Foreword Reviews

Today’s interview offers a disheartening peek into history, though not the “story” side of how history is written and preserved in book form as we’re so used to discussing here in Foreword This Week. Instead, Roberta Mazza’s Stolen Fragments covers the seamy side of how the physical relics of history are handled. What makes her story compelling is her pedigree: she’s a professor of papyrology, a former museum curator, and a fierce defender of scholarship. In other words, she knows how ancient artifacts should and shouldn’t be treated, and she’s made it a life mission to call out the fraudsters. Roberta talks of two camps: one that’s made up of truth-seeking historians who look at artifacts “as sources to reconstruct the past,” and another group more concerned with relics as collectors items, with or without historical authentication. This second group is made up of dealers and collectors who fancy the relics as merchandise to buy and sell. If an item has a documented history—telling where it was found, by whom, whether its purchase was legal, and if the authorities in the country of origin approved the sale—these dealers are thrilled but only because the value of the object increases dramatically. If, on the other hand, it was looted or smuggled or otherwise mishandled, they are all too happy to look the other way, make their shady cash, and then plead ignorance should they get caught. But here’s just one of the deadly consequences of that insincere, “I know nothing, see no evil” attitude: many of the artifacts currently coming out of the Middle East were looted by the Islamic State (ISIS) and sold to fund terrorist activities. Nick Gardner reviewed Stolen Fragments for the University Press Foresight in Foreword’s September/October issue and jumped at the opportunity to connect with Roberta for a chat. Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gVsWAuEH

At the Hartland Fall Forum's Marquee Author Breakfast, Eve L. Ewing, a celebrated writer, professor, and cultural organizer based in Chicago, engaged in an insightful conversation with Cree Myles, the curator of @AllWaysBlack—a platform that celebrates Black writers and their readers. Their discussion spanned a variety of topics, from the implications of education to revolutionary ideas and elements of the Marvel Universe. Known for her love of bookshops, Eve's enthusiasm brought a unique energy to the session, providing attendees of the forum with a rich, engaging experience.

One of the best parts of attending conferences is undoubtedly the people we meet. At the Hartland Fall Forum, we enjoyed reconnecting with familiar faces and enjoyed meeting new ones. We caught up with Tayler and James from the University of Nebraska Press, Sydne Conant from Ink Cap Books who is showing off her copy of "The Knitting Witch" by The Collective Book Studio, Nick Gardner, reviewed author of "Delinquents and Other Escape Attempts," and the dynamic duo Elizabeth and Tory from Sower Books. Each interaction reaffirms the vital importance of nurturing relationships within the publishing community and why we value conferences like Hartland Fall Forum.

We're excited to announce that Carey, the owner of Fallen Leaf Books in Nashville, IN, is the lucky winner of our "Sublime Treats from Northern Michigan" gift basket! This delightful basket, brimming with local wine, sweet and savory snacks from Cherry Republic and Great Lakes Potato Chips, along with our signature "BOOKSELLERS THREATEN IGNORANCE" tote bags and assorted cherry items, was a popular draw at the Hartland Fall Forum. Congratulations to Carey on winning these delectable treats, and thank you to everyone who visited our Foreword Reviews table to participate!

Stop by the Foreword Reviews table at the Hartland Fall Forum and meet Stacy! While you're there, drop your card to subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter, Foreword This Week, and enter for a chance to win our "sublime treats from Northern Michigan" gift basket. This delightful basket is packed with local treasures like wine from the region, tasty snacks from Cherry Republic and Great Lakes Potato Chips, our iconic "BOOKSELLERS THREATEN IGNORANCE" tote bags, and various cherry-themed items. We'll be picking the winner at 4:30 PM EST—don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy some of the best treats our region has to offer!

Foreword Reviews is delighted to have attended the Hartland Fall Forum's opening reception, where attendees were treated to enlightening discussions from prominent authors Ada Calhoun, Nickolas Butler, Emi Watanabe Cohen, Denise Williams, and Alice Austen. Each author shared insights into their latest literary works, and the evening concluded with a book signing session. The reception offered a perfect mix of engaging literary presentations and relaxed networking opportunities, complete with snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. This event set an enthusiastic tone for the remainder of the forum, emphasizing education, networking, and the celebration of independent bookselling. The Hartland Fall Forum, held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, spans three days and is a cornerstone event for the independent bookselling community. This vibrant celebration features a variety of activities including awards, author events, bookstore tours, and educational sessions. It is collaboratively hosted by the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association and the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association, and is renowned for fostering deep connections within the industry. As always, Foreword Reviews is proud to stand with indie booksellers, publishers, and authors. Stay tuned for more updates from these important shows!

On Saturday, September 28th, the Foreword Reviews team had the privilege of attending the bustling HARBOR SPRINGS FESTIVAL OF THE BOOK in Northern Michigan. This sold-out event, dedicated to "inspiring readers of all ages and celebrating the culture of books in a beautiful part of the world," drew an enthusiastic crowd of 1450 attendees, including readers, librarians, booksellers, and writers. The festival featured a stellar lineup of 45 presenters from across the country, including #1 New York Times bestselling author Rainbow Rowell, Academy Award-winning screenwriter Graham Moore, Lipan Apache writer and oceanographer Darcie Little Badger, and Ojibwe Professor Anton Treuer, who discussed his debut novel published by Foreword's 2023 INDIES Publisher of the Year, Levine Querido . The day was filled with enriching discussions and a shared passion for literature, embodying the festival’s mission beautifully.

Explore this week's top indie selections with the Foreword Reviews Book of the Day Roundup! Dive into our carefully chosen lineup, featuring the newest releases and undiscovered gems from independent publishers, crafted to enrich your reading experience. See the full list here: https://lnkd.in/g98NBc4A #BOTD #BookOfTheDay #IndieBooks #ForewordReviews #ReadingList

Top restaurants all have personality—a vibe and style complemented by creative food that leaves diners with a heightened feeling of both satiety and contentment. Most often, that personality reflects the chef’s approach to cooking, the strong or subtle or exotic flavors, the elegant or rustic presentations that all bring about an experience beyond the individual parts. And—inquiring cookbook lovers want to know—if the chef of a successful restaurant endeavors to create a cookbook, will that winning personality make it to the page? It’s not such an easy thing, as many a publisher knows. Eric Cook, gregarious as the city he hails from, can be added to that short list of restaurant chefs who pulled it off. The chef and owner of two of New Orleans most beloved restaurants, Eric’s Modern Creole leans on the French, Spanish, Caribbean, and African influences of that great city to both honor the long evolution of Creole cuisine but also make it contemporary. In her review for Foreword‘s September/October issue, Rachel Jagareski calls the book an “exuberant showcase of a talented chef’s vibrant Southern food style,” and she is a personality we’ve learned to listen to after ten-plus years of cookbook reviews. Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/guA52XJQ

Foreword Reviews is pleased to share a new installment to Petit Foreword, our series of bite-sized interviews with indie authors! This week we were joined by Kris Spisak, author of "Becoming Baba Yaga" Watch the interview here: https://lnkd.in/gjSz-6ea