Lots to be thankful for as we charge into the second half of The Roaring Twenties. Sunrise Press, the faith-based division of Dogwood Press, had a HUGE breakout hit with the Hal Kitchings devotional for those grieving the loss of a beloved dog, Dog-Gone, It Hurts. Released in November 2024, the true impact this wonderful little book was going to have was clear when I took a call from a lady in Cincinnati who'd read a review in the Cincinnati Enquirer. She explained that she was 90 years old, had run an animal shelter for years before retirement, was widowed, and had just lost her beloved pooch of 17 years and thought a copy would do her some good. Hal and I have heard from so many people who've found comfort in the book, and we are grateful for the fantastic response.
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| Hal's launch at Lemuria Books of Jackson, MS |
Suspense author Scott Lenoir has been a wonderful addition to the Dogwood Press team. Signed copies of his great debut novel, The Amendment, were opened at a whole lot of homes Christmas morning, and we've heard from many readers who were taken with protagonist Blake Weaver (and the supercharged plot) and couldn't put the book down.
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| Signing a red-hot read while thankfully indoors on a very cold day! |
This is a great time to grab a copy of Sunrise Press author Monica Walton's Lean Into Lent, which provides all the spiritual nourishment of a daily Lenten devotional in a weekly format designed with the busyness of the season. Think not about what you will be giving up for Lent, but what you might be reading for Lent that will really make the season come alive! The book is multi-denominational and great for small church groups, but act fast with Lent beginning on March 5.
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| Well-written and meaningful. |
I am thankful for my friend John Floyd, the short story legend who I've had the good fortune to publish eight times in the past two decades. John's remarkable run of stories continues in 2025, as he graces the pages of the current issues of The Strand Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, Woman's World, and Black Cat Weekly all at the same time! John's stories are also included in a great many anthologies, such as this one by editor Josh Pachter. Crime fiction inspired by the songs of Joni Mitchell? I'm wondering if one of the stories includes a Big Yellow Taxi!
I am very thankful to have written Raphael's Men, the story of a coaching and teaching legend from a small Catholic school in Jackson, Mississippi, for Velocity Sports and Entertainment. Released in late 2024, the book is a reminder of the long-lasting impact a good teacher and coach can have on our lives.
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| Fast-paced and inspirational. |
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| Signing copies for men who played for Coach Raphael |
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| Appearing on my friend Marshall Ramsey's "Now You're Talking" podcast |
I'm looking forward to visiting the Gulf Coast and presenting at the Mississippi Writers Guild workshop on February 15. A free event, it takes place at 5:30 p.m. at the Gulfport Arts Center in the Carnegie Library, located at 1300 24th Avenue. I'll touch on everything from what I'm looking for when I consider authors for publication to social media marketing and AI. Chapter head John Dumoulin is your point of contact if you're interested in attending. He can be reached at jmichaeldumoulin@gmail.com.
Be sure to visit dogwoodpress.com for signed copies of all Dogwood Press and Sunrise Press titles. Most orders are filled the next business day, so you'll have that can't-put-down read in just several business days regardless of where you are. Thanks for your time, and happy reading!
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