James Villanueva’s essay “The Gathering” from Crooked Letter i: Coming Out in the South, an anthology recently published by NewSouth Books, was excerpted in the “Personal Journeys” section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this Sunday. “Personal Journeys” features “stories that define” the Southern region and “connect our community.”

The chapter from Crooked Letter i recounts Villanueva’s Texas childhood memory of visiting an uncle dying of AIDS to celebrate his life, and his later experience coming out to his family. Editor Suzanne Van Atten called “The Gathering” “a touching story about how much strength it takes to be true to oneself and the riches to be gained as a result.”

Crooked Letter i is available from NewSouth Books or your favorite bookstore.

The historical novel Forsaken by Ross Howell Jr., due for release on February 1, has been named a Winter 2016 Okra Pick by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance. The Picks recognize “the best in forthcoming Southern lit, according to the people who would know.” Selections are made from titles nominated by employees of independent bookstores throughout the region. Featured titles highlight up-and-coming authors whose books are likely to become bestsellers.

Forsaken tells the story of the sensational crime committed by Virginia Christian, a young black girl who, in 1912 Virginia, was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in the electric chair. She was the only juvenile to be executed in the history of the state. News of her crime made national headlines. Many rallied around her cause. Included among them was a young newspaperman, Charlie Mears, whose own life is indelibly altered when he crosses the color line in reporting on her case.

2016 promises to be an eventful year for Forsaken, a book SIBA says should be on every bookstore’s “To Be Read” list!

Forsaken is available from NewSouth Books or your favorite bookstore.