Books Forward

08/21/2025

Gun safety advocate, documentarian, and Books Forward author Heidi Yewman Author sits down with Julie Rose, host of Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us, to talk about the most uncomfortable question she ever asked: “Do you have guns in your home, and are they locked up?”

After her former teacher and coach was killed in the Columbine High School massacre, Heidi turned her grief into action. In this episode of Uncomfy, she shares how asking the right question could prevent tragedy, what she learned from interviewing gun owners and who pulled the trigger, and why empathy—not judgment—is the key to meaningful conversations around guns in America.

Listen here:

Heidi Yewman on the most uncomfortable question she ever asked: “Do you have guns in your home?”

08/20/2025

Books Forward is celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, and one of the ways we’re celebrating is by showcasing 25 people you should know in the book world. There are many unique roles in the book world, and the many kinds of people who play a part in the community we love.

Today, we’re getting to know Eric Smith , an author and literary agent in Philadelphia. Check out the full day in the life here:

Books Forward is celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, and one of the ways we’re celebrating is by showcasing 25 people you should know in the book world. There are many unique roles in the book world, and the many kinds of people who play a part in the community we love. Today, we’re gett...

08/19/2025

🎉 HAPPY PUB DAY 🎉

DUMB GIRL by Heidi Yewman
For fans of Jeannette Walls, Jodi Picoult, and Alice Sebold, a heartening memoir about a girl who survives abuse and molestation to become a powerful advocate against gun violence in America.

TIC-TAC-TOE CHICKEN by Kimberly Tso
Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken is a picture book inspired by the true story of Lillie, a real chicken trained to play tic-tac-toe in New York's Chinatown Fair arcade, and her relocation to a farm for rescued animals. Featuring vibrant paintings of Chinatown by the award-winning illustrator Louie Chin (Bodega Cat, Fighting to Belong! Vols. I and II), Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken showcases a local cultural touchstone and shows how children can stand up for what they believe in and solve tough problems with ingenuity and heart.

Both of these incredible books are available TODAY, so be sure to sn**ch them up from your fav local indie ASAP!

08/18/2025

TOMORROW: Heidi Yewman Author in Conversation with David Molko at Powell's Books, Inc.! Be there or be square! Learn more about Heidi’s memoir, DUMB GIRL, here:

08/15/2025

What is an ideal book publicity timeline? And when should I reach out to prospective publicity firms?

If you’re thinking of querying publicity firms to help boost media coverage for your book, then the sooner you reach out, the better! A good publicity campaign will begin months before your publication day, so you should start reaching out to firms about 10-12 months before pub day, or as early as you can. We’ve put together some guidelines on what works best, based on our decades of experience, but really, there is no “ideal book publicity timeline” – it all depends on your goals, your book, and what you have time for!

What is an ideal book publicity timeline? And when should I reach out to prospective publicity firms? If you’re thinking of querying publicity firms to help boost media coverage for your book, the sooner you reach out, the better! A good publicity campaign will begin months before your publication...

08/14/2025

We’re back with another installment in our day in the life series! Today we’re hanging out with Esther Fung (she/her), Director of Marketing at PangoBooks and bookish content creator. Check out the full day in the life here:

Books Forward is celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, and one of the ways we’re celebrating is by showcasing 25 people you should know in the book world. There are many unique roles in the book world, and the many kinds of people who play a part in the community we love. Today, we’re gett...

08/13/2025

Books Forward author, Shavaun Scott, sits down with Emily Thiroux Threatt to discuss her latest memoir, “Nightbird”. In the interview, they discuss Scott’s former partner’s revenge su***de and how she healed from that trauma.

Listen here:

Listen to This Psychotherapist Survived Her Husband’s Revenge Suicide—And Found a Way to Laugh Again from Grief & Happiness. If you’ve ever carried guilt after a devastating loss or wondered if joy is possible again, episode 352 is for you. Psychotherapist P. Shavaun Scott shares how she survi...

08/12/2025

Wishing a very special publication day to Tom Weaver as he celebrates the re-release and traditional publication of ARTIFICAL WISDOM! Here are some throwback photos of Tom with the first edition!

We hope you have a great day, Tom! We cannot wait for the sequel!!

08/11/2025

Join Books Forward author, Heidi Yewman Author, in conversation with David Molko at Powell's Books, Inc. next week, Tuesday, August 19th, at 7:00 PM!

For fans of Jeannette Walls, Jodi Picoult, and Alice Sebold, Heidi Yewman’s “Dumb Girl” is a heartening memoir about a girl who survives abuse and molestation to become a powerful advocate against gun violence in America.

You won’t want to miss this author chat! Check out more details here:

08/08/2025

Writing the Pros and Cons of Small Towns in Fiction. Books Forward author Anne Shaw Heinrich shares her personal experiences with small towns, including how to write the good and the bad in fiction with Writer's Digest. Read the full piece here:

Author Anne Shaw Heinrich shares her own personal experiences with small towns, including how to write the good and the bad in fiction.

08/07/2025

Books Forward author and therapist Dr. Bonnie Comfort pens a guest article for Psychology Today, tackling indecision. Seeking perfection, fearing mistakes, means agony and misery over choices. Read more here:

Ruminating over decisions is a form of anxiety. You want to make the right choice, but you're confused, uncertain, or afraid of making the wrong choice. There's a way out.

08/06/2025

Books Forward author and Captain Kidd’s 9th-great-grandson, Samuel Marquis Books - Bestselling Author, explores the true story of the pirate wronged by legend and history. Check out the full interview with Colorado Public Radio here:

He’s a best-selling American history author and advisor to The History Channel who just so happens to be the 9th-great-grandson of one of the most famous pirates in history. But it turns out, his famous, or perhaps infamous, relative, the legendary pirate Captain Kidd, wasn't really a pirate after...