The Elephant's Bookshelf

With just about a month until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, we decided to discount Battery Brothers by Steven Carman for a couple days. So, if you're looking for a wonderful YA read, please take a look at it on Amazon, where it's in the midst of a countdown deal. Basically for the rest of today and tomorrow, it'll be available at $1.99 (down from its customary $4.99).

It's a wonderful story about two baseball-playing brothers, the elder of whom -- Andy -- was physically scarred by his now estranged mother. Beset by a bully, self-doubt, and a catastrophe for which he blames himself (though no one else does), Andy must find the strength to keep striving toward the goal he and his brother set for themselves.

It is a YA story, but we've received dozens of reviews that speak to how it's a story that works for multiple audiences of almost any age, whether they're baseball fans or not.

I hope you love it as much as I do. Tell a friend!

Howdy, folks! I thought I'd just touch base and see how everyone's new year is beginning. I'd love to hear what your writing goals are, what you'd like to see on this blog (personally, I'd like to see more posts; I'm open to guest posts, if anyone is interested), and other topics you want to address related to the writing world. I know I intend to offer more book reviews, interviews, and general observations on the publishing world.

Feel free to share in comments, or reach out to me at matt@elephantsbookshelfpress.com

Targeting a broader array of bloggers, we went with a slightly different approach on the cover reveal of the latest book from Elephant's Bookshelf Press, but I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression: I'm very proud to share the beautiful cover of EBP's latest novel, Billy Bobble Makes a Magic Wand by R.S. Mellette.

The book will be released in literally a week, but the electronic version is available for pre-order now! With Billy Bobble, we're officially establishing EBP's science fiction department. In a sense, you might say it also establishes a middle grade department, though I see Billy and Suzy as almost young adult; we certainly plan to continue following their tales, as RS is working on Billy Bobble and the Witch Hunt right now, which we're aiming to publish in about a year.

As a lifelong lover of science fiction, I've always intended to include SF in the EBP ouevre. Heck, one of the stories in Spring Fevers, is a science fiction piece I originally wrote back in college. And several other stories in our growing collection of anthologies are in that genre. At a date to be announced, we will have a single anthology that focuses on science fiction.

But back to the Billy Bobble cover. The illustration that graces its cover is by the very talented Kirbi Fagan. I expect we're all going to see a lot more of her work gracing covers, so I'm thrilled we have been able to establish a relationship with her early in her burgeoning career.

The cover itself was designed by our friend Charlee Hoffman, who also created the covers for Whispering Minds and Winter's Regret. She's another artist who I think is demonstrating talents that will pass the test of time.

What do you think? Let us know.