All Josh wants is to have one final weekend getaway with his high school buddies before they have to get serious about life. A spooky October camping trip in rural Appalachia fits the bill...what could possibly go wrong? Kyle Alexander Romines returns with the latest of his thriller series, "The Vengence of the Crows" on the Sunbury Press Books Show. Dr. Romines, we should say--a physician, winemaker and prolific author, Romines joins host Lawrence Knorr to discuss his series, which can be found on the Hellbender Books imprint. "The Keeper of the Crows" and "The Whispers of the Crows," like this new release tap into different elements of horror and suspense.  Kyle is the author of 15 books, which also include the western novel "Atonement," the "Tales of Fál" fantasy series, and standalone works that include "Thrall" and "Seeking to Devour." A practicioner of family medicine, he lives in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.   

Author Ronald T. Waldo returns to the Sunbury Press Books Show with the latest in a series of detailed looks back at the "Deadball Era" of baseball, in Days of Reckoning: Players Punching Their Ticket Out of Pittsburgh During the Barney Dreyfuss Era. The book focuses on the Pittsburgh Pirates and the years 1900 to 1932, during the ownership of Barney Dreyfuss. A powerhouse of the National League in the early 20th century, the Bucs were home to numerous players who would go on to the Baseball Hall of Fame, or at least became household names. Players such as Rube Waddell, "Happy Jack" Chesbro, Honus Wagner, "Rabbit" Maranville, Dick Bartell and many more are recalled in Waldo's work. Despite Dreyfuss being one of the more generous owners, many players found their way out of Pittsburgh, often due to issues with their boss. Waldo also talks about the early structure of Major League Baseball, and how the upstart American League made its own way to prominence. Waldo's first book, Fred Clarke: A Biography of the Baseball Hall of Fame Player/Manager was published in 2010. He also the author of Deadball Trailblazers: Single-Season Records of the Modern Era, which was a Modern Era finalist for the Larry Ritter Book Award. That work is talked about in length on a previous episode of this program.  Fans of baseball, history and especially the Pirates will most certainly enjoy Waldo's new book, available at Sunbury Press dot com. 

Philadelphia, 1837. Twelve-year-old tomboy heroine Rian Krieger has successfully escorted "self-emancipated" slaves from Philadelphia to their next station on the Underground Railroad. When her father, Otto finds out, he renews his plans to send Rian off to a finishing school in Switzerland. This, however, Rian will not have--she would have to wear dresses all the time! For Rian, the Philadelphia of this time is one of industrialization and change. Increased prosperity and commerce lead factory owner Otto to make decisions that come back to haunt him. The Panic of 1837 has threatened the social and economic fabric of the city, and the Krieger business and home face foreclosure. When two visitors from Tsarist Russia present themselves at the factory, Rian believes their mission may save her father's business, and solve her own problems as well. The fantastic journey of Rian Krieger continues in "The Coachman," book two of the series from the pen of Roger A. Smith. He returns to the Sunbury Press Books Show to speak with host Lawrence Knorr about not only Rian's growth, but provides a historical background to the US in pre-Civil War days. Smith is a former high school history teacher who has had many careers: farmer, summer camp and wilderness expedition program operator, cofounder of a participatory science museum, and woodworker. With "The Conductor" and "The Coachman," Smith may with all justification add "author" to his resume.  He lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts; find out more about Roger here.

A teacher's quest to investigate a horrific murder leads Hannah Stein and her students into an adventure and shadows of her past in "The Class Assignment is Murder." Author Carolyn Kleinman draws on her own life and experiences as a teacher to bring this, her second novel for Sunbury Press Books. Hannah discovers her move to Parkerville, a small town in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is not the idyllic place everyone says it is. She discovers that in 2005, a teenage boy named Matthew Baker murdered his family and raped his cousin. Fifteen years later, Matthew now says he is innocent. Hannah enlists the aid of three of her students to investigate the Baker case and dredges up a past that some do not want disturbed. For Hannah, the assignment brings up her own past, having witnessed her mother's murder at the age of five (but did not see her attacker's) face. Carolyn Kleinman grew up in the Twin Cities and earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Minnesota. She has taught English and English as a Second Language, and is also the author of "Love, Faith and the Dented Bullet." She discusses with host Lawrence Knorr what drew her to create her own stories, and how drew upon true crime and incidents for her works. She lives with her husband Steven in Lancaster, PA.  

The life of Francis Kalnay is deconstructed by Katherine Fennelly in her new Sunbury Press work, "Family Declassified--Uncovering My Grandfather's Journey from Spy to Children's Book Author." Kalnay's tale sounds like something out of a John LeCarre or Ian Fleming novel--a Jewish Hungarian immigrant who arrived in the United States more than a century ago, he rose to become a top-level spy for the Allies during World War II. The charismatic, multilingual Kalnay led an elite espionage unit, had numerous affairs, and suffered the muder of his sister and nephew by Hungarian fascists (a matter he never spoke of). In 1954, Kalnay abandoned his family and fled to Mexico where he remade himself, as a designer of homes and an award-winning children's author. He is perhaps best known for the Newbery-Award-winning "Chucaro: Wild Pony of the Pampa" in 1959. The details of his secret life were buried in Office of Strategic Services (OSS) files, and unearthed by his granddaughter. Katherine Fennelly is Professor Emerita at the University of Minnesota. She has also served as dean of the University of Minnesota Extension Service, a faculty member and department head at Penn State University, and a faculty member of the Columbia University School of Public Health. Her research and outreach interests include the human rights of immigrants and refugees in the US, and the preparedness of communities and institutions to adapt to demographic changes. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Inspired by real events, author and educator Jon Volkmer takes readers back to his native Nebraska for his new novel, "Brave in Season." What happens when an African-American railroad crew is dropped off in a tiny, close-knit rural farm community? Will friction build up to an all-familiar tragedy, or will a game of baseball possibly inspire hope and understanding? On this episode of the Sunbury Press Books Show, Volkmer discusses his upbringing in Nebraska City, the changing of American railroads and the need to prepare them for the new diesel engines. He recounts how the small town of Julien was the backdrop for a fast-pitch softball game, and inspired his new work. Jon Volkmer is a professor of English at Ursinus College; his chance reading of Jack Kerouac sent him off on a hitch-hiking tour of the nation. He earned his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Colorado, an MA in Creative Writing from Denver University and his PhD in Literature from the University of Nebraska. His works include a Young Adult biography of baseball great Roberto Clemente, a collection of poetry involving grain elevators, and a travel work, "Eating Europe." His work has appeared in Commonweal, Cimarron Review, Maine Review and Prairie Schooner.  "Brave in Season" is available through Sunbury's Milford House Press imprint.  

"Shadow Lands" is a collection of black and white photos taken over a five-year period through the lens of photographer Gabriel Spangler. Self-taught, but with influences that included his creative parents and film, Spangler turned to cinematography and later stills.  This collection of candid/documentary street photos shows what has been described as Spangler's film noir style. Spangler discusses his travels, placing himself in the right spot and taking shots that seem posed or staged but are not.  In an age of digital and disposable cameras, the lost art of photography, the use of film, and development are seeing a rebirth. Spangler continues to push the boundaries of his gear, film, and technique in "Shadow Lands," and future projects. Gabriel Spangler lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Find out more about him at his website.  

The groundbreaking, and controversial work of educator Jane Elliott is one that continues to draw attention today. For more than five decades, Elliott put forth the question: What if, by eight years old, children could possess the mechanism to disrupt prejudicial tendencies? In "Shades of Brown: The Official Biography of Jane Elliott and the Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes Exercise," Todd Mealy examines the origins, use, and implications of her eye color exercise. Following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968, Elliott set out to prove or disprove her case, first with elementary school students in her hometown of Riceville, Iowa, and later with adults in seminars of corporate, correctional, educational, and military personnel. The Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes role-playing concept was the way, Elliott discovered to mitigate inclinations of racism and prejudice and to teach the central lesson that we are one race. Todd Mealy is an adjunct professor of History at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and is also a teacher at McCaskey High School in Lancaster, PA. He has spent two decades teaching both History and Writing at schools in the Keystone State. He is also the founder and director of the National Institute for Customizing Education, and has written several books on education, race and history, including "Equity in the Classroom," "Legendary Locals of Harrisburg," and "Glenn Killinger, All-American." "Shades of Brown" is available through Sunbury's Oxford Southern Press imprint.

  "Life in Appalachia is like a kid standing in the center of a seesaw. It’s a fragile balance, somewhere between the old world and the new, flat-broke or getting by, rooted in place or getting out. Sometimes, folks here lose footing, lean too far one way or another. If one end of the seesaw comes down hard, it knocks them right off. " This is a description of "In The Cut," Michael Lockett's new collection of tales released on Catamount Press. Stories of hardscrabble, everyday Appalachians are brought to life, as they struggle with rural life, its constrictions by place, religion, and a changing world. In this discussion with Lawrence Knorr, Lockett tells of the origins of these characters, sheds light on his Central Pennsylvania roots, and secures his spot as a storyteller from a unique section of the country. Michael Lockett graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication from Clarion University and has an MFA in Creative Writing from Carlow University. His stories have been published in the "Northern Appalachian Review," "Twisted Vine," "Matthew's Place" and "Quarter Press." He is also a 2022 nominee for the James Baldwin Literary Award. He lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Find out more about Michael at michaellockett-author.com  

One of the most talked about serial killers was the infamous Jack the Ripper, who terrorized the Whitechapel section of London from 1888 to 1891. At least eleven murders were attributed to the Ripper, who did not merely kill his victims, but mutilated and tortured them. The Ripper's identity has been the subject of speculation for over a century, and author Michael L. Hawley believes Scotland Yard had the suspect in their sights. Jack the Ripper Suspect Dr. Francis Tumblety is the result of Hawley's examination of more than 700 pages of never-before-seen sworn testimonies. The picture of Tumblety is one of an antisocial narcissist with a desire for exploitation, and within, evidence that he may well have been the killer. Michael L. Hawley is a retired aviator who achieved the rank of Commander in the US Navy. He holds a Masters degree in science from the State University of New York, College of Buffalo, a Bachelor's in geology and geophysics from Michigan State University and teaches secondary science education. His books include The Ripper's Haunts, Jack's Lantern and The Ripper's Hellbroth. He has appeared on the History Channel, the Travel Channel and NBC Radio's "House of Mystery" program.  

A collection in seven parts, "The Deepest Part of Dark" is an exploration by Dr. Anne Elezabeth Pluto, which taps into themes of family, love, death, and spirituality. Written in a sparse, yet direct style, these poems have been gathered together to make a redolent experience for the reader. They delve into aspects of human nature and emotions and find hope even in the darkest areas. Anne Elezabeth Pluto is a Professor of Literature and Theatre at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She also serves as the Artistic Director and one of the founders of the Oxford Street Players. Anne is an alumna of Shakespeare & Company, a member of the Worcester Shakespeare Company, and a founder of Nixes Mate Review. Her writings have appeared in the Buffalo Evening News, Mat Hat Lit, Yellow Chair Review, and the Muddy River Review, among others. Her books of poetry include "The Frog Princess" and "Lubbock Electric." Anne lives in Boston.

The coming of age of Annie Shea is documented in two novels by Caitlin Hicks. Set in 1963 California, "A Theory of Expanded Love" finds a young Annie, desperate for attention in a family of 13 kids, a military father and a strong Catholic faith. With the passing of Pope John XXIII, a family friend stands to be the first American to be his successor. Annie seizes the moment to create a web of lies, but then discovers a family's hidden secret, which they will keep at all costs. Annie's life takes a turn in "Kennedy Girl." Now seventeen, Annie stands to further break the mores of her family, through her crush with a black fellow student, Lucas Jones and her volunteering for the campaign of Robert F. Kennedy. The world comes crashing down for both Annie and Lucas with Kennedy's assassination--later joined by Annie's brother, the three head for the Canadian border, where the latter's own secrets are uncovered, and Annie must sort out a changing world and what it all means for her. An author and actress, Caitlin Hicks drew on her own upbringing for Annie and the cast of characters in these two works. First released in 2015, "A Theory..." won awards from the likes of Forward Indies and iTunes for Best New Fiction. Her writing has appeared in newspapers such as the Vancouver Sun, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle and Milwaukee Journal Sentiel, plus Atlantic Canada's International literary journal, The Fiddlehead. She lives in British Columbia.

Circumstances cannot be contrived. While researching the long-closed Irving College, Sunbury Press founder and presenter Lawrence Knorr discovered the master's thesis of Chad Leinaweaver, which for the first time is in book form, with "That Our Daughters May Be As Cornerstones." Founded in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania in 1856, Irving Female College was created at a time when educational opportunities were opening up for women. Leinaweaver takes us through the history of the college, its founder, Solomon Gorgas, and the naming of the school after George Washington Irving. He details how these institutions, also referred to by some as "Women's Colleges," gave them instruction in liberal arts. The curriculum also provided more choices for women of the time, including a Conservatory of Music. Leinaweaver also discusses the closure of the school in 1883 and its rebirth in 1888 under the leadership of Dr. E.E. Campbell. A businessman and instructor, Campbell's acumen and charismatic style brought him to both the presidency and eventual ownership, as he led Irving College into the twentieth century. The school, however, could not withstand competition and a lack of endowment, with the final class graduating in 1929.  A Mechanicsburg native and Northeastern University graduate, Chad Leinaweaver is the Director of the Morristown & Morris Township Library in New Jersey. He has authored sections of the Dictionary of New Jersey History (New Library Press), and Preserving Local Writers, Geneology, Photographs, Newspapers, and Related Materials (Scarecrow Press).

The career of Scottie Miller is one that cannot be confined...the Minneapolis, Minnesota native is a three-time inductee of the state's Blues Hall of Fame. He has toured the world with a long list of famous artists, including the likes of Bo Diddley, and currently with multiple Grammy nominee Ruthie Foster. His songs have been recorded by Foster and the Blind Boys of Alabama. In addition, Miller has recorded nearly a dozen albums of his own music, largely self-produced.  "Carnival Cocoon" started as a collection of poems Miller wrote throughout his career; out of more than a hundred ideas, he chose the best, and put 23 of these to music. The collection is the subject of this edition of the Brown Posey Press Show. Miller discusses his upbringing, and the encouragement and inspiration music gave him in this program. He attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston, where matriculation ended when the money did the same. Miller also has stories to tell about those he has performed and written with, audiences in different places and his unique, ongoing journey. His book, music, and history can be found at scottiemiller.com.   

The term "Renaissance Man" is used far too often today, but if anyone is a contender to hold the title, John LaCasse could be one. A 25-year career as a Seattle yacht broker brought him in contact (and in business) with money people, magnates, politicians, actors, members of royalty, and a certain organized crime boss, but that was not all for LaCasse. Years of good living, fine homes, sports cars, motorcycles, and partying (wait till you hear what happened to former Sec. of State George Schultz!) led LaCasse to a moment of clarity that made him ask himself, Why? This leads us to "Deals, Danger, Destiny," the memoir of John LaCasse's life, well, lived. (Thanks to Ray Wylie Hubbard) LaCasse spares no detail in how his life led him to not only the highs of such a lifestyle but indeed its lows. Along the way, he speaks for his love of Paris, and how while hanging out at his favorite bookshop, he entered into discussions with a 13th-century theologian,...in real time.  A native of Missoula, Montana, LaCasse was kicked out of three universities, but returned as a middle-aged student of Transcendental Studies, earning an MBA and a Doctorate. He still lives in Seattle.  

As Alzheimer's Disease robs Elizabeth Bodien's brother Pete of his ability to speak, she finds she can still communicate with him, even after he has passed on. How is this possible? Elizabeth Bodien appears on the Sunbury Press Books Show to discuss her relationship with her brother, which travels beyond the physical plane in "Bigger Pete: Conversations Between Life and Afterlife," released on the Ars Metaphysica imprint. She talks of how her brother dealt with Down Syndrome and did not allow this to dictate his life. In his later years as his health failed, Elizabeth was able to communicate with Pete while he slept through a process known as "automatic writing." Bigger Pete became his higher self, and these talks continued for another eight years after he passed. Their story resonates with those who have family that suffered from Alzheimer's, and especially caregivers in the final years of life. Elizabeth grew up in the "burned-over" district of Western New York. Her education and travels took her around the world with the International School of America, and she earned a degree in cultural anthropology from the University of California. Her graduate work brought degrees in consciousness studies from John F. Kennedy University and phenomenology of religion from the Graduate Theological Union. She also taught English in Japan, was a childbirth instructor in West Africa, an organic farmer in Oregon, and a Montessori teacher. Post-retirement, she earned an MFA in poetry from Western Colorado State. Elizabeth is also the author of two books of poetry, "Blood, Metal, Fiber, Rock" and "Oblique Music: A Book of Hours" plus other works. She lives near Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania.    

John "Doc" Holliday was many things in his short life. It may surprise readers to learn that Holliday graduated from The Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery in Philadelphia, with his doctoral thesis on Diseases of the Teeth. While he practiced in various locations, Holliday was also a keeper of gaming tables and was involved in the events that surrounded the famous 1882 shootout at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona (in which Holliday was wounded). Hard-drinking and suffering from tuberculosis, author Matt Di Paoli brings "Holliday" to life in his new novel. Drawing on Val Kilmer's performance in Tombstone, Di Paoli shows Doc in a charismatic light, seeking to outrun his illness by moving to dryer climes, but also in search of a spring that could well cure him. Along the way, he helps his old friend Wyatt Earp in his ongoing feud with the Clanton/McLaury gang, is followed by paparazzi, and indulges in his fascinations for alcohol, gambling, women, and death. Matt Di Paoli earned his MFA in Fiction at Columbia University. He has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize three times, and "Holliday" brought him the Wilbur & Niso Smith Adventure Writing Prize. His works include "Killstanbul" (El Balazo Press), and his stories have appeared in "Boulevard," "Fjords," "Post Road," and "Cleaver." He currently teaches writing in New York City.

Jeffrey Frazier has made it his life's work to collect accounts, legends and tales of Keystone State history and culture. "Pennsylvania Mountain Landmarks, Volume 1" offers an armchair journey to some of the most unusual and inaccessible landmarks in the state. These include treks to the Devil's Dining Room, Indian Steps and Umbrella Rock, among others, in this book, released on the Catamount Press imprint of Sunbury Press Books. A Central PA native, Frazier discusses with Lawrence Knorr his Tom Sawyer-like upbringing and how a case of homesickness led him to search out for himself the unique, the unusual and the strange of Pennsylvania. Sunbury Press will be re-releasing his "Fireside Tales" series in the near-future. 

Nancy Hayes Kilgore brings to life a small town in Vermont at a time of great change, and the fears of what this may bring in her second novel, "Wild Mountain." Mona Duval runs the local general store, and when the nearby covered bridge is destroyed in a flood it is just one more matter that weighs on her. It is 2008, and Vermont is facing the potential shift to permitting gay marriage, a subject the locals have opinions on, and some will do whatever they can to stop it. While Mona weighs her relationship with her dear friend Roz, there is the question of Frank, a seasonal cabin-dweller whose own style makes itself known. Atop this, Mona's abusive ex-husband Johnny is back, and what purpose does he have in mind? Then, too a mysterious watcher believed part of Green Mountain folklore, the changing times and lives of all are examined in "Wild Mountain." A winner of the Vermont Writers Prize, Nancy's works include "Bitter Magic," released by Sunbury Press in 2021, and "Sea Level," released in 2012. Sunbury Press is proud to bring "Wild Mountain" to its shelf as well. A parish pastor, psychotherapist and teacher of unique creative writing classes, Nancy discusses her spiritual and literary journey with Tory Gates on this program. Her stories have appeared in Vermont Magazine, Bloodroot Literary Magazine, the Bottle Imp and on Vermont Public Radio. She lives in Burlington, VT with her husband and pets.  

In a tale of love and marriage looked down upon by early 20th century mores, Anna, a middle class English girl elopes with Charles, a Greek immigrant as they set off to build a life together. Making their way to Boston, their lives are pulled apart in 1913. Stricken with tuberculosis, Charles is sent off to a sanitarium, leaving Anna and their child to fend for themselves. Anna must face being ostracized from the Greek community and keeping herself alive, while Charles considers his predicament and his efforts to get back to Anna. Can they get get back together? Are they still a family, and is all they've sacrificed been worth it? "The Immigrant's Wife" is J.B. Harris' debut novel; her short ficton has appeared in the Boston Literary Journal, the Beacon Street Review and Puckerbrush Review. Harris was a finalist for the 2022 Hal Prize in Fiction and the WOW Spring 22 Flash Fiction Contest. She lives in Massachusetts with her family.  

The sister of author Nathaniel Hawthorne drowns in 1852...but was it an accident? Hawthorne's cousin, John Stephens Dike has left Massachusetts for Ohio and is a successful businessman. A traumatic past long behind him is brought back in 1883, through a bequest from his cousin, Elizabeth Hawthorne. Within this, a collection of papers reveals a love affair between his father, the late John Dike and Hawthorne's younger sister, Louisa. They also raise disturbing questions surrounding Louisa's death by drowning in the 1852 Henry Clay  steamship disaster, all of which point to something more sinister. Dike's own recollections of Louisa, the woman's diaries, and letters to a clergyman detailing revenge send John Stephen on a quest to find out what happened, and to attain some justice. On the way, he must come to terms with his past, his wicked stepmother, and what more he may find in "The Hawthorne Inheritance." Kate Dike Blair goes into the history of her Hawthorne cousins and pays tribute in her new novel, which she discusses with Lawrence Knorr. A cousin by marriage to Nathaniel Hawthrone, she discovered her late father's reserach on their ancestors, which led to this novel. Kate grew up in Middlebury, Vermont. Her father was owner of the Vermont Book Shop (among his best customers was a fellow named Robert Frost), and she clerked there wil earning a Diploma in Theater Arts from the Wykeham Rise School, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Boston University. She has also a certificate in Medical assisting, and helped found the consulting firm, Health Resarch Associates in 1983. An actor who has appeared in theater, film and television, Kate lives in Concord, Massachusetts.    

The story of four brothers, bound for America from Sicily in the early 1900s is told through the eyes of one, and in a series of short stories, poetry and prose in "Final Touchstones." In her Sunbury Press debut, author Linda Romanowski tells of her maternal grandfather and his journey, from the age of three onward, about his experiences in the New World and the decision he took that would shape his life and that of his family. Those formative years are told in three parts, and dicuss what Italian (and other) immigrants faced as the 20th century began and that search for a better life. A graduate of the 2021 Rosemont College MFA Program with a Graduate in Creative Writing (Non-Fiction), Romanowski is also a winner of the college President's Medal and served a term aspresident of the institution's Alumni Board. She is a contributing feature writer for The City Key, sumibssion reader for Philadelphia Stories, and a former assistant editor of Rathalla. She lives in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

Leo is a dog full of kindness, wisdom and helpful advice. "Letters from Leo" is a series of friendly letters between Leo and kids who are dealing with difficult situations, such as loss, divorce and the issues that are sometimes very hard for children to process. Leo's responses involve practical strategies to help children thrive and cope with the numerous challenges involved in growing up. Leo's work comes through his human, Author Holly Garner, who has worked as an educator for more than 30 years. Her work as a teacher, reading specialist and elementary school principal (not to mention the mother of three sons) all helped develop her desire to implement social-emotional learning in schools. She is the Director of the Grace B. Luhrs Elementary Lab School in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, as well as an Assistant Professor at Shippensburg University.  Illustrator Steph Miller teaches 3rd grade at the Luhrs School; she has a degree in Elementary Education from "The Ship."  "Letters from Leo" is published through the Speckled Egg imprint of Sunbury Press Books. Any teacher, counselor, administrator or family member looking to help kids through life's trials will find this book a meaningful and valuable resource.

A recent acquisition by our Milford House Press imprint, J.B. Manheim brings the murky past of old-time baseball to life in "The Federal Case," the latest release in The Deadball Files series. Over a century ago, Major League Baseball and the upstart Federal League were embroiled in a legal dispute. An ancient legal document falls into the hands of night-schooled lawyer Andy Dennum, which pits him against baseball's establishment, the firm that hired him, and a mystery out of his own past. At state is the viability of baseball's business model, and Andy's career. "You win some, you lose some. Some get rained out." Sunbury Press Books welcomes J.B. Manheim to the program, and Milford House will re-release his previous series of works, "This Never Happened," "Doubleday Doubletake," and "The Gamekeepers." Professor Emeritus at George Washington University, J.B. Manheim developed the world's first degree-granting program in Political Communication, and was founding director of the School of Media & Public Affairs. His love of baseball began watching Dizzy Dean on the Game of the Week, and watching games at Cleveland Municipal Stadium with his grandfather. Manheim is also a member of the Society for American Baseball Research, the Internet Baseball Writers Assocation of America and the Authors Guild.

The independent Peschel Press is the work of the husband-and-wife team Bill and Teresa Peschel, who provide familiar tales of mystery, updates, reviews and examinations of our most iconic mystery authors. Combining a love of mystery, editing and research skills, the Peschels offer annotated, researched and in-depth examinations of the works of Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers.  A further tack taken: "Agatha Christie, She Watched" covers more than 200 Christie films, reviewed by the Peschels, the good, the bad, and the terrible. When you see one pop up on TV, this book is a go-to resource. In addition, the most recognized detective in the world, Sherlock Holmes, as seen through the eyes of other authors. Fan fiction that doesn't always paint Holmes as the great detective comes to life in "Pastches," articles and short stories by fans (and detractors) of Arthur Conan Doyle. These tales are carefully collected, edited and translated for a series of works that grants Holmes fans something they may never have known about. Bill Peschel has also brought us "Writers Gone Wild," a chronicle of the real-life escapades of famous authors! Familiar names abound--what did Dashiell Hammett do to break up a relationship? Why did Sylvia Plath bite Ted Hughes' ear at their first meeting? What other japes, legal and otherwise took place? Under her pen name Odessa Moon, Teresa takes us to the Red Planet for the Steppes of Mars Series. The planet is not what it seems, and the series tracks life in the wasteland, those of privilege, and the decisions made that put our principals here. Meeting in the underground lair in Chocolatetown, PA, Tory Gates takes us on a fun, informative and personal look. Find out more at PeschelPress.com

Nancy Rhodes has served the Arts as an administrator, director, educator and writer. The founding director of Encompass New Opera Theatre, she has staged plays, musicals and operas across the US, Europe and Asia, with performances that include the world premiere of "Tartuffe" for San Francisco Opera, and Virgil Thomson's "Lord Byron" at Alice Tully Hall. Rhodes has also served as Vice President/US Delegate to the International Theatre Institute, and taught Acting for Singer at Manhattan School of Music. A trip to Ephesus led today's guest on the Sunbury Press Books Show into a metaphysical experience: the mother of Jesus is said to have lived in what is now Turkey after her son's death. While visiting Mary's home, Rhodes was asked by Mary to tell her story. Over a ten-year period, Mary told Rhodes her own story, of a lonely childhood, violence against her at the hands of her father, Joseph's devotion and how he saved his family. This interview with Lawrence Knorr discusses Rhodes' ongoing career, and the experience and process that led to the telling of "Mary's Story."      

The Connor Stark novel series continues with "The Philippine Pact." Stark's private security firm is training elements of the Philippine Navy on a remote island, when terrorists take control to help China establish a foothold inth Western Pacific. Their only obstacle: Stark and his team. In a tale that reflects current events, Dr. Claude Berube brings his hero back for the third novel of the series, and discusses "The Philippine Pact" on the Sunbury Press Books Show. His work as a Naval historian informs the series. Berube has also written "On Wide Seas: The US Navy in the Jacksonian Era" and is the author of dozens of articles. Berube has held the rank of Commander in the Navy Reserve, worked at the Office of Naval Intelligence, the US Senate and served as an instructor at the US Naval Academy, where his courses included Naval History, American Government, Intelligence & National Security and Terrorism. In addition, Berube served as a LEGIS fellow with the Brookings Institution and a Maritime Security Studies fellow with the Heritage Foundation.

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! *This program is dedicated to the memory of Dan R. Arman, who left us on May 19, 2023. I got to speak with Dan and his widow Mary at CleCon. They were a delight to speak with, and we remember a great talent and a fine man. TG

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." 

The author of the multi-volume "Beagle Tales" series, Bob Ford returns with a new collection, "Bramble Rambles." Reflections made while exercising his hounds in the fields of Northern Pennsylvania, Pastor Ford has put these into a form of conversation starters for faith-based dialogue, but are not meant to achieve dogmatic answers.  These rambles originally appeared in social media posts to provide a positive message in a medium that is often negative. The popularity of these posts has brought them into book form. An avid outdoorsman, Bob and his wife Renee both serve as pastors. Bob has been in parish ministry since 1996 in Ohio and Tioga and Clearfield Counties in Pennsylvania, the latter of which he currently serves. Bob is also the author of "Rabbit Stew for Your Soul," a collection of original recipes.  You can find out more about Bob at beaglebard.com