BookSpeak Network

What can be learned from a diary? What indeed, from not just one but several original writings, letters, journals, and other memorabilia of the Colonial and Victorian times? The answers lie in T.N. Pollio's new book, Voices from Early America on Sunbury Press Books. Speaking with Lawrence Knorr, Pollio discusses his work as a historian and author and his collection of authentic and true diaries and writings of American settlers. Their times were different, but like today, their emotions and perspectives on life mirror those of today. T.N. Pollio lives on the shore of Southern New England. He is the author of two books on ancient and medieval history, which are on the shelves of nearly 900 academic libraries on five continents. He has also published numerous articles and essays on art and historical subjects. Pollio is also a member of the Archeologic Institute of America and other historical forums.

Author, intuitive dreamer, and channeler Patti Fields returns to the Ars Metaphysica imprint with her new book, Freedom Now--Transform Life Experiences into Miraculous Moments. In her second release, Fields channels her spirit guide Neshea to offer transformative teachings for inner liberation and empowerment. Insights on relationships, expanded consciousness, and divine purpose are explored, which provide the reader a path to greater self-discovery. Speaking on the Sunbury Press Books Show, Fields talks of the formative experiences that led Fields to discover Neshea and share insights on universal questions, the answers of which can be applied to real-life issues. Fields is also the author of Dreaming Miracles--Spiritual Messages that Help and Heal. You can find out more on her website.

Author Robert John Andrews brings the 18th-century Susquehanna Valley to life in this Catamount Press novella, A Susquehanna Tale. This period of early American history is hard, where the rifle, tomahawk, and knife rule. It is a time of hope and loss, land-hungry settlers and the Iroquois; here, two men, frontier scout Alexander Tennant and pioneer Colonel William Montgomery discuss the stories of their lives and times. A Susquehanna Tale is discussed by Robert John Andrews and Sunbury Press Books founder Lawrence Knorr in this BookSpeak Network podcast. Retired after more than 40 years of pastoral work, including nearly three decades as head of the Grove Presbyterian Church in Danville, Pennsylvania, Andrews is a popular newspaper columnist, community and church leader, and public speaker on historical and spiritual topics. His first book, Nathaniel's Call won the First Book Award from the Presbyterian Writer's Guild, the first print-on-demand book so honored.  Danville remains Andrews' home, and he says he's learned to cherish this region's rich history and love the tale of its river.

Horror author Stephen Paul Sayers comes to Hellbender Books with a new tale of suspense in The Carousel Man. Haunted by nightmares and visions, a desperate man returns to their source: a childhood carousel ride. There, he uncovers a shocking truth—and a long-forgotten promise that he is condemned to fulfill. Sayers is the author of the bestselling Caretakers horror trilogy, A Taker of Morrows, The Soul Dweller, and The Immortal Force. He appears on the Sunbury Press Show to discuss his love of old horror movies (watched with his ill-behaved dog, Ollie), how they influenced his writing, and his work as a college professor. He makes his home in Columbia, Missouri, and Plymouth, Massachusetts.   You can find out more about him at his website.

"We are vessels...and sometimes we have to empty them." For years, Jhana has traveled the country as a National Public Radio reporter, looking for the stories of interesting people to tell. Now she has returned to her hometown of Sorel, to empty her vessel and tell listeners her own tale. As she navigates a hometown that has changed but still retains much of what it once was, Jhana reunites and remembers to see if one can go home again, in How the Story Ends. The seventh book by Tory Gates, How the Story Ends finds the author returning to commercial fiction. His works on Brown Posey Press include the Sweet Dreams Series, a young adult/time travel series with an emphasis on music. He is also the author of the award-winning A Moment in the Sun, Live from the Cafe, and the self-published Parasite Girls, which can be found on Amazon and Draft2Digital. For nearly 40 years, Tory has worked in broadcast radio, and is currently an anchor for NBC News Radio, but also provides news content for stations across Central Pennsylvania. He is also the host of "The Brown Posey Press Show" here on the BookSpeak Network. On this episode of The Sunbury Press Books Show, Tory discusses his career, his Vermont upbringing, and what inspires and drives his writing. You can find more on his website. A native of Cambridge, Vermont, Tory graduated from Saint Joseph's College of Maine. He lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with his cat, Kao. He can be found anywhere that good coffee is served.

Elbridge Corvallis finds himself in an unenviable position. About to start his professional hockey career, "Elby" is called home to Lowland, Pennsylvania, due to his mother's death. A car accident then keeps him home, and Elby has to somehow heal, and figure out how to get out of a gritty, dying steel town. Elby must also contend with his father's slide into madness, a pervy landlord, a revenge-minded physical therapist, and also the "Duke of Ash Avenue," a mysterious character who wants to secede and return the town to British rule. The darkly humorous situation and the strange characters that surround him leave Elby to consider his own place in the world, and whether Lowland really has anything for him? Garrett Stack brings his first novel, "The Duke of Ash Avenue" to the Catamount Press and the Sunbury Press Book Show. A poet and author of short fiction, Stack's work has appeared in several literary magazines. "Yeoman's Work," a collection of his poetry came out in 2020 on Bottom Dog Press. He holds degrees from Indiana University, the University of San Diego and Carnegie Mellon University. You can find out more about Garrett on his website.

Arcane Assassin: Path of Annihilation is the first of the Raven Naelo series, now available on the Hellbender Books imprint of Sunbury Press.  The daughter of an elven king and human mother, Raven is a would-be rogue seeking to follow her father's path and become a realm guardian. After proving her worth against a gang of half-orcs, her father sends Raven to a training camp, where she meets fellow travelers, mages, nymphs, and archers. Their training is tested as they step into the world of advanced magic, but Raven finds her own power and danger at every turn. As the world plunges into war, Raven must fight to save her homeland from destruction, and the possibility that living and dead will never find peace. AnneMarie Knorr-Fischer is co-author of what promises to be an exciting quest, that she and her wife Rachel have set Raven upon. She discusses with host Lawrence Knorr how a love of Dungeons & Dragons and the discovery of old gaming documents and maps inspired Raven and the newly-released start of an exciting and captivating series. The authors live in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

R. Kane Maurer brings his love of fantasy and adventure tales to a trilogy of his own design, The Forbidden Powers. After agreeing to explore a local cave, Jonny is thrust into another world of magic, trolls, dragons, and legendary heroes only read about. Jonny quickly finds this is all too real and must learn to not only save himself but to defend the world he knows from a sinister force who seeks the power of a god. "The Cup in the Shadows" is the first of Maurer's three-volume set, available through the Hellbender Books imprint of Sunbury Press. Inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and others, Maurer has brought his original storytelling to the printed word, and discusses the trilogy with host Lawrence Knorr. R. Kane Maurer lives with his family in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The Deceived Ones is a tale of displacement, a stranger in a strange land, music, and a tale most familiar to fans of a certain bard. In her debut novel, Judith Krummeck brings real places, war, music, and identity to life.  Vira is a talented, but introverted Ukrainian woman who is forced to flee her homeland as Russia invades. She lands in Baltimore with help from the Uniting for Ukraine program, carrying the clothes on her back and her viola da gamba. An assault and the loss of her passport drive Vira to assume the identity of her twin brother Sevastyan, who fights to avoid conscription and follow Vira to the US. Meanwhile, Orson is commissioned to write an opera for the Twelfth Night Festival, but cannot compose; his muse, the equally brilliant soprano Isabella refuses to sing again, for him or anyone else. Vira's musical talents come Orson's way, as she tries to remake herself and navigate a path to a new life.  Based on Twelfth Night, Judith Krummeck discusses The Deceived Ones on the Brown Posey Press Show. A native of South Africa, Krummeck is an essayist, author, and playwright. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts from the University of Baltimore. She is the author of "Beyond the Baobab," an autobiographical series of essays, and "Old New Worlds," a work of historical non-fiction. Her writings have appeared in The Rumpus, Baltimore Fishbowl, and Past Ten. Judith is also the evening drive presenter on classical music radio station WBJC in Baltimore, where she lives with her husband. You can find more about Judith on her website.

The Pittsburgh Pirates were the doormat of the National League for much of the 1950s but began to turn things around late in the decade. Through changes in the front office and management, the Bucs had their first winning season in a decade in 1958 but slipped to fourth place the following year. 1960: When the Pittsburgh Pirates Had Them All the Way is the story of that magical run, from spring training to a wild World Series against the New York Yankees. Wayne Stewart brings his love of baseball, plus extensive research and player interviews to the table in this comprehensive look at a unique team that won 95 games and then took the Yankees the distance. Shortstop Dick Groat earned the NL MVP Award, 20-game winner Vernon Law took Cy Young honors, and an outfielder named Roberto Clemente hit .314 with a then career-high 16 home runs. Players such as Harvey "The Kitten" Haddix, Roy Face, Hal Smith, and Bill Mazeroski made their respective marks; the latter was mostly a defensive specialist who hit the series-clinching homer. A native of Pittsburgh, Wayne Stewart grew up in Donora, Pennsylvania. The town produced several athletes who made it in the pros, including Stan Musial and Ken Griffey, Senior, and Junior (Stewart in fact was a high school teammate of the elder Griffey). Stewart is the author of a string of books on baseball, football and basketball, and has interviewed some of the biggest names in professional sports. "A must-read for every baseball fan." -- Vernon Law    

Massachusetts was one of the states on the front line when it came to the Abolitionist Movement, but it also served as an early hub for the slave trade in New England. In his new book on Local History Press, Slavery and Abolitionism on Cape Cod, Dr. Michael Pregot looks into how both the pro and anti-slavery factions took hold. To understand the shift away from slavery, Dr. Pregot looks into the forces that caused this change, including the political and religious persuasions, economic factors, and social movements of the time. A resident of Brewster, Massachusetts, Michael Pregot's interest in the stories of the Cape and Islands led to his research into the sea captains who acquired wealth, fame, and prominence as they sailed the world, as chronicled in his first Local History release, Sea Captains of Cape Cod. 

Justin Moore, the protagonist of Dennis Clausen's works, The Accountant's Apprentice and The Return of the Fifth Horseman is back with Apocalypse in Our Time. In Justin's time as the director of a homeless shelter, he's seen an awful lot. The latest residents of the shelter include Young Angelina, an artistic savant with an obsession with Shakespeare's plays and the paintings of Michaelangelo. When Justin later picks up a nameless, catatonic man from a bus depot, he wonders if the long-lost A.C. has indeed returned. Or is he an otherworldly figure whose mission is to convince Earth's inhabitants to destroy themselves? Dennis Clausen is a native of Minnesota and draws on his home state to inspire his numerous works. He is the author of books that include Prairie Son, My Christmas Attic, The Search for Judd McCarthy, and The Sins of Rachel Sims. A professor of American Literature and Creative Writing at the University of San Diego for over 40 years, Clausen has also written the instructional Storytelling as Art & Craftsmanship: Practical Strategies for Screenwriters and Creative Writers. Find out more at his website.

Altoona, Pennsylvania, 1966. Nineteen-year-old Frank Davis stands on the edge of adulthood in a tumultuous time of American history, brought to life in Fred J. Lauver's new novel, Heart in the Jungle - Mountain City. Frank's middle-class neighborhood has streets named after poets, in contrast to the reality of the city's industrial lands, the remains of the coal and railroad industries. Amid this, Frank dreams of rock stardom with his band, while living a somewhat-sheltered life that hearkens back to a decade before. The Vietnam War hangs heavy over the nation, and while patriotism remains strong, the feeling pervades many that this is a war we should not be fighting. Frank enlists in the Air Force, only to find he's been drafted, by the seemingly standard practice of the local board. Efforts of wealthier families, determined to keep their sons from this war resort to extreme measures and Frank is caught up in it. All the while, Frank tries to find love. His lifelong friend Jeannette Wiley is gone, the allure of Sarah Meade, the girl everyone wants, and the courtship of Brandi Jo Pulinni, guided by her Italian-American family's ever-changing perceptions.  A native of Altoona, Fred is the author of works including Aziza, the Caves of Mars, and Olympus. His short stories have appeared in anthologies such as The Darkened Doorstep, and Bitter Sweet. He co-authored The Pennsylvania Trail of History cookbook and was assistant editor of Pennsylvania Heritage magazine.  Find out more about Fred here.  

A small-town murder in rural Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania is examined by author Taj Magruder in his Milford House Press debut, In the Day of Trouble. On March 17, 1934, a woman named Susan Mummey was shot and killed by a known assailant. Her murder was due to her being known as the Witch of Ringtown Valley, which Magruder covers in detail for the first time. For years Mummey was rumored to practice magic from her isolated farm home, and her battles with family, neighbors, and the law were known. When detectives extracted a confession from her assailant, the revelations that followed not only shocked the county, but far beyond. As quickly as the excitement and interest in Mummey's murder and what she was alleged to have done grew, it faded away. Magruder's research into the historical record, press reports, and insights from survivors of those involved has resulted in a fascinating look at a strange time in American history. Magruder examines Mummey's life, and her connections to "powwow," the Pennsylvania Dutch form of mysticism, faith healing, and spirituality. He also looks into how Mummey came to be misunderstood, the mental disturbance of her killer, which may make the reader examine their own selves. A Baltimore native, Taj Magruder has worked in state and local government. A graduate of Penn State University with a degree in political science, he lives in the Greater Philadephia area with his cats, Benji and Roxie.

Rita Wilson's debut novel, When the Only Light is the Moon tells the tale of four women, each with their own story, and a chance encounter in a foreign land that changes everything. Demi is a Greek-American banquet manager who is still recovering from a breakup. She joins her mother, aunt, and cousin for a trip to Greece. The plan for a relaxing holiday does not begin well as their rental car breaks down. Rescue by a villager and her grandson Stavros leads to an unexpected romance, with Charles, a British author who offers humor and sage advice.  Demi must consider her feelings for Stavros, and with Charles' advice in mind, all four women face their issues in this work on the Milford House imprint. Rita Wilson is an award-winning artist, writer, and educator. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including the literary magazines Rune and Riverspeak, Voices from the Attic, and The 100 Lives Anthology. Her first book, Greek Lessons is a biography and memoir, and her many trips to Greece have informed the new novel she speaks of with host Lawrence Knorr. Wilson has an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Carlow University in Pittsburgh. A retired teacher, Wilson has held creative writing workshops in the US and Europe. She is also a Western Pennsylvania Writing Project fellow, a Non-Fiction Editor for the Northern Appalachia Review, and a Director of the Writing Conference of Northern Appalachia (WCONA). She lives near Pittsburgh.

Brian George has drawn on his experiences (both in and out of body) for his poetry and essays. A collection of the latter form his book, Masks of Origin: Regression in the Service of Omnipotence, on Untimely Books. Stories, examinations of faith and spirituality, philosophy, and visual works show a unique take on our world. George discusses the pushing of boundaries, including time and space, and how our experiences, though perhaps negative or even traumatic, may well open doors to discovery. As part of his appearance on The Brown Posey Press Show, George reads selections of his works, drawing the listener (as it has the reader) into a deeper look at the author, and perhaps ourselves. Brian George grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts. He is a Massachusetts College of Art graduate and is an exhibitor and educator. George has published works of poetry and essays (with more to come) and is editor of the Metapsychosis Journal. He lives in Boston. 

The Young Frontiersman Series follows Barnabus Locke as he lives through a formative period in America. The son of a fur trader, Locke's odyssey from the Revolutionary Period through the time of the Louisiana Purchase. The volumes of his adventures, "Fidelity," "Allegiance," and "Alliance" are now joined by the latest in the series, "Identity." All come from the pen of Matthew Blaine and available through Milford House Press. Inspired by the works of Ernest Hemingway, Jack London, Louis L'Amour, and John Steinbeck, Blaine tells of his varied life: a steelworker, factory floor assembler, carpenter, and cab driver, he also managed trade shows across the East Coast. His interests included primitive archery, hiking, and canoeing. During the pandemic, Blaine wrote two self-published memoirs of his life. All of this spurred him to create Barnabus Locke, and live history through times of change in the colonies, the Spanish/French conflict over the Louisiana Territory, and the Ohio Country, which has its roots in Western Pennsylvania.  Retired, Matthew Blaine lives in rural Pennsylvania. When not writing, he works in a shop in the woods, practicing the skills required for leather working, shaping and fletching primitive arrows and marrying old ax heads with newly fashioned handles.

The Holly Garner and Stephanie Miller team return to the Sunbury Press Books Show to discuss their new series of children's books, designed to help kids navigate difficult times. Best known for the engaging books "Letters to Leo" and "More Letters to Leo," they return with the Emotional Monster series on Speckled Egg Press. The first two of these, "Why is Frustrated so Frustrated?" and "Why is Sad so Sad?" are designed in words and pictures to help young people become aware of these emotions and how to deal with them.  The pairing of Garner and Miller is natural, as they both work at the Grace B. Luhrs Elementary School in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Holly Garner has been an educator for over 30 years, the principal of Luhrs, a teacher and reading specialist. Stephanie Miller has more than 25 years of experience, teaches third grade at Luhrs, and has brought her artistic skills to the team. Another new release is Stuck! A hilarious tale of a hockey goalie stuck in his net, this tale teaches the value of teamwork. 

The fourth and final volume of the Anthems of al-Andalus series, John D. Cressler takes the reader to Spain and tells the tale of forbidden love during a bloody war that heralds the end of a golden age. As much a tale of fiction, it is also one of history, which most never learn about in the west. Most of modern Spain was under Muslim control from 711 to 1492 C.E. This time was one of deep influence in world events, including the rediscovery, translation and dissemination of the lost works of science, medicine, and philosophy of the ancient Greeks. The Umayyads were great lovers of books and learning, and the 10th and 11th centuries was a period of religious and spiritual acceptance, where Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities embraced one another. The three traditions sparked a cultural revolution.  This discussion with host Lawrence Knorr provides insight into centuries past, and how faiths lived and grew together and inspired immense change, now seemingly lost. John D. Cressler is the Schlumberger Chair Professor in Electronics at Georgia Tech. His debut novel, "Emeralds of the Alhambra," was released by Sunbury Press in 2013, followed by "Shadows in the Shining City," and "Fortune's Lament." He is also the author of non-fiction works that include "Silicon-Germanium Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors," "Silicon Earth," and "Extreme Environment Electronics." You can find out more about him at his website.    

Murial Robertson is a rebellious woman of the late 19th century but has to keep a fair amount of that under wraps. Attached to the security detail of her Senator father, Murial longs to break from his grip, yet must also protect him.  When her father is threatened by an unknown stalker known as "The Serpent," it is up to Murial to discover his identity. Aided by her cousin Walter and a lawman named Jack, Murial begins an odyssey of intrigue, action and self-discovery in the novella "The Serpent's Star." Author and artist Sarah Ickes has brought Murial to life, spurred by her interest in art, history, westerns, Steampunk and suspense. She discusses these and future works on the Brown Posey Press Show. A graduate of Harrisburg Area Community College, Ickes can be found at area events, on social media and at her website. Sarah lives in Newville, Pennsylvania.

Baseball cards were collected, traded, and used in games we made up as kids. In recent decades, however, the collectibles market has turned these into a multi-million-dollar business. They are the stuff of memories, the object of historians, and an addition to some people's portfolios. A recent discovery of a rare set of T206 cards sold in cigarette packs in the early 20th century has become a book, "What's in Ted's Wallet?"  The owner of these cards was Theodore "Ted" Edison, the youngest son of Thomas Alva Edison. In the summer of 1909, Ted began collecting these cards and soon amassed a collection of 61, including 58 players. Many of them ended up in the Baseball Hall of Fame, such as Ty Cobb, Frank Chance, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson. He kept them in a wallet made that year, and they were found among Ted's donated papers in the 1990s. When J.B. Manheim and co-author Lawrence Knorr found these during archival research on Edison and baseball, they knew they had a book! J.B. Manheim is Professor Emeritus at The George Washington University, where he developed the world's first degree-granting program in political communication. He is also the founding director of the School of Media & Public Affairs. He is the author of "The Deadball Files," a five-volume series on the early years of professional baseball in the 20th century. He is a member of the Society for American Baseball Research, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America, and International Thriller Writers.  

"Promised Rewards" is a tale that takes the reader through 9th Century England, and follows an aspiring Bard, who tells the tales of the axe-wielding hero Sigurd. They don't quite start out that way, but seeking adventure means conflict, friendship, and perhaps even love as the two make their way through uncertain times. The story is one of many from Clif Flynt, who joins the Brown Posey Press Show to discuss how Bard and Sigard came about. With a background in folk music, computer programming and as a technical author, Clif has turned his skills toward short stories and the soon-to-be ongoing epic of his heroes. Clif is also the author of "You're Not From Around Here, Are You?" These and other works can be found on his website. He lives Michigan.

The full, eventful, and rich life of Lew Wallace is examined in detail in "Lew: The Life and Times of the Author of Ben Hur." Biographer Michael E. Fox appears on the Sunbury Press Books Show to discuss Wallace's career, and how one of the most popular novels of the 19th century was not religious, but a semi-autobiographical account of his own times. Fox traces Wallace's early life in Indiana (Fox was raised in Crawfordsville, where Wallace was sent for schooling at the age of nine, and where he retired), his experience in the Mexican War, and his time serving as a field commander under General Ulysses S. Grant during the western campaigns of the American Civil War. Wallace also served as Governor of the New Mexico Territory, where he completed "Ben Hur," and as a US Minister to the Ottoman Empire. Wallace's greatest work, "Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ" is considered the most spiritually influential novel of the century. He also wrote several other novels and a biography of President Benjamin Harrison, a fellow Indianan and Civil War general.  Michael E. Fox developed friendships during his childhood with men who knew Wallace. He is a graduate of Purdue University, an attorney, and with a Master of Law (LLM) with Honors. He has worked for Eastman Kodak and served as President of Screen GP Americas, a maker of high-speed, high-resolution printing equipment and is considered a pioneer in modern-day printing and publishing technology. Now retired, he lives in Southern California.  

Book 3 of the Rian Krieger's Journey takes Roger A. Smith's tomboyish heroine to Russia in "The Blackmailer." Thirteen-year-old Rian (that's Ree-in) runs away to Russia in 1838 to assist her uncle and cousin as they build a railroad for Tsar Nicholas I. There's a problem, though perhaps not for Rian--she is masquerading as her uncle's coachman, a boy. Rian's bravery and resourcefulness are soon noted by the Tsar, and Rian finds herself assigned to his palace, companion to Grand Duke Konstantin, his young son.  Across the ocean, an economic depression has struck the US, and in Philadelphia, where Rian's family is based. Jules Freeman, a man who fled slavery years before works as foreman of Krieger Coach, while his home serves as a stopover on the Underground Railroad. He is then tasked with a new project, one that intrigues and challenges him. Roger A. Smith continues to combine his love of history with a story that has been ignored for nearly two centuries. In his third appearance on the Sunbury Press Books Show, Smith discusses what brought Rian, her family, and friends to life, and how a girl who has already accomplished much in her life will live history. A teacher of mentally gifted students, a farmer, an entrepreneur, and director of a rural arts council, Smith lives on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Find out more about him at RogerASmith.com

Steven Grier Williams brings his latest work, "Skadi and the Geats," the third of the Prose Edda Series to the Sunbury Press Books Show. The heart of the mysterious Ironwood forest has been pillaged and turned into a mine. Hrothgar, the Earl of Lejre has staked his claim as ruler of Midgard, but with force and violence which leaves the kingdom in his grip. But there are those who will fight... Skadi has proven her worth as Viking warrior and now joins the wide and bodiless Mimir in search of his physical form. An invitation from Hrothgar draws Skadi into a conspiracy that involves the Aesir gods, and she realizes that relying on others may be the only way to oust the Earl and restore her home. Steven Grier Williams is a graduate of Northwestern University, and his interest in Iceland and Nordic myths has resulted in the series, which includes, "Skadi," and "Thyra." He lives with his wife Danielle in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Author Dan Van Tassel returns to the Sunbury Press Books Show to discuss his new travel memoir, "Beyond Barron." The sequel to the 2008 release, "Back to Barron," Van Tassel tells of he and his wife Rhoda's travels and career. The memoir focuses on schools and universities attended, taught and visited; homes built, bought and redecorated; vehicles and pets acquired, all done with humor and detail.  Dan Van Tassel grew up in Barron, Wisconsin, about 80 miles northeast of Minneapolis, Minnesota and discusses his upbringing in a small town reminiscent of the life Garrison Keillor often wrote and told his own tales about. Van Tassel graduated from St. Olaf College, and earned graduate degrees from the University of Iowa. He taught literature at Muskingum College and Cal State-San Marcos, and now teaches courses for senior citizens. Dan is also the author of the 2022 Sunbury Press release, "Journey by the Book: A Guide to Tales of Travels." He lives in Northfield, Minnesota. 

The life of Major William Trent is shrouded in relative obscurity, but his mark on the Colonial period of early US history cannot be taken from him. The son of a Philadelphia shipping merchant, and the namesake for the capitol of New Jersey, Trent served as the factor for one of the most powerful land speculation companies, known for his impeccable record-keeping and penmanship. By the eve of the American Revolution, Trent was the face of westward expansion. He was also purported to be the giver of smallpox-infected blankets to Natives at Fort Pitt in the summer of 1763. Author and historian Jason Cherry works to dispel that notion and to tell how Trent served alongside contemporaries such as Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. A research consultant for the 1719 William Trent House Museum and the author of "Pittsburgh's Lost Outpost: Captain Trent's Fort," Cherry brings the biography of Trent forward in this new book. He lives with his family in Butler, Pennsylvania.

In this second of two special episodes, the Sunbury Press Books Show hears from participating authors in the 2024 Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia, held at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania. Producer and presenter Tory Gates interviews three of these authors: Hilary Hauck, author of From Ashes to Song, on our Milford House Press imprint, discusses the WCONA Conference experience, and her session on writing craft. L.E. DeLano, author of both young adult and romance works, including Traveler, and Dreamer. Her 2021 novel, Blue was named the SPARK Award winner by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and was the 2021-22 Teen/YA Book of the Year by Reader Views Kids.  Stephen Sherrill is a Professor of Creative Writing at Penn State-Altoona. He is the author of works that include Motorcycles, Minotaurs and Banjos: A Midwest Odyssey, which documents a personal and musical journey, Joy, PA: A Novel, and Visits from the Drowned Girl. He is also the creator of Despondent Man, a character you must hear about in Sherrill's own words. Through our Northern Appalachia imprint, Catamount Press, Sunbury Press Books aims to highlight not only the past works of authors such as Herbert E. Stover but current works of fiction and non-fiction by authors of this region.      

J.T. Kunkel brings his unique brand of writing, setting, description and action in a series of mystery works. We are introduced to Miranda Marquette, an ex-cop turned entrepreneur who cannot get crime-fighting out of her system. From the debut Blood on the Bayou, readers have followed the detective across the US in seven (so far) tales that include Murder in the Extreme, and A Death in Santa Clara. Not to be outdone, Cordelia Corbett makes her first appearance in Under the Influence.  Kunkel discusses the mystery genre, the creative process and how Miranda and Cordelia have captured reader's imaginations on the Brown Posey Press Show. A longtime singer-songwriter, Kunkel did his time in Nashville before turning his skills to novels. He lives in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Debuting in 2019, the Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia honors the authors, past and present who occupy a unique place in this part of the United States. The goals of the annual conference are to help writers continue to evolve, progress, and improve their work while highlighting the region, and its character. Sunbury Press is a sponsor and supporter of this event, held this year at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania. Producer Tory Gates sat down with several participants in this conference, and in this first special episode, heard from three of the voices of the region. PJ Piccirillo is a founding father of the WCONA Festival. A two-time winner of the Appalachian Writers Award for Short Fiction, he is the author of the novels Heartwood and The Indigo Scarf. He is also an editor of the Northern Appalachia Review, available through Sunbury Press' imprint, Catamount Press. Ben Moyer is an outdoor writer and essayist, whose work appears in numerous publications. Smoke to See By is a new release on Catamount Press, a collection of 21 stories and essays, which won the WCONA Book of the Year Award. Paul T. Ricci is a statistician, author, blogger and educator, with a degree in biostatistics and research methodology from the University of Pittsburgh. The founder of Allegheny Independent Media, Ricci is the author of Wuthering Depths in Johnstown: By the Numbers, a look at the changes of his hometown, and he speaks of Johnstown's history, and what its future may hold.

Recently at Cleveland Concoction in Aurora, Ohio, BPP Host Tory Gates was joined by fellow authors for a Roundtable Discussion, "Structuring Your Story." He was joined in this shoot-style talk by: Addie King, an attorney by day and author by night, is the author of The Grimm Legacy and The Hochenwalt Files series, along with a collection of short stories, Demons and Heroes and Robots, Oh My! Geoffrey A. Landis is a NASA scientist who develops advanced technologies for spaceflight. He is a Hugo, Nebula, and Robert A. Heinlein Award winner for science fiction and author of Mars Crossing and the Impact Parameter Collection. Marie Vibbert is a Hugo and Nebula Award nominee. Her work includes The Gods Awoke and Galactic Hellcats, along with more than 90 published short stories. Weston Kincade is the author of character-driven fantasy, paranormal and horror works. These include the A Life of Death trilogy and The Priors. His short stories have appeared in Kevin J. Kennedy's best-selling collections, along with Alucard Press' 50 Shades of Slay. He is also a member of the Horror Writers Assocation and a founder of CleCon's Author's Alley.    

Brown Posey Press Show host Tory Gates recently returned from Cleveland Concoction, an annual event in Aurora, Ohio which brings together authors, cosplayers, gamers, and creatives from across the artistic spectrum. As he did last year, Tory recorded a series of short interviews with many of his fellow authors, and these have been assembled to showcase independent authors who are writing and creating their way.  Guests include Rami Ungar, author of novels and short stories, including works such as Rose. David F. Balog is a co-founder of Owl Talyn Press and author of tales that include The Necromancer's Sorrow. Becca Lynn Mathis bring us the Trials of the Blood series, while a previous guest, Marcus Cook discusses the continuing adventures of his heroic thief Ava Edison in a new adventure.  S.A. Ferguson talks about her soon-to-be-released debut, The Leaders of Aluzamoak, Shannon Eichorn tells of her "Space Opera" writings, and Clif Flynt talks of his historic comedy writings, including Promised Rewards.

Jim, a brooding, self-absorbed hobo is traveling the country, obsessed with the belief that his father is the famous (and dead?) rock legend Jim Morrison. Sorrie is an intelligent, but non-streetwise teenage girl who is fleeing her controlling and abusive parents. The pair meet and in a cross-country odyssey overcome obstacles before them, and with one another, in "Travels with Jim," the debut novel by Jill Evans. Evans joins host Tory Gates to discuss the conditions that brought Jim and Sorrie about, and also her own upbringing and life, which played a part in this unique work. With roots firmly in Long Island, New York and Northeast Pennsylvania, Evans discusses her Polish and Italian backgrounds, the interactions with her family and the examples set for her as she pursued her own work. Jill Evans earned a bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University and an MFA with a concentration in writing from Lindenwood University. Her articles have appeared in publications that include Newsday and the East Hampton Star. She also teaches memoir and creative writing at Suffolk County Community College on Long Island.

Laura LaBrie is about living her best life. Having lived all over the world, Laura and her late husband Daryl had long promised they were going to run away to Mexico. Daryl's sudden passing led Laura back there with his ashes, and what followed was an ongoing journey of discovery, teaching, learning, and a spiritual sense of place.  Laura is the author of a dozen books, including "I Ran Away to Mexico." Speaking to a former classmate on the Brown Posey Press Show, Laura discusses her travels, her many years among the Maya, and the ways we can simplify our lives. The lessons drawn from the people she has met and lived with over the past several years are the teachers. Through her website, MayaHarmony.com, Laura offers her books, lessons, and retreats, and shows us how to unlock our own inner magic.  Laura is also the founder of Poverty Project International. She lives in Quintana Roo, Mexico.  

The son of an Italian-American fisherman, Johnny Cavelli is destined for greater things past his home, Granite Island, Maine. When his father is injured during a storm on his high school graduation day, Johnny decides to stay and help in the family business. Acquiring a boat, Johnny assembles a crew of colorful Downeast Mainers and puts to sea. In a story of twists and turns, Johnny makes friends, acquires enemies, and his decisions culminate in "The Seiners." Cherryfield, Maine native Anastasia Marie Cassella brings to life a novel started by her father, which examines the gritty, even cutthroat business of fishing. Written with the flair of Downeast vernacular, "The Seiners" details the work lobster and fishermen face day to day along the coast, battling storms, factory boats, and the uncertainty of whether the catch of the day will get sold. As well, Cassella offers the history of immigrants who brought their skills and experiences to New England as they worked to build better lives for themselves and their families. Cassella is also the author of poetic and literary works, including "The Rogue Bear and Other Short Stories," and the dark "Letter to My Brother." She lives in Jefferson, Maine.

"Leave Everything You Know Behind" is the story of two women who meet by chance, and find how their lives intertwine around the ultimate end. Anne Canfield is a cranky, aging newspaper publisher who believes she will live forever, only to discover she doesn't have much time left. When she rescues a younger woman, teacher Indira Anand from drowning, Anne finds Indira is dying, too and wants to end her life.  Anne has decisions to make--she must save her business, deal with a decision made long ago, and protect her family. Add to this, a vengeful relative discovers Anne's secret and tries to disrupt the family even more. "Leave..." is a story of an unlikely friendship, and reminds of what keeps people wanting to live. An award-winning journalist and writer, Ginny Fite has covered crime, politics, the arts, and healthcare. She has served as a spokesperson for a governor, a member of Congress, along with three colleges and universities, plus a robotics firm. Her books include "The Physics of Things, "Possession" and the Sam Lagarde series. 

Author Jill Evans winds the tales of two young people from different worlds into a strange, gritty odyssey and search for self in "Travels with Jim." Jim is on a quest to find his father and is traveling the roads and rails in search of the man he believes to be his father, The Doors frontman, lyricist, and poet Jim Morrison. Sorrie is a girl from a family of means who has little interest or interaction with the world around her and is on the run from a suffocating family. Through her bookworm personality, she tries to draw Jim out, and along a path fraught with adverse circumstances and oft-unfriendly characters, the pair find something more than just their freedom. Jill Evans is a writer of fiction and memoir, and her works have appeared in several newspapers and magazines. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Stony Brook University and an MFA from Lindeonwood Unviersity. She teaches creative writing at Suffolk County Community College, and lives on Long Island. 

Josh Goldberg is an attorney who is faced with a dilemma. Stuck in Houston, his girlfriend Keisha is about to give birth to their child in a Cincinnati hospital. Standing between them is the worst storm in recorded history. Josh has a decision to make, especially when he finds that Keisha's obstetrician is her old flame: in a rented Lincoln Town Car, and accompanied by his alcoholic colleague Geoff and self-centered conniving boss Diane, Josh sets out on a dangerous odyssey to get to Keisha. Along the way, Josh and Keisha both consider what they really want in life and what will happen next, if the storm doesn't kill Josh first. "Reap the Wind" is the latest novel from Joel Burcat, and he comes to the Brown Posey Press Show to discuss his stories, characters and how his many years as an environmental attorney shaped his second career. His previous works, "Drink to Every Beast," "Amid Rage" and "Strange Fire" bring courtroom drama and our current environmental crisis front and center.  Now retired, Joel was selected as the 2019 Lawyer of the Year in Environmental Litigation for Central Pennsylvania by Best Lawyers in America. He has also edited non-fiction books on envirinmental and energy law and is the author of numerous professional articles on environmental law. He lives in Harrisburg, PA.   

Joe Regenbogen's long career as a schoolteacher led to writing later in life, and has encompassed a series of thoughtful, researched and diverse works. Appearing on The Sunbury Press Books Show, Regenbogen discusses his experiences in the classroom, which led to his first two books: Questioning History and Relearning History were targeted at those bored with traditional methods of teaching. His following works were equally fulfilling: The Boys of Brookdale tells the stories of veterans of World War II, while Making a Difference details the work of Irl Solomon, who dedicated his career to teaching in the schools of East St. Louis. From here, Regenbogen stepped into fiction with his first novel, Longs Peak, and his latest, Dying of the Light, available on Sunbury's Ars Metaphysica imprint. When Ethan's wife of 40 years passes away, he realizes the guiding light of his life is now extinguished. Haunted as well by a decision made decades before, Ethan takes a road trip to rediscover himself, and find a way to make things right, after so many years. A native of New Orleans, Joe Regenbogen taught in the city's schools before moving to St. Louis, where he now resides. In addition to writing, he has hosted talks and penned op-ed pieces for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The history, the landmarks, the myths and tall tales of Pennsylvania are a mission for author Jeffrey Frazier, who makes his second appearance on The Sunbury Press Books Show. A Centre County native, Jeffrey grew up in a "Tom Sawyer sort of way," and his boyhood explorations have turned into a five-decades-long search. In "The Pennsylvania Mountain Landmarks" and "Pennsylvania Fireside Tales" series, Frazier uncovers legends and folk tales known and unknown.  These stories are, as Frazier describes, them, "waves of time." He joins host Lawrence Knorr in reflections on those who have chronicled Pennsylvania's past tales, and what Frazier has learned. From the Blue Mountains of Berks and Lehigh Counties, the South Mountains of Adams County, the Black Forest area of Potter and Tioga Counties, to the Alleghenies and in between, there are tales you will remember and those which might have been forgotten. Jeffrey Frazier graduated from Penn State University in 1967, and earned an MBA from Rider University in New Jersey. He lives in Bellefonte, PA.    

A devastating earthquake strikes part of the United States where one should never, throwing sisters Quinn and Riley into a desperate struggle to merely get home. But Point A to B is hardly a straight line, as the sisters must overcome their own differences and mistakes. Along with those they meet along the way, the sisters make their way to a hopeful safety in "Darkness Falls," the first of the Nature's Fury Series. A.E. Faulkner brings the reader a dystopian world that appeals to more than the young adult audience. Her interest in the dark, and the creation of strong yet flawed characters makes its way through all five volumes of the series. Her writing brings out the concern of the repercussions we will face when nature no longer tolerates human destruction. A Pennsylvania native, Faulkner embeds us in a familiar atmosphere. A lover of the outdoors, Faulkner can be found hiking, biking and exploring nature with her husband and two sons. She lives in Harrisburg.   

Bioterror, geopolitics, detective work and a virus with no cure collide in The Red Mutation, the latest work by Barry Libin. A Chinese-inspired virus could bring about world domination--Dr. Jeffrey Moss is assigned by the NYPD to find an antidote and destroy the virus, before it's too late. Barry Libin has brought to life writings that combine his experiences with a sense of history. A periodontist and medical researcher, Dr. Libin is a graduate of the University of Rochester, where he majored in History and Biochemistry. He studied writing ot Hofstra University and the University of Iowa. His work includes The Mystery of the Milton Manuscript, released on Urim Publications in 2014. Sunbury Press Books also has released the acclaimed The Vatican's Vault in 2018.  In addition, Libin is a playwright, lyricist and composer. His play THE TRIANGLE tells the story of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory disaster. He lives in New York City. 

The life (or perhaps lives) of a man who made a career change in mid-stride of life to serve his nation, and the struggle for validation and vindication are brought to life by Dr. Scott Zuckerman, in his second book for Sunbury Press. Nothing Left to Prove, Nothing Left to Hide: The Long and Winding Road to Redemption of Major Sebastian Thomas Tosto, Zuckerman tells the story of a man who grew up in the shadow of his father and other relatives, and his quest to get out from under it. The son of a World War II veteran, Tom Tosto was a successful physician, who at age 50 gave that up in the wake of September 11th, 2001. He joined the Army and served in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper and brigade surgeon. He saw action in Iraq and Afghanistan, where Tosto earned the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medals. His story, however, leads Tosto to become a patient of Dr. Zuckerman's, and he tells of what has haunted him. A Brooklyn, New York native, Scott Zuckerman's four-decade career as a physician brought him back to the advice given him by his high school English teacher, Frank McCourt, who encouraged him to "cultivate" his gift as a writer. Dreams of My Comrades was released by Sunbury Press in 2017, and earned First Place in the Non-Fiction category of the 2015 Utah Original Writing Competition. Zuckerman also contributed two pieces to the Sunbury Press anthology, After the Pandemic: Visions of Life, Post COVID-19.

Linda Schifino's memoir, Neighborhood Girl: A Memoir of Loss, Longing, and Letting Go takes the reader back to her Italian-American roots, in the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh. On this episode of the Sunbury Press Books Show, Schifino discusses a time when neighbors looked out for each other, trust was paramount, and the values of another place and time made their home in America. Most of what Schifino recalls is no longer there, but she brings the customs, traditions and memories back to life. Recollections of her confirmation, the neighborhood grocery, and her brief career as a numbers runner(!) collide with the now. When her son asks if it's all right to bring a ham to the Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes, there is a fear of dismantling these traditions further, but also there's the letting go. Linda Schifino holds a Ph.D in Rhetoric from Duquesne University, and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Carlow University. She writes with Madwomen in the Attic, and her essays have been published in Adelaide Magazine, Avalon Literary Journal, Northern Appalachia Review, and Brevity Blog. You can find more about her at her website.

Author, educator, and writer Dr. Catherine DePino discusses her second volume in the Help Yourself Every Day Series on the Sunbury Press Books Show. Thirty Magical Meditations to Boost Your Emotional Well-Being offers the reader practical ways to deal with stress, anxiety, loss and fear. Whether experienced or new to the spiritual journey, this book allows you to harness the power of your mind, and to heal by way of quick and simple meditations.  Catherine DePino is the author of 22 books for parents, teachers and children on topics that include spirituality, mindfulness, bullying and women's issues. Her writings have also appeared in national magazines, and she served on the board of the Philadelphia Writers' Conference. Dr. DePino earned degrees in education plus a doctorate in Curriculum Theory and Development and Educational Administration from Temple University. She worked the Philadelphia School District as a teacher department head of English and world languages, disciplinarian and curriculum writer. She also returned to Temple as an adjunct assistant professor and student teaching supervisor. In addition, Dr. DePino is a professional tarot reader and Reiki Master.  You can find out more about her writings and activities at her website.

At a time when political and social discourse is fractured, beyond repair some may say, Pennsylvania's former Lt. Governor, Mark Singel offers wit, wisdom and guidance regarding events on the state and national levels. Seeking Truth in America is Singel's third book with Sunbury Press, and he discusses this collection of articles with host and founder Lawrence Knorr. These selected pieces are meant to provoke thought, and perhaps action, and Singel's desire for these was to make Pennsylvania and the nation a better place, and to pursue what the Founding Fathers called, "a more perfect union." A native of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Mark Singel was elected to the state Senate in 1980, and won the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor in 1986. He joined Governor Bob Casey, Sr. in Harrisburg and the pair won re-election in 1990. During their second term, Casey was diagnosed with a rare liver disorder, which forced Singel to step in and serve as Acting Governor between mid-June and mid-December, 1993. His experience was chronicled in A Year of Change and Consquences, his first book for Sunbury Press. Singel also discusses The Life and Loves of Thaddeus Stevens, a biography of the Pennsylvania Congressman who played a pivotal role in the Civil War period. 

Following the First World War, conflict between the United States and Japan was considered an inevitability. In an effort to protect vast expanses of US shoreline on two coasts, the Navy needed craft that could conduct surveillance and cover a lot of ground. Borrowing from German technology and the zeppelin, the Navy turned to the airship.  In Far Away Places: Vice Admiral Charles Emery Rosendahl and the Navy's Airship Program, Dr. M. Ernest Marshall documents the history of a time that saw great advances in aviation, but also the internal issues within the Navy Department. Using the unpublished, detailed memoir of Vice Admiral Rosendahl as a guide, Marshall brings this part of American history into focus. M. Ernest Marshall is an award-winning author and historian whose research examines the US Navy during the World Wars and the inter-war period. His book, Herbert V. Wiley, USN: A Career in Airships and Battleships has won the Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison Award for naval literature. He is also the author of That Night at Surigao: Life on a Battleship at War. 

Legend, fiction, and reality collide in the Dead Man Who Walks Away series, brought to the Milford House imprint of Sunbury Press Books. Author Herbert Dean Ely tells of the Peralta Mining Expedition in the mid-19th century and its annihilation, verified by the bones of men, horses, and mules in a place called "Massacre Ground." The story goes, however, that there was one survivor, who was assisted in a bar fight by Jacob Waltz. In gratitude, Waltz is shown what became known as the "Lost Dutchman Mine."  While fiction, Ely follows the trail and has determined that the above legend is the only one that makes sense, regarding the origin of the gold that came out of the mine. Ely examines the Peralta expedition, as well as the point of view of the Yavapai and Apache tribes.  Ely served in the US Air Force, including time within the Strategic Air Command--Underground. He later worked in management and executive positions in the cement and armored car/ATM industries. For the past 40 years, he has lived in Arizona near Superstition Mountain. This has resulted in his keen interest in legends of the Southwest US, and he is also one of the few who has located and indeed seen the Lost Dutchman Mine.

The topic of gun violence in the United States is a highly-charged and emotional issue. As part of an effort to discuss the issue, an eclectic group of award-winning authors come together to craft American Roulette, a novel that brings eight people to a mall food court, on a day they think will be like any other. The collaborative efforts of these writers takes a different tack to examine the tension, dread and action of a novel with the real-life question for all readers: could this happen to me or someone I love? Two Sunbury Press authors involved in the project join Sunbury Press founder and publisher Lawrence Knorr on this podcast to talk about the subject of gun violence, what brought them all together, and what they hope to accomplish with a book that garnered rave reviews from the outset. Sherry Knowlton is no stranger to the BookSpeak Network, as host of the Milford House mystery podcast, and the author of several mystery works, including the Alexa Williams series. Pat LaMarche is an author, political activist, historian and homeless shelter director. They are joined by Matthew Best, Robert Bradshaw, Andy Carey, James Dodds, Cheryl Dunn Bychek, Phyllis Orenyo, J.M. West and Cheryl Woodruff Brooks. All proceeds from this book will go to gun violence prevention, by way of the non-profit Charles Bruce Foundation.  Find out more about the book and its authors here.

Artist Brandon Colyer joins the Brown Posey Press Show to discuss his work, including his debut children's story, "Ferdinand, the Gnome Knight." Ferdinand is a fearless and standout knight, who seeks adventure and will charm readers of any age with what he gets up to! Colyer discusses growing up in a family of gamers, and how comics and video games were a part of his early life. He tells of his inspirations, and what drew him to create and write. This program also deals with the art of the sale at conventions, engaging one's audience, and tackles the question of Artificial Intelligence. Brandon Colyer lives with his family in York Haven, Pennsylvania. He can be found at conventions and shows, as well as offering art tutorials on Twitch and other sites. You can catch up with all of his activities here.

Shawn McLain creates characters that are not always all-powerful, nor are they perfect. He works toward the relatable, even when delving into fantasy, horror and his other interests. In "Thorn," McLains kicks off a new series in which a young elf seeks adventure, but also, freedom in a world where elves and men are segregated due to prejudice. A chance meeting with a half-elf girl leads to a quest to stop an evil witch from world destruction. Through their interactions, acceptance is learned, as well as Magic, they must also consider a dark secret.  McLain draws on zombies, elves, trolls and a love for both Tolkien and Dungeons & Dragons for the worlds he has created. He joins Lawrence Knorr on the Sunbury Press Books Show to tell of "Thorn" and his other books, including "Respect the Dead" and the "Grey Girl" Trilogy. He writes promotional copy and materials for the Pennsylvania Cable Network.