Mission Report: Beaufort Internship

Friday, December 8th, 2023

Hi book lovers, Kim Beaussible here, back with one last blog post as your spy inside the industry.

As the year and my internship come to an end, I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learned. I came into the internship with education in book publishing, but I’ve always learned better by diving in and Beaufort gave me the opportunity to jump. Just like every publishing intern, I spent time sifting through the slush pile for a good submission, but there’s more to working at an indie publisher than they show in the rom-com movies.

I’ve collected all the classified intel from my missions as a Beaufort intern this fall, and now I can share them with you. If this leaks, I know it was you.

Backlist titles are more important than you think.

While everyone is currently obsessing over the latest releases on BookTok, publishers spend an equal amount of time on their backlist books. At Beaufort this fall, we’ve been updating our descriptions and BISAC codes for backlist titles. There are more BISAC codes added each year and these new tags allow us to reclassify our book to help readers find that very specific fantasy romance they’ve been looking for. Descriptions are no different. Updating a book description is vital, as it’s the second thing to be judged after the cover, and out-of-date formats or language could turn off your new readers.

Find joy in reading and then read, read, and read some more.

Almost everyone who works in publishing got into the business because they love books. But as someone who spent the last six years reading only what was assigned, I fell behind as an actual reader, which meant falling behind in the industry as well. Comparable titles inform every choice we make as publishers, and being a voracious reader helps to assert yourself as a designer, editor, or marketer. I had to reignite my passion for reading to show up as the best editor-version of myself, and the best choice I made for myself was to subscribe to the Book of The Month box. Joining a book club or subscribing to a box like BOTM exposes you to more books and the choices of other readers so you can learn about industry trends and comp titles.

But wait, there’s more.

Just when you think you know it all, there’s more to learn. Whether it’s backlist metadata, social media trends, or author contracts, the one thing that remains constant is change. Our world changes at such an alarming rate now, with new technologies and ideas that change what and how we publish. Always be prepared to adapt and learn something new, because as soon as you figure it out you’re on to the next new thing.

I’ve had a great couple of months bookies, but it’s time for this agent to say over and out.

“What I learned in Boating School is…”

Wednesday, November 29th, 2023

My time here is sadly coming to an end, so with that, I leave you with my top three most valuable things I’ve learned over the course of these past few months:

Working/Interning at a small press offers more learning opportunities: There’s a reason they are referred to as “small presses.” Key word here is “small.” There’s not a ton of staff for these indie publishers to work in an assembly line fashion, keeping to their specific task. Most likely, the workers at these companies, though they have an area of expertise, are still doing a little bit of everything–editorial, marketing, publicity, sales, etc. Therefore, when you start your position at an indie publisher, you’re going to be learning way more than you would at a Big 5 publisher, and who knows, you may even find you love a different area of publishing more than you originally thought to pursue.
Publishing is way more than just reading books: This kind of goes hand-in-hand with my last point, but I assume this also translates well to those who work at a Big 5 in, say, editorial. It’s not all reading submissions. There’s a lot more tedious tasks that go into making everything come together. So, while you will spend a lot of time reading, prepare yourself for the administrative tasks that come with the position.
There’s more than just the Big 5 out there: This goes for both, those trying to get published and those trying to get a job in publishing. It’s so easy to be overlooked by these major publishers because so many are flocking to them in pursuit of their dreams. However, your chances of getting your big break will greatly increase if you seek out opportunities elsewhere. Indie publishers are way more likely to pay you mind, so take a chance on them and they just may be willing to take a chance on you.

I hope these points enlighten you as they did me. I had such an amazing time at Beaufort these past few months and I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to intern here. So with that, this is me signing off.

-Beau Swan

Get in the (adult) Halloween Spirit with 5 Spooky Books and Paired Wines

Tuesday, October 31st, 2023

Happy Halloween everyone!

Kim Beaussible reporting in on the spookiest day of the year! Wherever you are, I hope that your candy bowl is full for tonight and that your costume will keep you warm and toasty this evening. Here on the west coast, costumes are covered with coats or bolstered by several layers underneath, making my four-year-old nephew’s Spiderman costume look suspiciously buff this year. But this time of year is my favorite. As the summer burns away and the ghosts come out to play, I sink into my books, my spooky movies, and my wine that will eventually spill onto the page when I jump out of my skin. Even spies get scared sometimes.

This Halloween I’ve chosen a few books, paired with a bottle of wine, with something for every reader, from those who like a cozy mystery or a whimsical witchy tale to those who want to be looking over their shoulder after they put the book down.

The Thursday Murder Club

This season is the one for book clubs if you ask me. My mother and her friends always seemed to revamp their club in the fall, each leaf on the ground like another page they would burn through. The Thursday Murder Club, from British TV personality Richard Osman, would be my pick for them this spooky season. Set in a retirement home with a diverse cast of characters, this cozy follows a group of retirees who have created a club to solve mysteries in their remaining free time, only to be embroiled a murder case on their doorstep. With humor and mystery, this offbeat cozy is perfect for anyone who’s looking for a spooky read that will make you think but won’t give you nightmares.

I’ve paired this cozy mystery with the Phantom Chardonnay. White wines scream cozy to me, they’re easy to sip and not too heavy, and Phantom wine bottles always catch my eye.

Witch of Wild Things

Now, readers, what would Halloween look like without witches, or books about them for that matter? Practical Magic will always be on my spooky season watchlist or TBR list, with its romantic, whimsical interpretation of witches. Looking for something that fit into my obsession with the Owens witches’ greenhouse, I chose a Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, a romantic fantasy about Sage and her sisters that are figuring out their own unique magical powers. With family, romance, and a little bit of a Poison Ivy killer botany desires mixed in, this book will take you on an emotional, magical rollercoaster.

If it’s romance, it’s got to be rosé. Our Halloween inspired pick, Banshee Rose, had to make the list. With notes of berry, light baking spice and dried herbs, this wine would be any witch’s pick.

The Lost Apothecary

If witches and magic haven’t always struck a chord for you because of the fantastical elements, The Lost Apothecary is a great alternative, as a female driven, historical fantasy. A haunted woman runs an apothecary for women in late 1700s London, doling out remedies and poisons for the ladies of the city, when she’s caught up in a scheme from one such lady and her maid. 200 years later, a woman facing the crossroads of her failing marriage finds a vial that once belonged to the apothecary, taking her on a wild goose chase to find out where it came from and to find what she’s been missing in her life. Light and dark all at the same time, this book balances apothecary magic with the real world feminine experience, where a woman’s magic might just set her free.

With the misty fog of London as the backdrop and the ghosts following each character, Ghost Pines Pinot Noir seemed a fitting pair for this book. The label itself reminded me of the apothecary, Nella, making her trips across the Thames to collect supplies for her potions, and the mixture of blackberry and black pepper are perfect for the fall weather.

Ladies of the Lake

If you’re looking for a thriller that sounds like a soap opera drama to drink up with your wine, look no further than Ladies of the Lake from Beaufort Books. After a fight and then a horrific accident in an affluent neighborhood leaves a man dead, his second wife lives her life as if she can finally breathe but other wives start getting jealous and then other husbands start dying and the LAPD and their children turn suspicious. Filled with mystery, suspense, drama, and a little romance this book is the perfect mix for those who like reality TV this Halloween. This is another lighter read for those who aren’t looking to be too scared but rather spookily entertained.

A wine that looks sweet and light but is much darker than it seems, just like this book, my pairing is the Willamette Valley Vineyards White Pinot Noir. While this wine looks like a rosé, it expresses both red and white wine characteristics — creaminess, rich mid-palate, bright aromas and flavors with balanced acidity.

A Flicker in the Dark

This end of the spooky spectrum is where I like to read and live. Thrillers and Horror books are some of my favorites, purely because of their ability to surprise me. A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham is one of my favorite thrillers I’ve read this year; I couldn’t get to the end fast enough, reading the last 100 pages in one sitting. Chloe is afraid of the dark, and rightfully so after learning at 12 that her father was a serial killer. Now 20 years later, she downs her wine with a Xanax just to sleep at night, and when someone appears to become a copycat of her father’s crimes, she takes it upon herself to find the killer despite her fears.

A dark red wine for a dark book, the Prayers of Sinners Red Blend is my favorite on this list as well, with the title sounding just like Chloe’s attempt at atonement for the sins of her father. With notes of coffee, fruit, and gunsmoke, the wine has a bold, elegant finish just like Chloe.

Management Skills in Publishing and Goodbye

Friday, December 2nd, 2022

Management skills in the publishing industry are important when leading employees and therefore setting an example. When working in the publishing industry, it can be useful to lead with empathy and be able to work as a team. Working as a team to get books published on time is important. Authors depend on you to publish their work on time and deliver it to readers in the best shape. They have trusted you with work they have spent months, and sometimes even years, writing. Leading a team in the publishing industry can be fulfilling, but scary as well. Suddenly you are given the responsibility of managing a team and keeping up communication with authors. One key aspect we cannot forget is that passion has led us to the publishing industry. Our fulfillment of seeing a book we have worked hard on published is thrilling. So what skills can we learn as leaders to help manage teams more efficiently?

One important skill is to check on your team and make sure they get breaks in between the work. Giving breaks away from the project, even if it is brief, will prevent your team from getting burnt out. A drained team will not bring in the best work and this might leave authors frustrated. Another important skill is to lead with empathy and getting to know your team outside the work. You don’t need to tell your team everything about you, but sharing small details will help build a connection and foster a better work environment. Hosting small work events can help boost your team too. Finally, having trust in your team to get the work done on time is an important skill to learn as a leader. When you micromanage your team, you are telling them that you do not trust their work. It is crucial to build trust within your team and to keep communication open when working.

I would like to say goodbye to you all and I hope you enjoyed my blog posts over the past two months. I hope you can take this brief blog about managing to heart as you lead. Beau Vader out.

TRY NOT TO HOLD IT AGAINST ME Book Trailer!

Thursday, November 10th, 2022

Coming soon!

How Can We Market Books?

Friday, October 14th, 2022

Marketing a book involves a team of creative minds that know the market and how to advertise books. Creating a press kit that not only tells readers what the book is about but one that is unique to the book’s style is a great way to market the upcoming book.

A press kit is a media-driven package of the book’s details that promotes the book. Press kits tell you about the book, the author, and the metadata. It contains a press release which is written in AP style to highlight the book’s content. The press kit also includes quotes from people who have reviewed the book. At Beaufort Books, we are currently working on a few press kits but one I helped with is for the novel A Few Words About Words. Press kits can be styled in a way that matches the book’s cover, which can help tie the press kit back in with the book.

Another important part of a book’s marketing strategy is the marketing plan. A marketing plan is a strategy for publicizing an upcoming book that publishers will create to sell the book to buyers and the press. When it comes to what is on the marketing plan, it is important to note who the target audience and market is. Who is the competition? What events will take place to market the book? By making a marketing plan, publishers can then begin to advertise an upcoming book successfully. When thinking about which events to plan, it is important to consider what the author will enjoy doing and their interests. Do they have a personal connection to the location of their book launch? Does the author prefer the book launch to be virtual? Will a virtual launch party impact sales? A virtual launch became popular after COVID-19 and it is important for publishers to consider what the author is comfortable with in addition to a solid budget. When planning events such as launches, book signings, and readings, a marketing plan can help publishers allocate their budget better. Finding competitive titles that are in similar genres with sales that publishers expect (and want) to bring in is important when marketing a book. Seeing how other publishers have marketed in similar genres can provide new ideas on how to market a book. What has been done before? How can I do what has not been done before? These are important questions to consider when researching competitive titles to use in a press kit and when advertising books.

When marketing a book, an exciting thing to remember is that books are fun to advertise and it gives publishers the opportunity to have fun and create fresh ideas. It is important to keep in mind that this is a project that brings great joy to readers, and marketing is a good way to show audiences that this is a book they will enjoy reading. Beau Vader signing off now!

A Sizzling Summer Reading Recommendation

Monday, June 27th, 2022

Bilbeau Baggins here, coming to you from The Shire where the heat index is 100 degrees. Summer is upon us and things are heating up. What better way to kick off the season than with a hot new book?

Fever, which was released last week, follows protagonist Sid as she navigates the complex world of infectious disease. A renowned scientist, Sid leaves home for Brazil to find a cure for an insidious new fever that has already taken the lives of several children. Along the way, things in Sid’s personal life are heating up as well…

The second novel from author Janet Gilsdorf, a scientist and Pediatric infectious disease expert, this is a story not to be missed.

Are you suffering from a summer reading slump? Let us help cure it with Fever, a high stakes, emotional page-turner. Order now!

Books x Bastille

Friday, February 18th, 2022

Dearest Readers,

Let me set the scene: It’s 2013–the sun is shining, you’re wearing way too many layered t-shirts, and “Pompeii” by Bastille is blasting on the radio for the fourth time that hour.

No? Just me?

Luckily for all of us, “Pompeii” did not follow in the tradition of one-hit wonders and was just the first of many great hits released by the English pop rock band. Their latest album, Give Me the Future, released a couple weeks ago and includes their most recent hit, “Shut Off the Lights.”

Now, what does any of this have to do with books?

A lot, actually! Not only does Give Me the Future explore Bastille’s own musings on technology, reality, and how the two interact, it’s also chock-full of references to some exceptional science fiction books! The books (and my musings on them) can be found below!

1984 by George Orwell

Perhaps the most famous of the referenced books, 1984 paints a dystopian future in which government is totalitarian and surveillance is omnipresent. It follows Winston Smith, a lowly worker employed to rewrite historical documents who desperately wishes to overthrow the government. Orwell wrote 1984 as a warning against propaganda, regimentation, and the erasure of history, and many terms used in the book, most notably “Big Brother,” have become a part of our regular lexicon.

Island by Aldous Huxley

Writing in direct contrast to his own novel Brave New World, Aldous Huxley crafts the idea of the ultimate utopia in his book Island. In Island, Englishman Will Farnaby deliberately wrecks his ship in order to gain entry to the Kingdom of Pala, located on an island between Sumatra and the Andaman Islands. The society he finds there is utopic, with a culture that blends western science and eastern Buddhism, values multifaceted education, and believes the key to overcoming suffering and death is to live wholly in the moment.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

Philip K. Dick’s novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, also known by its revised title Blade Runner, is an exploration of morality and what it actually means to be human. The book follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter assigned to “retire” androids who have escaped from Mars and fled to Earth. In his hunt for the androids, Deckard comes to learn that the androids are almost entirely indistinguishable from organic human beings and that both have been killed in the process.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

In addition to Island, we have another reference to a Huxley work, this time to his work of dystopian fiction, Brave New World. This story examines a future in which humans are engineered in artificial wombs and later sorted into predetermined castes based on their intelligence and work. Natural-born humans are viewed as “savages” and live in exile on reservations around the world.

Total Recall by Piers Anthony

Based on the story, “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale,” by Philip K. Dick, Total Recall blurs the line between dreams and reality. When Douglas Quail, the novel’s protagonist, is having a fake memory installed, he discovers that the nightmares he’s been having of covert missions on Mars are his true memories that have been repressed by his employers. His life is completely overturned and he is left to question all that he believed to be true.

These are but a few of the incredible books that make the science fiction genre so compelling. If you’re wanting sci-fi that’s a touch more recent and/or diverse, I highly recommend checking out the works of Ursula K. Le Guin, Octavia Butler, Becky Chambers, and Nnedi Okorafor, to name a few.

Happy Reading!

Judy Beaulume

Hello from a Beaufort Intern!

Friday, February 11th, 2022

Hello everyone! Beaufort’s fourth spring intern checking in!

A little about me…

I was born and raised in West Michigan, where a love for snow is required and yearning for warmth is nearly always present. I have three younger siblings, one sister and two brothers, and incredibly supportive parents who have always encouraged me to pursue my dreams! In December of 2021, I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a B.S. in Political Science, and I am now, with great excitement, on a journey to establish a career in publishing!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an extreme passion for books. My happy place has always been curled up in my bed devouring a compelling novel. However, up until recently, I thought that my love for reading couldn’t be turned into a career, but instead, would forever remain a beloved hobby. I was set on a career in politics, but through multiple experiences, I realized that the political world isn’t where I’m meant to be. This realization sent me back to the theoretical career drawing board, and here I am now, eagerly exploring the publishing industry!

As far as books go, some of my favorites are Twilight by Stephenie Meyer; Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert; and It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover. I am a sucker for a story that makes you laugh, cry, and, most importantly, feel like you are living the lives of its characters. I want to bring more books like that into the world, which is why I am so excited and thankful that I get to learn about the book publishing process through my internship!

I can’t wait to see what these next few months at Beaufort hold, and I am eager to share my journey with you!

Until next time,

Beaulla Swan

Beaufort Books Newsletter | January 2022

Tuesday, January 18th, 2022

*|MC:SUBJECT|*

Your monthly digest of everything Beaufort Books.

Happy 2022, dear readers!

We hope everyone had a safe and relaxing holiday break! We’re getting ready for a busy spring publishing season, but we wanted to check in with a brief update on what’s happening here at Beaufort.

FORTHCOMING TITLES

LACIE’S SECRETS
By Teresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist
Pub Date: April 12, 2022

When her estranged mother dies, Kate Williams is forced to return to her family’s summer home in Maine, where her younger sister Lacie was last seen 18 years ago. But not long after she arrives, inexplicable incidents and suspicious visitors begin to torment Kate, and she realizes the house might be holding more secrets than she can handle. Lacie’s Secrets is an exciting and cinematic psychological thriller with surprising twists that will keep the reader guessing until the very last page.

Preorder Lacie’s Secrets

FEVER
By Janet Gilsdorf
Pub Date: April 26, 2022

In 1984, in the small Brazilian village of Promissão, a young child begins to fuss, her eyes turning pink and her skin flushed with heat. Four days later, she’s dead. Sidonie Royal, an accomplished scientist, arrives in Promissão to investigate and hopefully cure this insidious new disease, triggering a scientific race that spans two continents and becomes increasingly defined by personal stakes. Set against the backdrop of the early days of the AIDS epidemic, Fever is a captivating and timely novel about one woman’s challenge to prove herself.

Preorder Fever

CURRENTLY READING AND OUR 2022 READING GOALS

Did you set a reading goal for 2022? If so, what is it? I did! I picked 52 books again. That has been my goal for the last few years and I find it just challenging enough!

What are you currently reading? The Housewives: The Real Story Behind the Real Housewives (audiobook version) by Brian Moylan. I am going to try and read/listen to books that are a bit more fun this year! I am going to lean in hard on the guilty pleasure-type titles. And this was the perfect way to start that.

What do you like about it so far? I love all the different versions of Bravo’s The Real Housewives so it was fun to get some history and insider information on the shows.

Current rating: 5 out of 5

Did you set a reading goal for 2022? If so, what is it? I’m aiming for 75 books again, like last year. I’m already several books behind though, so that might change!

What are you currently reading? Broken (in the best possible way) by Jenny Lawson. This book was recommended to me by Megan, and I’m really enjoying the author’s narration in the audiobook!

What do you like about it so far? I love Lawson’s quirky sense of humor and the levity she brings to serious conversations about her mental health.

Current rating: 4 out of 5

Beaufort Books is an independent publisher based in New York City. Beaufort publishes a mix of non-fiction and fiction titles, with about 15–20 new titles each year. Since 2007, we’ve published four New York Times bestsellers.

Halloween Reads to Celebrate the Spooky Season

Thursday, October 14th, 2021

Dear readers,

It’s Halloween season, and I’m so excited to dive deep into some spooky reads. If you’re a fan of mysteries like me (I love Gillian Flynn, Liane Moriarty, and Caroline Kepnes—author behind the Netflix series You), Beaufort Books has a collection of fascinating thrillers that I’m excited to pick up this October.

True Crime

___

“The Juice” is not a nickname you would ascribe to a killer. Yet O.J. Simpson’s trial was one of the most televised court cases of all time. In 1994, O.J.’s former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, were found dead at her home in California. O.J. Simpson was tried for the crime, but he was eventually acquitted even though he wrote this book, originally published by HarperCollins, which basically serves as his murder confession. Soon after, the victims’ families brought a civil suit against him, and decades later, Simpson is still fighting orders to pay over $33 million to the Goldman Family.

Its first publication was solely authored by O.J. Simpson. After public outcry against Simpson’s ability to profit off the book, HarperCollins cancelled the publication. This new edition of If I Did It is approved by the Goldman Family, featuring commentary which points fingers directly at Simpson for the wrongful deaths of Ron and Nicole, proclaiming to the American public, “He definitely did it.”

Geopolitical Espionage

___

*Red Deception* by Gary Grossman and Ed Fuller

After terrorists set off bombs around the world, they threaten to destroy the Hoover Dam, and the American government realizes they have a major security crisis on their hands. Dan Reilly, a former Army intelligence officer, predicted these attacks years ago, writing them down in a report that someone leaked to foreign nations.

The Russian president soon sends military troops headed to Ukraine and Latvia in an imperialist attempt to claim their “rightful” land. At the same time, the American president can barely handle troubles on home turf, let alone the threat to human lives worldwide. Reilly is the only one who can save the world from the most detrimental terrorist attack yet.

Red Deception is the second book of the Red Hotel series. I definitely get Mission Impossible vibes from these books, so if you’re a big Tom Cruise fan, you’ll really fall for Reilly.

Mystery

___

Avalon, a neighborhood of rich men and gorgeous women, may not be as picture-perfect as it seems.

In a drunken accident, Hudson gets decapitated. The LAPD move on without question. While, secretly, his wife gleefully collects his riches, finally free from her marriage.

Soon, more husbands die in strange circumstances. The LAPD grows suspicious, and the ever-dashing Detective Daniels hops on the case. Will the “Ladies of the Lake” find a way to keep their secrets in the dark or will their motives eventually come to light?

My favorite genre of thriller features empowered women who get their revenge on terrible men, and I am very excited to see what crazy plans these ladies plot.

Speculative Fiction

___

Speculative fiction is one of the most fascinating genres, and this book grabbed my attention right away.

The discovery of ancient Egyptian artifacts unlocks important new facts about a DNA pattern. James Anderson, a venture capitalist, follows this path of scientific exploration to soon realize he’s seeking information that people desperately want to keep private.

Occam’s Razor is a speculative fiction thriller, featuring contemporary theories about alien invasion, human evolution, and the untapped potential of the cosmos. With the threat of inevitable doom, Anderson needs to figure out his role in the biggest cover-up in the history of humanity.

Historical Thriller

___

Seeking Hyde tells the tale behind Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic horror, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Stevenson goes against his father, comes to blows with his wife, and fights against the toll of fatal lung disease in order to write one more novel before his death.

Seeking Hyde not only describes the conception of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but the real life murders committed in London which were inspired by Stevenson’s story. Author Thomas Reed transitions from the life story of Stevenson to exploring European city life, exploring the threats of police corruption, prostitution, and one of the most famous serial killers of all time: Jack the Ripper.

I am already wrapped up in the thrill of the Halloween season. I’ve got decorations up, and I plan to read with some mood lighting—maybe I’ll set my LED lights to a creepy red and get the spooky vibes going. Whether you’re celebrating Halloween by going trick or treating or curling up with a thrilling read, have fun and make sure to check under your bed at night. You never know. You might be the main character of one of these books…

Happy Halloween,

Edgar Allan Beau

Heart in the Big Apple, Head at Home

Thursday, May 20th, 2021

Hello readers!

My internship with Beaufort Publishing is a little abnormal this year for a number of reasons. As Beaufort’s first virtual intern, I’ve been whiling away the hours at home in the good old American South, rather than museum-hopping and coffeeshop-exploring in the Big Apple. While I very much wish that I could spend my summer in New York City, I know that everyone is having to make do with what they’ve got right now, and so I’m determined to make my experience with Beaufort an inspirational and meaningful one!

When I’m not shut away in my room, glued to my computer screen, I’m out and about shopping for books and making friends at my local bookshop/coffeeshop (a venue I worked at for years and still adore!). I also enjoy playing music with local musicians who are infinitely more talented than I am. We mostly stick to old Irish and American folk tunes, but we’ll occasionally bust out The Eagles or Simon and Garfunkel. I was a competitive Irish dancer for twelve years, and despite a semi-recent retirement from competition, I am avidly awaiting the day when we’ll once again be allowed to host St. Paddy’s Day festivals (it is, after all, the best holiday out of the whole year).

I am so excited to be interning with Beaufort! And hopefully I’ll make it up to the city for a week or two this summer, circumstances permitting. It’s a bucket-list dream of mine to be able to touch the Assyrian lamassu statues at the Met.

Cheers!

Lamorbeau

This is a shared blog post for Beaufort Books and Spencer Hill Press.

Beaufort Books Newsletter | April 2021

Tuesday, May 11th, 2021

*|MC:SUBJECT|*

Your monthly digest of everything Beaufort Books.

Hello, readers!

Happy April! We’re back with more information about our new releases, our team’s current reads, and other exciting bookish news. We’ve also included an opportunity to win a free book. Keep reading to find out how to enter!

NOW OUT IN PAPERBACK

A Small Earnest Question, Book Four in J.F. Riordan’s North of the Tension Line series, is now available in paperback exclusively from Bas Bleu Booksellers. This latest installment follows Fiona Campbell, the scotch-swilling, book-loving heroine and her quirky acquaintances through adventures, including a love triangle, a baffling mystery, and more goats!

Click here to order your copy of A Small Earnest Question.

Book One in the Red Hotel Series follows Dan Reilly, an international hotel executive with high level access to the CIA, as he tries to uncover the motive behind a deadly terrorist attack at the Kensington Hotel in Tokyo. The paperback edition of Red Hotel technically doesn’t hit shelves until May, but you can preorder a copy today.

Click here to order your copy of Red Hotel.

NEW TITLES

RED DECEPTION
By Gary Grossman and Ed Fuller
Pub Date: 6/22

Book two in the heart-pounding Red Hotel series, Red Deception once again follows Dan Reilly, a former Army intelligence officer, as he tries to save the US after terrorists threaten national security. Intelligence experts concur: Red Deception is “A page-turner by authors who might as well sit on the National Security Council.”

Preo rder Red Deception

A FEW WORDS ABOUT WORDS
By Joe Diorio
Pub Date: 8/10

Spawned from the widely-circulated and beloved newsletter of the same name, Joe Diorio’s A Few Words About Words blends quick-witted anecdotes from more than 30 years of newsletter entries that highlight the common, uncommon, and surprising grammar mistakes most English speakers make.

Preorder A Few Words About Words

WHAT WE’RE READING

Broken (in the best possible way)
By Jenny Lawson

I have been a long time fan of Jenny Lawson and her blogs and previous books. I started reading her in 2011 when her blog post “And that’s why you should learn to pick your battles.” went viral. (If you haven’t read that post, or any of her work, I would highly recommend it.) Lawson’s writing is like having a conversation with an old friend. She often writes about tough subjects, but is able to make readers cry, laugh, and relate to her all in one paragraph.

Current rating: 5/5 stars

To Sir Phillip, With Love
By Julia Quinn

To Sir Phillip, With Love is the fifth book in the Bridgerton series and, to me, each sequel gets better and better. This book follows Eloise (the best of the Bridgerton siblings, in my opinion) and features Julia Quinn’s classic wit and delightful romances. I would recommend this book. and the Bridgerton series, to anyone interested in romance or historical fiction.

Current Rating: 5/5

WIN A FREE BOOK

Can you find the name of every Beaufort title coming out in 2021? The first person to respond to this email with the full list of 2021 titles will win a copy of Anchored by Mort Crim!

(Hint: There are 8 titles, and there are no diagonals)

HIDDEN FALLS News!

Wednesday, July 29th, 2020

Hidden Falls Book Review on Rose City Reader

Kevin Myers’ new novel, Hidden Falls, follows protagonist Michael Quinn back to Massachusetts following the unexpected death of his father. Middle-aged, single, in a strained relationship with his own kid, and at the peak of a dead-end job in print journalism, Michael is on the brink of a classic mid-life crisis. What he gets instead is a real-life crisis when he discovers his father was involved with organized crime and Michael lands in the middle of a criminal conspiracy.

Although it starts with a bang, literally, the first chapter is just a teaser, before the story starts for real “a few weeks before.” Then the first quarter of the book is about Michael’s workaday life in Portland. He’s a columnist for the Portland Daily newspaper, waiting to be downsized out of a job in the next round of layoffs. He’s divorced, with a son just starting college, and is trying to navigate the stormy waters of middle-aged dating. One amusing subplot has Michael following the “Missed Connections” listings on Craigslist, convinced a younger co-worker is flirting with him.

Michael carries his everyday concerns with him to New Bedford when he returns for his father’s funeral. These concerns don’t go away – especially when his ex-wife, son, and potential girlfriend show up for the funeral – but Michael’s perception changes as he falls deeper into the realities of his family’s life in New Bedford. Those realities are exciting enough, with gamblers, gangsters, and crooked cops to spare. Tensions are high, tempers run hot, and Michael is right in the middle of it. It’s a good yarn.

To read the rest of the review, click here.

To learn more about Hidden Falls, click here.

To learn more about Kevin Myers, click here.

WHEN MEN BETRAY News!

Friday, May 1st, 2020

5 books by Charlotte authors to check out while you’re staying home during COVID-19

When Men Betray by Webb Hubbell

Before he became a best-selling author, Webb Hubbell served as the former mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Associate Attorney General of the United States during the Clinton presidency who did jail time after the Whitewater scandal. Now, Hubbell lives a quiet life in Charlotte and leaves the political intrigue adventure to the protagonist of his novels, attorney Jack Patterson. In Hubbell’s first novel, “When Men Betray,” Patterson returns to his hometown of Little Rock and unravels the mystery of a senator’s murder.

To read the rest of this article, click here.

To learn more about When Men Betray, click here.

To learn more about Webb Hubbell, click here.