Young Vincent

Young Vincent offers a sweeping and intimate exploration of the life and loves of poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, tracing her journey from a latchkey child to a defiant Vassar graduate and literary icon. In this compelling work, Hood masterfully blends fact with imagination to present a uniquely personal portrayal of Millay’s creative process, gritty personal struggles, extraordinary strokes of luck, and her complex bisexual romantic life. Drawing from first-hand interviews with her sister Norma, lover Catherine Filene Shouse, and other close friends, as well as the poet’s letters, journals, and poems, this book vividly captures the essence of Millay’s remarkable world.

Set against the backdrop of the early 20th century, Millay’s story resonates with the challenges of our own tenuous times. The forces that sought to stifle free expression, limit opportunities, and deny civil rights echo through history, allowing modern readers to better understand Millay’s transformative era of groundbreaking art and technology. Through her struggles to reconcile her bold nature with the rigid constraints of her society, Millay becomes a timeless companion, inspiring empathy and reflection in today’s rapidly changing world.

Raised by Children

Raised by Children is a story about the impact of childhood trauma and PTSD, and a young woman’s resilience as she finds her voice and carves her own path.

Stepping beyond the suffocating backyard of her factory town in Kentucky, she discovers just how vast the world can be.

When There Are Two Patients in One Body

In When There Are Two Patients in One Body, an experienced Labor and Delivery nurse shares a collection of birth stories, some joyful and others harrowing, that reveal profound life lessons from one of the most intense human experiences. While babies arrive either by vaginal delivery or caesarean section, each birth unfolds uniquely, whether as a momentous and thrilling event or an unexpected and life altering ordeal.

This book follows the author’s career, presenting a chronological journey through a diverse array of births, from routine and uneventful to tragic, each story interwoven with her personal reflections. Readers are drawn into the delivery room to witness the intimate details and drama of the birthing process, revealing the complexities of patients’ lives and circumstances.

As these stories unfold, readers gain insight into how factors such as healthcare access, race, culture, socioeconomic status, and education profoundly shape each birth experience. Beyond the joys and challenges, the author reveals that being a Labor and Delivery nurse is far more than just ‘a great job where you get to cuddle babies.’ It is a vocation that demands resilience, empathy, and an unflinching dedication to supporting patients through life’s pivotal moments.

Endorsement:

“Twenty-six years ago I was a brand-new intern on labor and delivery. The nurses rightfully didn’t trust us newbies.

Over the next four years, I became an OB/GYN under the direction of the attending doctors and hands-on nurses. In our first two years as fledgling doctors, we quickly learned that the nurses knew more than we did, and could make or break our experience. As we became part of the team, we all supported one another through the best days and the worst, for our patients and for us. I still hear some of their voices and advice.

Steph’s is one of them. Her stories are written just as they would sound over a beer or cup of coffee.”

– Jeanette Thomas, MD. Author of the blog Healing Is Hard. (www.healingishard.net)

The Sea of Stars Beneath Our Eyes

Beneath a sea of stars, a journey of love and heartbreak unfolds. This is a story of finding oneself amidst life’s challenges, where a path of flowers and thorns leads to self-discovery. These pages give voice to the unspoken feelings that battle within, revealing the beauty in every emotion. And through the healing scars, a path home finally emerges.

“At its birth and to its fall, we are all connected to each of them.” She pointed at the sky. “Do you know… we could find them in our eyes when they’re lost?” She paused and smiled. “For they are us and we are them.” She tilted her to the side.

The stars.

Suddenly, the whole sky breathed above her eyes. They sang and danced gracefully that it stole his breath away.

So ethereal.

They were as if—
A whole universe
Eagerly waiting with open arms
To welcome who she is becoming.

A Tale of Prima Facie

Murder. Deception. Abandonment.

Mila Taylor is a commander in the Chicago Detective’s Bureau. The recent murder of Sullivan Maxwell, a local bookstore owner, leaves Mila with little detail and no obvious suspects. Mila’s initial investigation leads her to Davis Parks, the former partner of Sullivan, and a search for a woman that none of Sullivan’s family and friends have ever met.

Growing up on the outskirts of Chicago, in Sycamore, Mila’s family life was chaotic at best. Raised by her father, after her mother’s passing, Mila and her sister were left fending for themselves, until a disturbing event sent her on an unexpected path.

Through years of working on the police force and then the Detective’s Bureau, Mila built a credible career on solving cold cases. However, as her current case evolves, Mila is confronted with the twisted and terrifying secrets buried within the recesses of a merciless and sadistic mind.

Descent of the Mighty Beast

In the heart of Kwetu, where tradition holds firm, Bratha Mine’s world shatters. His hopes for a better future crumble when he is framed for a murder he didn’t commit – until vengeance becomes his purpose. He turns his fury on the Security Council, a ruthless cabal pulling the strings of power. But an even deadlier enemy lurks: Thanatos, a tech-savvy assassin who never misses his mark.

As the stakes soar, Bratha is thrust into a battle where truth is treason and survival itself is rebellion. Navigating courtroom showdowns, political intrigue, and deadly pursuits, he must outwit an empire built on deception. Alongside fierce allies like Madam Mboya and Simba Wanje, he unearths secrets that could topple the entire regime.

But will his defiance spark a movement, or will the weight of ambition crush everything in its path?

Descent of the Mighty Beast is a pulse-pounding political thriller steeped in African mythology – an electrifying saga of resilience, rebellion, and the unbreakable spirit of a man who refuses to kneel. A masterful tale of courage and destiny – one that will keep you riveted to the last page.

The Way of Undoing

The Way of Undoing: Capitalism, Trauma, and the Return of Wonder is an intimate personal exploration of possibility and discovery through stories and adventures great and small.

The author’s search for reconciliation with a war-traumatised father traces the origins of transgenerational trauma from capitalist roots to today’s internet, where data, information, and misinformation streams have taken the place of dialogue and storytelling. Climate change and pandemics have thrust Western culture upon an emotionally stuck world and challenge the collective human story that we, and the author, are writing as we live.

My Grandpa

With meticulous detail, the author paints a vivid portrait of an intellectual family grappling with the complexities of modernization, globalization, and the clash of ideologies. As the narrative unfolds, you are invited to ponder the universal truths about family, education, life, and death, that transcend time and borders. You can also see the influence of Western culture, especially the U.S. culture in China during the early 21st century, while gaining insights into China’s miraculous rise and the forces that shape its destiny.

What did the heart and mind of an ordinary CCP member, a physics teacher, look like? How would a political dissident growing up in his family think of the government? What did Shanghai look like in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and how was it different from Shanghai in the 1930s? Why did the country embracing globalization and democracy collapse back to autocracy and totalitarianism in less than fifteen years, under Xi Jinping’s rule?

You can also witness the transformation of China from the 1920s to the early 21st century, as is seen through the lens of a CCP member’s experiences, as well as a political dissident’s narratives. Prepare to be swept away on an unforgettable voyage of discovery, as you uncover the hidden truths that lie at the intersection of family, culture, and history.

Bounty of Beauty

The Bounty of Beauty explores the societal differences between the families of Mackuel, the cattle keeper, and Maluaac, the fisherman. When their sons, Nguac and Nguoi, both fell in love with an elegant Atuot girl, each proposing to marry her, a rare traditional marriage competition sparked a fierce rivalry and divided the community in two. Mackuel’s family, with their staggering wealth in cattle, won the race by arranging to marry a daughter from their rivals, Maluaac’s family.

Beyond his large family of 17 sons and daughters, Mackuel’s immense wealth in cattle was a symbol of great influence and fame. He arrogantly proclaimed that no one in the community had the power to challenge his son Nguac in marriage. Stubbornly, he declared, ‘A hatchling is no match for a calf,’ comparing himself to a calf and Maluaac to a hatchling. By this, Mackuel meant that fishermen held no social, economic, or political standing to win a marriage competition within the Atuot community or beyond.

Unfortunately, Mackuel’s extreme remarks became public, generating negative sentiment toward his family. Fearing the damage these sentiments might cause, Mackuel’s wife grew anxious and believed something must be done to change the public’s perception. She called a meeting with elders and her family members, proposing an extravagant dowry of 250 cows to be paid to Maluaac’s family for their daughter, Monica Ichut. She presented this as a way of retracting her husband’s harsh words during the intense competition between their sons, Nguac and Nguoi.

The elders from both families agreed to the marriage of Maluaac’s daughter Monica Ichut, and soon the community, once divided, witnessed a vibrant traditional wedding celebration.

Diversities

This project was born from the illustrator’s own need. Passionate about coloring, painting, pencils, markers, and watercolors, she constantly came up against books designed either for children or drawn by excellent designers who weren’t passionate about coloring themselves. She was searching for suitable coloring books. Someone who truly appreciates the art of coloring likes large spaces to vary the shades. She also likes to use a wide variety of colors while maintaining harmony. Therefore, there need to be details, but not too many, to keep the artwork looking beautiful. It’s about finding the perfect balance between large and small spaces to color. Not finding this kind of product on the market, she grabbed her pencils and created the perfect drawings for coloring lovers.

Le projet est né d’un besoin rencontré par l’illustratrice elle-même. Étant une mordue de coloration; peinture, crayons de bois et d’encre, aquarelle; elle se butait constamment dans ses recherches à des albums à colorier pensés soit pour les enfants, soit dessinés par des gens qui sont d’excellents dessinateurs, mais non des passionnés de coloriage. Quelqu’un qui s'adonne véritablement à l’art de la coloration aime les grandes surfaces de coloriage afin de s'amuser avec les nuances. Aussi, il aime utiliser un maximum de couleurs différentes tout en créant une harmonie, c'est pourquoi il apprécie qu’il y ait aussi de petites surfaces, mais pas trop, pour ne pas perdre l’esthétisme de l’œuvre. Il exige donc un équilibre parfait de grands et petits espaces coloriables. Ne trouvant pas ce genre de produit sur le marché, l’instigatrice de ce projet s’est emparée de ses crayons et a créé des illustrations parfaites pour les amoureux du coloriage.

Drinks with God

Drinks With God is what you might get if you blended the wit of George Carlin, the satire of Jonathan Swift, and the quirky imagination of Kurt Vonnegut. In this irreverent and humorous narrative, the Supreme Being himself confesses to being a celestial klutz, making cosmic blunders from the dawn of time to the present day. From accidentally creating an upright squirrel in a jockstrap in his attempt to make the first human, to sending a swarm of hummingbirds instead of locusts to plague the Egyptians, this God is far from the omnipotent figure we know from the Bible.

Within the pages of Drinks With God, the reader is treated to an unconventional take on familiar biblical figures. From his ‘weirdo’ son Jesus, the amorous Holy Ghost, and the entrepreneurial Noah, to the not-so-virginal Virgin Mary, a sassy Judas Iscariot, and a chef Satan who has a flair for spicy cuisine – these characters are reimagined in a way you’ve never seen before. And where does God divulge these surprising insights? Not in a heavenly realm, but in the more earthly locales of New York City’s bars, coffee houses, and parks, revealing a deity who enjoys a good drink.

Reading Drinks With God might not sway your religious beliefs, but it’s guaranteed to leave you in stitches. Prepare for a hilarious, blasphemous, and utterly unique exploration of divinity like no other.

“Drinks With God has reopened my eyes to the truth that humor, maybe even blasphemous humor, is the only way to make sense of this distracted, click-happy, self-infatuated world.”
– Cornelius Walters, author of Fairy Snow.

“OMG! Millman’s latest book is divine – a heaven-sent blessing for atheists, unbelievers, heretics, and anyone who still has a fully-functioning funny bone.”
– Gary Allen, author of Galloping Gourmand.

“A round of hilarious irreverence from a unique writer!”
– Jim Christy, author of The Rough Road to the North and Scalawags.

Elepa and the Magic Cloud

A jungle on a cloud – impossible!

Meet Elepa, an orphaned baby elephant who loves making up tunes and playing music, and a very naughty cadet dragon who causes chaos.

Join Elepa and his animal friends as they travel across the skies on their magic cloud. Follow their adventures as they create a musical band, evade capture by hunters in a helicopter who want to put them in a zoo, survive a raging storm, and journey from a jungle to the Arctic ice and back again.

Read on to discover their incredible story!