Crickhollow Books Press Room

Texas Author Wins Award for Novel of the World War II Homefront
March 30, 2011 – Crickhollow Books is pleased to announce that A War of Her Own has been chosen for First Prize as the best novel of the year by the Press Women of Texas, a statewide organization of women journalists and writers.

The historical novel by Georgetown author Sylvia Dickey Smith is set in 1943 on the World War II homefront in Orange, Texas. (For entire release, click here.)


Michigan Woman Takes a Long Walk on the Beach - All the Way Around Lake Michigan!
January 14, 2011 – In 2009, Loreen Niewenhuis walked completely around Lake Michigan. This book chronicles that journey, a 1,000-mile walk around the world’s fifth-largest lake. The result is a new book, A 1,000-Mile Walk on the Beach: One Woman's Trek of the Perimeter of Lake Michigan (Crickhollow Books).

The book explores both the geology of the lake and the measure of a person – woman, wife, mother of two sons (who joined her for portions of the walk). But most of the walk was done solo, an adventure in discovery of self and place. (For entire release, click here.)


New Collection of Humorous Ghost Stories for Young (Middle-Grade) Readers
October 12, 2010 – Welcome to the spooky realm of Myrtleville, a fictional small town in Indiana near the Wabash River, set in an area of prairie-covered hills and dark, forested hollows . . . and inhabited by an endless host of ghosts! Released just in time for Halloween, Dripping Blood Cave and Other Ghostly Stories is a new collection of eight humorous ghost stories by noted children’s author Raymond Bial of Urbana, Illinois.

Perfect for middle-grade readers, the linked stories in Dripping Blood Cave feature the adventures of young teen ghost-magnets Hank Cantrell and his fleet-of-foot, ’fraidy-cat sidekick, Clifford Hopkins. (For entire release, click here.)


New Book Celebrates the Value of Great Fantasy Literature
June 30, 2009 – Are you a fan of the Harry Potter series, Narnia stories, or books by Tolkien, Le Guin, or other great authors of fantasy? A Guide to Fantasy Literature will help you better understand why these works are so popular and important in the 21st century.

A Guide to Fantasy Literature is a wide-ranging, thoughtful look at the magic of fantasy storytelling and why it delights and enchants readers of all ages. The book discusses the nature of the best of fantastic fiction, from tales of Middle-earth and Narnia to other examples of high fantasy, dark fantasy, fairy tale fiction, magic realism, and adventure fantasy tales. (For entire release, click here.)


New Novel For Young Readers Celebrates 19th-Century Plank Roads
April 28, 2009 – Do you know a young reader who enjoys books of historical fiction, in the vein of the American Girls series? Here’s a new novel sure to delight: Plank Road Summer, by Hilda and Emily Demuth.

Plank Road Summer is a middle-grade historical novel, set in 1852, a story of two girls’ friendship, with an Underground Railroad sub-plot. Written by two sisters who grew up hearing tales of the old plank road that ran by their southern Wisconsin home near Racine, the book has received praise for its well-researched use of the history of the popular plank roads (“the farmers’ railroad”), rural pioneer life, and Underground Railroad activities in the Great Lakes region to create an engaging story for young readers. (For entire release, click here.)


New Book To Help Young Writers Succeed
October 15, 2008 – Do you know a young writer you want encourage? Here’s a great new resource: The I Love To Write Book: Ideas & Tips for Young Writers, by Mary-Lane Kamberg.

The 136-page book is a “get-started” guide to launch young writers on a journey to writing success . . . at home and in the classroom. The instructional and inspirational guide will help young writers (ages 8-14) become successful, confident, and self-motivated writers. It features practical tips, techniques, and exercises ideal for use at home and in the classroom. (For entire release, click here.)


Great Lakes Literary Launches Crickhollow Books
October 9, 2008 – Great Lakes Literary, LLC, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is pleased to announce the launch of Crickhollow Books (http://www.CrickhollowBooks.com), a new imprint for books of nonfiction and quality fiction. (For entire release, click here.)