BookSpeak Network

Novel Guys Brian Koscienski and Jeff Young, joined by Brian's wife, Christine Czachur gather at the hidden spot somewhere in Central Pennsylvania for the third installment of Random Randomness! In this episode the gang discuss "Nor Shapes of Men," a new release on the Hellbender Books imprint of Sunbury Press. The random number of 1,977 soon makes sense as Star Wars is recalled by the hosts. Then the tradition of Random Beer tasting continues as the critical taste test and review is offered of Safe Word Beer, a Triple IPA from Free Will Brewing (NOT a sponsor of this program, by the way). The reactions must be heard to be believed. We are introduced to Australia's contribution to the Random Animal segment: the Quokka is discussed, including its habits and behaviors, which undoubtedly will shock you. The debate of the efficacy of Artificial Intelligence is also examined, as the producer must decide whether the Random Haiku is human, or AI, along with a reading from "Mayhem Menagerie." The zaniest episode yet of Random Randomness is here, on the BookSpeak Network.

Sal Maggio brings his many years of service in law enforcement to life in his autobiography, "The Life of a New Jersey Road Trooper," on the Sunbury Press Books Show. Told in an understated yet forthright manner, Maggio discusses his 19 years as a Trooper and Road Sergeant with Lawrence Knorr, along with his years as a supervisor and manager. In this book, Maggio brings to life many of his experiences on the road, including a car chase, and a cross-border run into Pennsylvania to get back a stolen ring. Maggio also provides insight into how troopers approached their job, how to handle traffic stops, and when to use "discretion" in certain cases. He further informs us on the differences between being a law enforcement officer then and now. Equally interesting: certain speeding vehicles were not always captured on radar, and (whether fair or not) how some cars just stood out for troopers. Praised by peers as a "Trooper's Trooper," Sal Maggio dropped out of college to join the New Jersey Army National Guard. He later graduated from the NJ State Police Academy and rose to the rank of captain, commanding Troop B, in charge of eight stations and 350 troopers. He also worked for several years as a private investigator. Now retired, he still lives in New Jersey.

Lana Shay is on a mission, to shed light on the perceived dark underworld of the sex industry. From five years in France where she learned French through an immersion program, the Wisconsin native worked as a stripper, webcam artist, a practitioner of sensual massage and a dominatrix for nearly ten years. Lana has also worked as a Transformational Coach, a Yoga instructor, Sensual Foodist, and Psychotherapy & Cognitive Liberty advocate. Available on the imprint Verboten Books, "Erotic Hustle" enlightens the reader to the therapeutic uses of psychedelics and the tantric approach to conscious sexual exchange. A self-described "Citizen of the World," Lana is also co-founder of Entheo Ventures and The Sensual Collective. She lives in Los Angeles.

Audrey Markum is facing two conflicts at once: facing a violent attacker in court, just as her friend's baby has been kidnapped. With help from Detective Rodriguez, Audrey wants justice for herself, but also to find the child; all the same, Audrey realizes she may not be able to have both. A Carlisle, PA native, Linda Cotton Jeffries is the author of "Picturing the Dark," the second of a series of Sunbury Press Releases. "Seeing in the Quiet" is the first of these, and Jeffries has also publicsed "We Thought We Knew You" and "Who We Might Be," on Fifth Avenue Press. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and taught special education for more than thirty years. She lives in Michigan.

Conventions, large and small bring together creatives and fans like nothing else. Returning to Aurora, Ohio after a two-year absence due to the pandemic, Cleveland Concoction, aka CleCon, assembled authors, creators, cosplayers, gamers, and performers that crossed all boundaries and provided three days of entertainment, education, and fun. BPP Show host Tory Gates made his second appearance at CleCon, and while promoting his books, including all three volumes of the Sweet Dreams Series, was able to speak with many of his fellows about their work, their influences and inspirations, and just why they do it. These brief, shoot-style interviews include former guests such as Olivia Berrier, Jason Lady and Marcus Cook. We also hear from Vik K. Walker, Weston Kincade, Marcus Calvert, and musical guests Camille and Kennerly, also known as The Harp Twins. The purpose of this program is to take you inside the convention, give you an idea of the activity, and also show that no matter what an artist practices, the ways and means are different for each person. We hope you will find a new friend to read or listen to through this program, and as we all hope, you come along on our journey. Check out www.clevelandconcoction.org for updates, and what's coming in 2024!

From its inception as a board game in 1987, the Arkham Horror franchise has continued to grow. Inspired by the works of J.P. Lovecraft, players are taken to Arkham, Massachusetts in the 1920s, where thieves, rare items, secret societies, and a drive and lust for power lead to adventures beyond imagination. That beginning has seen multiple versions of the board game, video games, and several literary works that draw on Lovecraft and others for the strange, macabre, and terrifying. On this special episode of the Brown Posey Press Show, Tory Gates speaks with three of the authors who have offered tales that pull in their experience, and connections to the game and serve to expand possibilities in Arkham Horror: Secrets in Scarlet. MJ Newman, one of the founders of the card game, a second-generation game designer and author in her own right, brings us "Crossing Stars," a tale told from two points of view, as Haresah, her lover Razim and their cohorts travel the Sahara Desert in search of the "Kisra," while the mysterious Amaranth involves the academic Luciana in a quest of her own. Carrie Harris, a self-described "geek of all trades" and author of numerous works, offers "Honor Among Thieves." Set in Buenos Aires, professional thief Rosa and her sister Milagros infiltrate high society to steal a wanted item, where they run into the somewhat-ubiquitous Red-Gloved Man and others. James Fadeley is one of the co-founders of Thunderbird Studios (which includes the San Cicaro series), and he provides, "In Truth, Art." As Turkey begins the transition to a secular world, art historian Ece Sahin (and member of a certain Coterie) discovers someone has taken a suspicious interest in her research. Arkham Horror: Secrets in Scarlet is available through Aconyte Books.

The story of Madame Sara Spencer-Washington would be lost to not only African-American history, but US history as a whole, were it not for her descendants and the work of author Cheryl Woodruff-Brooks. With a goal of introducing a new generation of children, "The Story of Madame Sara Spencer-Washington and the Apex Empire" is one of an entrepreneur who broke boundaries. In 1911, Spencer-Washington moved from Virginia to Atlantic City, New Jersey and started the Apex News and Hair Company, a door-to-door cosmetics business and hair salon, which she transformed to an international empire. With hundreds of products, and 45-thousand agents around the world, Spencer-Washington opened beauty schools and expanded to Haiti and South Africa. She was honored at the New York World's Trade Fair in 1939 for her endeavors, and also served as a philanthropist and civic leader. Cheryl Woodruff-Brooks had a passion for writing from childhood, and won awards for her essays. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University, she wrote for the school newspaper The Weathervane; her works have also appeared in Bronze Magazine, among other publications. Her first book for Sunbury Press was the 2017 release, "Chicken Bone Beach: A Pictorial History of Atlantic City's Missouri Avenue Beach," which was nominated for a literary award by the Schomburg Center in New York City. Cheryl is also an accomplished singer-songwriter; she lives with her family in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania.

Sunbury Press author Sherry Knowlton has won awards for her Alexa Williams series of mystery works, "Dead of Autumn," "Dead of Summer," "Dead of Spring," "Dead of Winter" and "Dead on the Delta." Combining her love of travel with her literary skills, Knowlton joins Lawrence Knorr to discuss her two-volume series, "Beyond the Sunset." Written in a series of stories, essays and anecdotes, Knowlton tells of how she went from a small-town upbringing in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, to Woodstock, and to more than fifty nations on six continents. She tells of encounters with wild animals, Indiana Jones moments, transportation difficulties and intriguing cuisine, along with some practical travel tips for those who plan to venture on their own. Knowlton spent much of her working life in state government, primarily in human and social services. She served also served the Commonwealth as Deputy Secretary for Medical Assistance, and now operates her own health care consulting business. A host of the Milford House Press podcast, Sherry is also a member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime and Pennwriters. She lives with her husband Mike in the mountains of South-Central PA.

The Pinchot Family's places in American history is a long and at times complicated one. David S. Patterson brings an examination of three generations in his new book, "The Pinchots: A Family Saga" to the Sunbury Press Books Show. The Pinchot name is one that winds its way through Pennsylvania and US history, dating back to the American Civil War. Gifford Pinchot is noted for his work in conservation as head of the then Division of Forestry under President William McKinley, and served as head of the re-named US Forest Service through the administrations of Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. His early relationship with Roosevelt kept him involved in political circles with connections through the time of the Kennedy Administration. Pinchot's forays into politics included two terms as Governor of Pennsylvania, and three unsuccessful campaigns for the US Senate. Other members of the Pinchot family are featured, all of whom espoused values of public service, as well as activism in the arts, culture and politics, with their own personal stories, triumphs and tragedies. David S. Patterson earned his Ph.D. in history from the University of California, Berkeley, has taught deplomatic and peace history. His other works include "Toward a Warless World" and "The Search for Negotiated Peace." In addition, Patterson has served as chief editor of the "Foreign Relations of the United States."

...In my society there’s choices of destruction—In variety, I always felt like the rules never applied to me. Harrisburg, PA native Juelz Davenport brings his life story and that of his peers to a series of poetic works, "In My Eyes," Volumes 1 and 2, "In My Little Eyes," and "Penned in Pennsylvania." Juelz, as his friends know him, speaks frankly about life on the street, behind bars, and about making a difference today. His forthcoming novel, "Who is Shawn?" details the life of a young man struggling to find his way on Harrisburg's toughest streets. Not only a poet and author, Juelz brings his story and unique teaching methods to schools and universities. He works with children and young people of all ages, to introduce them to creative possibilities for now, and for their lives. Juelz Davenport's works, his programs and booking information can be found at www.iamjuelz.com

Hidden in a French cellar, a Roman Legion awakens from a self-imposed hibernation. Seeking revenge for the massacre of their fellows in the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD, the legion emerges to exact revenge on their hated Germanic enemies. But they have overslept by nearly two thousand years--the world has changed, but the legion presses on. A NATO investigator has learned of their presence, and while inconceivable, he realizes time is running out. Mark Carlson brings "Out of the Darkness: Vengeance of the Last Roman Legion" to the Sunbury Press Books Show. The first of a four volume series, Carlson brings history to life in a unique way. He has more than 200 public articles in national magazines, and is a popular public speaker. A student of classical history, Carlson has worked on the series for nearly ten years. His other works include, "When Yamamoto Ran Wild," the essay collection "War at Sea," and "When Galleys Ruled the Sea." He lives in San Diego, California.

Scotland, 1662. A young girl named Margaret meets Isobel, a teller of tales, of faeries and magic, which sweeps Margaret away from her devout Protestant family to learn of charms and the Otherworld. When Isobel is arrested and accused of practicing witchcraft, Margaret becomes a suspect. It remains for Katharine, Margaret's tutor and a Christian Mystic to potentially save them. Nancy Hayes Kilgore brings her third novel, "Bitter Magic" to Milford House Press. She is a winner of the Vermont Writers Prize, and a ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Award. Her writings have appeared in the anthology She Writes Press, Vermont Magazine, Bloodroot Literary Magazine and on Vermont Public Radio. Her previous works are "Wild Mountain" and "Sea Level." A Western Pennsylvania native, Nancy is a graduate of the Radcliffe Writing Seminars with a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling, She is a psychotherapist, former parish pastor and a conductor of worshops on creative writing and spirituality. Nancy lives in Vermont with her husband and pets.

Jim is a guy who spends a fair amount of time at farmers markets, and in a series of stories spanning two decades pursues "complete unfetteredness" in his search for love in "Confessions of a Farmers Market Romeo." James R. Dubbs has lived in South Central Pennsylvania all his life. In addition to writing, he's been a factory workers, realtor, liquor store clerk, groundskeeper and baker. A veteran of farmers markets, Dubbs has found this unlikely place a ground for stories, such as these. His debut work, "Life in the Lion's Mouth" was published in 2016; his other works include "Christmas 1974," and "The Mortician's Daughter & Other Short Stories." When not writing, Dubbs can be found playing his beloved Taylor six-string, listening to Led Zeppelin or practicing Tae Kwon Do.

Charles Kniffen served in the US Marines, was wounded in Vietnam, and has used writing and communion with nature as a mean to cope with Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome. In his second Sunbury Press work, Kniffen takes the reader through a world very different from the camaraderie of a military unit. Speaking with host Lawrence Knorr, Kniffen pulls no punches about his experiences, social concerns and fear of betrayal, which lead to his getting in touch with himself, with the help of the animal world. Kniffen's recollections of contact with animals, wild and domestic bring the reader closer in "Rude Awakenings: Making Peace with the Beast Machine." Self-described as a lifelong blue-collar essential worker, Charles Kniffen lists authors such as William Meredith, Jon Anderson and Michael R. Brown as his influences. He is also the author of "50 Years in a Foxhole." He lives in Lubec, Maine.

After a trapping sojourn to Alaska, Brander Matthews returns to Illinois to find his mother dead and his boyhood home on the auction block. He enouncters a mysterious man named Richter, who turns him toward the Seldom Seen Mine in Pennsylvania. Brander's efforts to recocile his past and build a new life seem doomed to fail, and the mine itself appears to have a hand in it all. Mitch James' debut novel "Seldom Seen..." is available on the Catamount Press imprint. Appearing on the Sunbury Press Books Show with Lawrence Knorr, James discusses the book, with a dive into Appalachia, fellow authors and the deeper story to be told of this part of the nation. A Professor of Composition and Literature at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio, James is also the Managing Editor of the publication Great Lakes Review. His website is mitchjamesauthor.com, and he can be followed on Twitter @mrjames5527. is discussed with Lawrence Knorr on the

Kalyna Miletic is an international career and leadership coach and entrepreneur, whose mission is to help women build meaningful legacies. With clients from over 50 nations, she has helped others find meaning in their careers. "Memorable: Lessons to Leave a Legacy" re-examines the nature of work, and offers 22 vital ponts to take life from obligation to one of contribution and making of a difference. Kalyna joins Sunbury Press founder and host Lawrence Knorr on a discussion of her book, the circumstances that led her to this path and her other works. She is the founder of Kickstart Your Work and Be Chiefly, host of the podcast Lead Today and the charitable clothing line, Lead Ware. A native to Toronto, Canada, she now lives in Texas. Her website is kalynamiletic.com

If life imitates art, it can also run parallel--Dr. Mike and Isabelle Nelson drew on years of "adventures" as father and daughter to create the first of a young adult fantasy series, "Annie Abbott & the Druid Stones." 13-year-old Annie is an energetic, thoughtful and forward girl, encouraged by her father Mike. The discovery of a letter from 1911 propels them on a journey to the Great Lakes and through the Midwest. Before she knows it, Annie discovers her dad is one of The Three, joined by Rafer and Gabriel. Annie and the gang thrust into a world of Druids, Witches, Faeries and fascinating creatures, some friends, others foes. Annie soon discovers who she is really, and what she is destined to be... A retired physician, Dr. Mike Nelson is the author of three books, and is joined by his daughter, Isabelle a middle school teacher on the Brown Posey Press Show. They discuss these adventures and their influences. The sequel, "Annie Abbott & the Red Queen" is due this summer.

Former Major League Pitcher Ken Brett is quoted as saying, "The worst curse in life is unlimited potential." After the rise to stardom of New York Yankees great Mickey Mantle, the expectations that come with being "the next" are high, and in some cases, crushing. Barry Sparks joins Lawrence Knorr to talk baseball, and share stories of players who were touted as that guy in "Finding the Next Mickey Mantle." Among these chronicled by Sparks are some familiar names. We hear the stories of Bill Robinson, Clint Hurdle and Tom Tresh, and how and why they fared as they did. Some, like Joe Pepitone were considered to have burned up their best years and potential, while others, such as Ruben Rivera never quite panned out to their (at times unfair) top billing. We also hear why Sparks considers Mike Trout to be one of the best players of his generation, and how Bryce Harper handles these pressures better than most. Sparks has written about baseball for more than 50 years. His first article appears in the July 1970 Baseball Digest. His work has appeared in more than 70 national and regional publications, including National Pastime, Sports Parade and Sports Collectors Digest. He is also the author of a biography of Frank "Home Run" Baker, and is a member of the Society for American Baseball Research. He lives in York, Pennsylvania.

The first book to tell the story of Pennsylvania's anthracite coal industry in the post-industrial age comes to us through the work of Dr. Philip Mosley. This examination of regional history takes a post-historic view, and explores how its representation and remembrance. The broader themes of environmental and socioeconomic change are taken up; recollections of the Knox Mine Disaster in Luzerne County in 1959 and the start of the infamous Centralia mine fire which began in 1962 and still burns to this day. Dr. Mosley is a native of England who came to the US in 1988; he is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English and Comparative Literature at Penn State University. His works include books on literature and cinema, including "Anthracite!" (2006) and the 2019 release "Resuming Maurice." Dr. Mosley is also a translator of works by Belgian francophone authors and received the Prix de la Traduction in 2008.

...I like to entertain readers, while making them think. I believe that is the unifying vision in everything I have written... Dennis Clausen makes his second appearance on the Brown Posey Press Show, to discuss his most recent works. "The Accountant's Apprentice" is a tale of mystery and intrigue, and one that has its main character (and perhaps the readers) search within themselves. Justin Moore has witnessed a murder and has retreated into his own world in the hopes that the universe will sort itself out. Taking a job as a driver for a mysterious, wheelchair-bound "accountant" named A.C., Moore sees his city with the background of its homeless population. He wonders what A.C.'s mission is, and is the man even real? This accliamed novel has been followed by the sequel, "The Return of the Fifth Horseman," in which Justin tries to make sense of the threats to Planet Earth. A.C. has vanished, but when his wheelchair turns up empty in a shelter's parking lot, Justin wonders what the next chapter will be. A professor of American Literature at University of San Diego for more than four decades, Dennis Clausen grew up in western Minnesota at a time when television was a distant novelty and reading filled the hours during long winters. He is the author of several books, including "The Search for Judd McCarthy," "The Sins of Rachel Sims" and the seasonal tale, "My Christmas Attic." He has also written a guidebook, "Storytelling as Art and Craftsmanship."