Moonrise by Gail Priest

The South Jersey Writers Group is proud to announce Moonrise, the third in the Annie Crow Knoll series by member and author Gail Priest.

Return once again to Annie Crow Knoll… a place to grieve loss, accept change, and rebuild a life worth living.

Breezy and Jemma, are world-class cyclists until violence at a race leaves Breezy with permanent physical disabilities and kills the man she loved. With her Olympic dream shattered, guilt and shame threaten to destroy her future happiness. Her sister Jemma escapes with only minor injuries, but the psychological damage she experiences shakes her self-worth, her Olympic potential, and her capacity to accept love.

The young women return to Annie Crow Knoll, their childhood home on the Chesapeake Bay, to heal and reclaim their lives, and with their parents and grandparents, struggle to make sense of life after this tragic and irrational incident.

Annie Crow Knoll: Moonrise, the third novel in this fiction series by Gail Priest, is a story about the power to reinvent life after surviving loss and trauma. Don't forget about the first two parts of the Annie Crow Knoll saga, Sunrise and Sunset. Though part of a series, Moonrise can be read as a standalone, and can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, and Kobo.

Gail Priest can be found at her own website, blog, Facebook, and Twitter. Don't forget to subscribe to her newsletter, and see her in person at these upcoming events.

Latest Member Publication: Workplace Woes by John Leone

By Jessica A. Walsh

We are pleased to announce that South Jersey Writers' Group member John Leone has recently published his latest book, Workplace Woes: A Day at the Office.

A collection of four short screenplays, Workplace Woes is about office life at an imaginary company called McFrugal LLC and the characters who work there. If you have any experience whatsoever working in an office setting, you have no doubt encountered people like the cringe-worthy characters in this book.

I had the privilege to speak with John about Workplace Woes and his past work experience that inspired him.

Although John said he's had more job titles than can be imagined, he preferred "outside sales", calling on customers and trying to sell them products. "As most customers complained about their work, my job often entailed being an attentive listener, like a friendly bartender, but without the alcohol," he explained. "Consequently, I came to the realization that obnoxious bosses and annoying co-workers were not a unique phenomenon, but are universal and quite often funny without meaning to be."

All of John's characters are based on real people, although some are slightly exaggerated. And even though John is now retired, he admits that he actually misses his old obnoxious bosses and annoying co-workers. He also misses some of his old customers, but gets to enjoy the occasional lunch to keep in touch.

In addition to the occasional lunch, John enjoys spending his time writing, babysitting his grandchildren (whom he started writing for in the first place) and taking art classes. Although he did not illustrate Workplace Woes, he does hope to illustrate future books.

John is also the author of a series of children's books called Sharklock Bones about a talking shark detective. Although Workplace Woes is the first PG-13 book John has published, it wasn't a difficult shift for him since he considers his Sharklock series as books the whole family can enjoy. "But [writing] the children's books [is] more fun. That's probably because I never grew up."

John is currently finishing up book #11 in the Sharklock Bones Series, which all contain an underlying message about marine and ocean ecology. "They hopefully encourage younger readers to be more aware of steps we must all take in the future to keep our waterways healthy," he explained.

Workplace Woes is available on Amazon (paperback and Kindle), as well as Barnes & Noble. You can also find John (and Sharkie) at the Trenton Book Fair being held May 1st and 2nd.

Words in My Head by Zhäriya' Amani

By Kahlil Weston

I want to announce my publishing company called Mad Writer Publishing. It's a company that I founded and I'm assembling a roster and staff. If you're interested in bringing out a book, you can reach me at @KahlilDelgado on Twitter or you can contact Kahlil Weston or the president of my company Johnnie Thomas El on Facebook. Tracy Clark is the COO to my company and has a subsidiary division called "The Clark Administration" Publishing. My publishing logo exemplifies the personality of the company.

Zhäriya' Amani's book, Words in My Head, is officially live. All those interested, holla at your boy or Johnnie Thomas El or Zhäriya' Beautiful Jones. Thanks to Eric Jackson for the help with the cover. Whoever wants to have a book published come and see me.

Zhäriya' Amani is a very talented tenth grader who has been writing for three years. She's been published in Stars in Our Heart: Symbols by Word Poetry Movement, and is a resident of Camden NJ. The book, Words in My Head, is a compilation of eighteen select pieces from the poet. Cover design by Kahlil Weston and Eric Jackson. It can be purchased at Amazon here.

A launch party for the book will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Camden NJ on Saturday, July 12th, from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM. Come out and show your support! $10 for admission and food, $15 for admission, food, and an autographed book. There will be food, drinks, great music, raffles, special performances, a sneak-peak, and plenty of copies there to buy!

About today's guest-blogger:

Kahlil Weston has authored three books (all mature content), "The Kahlil Weston Hour," "The Wes Daddy Mack Hour," and "The Young and the Wesless" "I consider myself a different breed of a writer. I wrote with no rules and everything within my realm is fair game. When I have a bone to pick I consider myself a battle writer. I have started my own publishing company called Mad Writer Publishing. My goal with my publishing company is to publish books for writers whose last name isn't Weston."

A Successful Book Launch

On December 2nd, the Treehouse Coffee House was set up for the big day. Tables were arranged, signs displayed, books placed strategically on the table.

                                                                         

        Joanne Costantino with her granddaughter Tayler and her husband, "Jersey Boy" Mike Costantino

 

Mieke Zamora-Mackay made sure that all the authors practiced their handwriting for the busy day of book signing ahead.

 

Jennifer M. Eaton and Mieke Zamora-Mackay

Krista Magrowski and Jennifer M. Eaton manned the book table, under the supervision of Jen's oldest son.

K.A. Magrowski, Jennifer M. Eaton

A celebration was about to begin! We were so excited!

Dawn Byrne

And hopefully, lots of books would be sold. What book?

 

John Farquhar

The South Jersey Writer's Group first anthology, 

Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey.

cover art by Shelley Szajner

Editors Amy Hollinger and Marie Gilbert were there to start the show...

Amy Hollinger, Marie Gilbert, Shelley Szajner

                                                                                                                                    

...and Jim Knipp kept us on the agenda as the Master of Ceremony.

 

Jim Knipp and Marie Gilbert (aka Super G)

The books were flying off the shelves!

Amy Hollinger

                 The joint was jumping with well wishers who had showed up to give their support. 

It was a packed house.

 

                                         

The authors read stories, and prizes were given away. There was lots of fun to be had 

(and books to be signed)!

The editors and authors are so thankful for all the support of our family, friends, and the community! There is another book signing and sale at the Audubon Library on 239 Oakland Ave. on December 6th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Thanks for everyone who participated to make our launch party such a huge success!