Books as Salvation

Every reader I know uses words like “escape” when they describe why they love books.

I have always looked at books with loftier expectations— searching for wisdom, philosophy, artfully crafted phrases, and an emotional punch.

Here at Parisian Phoenix, we have three books available, two deep in production and one in preproduction.

And I knew this project— my publishing company with my partner Gayle Hendricks who designs my covers and my books— would be a labor of love. It started as a desire to preserve the novels I had written in a more permanent form that digital files but has evolved into a mission bigger than I ever imagined.

My first novel, Manipulations, is a chick lit/horror fiction hybrid that kicks off the Fashion and Fiends series.

In the novel, 400-year-old fire mage Galen Sorbach stalks and seduces supermodel Adelaide Pitney for the powerful water magick she doesn’t even realize she has.

And here’s the kicker— the supernatural story line is a way to discuss domestic violence.

The second novel, Courting Apparitions, is a ghost story that explores the power of grief. I lost my father unexpectedly three weeks ago, so I find it ironic that this is the theme of my current novel.

Because working on Parisian Phoenix projects is the only thing that has cleared the fog from my brain and prompted me to keep living and stop moping.

Courting Apparitions is also available online from the same major retailers.

Darrell Parry’s poetry manuscript, Twists: Gathered Ephemera went on sale last week. His quirky, sardonic explorations of life prompt thought and chuckles.

Our print run should arrive any day. It appears to be stuck in some holiday delay.

Meanwhile, the marginalized identities anthology is deep in the editing phase as we wait for the copyright to return. I am reading the book to our poetry editor, Nancy Scott, who as a blind writer has a wicked ear for editorial work.

And if Not an Able-Bodied White Man With Money has been intellectually stimulating, Seneca Blue’s contemporary romance has been downright fun. Our talented photographer Joan Zachary has been working with models from Plastiqueville to create illustrations like these:

You can also contact us at ParisianPhoenix@gmail.com to ask about our author signed book deal. One copy of any Parisian Phoenix title shipped within continental United States for $20, signed by the author. Additional books are $10 each. Mix & Match. Venmo preferred payment. Zelle coming soon.