Veruca Salt, dim-wit Violet Beauregarde, gangster-in-training Mike Teavee, and the hero Charlie Bucket. Would they make the most out of the factory, and what could they — especially the kind Charlie, discover?

Remarkable Fiction Books that Will Teach You More about Grief

Grief is a strong emotion that has the ability to put you in a very dark place. Perhaps, there are already millions of people who have experienced this particular sorrow due to the loss of a loved one. The effects of grief on individuals are different because everyone has dissimilar coping mechanism and pain tolerance. There are those that can handle so much sorrow while there are others that easily break when given a great amount of pain.

What makes literature an important aspect in dealing with grief is its ability to make the people understand its process and stages. There are many books that talks about grief or have characters that are grieving; which, really connects well with the readers because of the strong feelings conveyed in the elements. These novels do not just contain words and stories but also meanings and lessons that can be used by the readers when they will be struck by this sorrow. With that being said, listed below are the best fiction books to read in getting to know more about grief.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

This fantasy fiction novel is written by Patrick Ness and was published by Walker Books. It follows the story of a little boy named Conor O’Malley in present-day England. Conor is dealing with heavy burden in such a young age, for having a separated parents and a mother who is severely ill. He is really struggling to manage the outcome of his mother’s sickness. Every night, he is visited by a monstrous creature that tells him tales; and, it urged him to tell the story that he shoved deeply in his heart after the monster’s turn. If Conor wouldn’t share his tale, the monster would do it and he wouldn’t like it. A Monster Calls has truly shown how a little boy is dealing with grief even before his mother breathes her last breath. Conor has gone through the stages of grief earlier than he should; and, the author definitely did a great job on showing the stages of grief and how it affects a child.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Published in 2015, All the Bright Places has made the YA world a buzz even until today. Niven has utilized her personal experience in losing a loved one through suicide and turned it into a wonderful masterpiece. It revolves on the story of two teenagers named Violet Markey and Theodore Finch. The former is already grieving after the death of her sister in a car accident which she survived but her sister didn’t. The latter is a bipolar teenager who encourages Violet that life is still worth living. As the story progressed, the two created a romantic bond. However, Violet was put back into her past situation after Finch took his own life by drowning into the river. She now knows how to handle grief because Finch has taught her and showed her every bright place in Indiana that will give her more reasons to keep being awake.

Home for Good by Gerald James Avila

AbbottPress published Home for Good by Gerald James Avila in 2016. It is a fiction book about how the grief of Jeff Williams, caused by the death of his wife Marilyn, contributed to his writer’s block; and, how he deals with his situation. He loves Marilyn dearly, even if she is already gone. Jeff got some help from his neighbor Alice, but there is no such thing that can mend the hole in his heart caused by Marilyn’s death. He is working on a manuscript about the happy and best parts of his marriage when he suddenly has fallen into the pit of writer’s block. Jeff already knows what caused his condition, and he hardly cares and tossed his typewriter out of the window. That’s the moment when Alice comes in and recommends Dr. Joan Steele, a therapist who might have the ability to help resolve Jeff’s writer’s block-and perhaps more. Joan is trying traditional psychological care techniques, but nothing applies to Jeff. She knows that she’s likely to have to be a little creative to crack this guy’s grief. They try with an unconventional therapy, and both Jeff and Joan are shocked at the outcomes as they eventually come together, cautiously get over conflict and form a relationship.

Must-Watch Science Fiction Movies Based on Books

Are you a fan of science fiction? Do your eyes take delight in watching movies or reading books that feature some futuristic sides of science and technology? If you do, then you are really one of the sci-fi fanatics! It cannot be denied that science fiction is one of the coolest genres with a wide reader and audience base. It even has conquered both literary and movie industry with its unique elements, making their readers and viewers enthusiastic to read or watch the works.

There are definitely millions of sci-fi novels that were published in the world of literature; End Game by Arsdale, Greg is one of the great examples. Imagine your favorite science fiction book that only plays the scenes in your imagination will be made into film. That would be awesome, isn’t it? Hence, satisfy your mind, eyes, and heart because we have provided below some must-watch sci-fi movies that are based on your favorite books!

Divergent (2014)

This film is released in 2014 starring Theo James and Shailene Woodley. It is based on the dystopian novel by Veronica Roth that has the same title as the movie. Moreover, it was directed by Neil Burger and produced by Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher, and Pouya Shahbazian. This movie adaptation is a major success because it garnered more 288.9 million dollars with the budget of 85 million dollars.

The story is set in a post-apocalyptic Chicago that has a divided society based on the virtue that people possesses, courage, honesty, kindness, selflessness and intellect. People are only allowed to display one of the said values and should belong to the factions Dauntless which values bravery, Erudite which values knowledge, Candor which values honesty, Abnegation which values selflessness, and Amity which values kindness. The story becomes more interesting when a 16-year-old Beatrice Prior got her aptitude test results and has displayed three virtues, which means that she can belong to three factions which are Abnegation, Dauntless, and Erudite. She is called a Divergent and should keep her secret for her to be alive.

The Iron Giant (1999)

This 1999 animated sci-fi movie is the adaptation of Ted Hughes’s novel The Iron Man. Brad Bird is the director of the film. He is also one of the brilliant people who did the production and screenplay. The voice actors of the characters are Vin Diesel, Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., James Gammon, Cloris Leachman,John Mahoney, Eli Marienthal, Christopher McDonald, and M. Emmet Walsh. It is about Hogarth Hughes, a boy who found a giant robot made of metal that came from the outer space during the 1975 Cold War. The boy and the robot later on created a bond of friendship. Hogarth is being chased by the U.S. army and a federal agent named Kent Mansley. This story really showed how great the power of friendship is. Because of its impactful theme and good animation, it has received a wide array of positive response.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

Based on the book by Douglas Adams with the same title as the film, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a mixture of science fiction and comedy that is directed by Garth Jennings. It gained 104.5 million dollars and is one of the best British-American sci-fi films. The characters were portrayed by Sam Rockwell, Mos Def, Zooey Deschane, Martin Freeman, Bill Nighy, Anna Chancellor, and John Malkovich. The story open with the character Arthur Dent found his home directly demolished to create a space for a bypass on a Thursday morning. His friend named Ford brought him to a pub and told him about an alien in Betelgeuse area and a journalist creating the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. That’s when all the adventures begin to emerge.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

This epic sci-fi movie is inspired by the 1951 short story of Arthur C. Clarke titled The Sentinel, as well as other short stories written by him. Moreover, the director and producer of this film is Stanley Kubrick. He also participated in working on the screenplay. It centers on the journey towards the planet Jupiter. The one who is on the voyage is the artificial intelligence HAL 9000, who is considered as the antagonist. The journey happened after an alien monolith is found in the area that is impacting the evolution of humankind. Moreover, the movie explores themes of evolution, technology, the potential existence of E.T. life, existentialism, and AI.

Fiction and Nonfiction: What You Need to Know

Are you fond of reading books? If you are, then you might be familiar with the terms “fiction” and “nonfiction.” They are two of the literary genres that are widely patronized by bibliophiles ever since. There are many fiction and nonfiction subgenres that existed. Fantasy, young adult fiction, science fiction, adventure, children’s literature, and romance are some of the popular examples of the former. Memoir, travel guide, biography, journal, textbook, and manuals are among the examples of the latter.

All of the books in these diverse genres have undergone thorough editing before they were published. No author would want their works to disappoint readers because of unseen grammatical errors or plot holes. Hence, editing would really help bring out the A games of books from fiction and nonfiction. Van Arsdale’s art of editing in fiction and nonfiction books is a great service that proves that every book of different genres must go through polishing.

Moreover, the two famous genres are often confused with one another. It could be because of the word “fiction” found on both terms. However, they have characteristics that set them apart from each other. Below are the details that you need to know about fiction and nonfiction.

Fiction

Fiction pertains to any work of literature that is produced from the author’s imagination. True to its name, the elements or aspects of the piece is not introduced as facts even if they are based on a true story or experience. Hence, the keyword for this genre is “imagination.”

The three basic kinds of fiction are the short story, novel, and novella. Short story refers to the work of fiction that with a word count that do not exceed 7,500 words. Novella is longer than short story because it is usually 17,500 to 40,000 words long. Novel is the longest form of fiction; its length must be at least 40,000 words or more. As literature evolves, furthermore, the avenue of fiction is also extending. It has now includes other fictional narratives that go beyond the writing spectrum, such as movies, comics, dramas, TV shows, and more.

Additionally, when you look at fiction as a genre, it has been divided into multiple sections. Most of the subgenres of fiction are differentiated by examining the elements, style, narrative techniques, and other literary devices and elements incorporated in the tales. Historical fiction, for instance, takes the fictional set of characters into the true events that happened in the past.

Most fictional works, especially novels, build their own worlds that make readers wish to be part of every time they read the story. This just shows that fiction books present a whole package instead of cherry-picking the elements to be displayed as work of the imagination. Narnia, Middle-Earth, Westeros, The Land of Oz, and Hogwarts are some of the great imaginary places that readers always crave to go.

Nonfiction

Nonfiction refers to any written work that has a good intention to symbolize truth and reliability based on the data, happenings, and people. Outputs in this category may be laid down subjectively or objectively. Some are presented in the form of articles while others are in to form of stories. Furthermore, it is among the essential avenues of narrative writing that opposes fiction. The parts of nonfiction are purely based on facts and real events while fiction revolves around aspects that are imaginary.

However, there are instances that nonfiction can present an inaccurate claim to a particular subject. The work may not be truthful from top to bottom. Authors of these types of pieces have sincerely believes that the particular subjects are factual during the writing process. Nonfiction doesn’t essentially need their outputs to be in written form because the assertions rose by images and movies can also claim to have a truthful account of the topic.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Diary of a Young Girl Anne Frank by Anne Frank, The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson, Silen Spring by Rachel Carson, Becoming by Michelle Obama, and Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari are among the popular nonfiction books of all time.

Promising Historical Fiction Authors That You Should Know

History and literature are two different things. The former is the study of the full series of events from the past that center on people and their affairs. The latter, however, is the platform that contains a wide array of written and printed material that possesses artistic value and long lasting merit. How awesome would it be if these two are being combined? Thus, the birth of the literary genre called historical fiction. It is the category that houses brilliant works of fiction that revolve around a fictional story that has been injected with a particular remarkable past events.

Over time, there have been several historical works published. These pieces wouldn’t live their glory days if there were no talented people behind the words. Hence, listed below are the best historical fiction authors that you MUST check-out!

Anthony Doerr

Are you familiar with or have you read the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner All the Light We Cannot See? If yes, then you might already know Anthony Doerr. He is the author of the said book. Moreover, Doerr is an American novelist who was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1973. He went to Bowdoin College to get his bachelor’s degree and later on attended Bowling Green State University to get his MFA. His first novel is an anthology of short stories titled Shell Collector. Afterward, he published his second novel — which is All the Light We Cannot See, in 2014 and it paved the way for him to get the Pulitzer Prize. It was a historical fiction novel set in the Second World War in occupied France. It was also recognized as the National Book Award for Fiction finalist, New York Times bestseller, Dayton Literary Peace Prize for Fiction runner-up, and 2015 Ohioana Library Association Book Award for Fiction winner.

Kristin Hannah

In September 25, 1960 at Garden Grove, California, Kristin Hannah was born. She is one of the top writers of fiction and historical fiction in this generation. Hannah wrote 24 books that are making differences in the lives of her readers. She attended the University of Washington where she got her bachelor’s degree in communication. Kristin also went to law school in the University of Puget Sound, and practiced law in Seattle for quite some time. Moreover one of her best books is The Nightingale, which sold more than two million copies all around the world. The book has been translated into 43 languages and is currently on the works for its film adaptation. Apart from The Nightingale, some of her books include A Handful of Heaven, Nigh Road, Waiting for the Moon, The Great Along, Four Winds, and more.

Irv Lampman

Deerfield, Wisconsin is the place where the Angels and Mysteries author Irv Lampman was born and raised; specifically in a little farm approximately 15 miles eastern Madison. His love and interest in reading started because of his dear mother Dorothy. With his mom’s great influence in reading works about angels, mysteries, and the Wild West, he created a book based on the tales. His historical fiction work was titled Angels and Mysteries: And the Incredible Happenings in the Wild Wild West. The setting of the book was during the time that the Westerners decided to extend their territories in the United States. Almost all of the tales in the book were stories told by an old woman to the author. This woman was born close to the finishing of the American Civil War and was raised during the era of Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday, the cattle drives, and the wagon trains going to the west.

Colson Whitehead

The award-winning novelist Arch Colson Chipp Whitehead was born in New York City, New York on November 6, 1969. The literary awards that he received are the 2016 National Book Award for Fiction and the 2017 and 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction awards. Furthermore, Whitehead studied in Harvard University in 1991. The Intuitionist is his first novel that was published in 1999. He has eight fiction books, two nonfiction books, 4 essays, and 2 short stories. The Intuitionist, John Henry Days, Apex Hides the Hurt, Sag Harbor, Zone One, The Underground Railroad, The Nickel Boys, and Harlem Shuffle are his promising and critically-acclaimed books in fiction.

Tips in Writing a Captivating Poetry Book

Poetry is one of the most exciting yet difficult forms of literature. There are more than what you read and understand the first time. The depth of every poem’s message cannot be told when you only base on its literal meaning. When you examine it more than once and really care to jump into its deeper corners, you can discover all its wonders. Sometimes the mere act of reading a poem makes your heart warm or aching; hence, poetry evokes human emotions through words embedded with a strong message.

There are many poetry books in the avenue of literature. Poetry in Motion Quattlebaum book is among the best anthologies that will make you fall in love with the art of poetry more, along with Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur, All Our Wild Wonders by Sarah Kay, The Witch Doesn’t Burn in This One by Amanda Lovelace, and more. If you are one of those who fell into the rabbit hole of poetry writing and badly want to create a poetry book, then listed below are the tips in writing a captivating poetry book that you might want to check out!

Don’t force yourself in writing, let the creativity flow

Never, ever, force yourself to write any piece of literature because it will compromise the beauty of your output. Poetry is hard to craft, especially if it follows a meter or rhyme scheme, but it doesn’t require you to force a creative thought to pop up to your mind. It also doesn’t demand you to write whatever that comes to your mind for the sake of having written some words into the paper.

Give yourself time to summon your creative juices naturally, you’ll never know how much of a beauty your poems would become if they are a product of free-flowing creativity. That is why you need to loosen up a little, do things that relaxes your mind, and when it you feel like you already have the exact amount of inspiration and will to write your poems — then grab the nearest pen and paper or devices and write.

Decide the structure of your poems

When you say “poetry,” it refers to a vague genre with a lot of curves and edges that you have to discover before diving into this art. There are different types of poetry wherein some are classified depending on meter. Hence, ensure that you have decided on what meter do you want to use, but it you want to have more creative freedom — then you might want to go for free verse. It is important to identify if whether you want to use a meter or not so that you can keep the consistency of the poems in your poetry book. However, if you want to put a variety of poems that follow a diverse pattern, meter, and rhyme scheme, then you may do so. It is all in your preference and tactics on how you want your poems to appear.

Make use of the figurative language

There are many devices that you can use to enhance the quality of your poems. Figurative language is one of the most commonly used literary devices in poetry. This aspect is not a want but a need for poems to keep their depth and ambiguity. Figurative language is also necessary in building better aesthetics, inserting deeper meanings, and hiding substantial information within the text. Metaphors, simile, personification, alliteration, metonymy, assonance, hyperbole, and synecdoche are some examples of figurative language that are widely used in poetry. They are the ones that make poetry more colorful and fun by hiding the real meaning of the text through playful words.

Write with to express and not to impress

Write because you want to pour your heart out. Write because you are passionate about it. Write because it is what you genuinely want. Do not write because you want people to look up to you and all other reasons that centers on fame. Instill in your mind that the only time that you will achieve literary success and will gain great readers is when you write because you want to lay down the things that make your heart heavy, warm, or delighted. If there are thoughts that are bothering your mind for quite some time now or if there are experiences that you want to share to others, you can grab a piece of paper and scramble the words on it.

Poignant Children’s Educational Story Books

Perhaps you are curious why there are adults who are still interested in a wide array of childrens educational story book. The answer to that question is because there is something different yet exciting children’s literature provide to readers not just for kids but for all ages. The lessons that are embedded in the tales are more meaningful and substantial that brings you closer to reality. Hence, making readers learn and enjoy at the same time without even getting drained or tired.

Roald Dahl, Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, Marcus Pfister, Janet Councilman, Caroleann Rice, and William Martine Dalmas are some of the best authors of educational story books for kids. They are providing both kids and adults the opportunity to become a better person full of wit and delight. So, if you want children around you and even yourself to be educated in different approach — provided below are the meaningful children’s story books that promote learning.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

In 1969, the picture book by William Steig titled Sylvester and the Magic Pebble was published by Windmill Books. It centers on a donkey named Sylvester who resides in Oatsdale. He is gathering pebbles that have unique characteristics. One day, he discovers a pebble that can extraordinarily give him what he desires — like a genie in a bottle! Right after the discovery, there was a lion that frightened Sylvester; hence, he was caught off guard and out of fear, he wished to become a rock. When he was turned into a rock, the pebble fell off because he doesn’t have legs or arms to hold it anymore. Sylvester cannot return to his donkey form because to do that, he will need the pebble. Would Sylvester find a way to become a donkey again? That’s what you need to find out!

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña

This award winning books is written by Matt de la Peña with illustrations by Christian Robinson. Last Stop on Market Street was published by Penguin Books in 2015. It successfully bagged the Newbery Medal in 2016, Caldecott Honor Book in 2016, Coretta Scott King Honor Book for the illustrator in 2016, Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book in 2016, and other awards. CJ, a little African-American boy, is the protagonist of the story. He and his Nana are leaving the church in the middle of a rainstorm. They decided to walk from the church to the bus stop when CJ raised a question as to why they needed to walk in the middle of the rain. His Nana filled his curiosity by saying that water is essential to trees.

When they arrived in the bus stop, CJ asked why they don’t have a car when his friend Colby is riding one with his dad. They boarded the bus and went to the front seat. That is when he met a blind guy and saw two boys that possess iPods, a guy started to play a song using his guitar. In that moment, CJ finally feel and realize genuine beauty.

There’s a Fish in My Tent by Paul Du Fresne

Dog Ear Publishing, LLC published There’s a Fish in My Tent by Paul Du Fresne in 2017. This remarkable book is a product of a collaboration of two brilliant minds, the author Paul Du Fresne and illustrator Tom Shannon. These two talented individuals shared the delight of kids and grandkids who serve as their muses. There’s a Fish in My Tent is the second piece that Du Fresne and Shannon produced, and they still hope to create a whole lot more.

Often times, the things that we sincerely yearn for appear to be kind of difficult than what we expected — this is one of the lessons that the book is telling its readers. Hence, the story is all about assisting in educating readers that sometimes things don’t go their way. There are some bumps in the road and deceiving corners that make the end result a little less similar than what we thought they it would be. But with planning and determination, they can make everything in line and achieve what they have been hoping for so long.

4 Stirring Civil War Fiction Novels to Check-out

Have you ever wondered about the impact of Civil War to people? Based on the destruction and death that it caused, it has truly affected thousands of lives until today. The descendants of both people that witnessed the horrors of the war and people that were killed are definitely aware of how the Civil War changes their bloodline’s fate.

War stories, like all other tales, didn’t sit in the corner and continue to chill. Instead, they are being told from generations to generations. That is why there are literary works that revolve around it aiming to educate people about the Civil War and create a big impact on the readers’ lives. With that being said, listed below are some of the best Civil War fiction books to check-out.

The March by E.L. Doctorow

In 2005, the historical fiction written by E.L. Doctorow called The March was published by Random House. The setting of the story is during the late 1864 and early 1865, which is close to the end of the American Civil War. The March tells the story of, based on its title, the march of troops headed by General William Tecumseh Sherman. General Sherman marches his 60,000 soldiers along the center of South America, specifically from Atlanta to Savannah. They have cut 96 kilometers-wide damage of dismantling in their wake. The outcome of General Sherman’s command to settle in the area didn’t go well. The troops created havoc by ransacking houses, robbing cattles, burning produces, and enticing a troublesome group of homeless freed slaves and refuges. Moreover, it was awarded with the 2006 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and 2005 National Book Critics Circle Award/Fiction.

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

The first edition of The Red Badge by Stephen Crane was published in 1895. The story is set during the American Civil War and revolves around Henry Fleming, a part of the Union Army. Fleming is a young private who escapes from the battlefield. Filled with embarrassment, he wished for a wound — a red badge of courage, in order to stall on his gutlessness. So, the moment his force battled their enemy for the second time, the young private serves as the flag bearer. What made the novel notable is how it showcases both realism and naturalism, even though the author didn’t experienced fighting in the war. The book was adapted into many films. One of the great adaptations of it is the movie with the same title as the novel that starred Audie Murphy and was directed by John Huston.

Angels and Mysteries and Incredible Happenings in the Wild Wild West by Irv Lampman

New Man Springs Publishing published Angels and Mysteries and Incredible Happenings in the Wild Wild West by Irv Lampman in March 18, 2019. The author dedicated the book to the memory of Winston Whitform whom he expressed his gratitude for the eternal friendship. Furthermore, Angels and Mysteries and Incredible Happenings in the Wild Wild West specifically retell the events about Angelic interference. The book, moreover, took inspiration from the author’s brilliant Grandma Patton. When he was still young, his grandmother always tells him awesome stories of the American Civil War.

Gods and Generals, The Civil War Trilogy book 1 by Jeff Shaara

In 1996, Ballantine Books published the first book of The Civil War trilogy which is Gods and Generals. It is the masterpiece of Jeff Shaara that was followed by the Pulitzer Prize winner The Killer Angels in 1974. It is categorized under historical civil war fiction. Gods and Generals, furthermore, came into view after the authors’ father died in 1988. The book contains events that are relevant during the American Civil War, specifically in 1858-1863. The story highlights significant officials of the two armies, which are General Robert E. Lee, Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, Lt. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, and Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Chamberlain. The book was adapted into film later on. It was Ronald F. Maxwell who directed the film adaptation and was starred by Robert Duvall and Jeff Daniels. Gods and Generals was awarded with the W.Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction by the American Library Association during the year 1997.

Promising Mystery Romance Authors to Check Out this Fall

How cool could it be to get both mystery and romance in one book? It is like experiencing the best of both worlds! It has been known that literary genres have broad scopes and can fuse with one another; and, this is the case with mystery romance fiction.

Mystery alone is all about finding culprits and solving crimes while romance is all about falling in love and showing affection. When you combine these two together, you’d get a genre that is all about mystery solving and falling in love all at once; hence, provoking intense emotions that readers may or may not have experience often.

With that being said, let’s get to know more about mystery romance fiction by checking out these remarkable authors provided below!

Nora Roberts

J.D. Robb, Jill March, Nora Roberts, and Sarah Hardesty are the pseudonyms of Eleanor Marie Robertson. Despite her real names and other pen names, she is commonly known as Nora Roberts by many. She was born in Silver Spring, Maryland on October 10, 1950. Nora is among the most popular female authors in the world of contemporary literature. She has already been known as the very first novelist that was listed in the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Most of her books have stayed on The New York Times bestseller list for more than 800 weeks, where 176 weeks of it was spent by conquering the first rank. Her novels are commonly under romance, suspense, fantasy, or combination of either of the three.

Janet Evanovich

Janet Schneider, also known in her pen names Janet Evanovich and Steffie Hall, is one of the prolific American novelists of today. She was born in South River, New Jersey on April 22, 1943, but now lives in Florida. Her writing career started after writing short contemporary books about romance by using her Steffie Hall pseudonym. But what gave her popularity is her Stephanie Plum series, which is a mystery series about a former buyer of lingerie that turned into a bounty hunter. Moreover, Janet’s novels are mostly about romance, mystery, suspense, and fiction. She has authored several novels that have been giving chills and sparking interest from the readers until today. However, her Stephanie Plum series is definitely the most notable for it stayed in different best seller list, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon.

Patricia Sims

Patricia Sims is not just an amazing author but also a singer-songwriter. But before anything else, she was an educator who has always loved writing. Because of her extreme passion for writing, she tried to step into the magical world of fiction that she has always dreamed of entering since she was a kid. She has a book that is categorized under mystery and romance titled A Major Hurdle. Furthermore, Patricia has a bachelor’s degree in business education with additional studies in computer applications. She is married to Johnny Sims, a minister, who always got her back on whatever her endeavors are and will be. In fact, they collaborated for a gospel CD titled In The Name that was released January of last year.

Julie James

Julie James is a Chicago born author. Her books are categorized in genres of romance, fiction, mystery, and even a mixture of the three. She is known as one of the New York Times bestselling author of many books, including but not limited to Something About You, About that Night, Practice Makes Perfect, It Happened One Wedding, etc. James also known for pursuing law and practiced in a firm that is among the largest firms in the country. While pursuing law, she also ended up writing screenplays, which some producers from Hollywood optioned two of her works. After that moment, she decided to put a stop on her practice of law so that she could allocate all of her time in writing.

Kendall Elliott

The American novelist Kendall Elliott was born on June 11 and was raised in the abundant Pacific Northwest. She still lives in the area where she grew up along with her family and three pet cats. She always has huge interest in forensics. That said, her novels are commonly under mystery, thriller, and romance genres. Elliott is known to be one of the #1 Amazon best-selling authors, who has sold more than 8 million copies.