September 2010

It’s All About Voice

Sept. 25, 2010 - ”It’s all about voice,” says critic Jenny Mounfield of The Compulsive Reader.

Hello Friends! This week, we received more praise for Everything I Never Wanted to Be by Dina Kucera, the first memoir to be published by Dream of Things. I especially like the review from The Compulsive Reader, whose first reaction was, “Another family dealing with addiction. Been there, done that.” But after reading an excerpt, she was hooked. Here’s what reviewers had to say this week:

“A brutally open and honest look into the heart of a family beset by drug and alcohol abuse. [Kucera's] heart, soul, and humor shine forth from the book’s pages and…will make a lasting impression on those who read her memoir.” – Charline Ratcliff, Rebecca’s Reads

“When this book came up for review my first thought was: Oh yes, another family dealing with addiction. Been there, done that. But I read an excerpt. I was hooked. What makes this memoir so special? As with fiction, it’s all about voice: the fairy dust that brings words to life, gives them a heartbeat. Dina has a voice many authors would cheerfully give a limb for. Everything I Never Wanted to Be will tie your heart in knots, it will have you howling in frustration and it will make you laugh out loud. I strongly urge everyone to read Dina’s story.” – Jenny Mounfield, The Compulsive Reader

For more information, including the complete reviews, click here.

An Intense and Exhausting Journey

Sept. 18, 2010 — “An intense and exhausting journey, but well worth the effort.” That’s what ForeWord Reviews had to say about Everything I Never Wanted to Be by Dina Kucera.

Hello Friends! The reviews are starting to come in, and it’s very gratifying to see the things critics and readers are saying about Dina’s memoir. Here’s the entire review from ForeWord, a major review service for readers, booksellers, book buyers, publishing insiders and librarians.

“Like a maelstrom, Everything I Never Wanted to Be pulls the reader into the powerful whirlpool which threatens to suck the lives of a family down the vortex of drug addiction and alcoholism. This is not a story of a caring family member or friend rescuing a loved one from drug abuse. Rather, this is a unique tale of an addict trying to save addicts: Kucera fights desperately to save her three teenage daughters from meth and heroin addiction while battling her own overpowering dependence on alcohol and painkillers. Naturally, the events that unfold are chaotic. This is the author’s true story of a tumultuous but inspiring, against-all-odds journey to keep herself and her family afloat. [More]

A Very Cool Video

Sept. 15, 2010 — Hello Friends! Here is a very cool video from my friend, Michael McMillan. The subject is his book, Pink Bat, which I helped him edit last year. It’s an excellent book. But today, I just want you to watch this video. Michael is one of the most creative people I know, and this is one of the most creative videos I’ve ever seen.

Update on Submissions and New Books

September 7, 2010 — Hello Friends! It’s been almost a year since I started Dream of Things, and I’ve learned a lot in that time. One thing I learned is not to take on too much at one time. I was probably a little overzealous in posting calls for submissions for 15 anthologies all at once. And overzealous to publish three books in my first year. But I’ve read lots of great submissions, and the books are all going to be great reads.

The three books are Everything I Never Wanted to Be by Dina Kucera (release date: 10/1/10); Saying Goodbye, the first Dream of Things Anthology (release date: 10/11/10); and MFA in a Box by John Rember (release date: 1/1/11).

Pre-release copies of Everything I Never Wanted to Be are available from Dream of Things now. Saying Goodbye and MFA in a Box will be available in October. Reserve your copy now on Dream of Things.

The only drawback to being overzealous (aside from only getting four to five hours of sleep a night) is that it’s been a challenge to keep up with submissions. So thank you to writers everywhere for your patience. Here’s a quick update on submissions: