Ohio University Press & Swallow Press

09/10/2026

On World Su***de Prevention Day, we're joining a global effort focused on "changing the narrative on su***de" by featuring the story of Dr. Kara Zivin. As a professor—of psychiatry, of obstetrics & gynecology, and of health management & policy—Zivin's professional expertise was no match for her personal battle with severe peripartum depression & anxiety, which led to a su***de attempt while she was pregnant. She shares that experience and her grueling process of recovery, of assembling a cohesive narrative of what had happened by patching together a disparate array of fragmented bits of information, including medical records, research, imperfect memories, and gut instincts, in "Persevered: A Maternal Mental Health Memoir."

"Persevered" moves beyond one woman’s survival, breaking the silence that still surrounds maternal mental health and su***de. Zivin’s story reminds us that reaching out, sharing our experiences, and demanding better support can make a difference, not just for mothers but for families and communities.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, pregnancy-related mental health crises affect about 1 in 5 women, which means that it also affects their families and communities. This memoir is for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed, anyone who has supported a loved one through challenging times, or anyone who believes that honest storytelling can spark real change.

Crisis help: https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/

Learn more about the book: https://www.ohioswallow.com/9780804012645/persevered/

***dePreventionDay

09/02/2026

Wendell Berry's writing challenged us to pay closer attention to our neighbors, to the places we call home, and to the responsibilities we owe one another. As we reflect on his life and legacy, we share this New York Times obituary with gratitude for all he gave to readers across generations.

A Kentucky farmer, he railed against agribusiness and championed small family farms and the environment, winning widespread acclaim.

08/25/2026

PUB DAY!

Pan-African Resonance: Music, Migration, and Everyday Practice in London and Accra, by Alison Okuda

Today through Sept. 1, get:

—30% off paperback or ebook editions;
—50% off the hardcover;
—FREE US shipping;

1) Shop at https://www.ohioswallow.com/9780821427019/pan-african-resonance/

2) Enter promo code PAN26 in the shopping cart to engage the discount

07/28/2026

THURSDAY IN COLUMBUS: Join historian and WCBE's Jazz Sunday radio host Jack Marchbanks for a presentation of his new book, Art and Activism: Jazz Artists and Writers in the Civil Rights Vanguard. Bexley Public Library 6:30 pm — In-person and livestreaming on YouTube! https://bexley.libnet.info/event/16354956

Jack Marchbanks, historian, lecturer, and host of Jazz Sunday, visits the Bexley Library to celebrate the release of his book Art and Activism: Jazz Artists and Writers in the Civil Rights Vanguard. . Event starts at July 30, 2026 6:30 PM EDT

07/21/2026

While we weren't able to attend the French Colonial Historical Society conference in Ireland last month, some lucky books made the trip. Can you spot these titles?

Afrofuturisms: Ecology, Humanity, and Francophone Cultural Expressions, by Isaac Vincent Joslin: https://www.ohioswallow.com/9780896803305/afrofuturisms/

A Country of Defiance: Mapping the Casamance in Senegal, by Mark W. Deets
https://www.ohioswallow.com/9780821426012/a-country-of-defiance/

Moroccan Modernism, by Holiday Powers
https://www.ohioswallow.com/9780821425800/moroccan-modernism/

Projections of Dakar: (Re)Imagining Urban Senegal through Cinema, by Devin Bryson and Molly Krueger Enz
https://www.ohioswallow.com/9780896803497/projections-of-dakar/

The Struggle for Liberation: A History of the Rwandan Civil Way, 1990–1994, by John Burton Kegel
https://www.ohioswallow.com/9780821426272/the-struggle-for-liberation/

07/15/2026

There are around 10000 mounds and 500 ancient Indigenous earthworks in Ohio, including the spectacular Octagon Earthworks in Newark, where "you can stand in certain positions, and you can realize that this is the instrument that they built 2000 years ago, which perfectly calibrates the 18-point, six-year cycle of the movements of the moon in the sky."

Our new, Michelin-style guidebook TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO ANCIENT OHIO is a must-have reference for exploring these amazing structures. Listen in as author John E. Hancock shares more on Inside Appalachia:
https://wvpublic.org/story/arts-culture/new-book-guides-readers-through-ohios-ancient-earthworks/

Learn about the book and upcoming author events at https://www.ohioswallow.com/9780821426920/travelers-guide-to-ancient-ohio/

West Virginia Public Broadcasting

John E. Hancock is a professor of architecture and design at the University of Cincinnati, and he spent years studying Ohio's ancient earthworks. Recently, he published “Traveler's Guide to Ancient Ohio." Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Hancock about the book.

07/10/2026

120/158 "Law is often viewed as separate from the daily lives of human beings but law and humanity are intricately intertwined. Law is understood best when presented within the context of narratives about the lives of those impacted. Storytelling focuses upon the human experience as opposed to conventional law texts, which tend to convey detachment and an indifference to the impact of legal structures and institutional processes. False Promises expertly brings to life the struggle for voting rights in Reconstruction era Ohio told through the stories of those who lived it. False Promises enables us to know and care about the forgotten heroes who refused to be denied their humanity and their right to vote. It also reminds us that history is now." — Naomi Raquel Enright

07/09/2026

We're fired up to attend the Columbus Book Festival this weekend! We'll be in booth #28 in Topiary Park, so come check out a selection of great books for sale, plus we have some cool OHIO swag from the Ohio University Alumni Association to give away!

FEATURED AUTHOR PANELS:
“Making Waves: Black Civil Rights”
Saturday, July 11, 10:00–11:00 am
Main Library, Meeting Room 3B
Jack Marchbanks — Art and Activism
Ric S. Sheffield — False Promises

“The Power of Place”
Saturday, July 11, 1:00–2:00 pm
Main Library, Meeting Room 3B
John E. Hancock — Traveler’s Guide to Ancient Ohio
Kathleen Smythe — Bicycling Through Dayton

MEET THE AUTHOR:
Saturday, July 11, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Topiary Park, Booth 28
Andrew Welsh-Huggins — Rescue Me and the Andy Hayes Mysteries series

Visit our EVENTS page for more: https://www.ohioswallow.com/events/

FESTIVAL INFO: https://www.columbusbookfestival.org/

07/07/2026

Stop by and check out our new display of award-winning books and more! Alden Library, 1st floor, near the elevators. We're always happy to have visitors!

Ohio University Ohio University Alumni Association Ohio University Honors Tutorial College

07/02/2026

Vote now for the Ohio Book Awards Readers' Choice! https://survey.typeform.com/to/Pows6jiE

We're proud that Ric S. Sheffield's FALSE PROMISES: The Struggle for Black Voting Rights in 1800s Ohio is among the finalists. Learn more about this extraordinary title: https://www.ohioswallow.com/9780804012577/false-promises/

Vote for YOUR favorite 2026 Ohio Book Award Finalist!

Voting is NOW OPEN through July 15. One vote per IP address will be counted.

https://survey.typeform.com/to/Pows6jiE

Follow Ohioana's social media all this month as we celebrate all of our 2026 Ohio Book Award Finalists!

More info: https://www.ohioana.org/programs/ohio-book-awards/