Luminare Press

08/21/2025

📣 “I cannot say enough what an amazing experience it was to partner with Luminare Press on the publishing journey for my first book. Being a new author, I was not sure what to expect in terms of the process, and the team was wonderful at walking me through each step. Even from the very beginning, it was easy to understand what they would provide because their price packaging was super easy to understand. The project manager was excellent at explaining what was going to happen next and always communicated to me who would be reaching out to me for each subsequent step. Everyone who had a hand in helping get my book from design to editing to final proofing to publication was a joy to work with and they always treated me kindly and respectfully. I was extremely impressed with the system they have in place and it was obvious how they have streamlined their processes to make it seem effortless to their authors. I would highly recommend Luminare Press to anyone considering their services!”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
–Thymai Dong-Sheehan, Ph.D., author of “The Beauties of My So-Called Asian Life”

Thank you for your kind words!

08/19/2025

Winds of Africa
by Bernhard R. Tittmann & Christy Wall

Winds of Africa is a story of survival against all odds. It follows the extraordinary life of Bernhard Tittmann who was born in the midst of the Great Depression in a remote village in Tanganyika, Africa. His father, a man of indomitable character, navigates his family through the perils of war and displacement, instilling in Bernhard the values of hard work and trust in God.

As World War II devastates Europe, the family is forced to flee from the paradise of Africa’s beauty, setting off on an adventure that spans three continents, and a world in upheaval. The narrative beautifully captures the essence of family bonds, the struggles of immigration, and the pursuit of the American dream.

Winds of Africa is not just a memoir; it is a phenomenon of love, courage, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. It is a story that will inspire readers to face their challenges with faith and determination, reminding us all of the incredible strength of the human spirit.

Find "Winds of Africa” in our Bookshop:
https://buff.ly/DTzkgYn

08/17/2025

The Associated Press is ending the weekly book reviews. Why? Not enough interest from their readers.
While this is sad news, it also confirms something we’ve been saying for some time now: industry reviews don’t matter as much to readers.
They can be very useful for PR activities, but probably won’t bring you direct sales.

Have you had a different experience?

https://buff.ly/r4wpD9L

Terrible news from The Associated Press. Media Nation correspondent J.A. passes along this note from Anthony McCartney, the AP’s global entertainment and lifestyle editor. AP to end its weekl…

08/15/2025

Nothing beats the kindness and appreciation of our authors!
Thank you, Gloria, for the beautiful birthday card you sent Caitlin last week. You made our day!

08/13/2025

Dragons Don’t Go to School
by Rennie Washburn

Dragons Don’t…
Dragons don’t go to school…or do they? George wants to learn to read—and that happens at school! But school isn’t always easy for someone with claws and a tail. How will George fit in with his new friends?

What else don’t dragons do? Read the rest of the Dragons Don’t series to find out!

Dragons Don’t Go Camping!
Dragons Don’t Eat Ice Cream!
Dragons Don’t Play Hockey!

Find "Dragons Don’t Go to School” in our Bookshop:
https://buff.ly/Fedad0k

08/11/2025

71 Photos
Views Through a Septuagenarian Lens
by Al Eisner, PhD

71 Photos: Views Through A Septuagenarian Lens takes an eclectic look at our human perspective and the passage of time in an original collection of nature photography and narrative discourse. Photography is a visual artform; even the most realistic images are two-dimensional and inherently interpretive. Although many animals possess visual or other sensory capabilities beyond those of us humans, vision is especially important for our species in a multitude of ways that start with sensory function and include, for example, emotional, aesthetic, and communicative aspects of our lives. Our visual experiences are uniquely human or close to it. The photos in this book collectively illustrate these important points while underscoring commonalities between art and science, two distinctively human endeavors that often are mistakenly regarded as mutually incompatible.

Find "71 Photos” in our Bookshop:
https://buff.ly/fTdN3cz

08/10/2025

📉 General nonfiction sales are down 9.9% this year. Here's why that's actually GOOD news for smart authors...

The publishing industry has a message: stop trying to write for everyone.

Books that succeed today have laser focus:
→ Specific audience
→ Specific problem
→ Specific solution

My takeaway: "Niche isn't small—it's strategic." 🎯

The formula that's working? [Specific audience] + [specific promise] = market traction.

Authors: What's your niche? Are you trying to help everyone, or are you speaking directly to someone who desperately needs what you're offering?

The readers who feel seen are the ones who buy books.

https://buff.ly/VT0jSyH

Niche Is the New Mainstream

08/09/2025

Homo ludens Playing with Thoughts in Verse
by David J. C. Fletcher

Everyone, it is said, loves stories.
Homo ludens Playing with Thoughts in Verse is a book of stories told in verse. The collection spans a range of tales, including tragic ballads and walk-abouts in the human mind, a re-telling of the biblical story of Genesis, but with a twist on knowledge itself—or the lack of it—and the adventures of a dog known as “Piddlin’ Pete,” whose feats and those of his companion Beth never fail to amuse readers. There is also a story to be discovered within every sonnet contained in Homo ludens.

Find "Homo ludens Playing with Thoughts in Verse” in our Bookshop:
https://buff.ly/mGzejSt

08/08/2025

Friday's quote by Judy Blume. How's your first draft?

08/05/2025

The Life and Times of Samwise Surprise
by Lisa Rusinyak

Samwise Surprise and his miniature horse family have found themselves in quite a predicament. Together, they embark on a cross-country journey, hoping to find a better life. Through their travels, they learn to lean on each other and trust in the kindness of strangers.

Come along with this feisty little foal and discover the surprise that gave Samwise Surprise his name.

Find "The Life and Times of Samwise Surprise” in our Bookshop:
https://buff.ly/AVrig21

08/03/2025

It's always a pleasure to guide authors through the maze of publishing. What options are available today? What should you consider? What makes sense to you?
Every story is unique, and there is no perfect solution. But there are ways to orient yourself and make an informed decision that can help you reach the outcome you hope for.

Last week, Patricia Marshall sat down with Amy Ayres from Women in Publishing to discuss the options available to indie authors.
Watch it now to learn what your best publishing option may be.

https://buff.ly/yj1yIQ8

If you are independently publishing, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Understanding the publishing landscape will help you pick the best path for you ...

08/01/2025

Meet Luminare Press author Karen Berkey Huntsberger at McFresco in the Historic Downtown of McMinnville, OR.
No registration is required; just come and say hi. Copies of the books will be available for purchase.