Author Archives: Angel Ackerman

Book design, readability and X-height

As part of our presentation with the Apex Writers Group in March, our art director, Gayle Hendricks, made a graphic to convey how x-height in type changes our experience when reading books. She chose some common typefaces that read easily. As authors we often don’t think about book design. As authors, we don’t think aboutContinue reading “Book design, readability and X-height”

The unbridled joy of packing tape

So, Art Director Gayle and I exchanged the most ridiculous email thread based on a special promotion. It went something like this: I forward the email from Sticker Mule that reads, “Beautify your boxes. 1 roll custom packing tape for $9” with the message and subject line that says, “Tape!” Gayle replies, “OMG! This isContinue reading “The unbridled joy of packing tape”

Review of Katherine Ramsland’s thriller, I Scream Man

Our theme yesterday and today is Lehigh Valley authors. I have many Lehigh Valley authors on my TBR pile. Who’s on yours? I picked up some Echo City Capers Jr. titles and Katherine Ramsland’s debut thriller fiction novel at a recent visit to the Lafayette College Store based on recommendations from our own Darrell Parry,Continue reading “Review of Katherine Ramsland’s thriller, I Scream Man”

Save-the-Date April 29: National Independent Bookstore Day

It’s a Save-The-Date edition of the Parisian Phoenix blog— we’re writing today to tell you to mark your calendars for APRIL 29. It’s National Independent Bookstore Day and if you’re local to Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, we’ll be celebrating with downtown Easton’s Book and Puppet Company and honoring the Arts Community of Easton’s studio tour. IfContinue reading “Save-the-Date April 29: National Independent Bookstore Day”

A new view of a familiar conference, or “because I am a very good assistant.”

Hello, my fellow birds! As publisher of Parisian Phoenix I have made an effort to support as much of the Lehigh Valley literary and artistic community as possible. I was scheduled to volunteer at the Lehigh Valley Book Festival today, as I had tried to be part of the marketing committee for that event organizedContinue reading “A new view of a familiar conference, or “because I am a very good assistant.””

More about Thurston Gill

Thurston wrote an autobiographical statement. Let’s see what we can learn about him. Thurston Gill Jr. is a developing writer and protection professional originally from Plainfield, New Jersey. He has experience in various roles of security, beginning with retail loss prevention before becoming a Police Officer for the City of Plainfield. Because of complications withContinue reading “More about Thurston Gill”

The Death of Big Butch by Larry Sceurman

A small book with big lessons  The story, set in the spring of 1974, encapsulates just a few days in the life of 26-yr-old Jimmy and his growing family, but those days manage to impart more joy, sorrow, and lessons learned than some folks experience in a lifetime. Hard-working, and hard-drinking, Jimmy is still findingContinue reading “The Death of Big Butch by Larry Sceurman”

Why We Read: I don’t think it’s escape

We often hear that readers read books to escape, but I think it’s more complex than that. I think, sure, if we had to describe succinctly the allure of reading that would be it. I’ve been a writer for decades. And if I it weren’t for personal health issues*, I would climb up to theContinue reading “Why We Read: I don’t think it’s escape”

Tribute to Spring, by Larry Sceurman

A time for renewal, balance, and thought The spring equinox, Monday, March 20, is the first day of spring. I imagine the celebration of spring, the beginning of the new, rebirth, the ability to grow and sustain life has always been with us. Indigenous people believe that Mother Earth gives birth in spring, that theContinue reading “Tribute to Spring, by Larry Sceurman”