Hi book lovers, Kim Beaussible here, back with one last blog post as your spy inside the industry.
As the year and my internship come to an end, I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learned. I came into the internship with education in book publishing, but I’ve always learned better by diving in and Beaufort gave me the opportunity to jump. Just like every publishing intern, I spent time sifting through the slush pile for a good submission, but there’s more to working at an indie publisher than they show in the rom-com movies.
I’ve collected all the classified intel from my missions as a Beaufort intern this fall, and now I can share them with you. If this leaks, I know it was you.
Backlist titles are more important than you think.
While everyone is currently obsessing over the latest releases on BookTok, publishers spend an equal amount of time on their backlist books. At Beaufort this fall, we’ve been updating our descriptions and BISAC codes for backlist titles. There are more BISAC codes added each year and these new tags allow us to reclassify our book to help readers find that very specific fantasy romance they’ve been looking for. Descriptions are no different. Updating a book description is vital, as it’s the second thing to be judged after the cover, and out-of-date formats or language could turn off your new readers.
Find joy in reading and then read, read, and read some more.
Almost everyone who works in publishing got into the business because they love books. But as someone who spent the last six years reading only what was assigned, I fell behind as an actual reader, which meant falling behind in the industry as well. Comparable titles inform every choice we make as publishers, and being a voracious reader helps to assert yourself as a designer, editor, or marketer. I had to reignite my passion for reading to show up as the best editor-version of myself, and the best choice I made for myself was to subscribe to the Book of The Month box. Joining a book club or subscribing to a box like BOTM exposes you to more books and the choices of other readers so you can learn about industry trends and comp titles.
But wait, there’s more.
Just when you think you know it all, there’s more to learn. Whether it’s backlist metadata, social media trends, or author contracts, the one thing that remains constant is change. Our world changes at such an alarming rate now, with new technologies and ideas that change what and how we publish. Always be prepared to adapt and learn something new, because as soon as you figure it out you’re on to the next new thing.
I’ve had a great couple of months bookies, but it’s time for this agent to say over and out.
A lot has happened between now and my first blog post, but it really does feel like just last week I was typing up my introduction blog. I moved to a new state, my car battery only died twice, the old Fortnite map came back, and oh yeah, I learned a thing or two about publishing.
Wrapping up an internship at a publishing company isn’t where I expected to be at the end of this year, but I truly am grateful for deciding to take this leap. I graduated in May with a Marketing degree and Screenwriting minor, so I’ve always felt like I’ve had one foot in the business world and one in creative storytelling, but I had no idea how to merge the two while in school. I’ve had an amazing past couple of months discovering that publishing is exactly the industry where these two coexist, and I encourage anyone with interest to apply for this internship. You don’t have to be someone who always knew publishing was their passion to benefit from this position, so here’s three types of people that should try this out:
Young Aspiring Writers
Coming up with an idea and expanding into a complete manuscript is only half the battle for the writer. The other, and much more attritious, half involves getting someone interested in your work enough to get it out there for people to read. What better way of getting your work into the right hands than learning how the publishing industry works from the inside? The internship with Beaufort Books provides no shortage of hands-on experience in all aspects of publishing, starting from submitted manuscript to published book.
Denied From the Big 5
It’s human nature to be attracted to the shiny things in life, right? Those big name publishing houses that you see on most of the books on your shelf might seem like the obvious fit at first glance, but in reality, it’s the independent publishers that might be the best fit for those starting out. If you’re someone who’s been trying to get into the big five with no luck, you’ve come to the right place. The smaller size of Beaufort Books will allow interns to have a hand in various different responsibilities and tasks across the publishing process, which can help narrow down which area of specialization interns enjoy the most to pursue in their careers. The smaller size of the company makes everything feel more personal as well, ensuring that you won’t be lost in the shuffle that a larger house might have.
Those Chasing Their Passions
It’s a rare thing in today’s world to chase a career that aligns with your passions. Many people either follow the money or wrongly assume that work is work and passions and hobbies are for their free time, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’ve loved to read your whole life and aren’t excited about the major you chose or a career path you’re secretly dreading, why not take a chance to see if you could turn a lifelong passion into your job? Books don’t just magically appear on shelves, there’s an entire industry dedicated to this process, and this is a perfect place to start to learn that process. If you love reading and are curious about how to turn it into a career, this internship is for you. Life is short, and you owe it to yourself to do things that excite you.
My time here is sadly coming to an end, so with that, I leave you with my top three most valuable things I’ve learned over the course of these past few months:
Working/Interning at a small press offers more learning opportunities: There’s a reason they are referred to as “small presses.” Key word here is “small.” There’s not a ton of staff for these indie publishers to work in an assembly line fashion, keeping to their specific task. Most likely, the workers at these companies, though they have an area of expertise, are still doing a little bit of everything–editorial, marketing, publicity, sales, etc. Therefore, when you start your position at an indie publisher, you’re going to be learning way more than you would at a Big 5 publisher, and who knows, you may even find you love a different area of publishing more than you originally thought to pursue.
Publishing is way more than just reading books: This kind of goes hand-in-hand with my last point, but I assume this also translates well to those who work at a Big 5 in, say, editorial. It’s not all reading submissions. There’s a lot more tedious tasks that go into making everything come together. So, while you will spend a lot of time reading, prepare yourself for the administrative tasks that come with the position.
There’s more than just the Big 5 out there: This goes for both, those trying to get published and those trying to get a job in publishing. It’s so easy to be overlooked by these major publishers because so many are flocking to them in pursuit of their dreams. However, your chances of getting your big break will greatly increase if you seek out opportunities elsewhere. Indie publishers are way more likely to pay you mind, so take a chance on them and they just may be willing to take a chance on you.
I hope these points enlighten you as they did me. I had such an amazing time at Beaufort these past few months and I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to intern here. So with that, this is me signing off.
Kim Beaussible reporting in on the spookiest day of the year! Wherever you are, I hope that your candy bowl is full for tonight and that your costume will keep you warm and toasty this evening. Here on the west coast, costumes are covered with coats or bolstered by several layers underneath, making my four-year-old nephew’s Spiderman costume look suspiciously buff this year. But this time of year is my favorite. As the summer burns away and the ghosts come out to play, I sink into my books, my spooky movies, and my wine that will eventually spill onto the page when I jump out of my skin. Even spies get scared sometimes.
This Halloween I’ve chosen a few books, paired with a bottle of wine, with something for every reader, from those who like a cozy mystery or a whimsical witchy tale to those who want to be looking over their shoulder after they put the book down.
This season is the one for book clubs if you ask me. My mother and her friends always seemed to revamp their club in the fall, each leaf on the ground like another page they would burn through. The Thursday Murder Club, from British TV personality Richard Osman, would be my pick for them this spooky season. Set in a retirement home with a diverse cast of characters, this cozy follows a group of retirees who have created a club to solve mysteries in their remaining free time, only to be embroiled a murder case on their doorstep. With humor and mystery, this offbeat cozy is perfect for anyone who’s looking for a spooky read that will make you think but won’t give you nightmares.
I’ve paired this cozy mystery with thePhantom Chardonnay. White wines scream cozy to me, they’re easy to sip and not too heavy, and Phantom wine bottles always catch my eye.
Now, readers, what would Halloween look like without witches, or books about them for that matter? Practical Magic will always be on my spooky season watchlist or TBR list, with its romantic, whimsical interpretation of witches. Looking for something that fit into my obsession with the Owens witches’ greenhouse, I chose a Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, a romantic fantasy about Sage and her sisters that are figuring out their own unique magical powers. With family, romance, and a little bit of a Poison Ivy killer botany desires mixed in, this book will take you on an emotional, magical rollercoaster.
If it’s romance, it’s got to be rosé. Our Halloween inspired pick, Banshee Rose, had to make the list. With notes of berry, light baking spice and dried herbs, this wine would be any witch’s pick.
If witches and magic haven’t always struck a chord for you because of the fantastical elements, The Lost Apothecary is a great alternative, as a female driven, historical fantasy. A haunted woman runs an apothecary for women in late 1700s London, doling out remedies and poisons for the ladies of the city, when she’s caught up in a scheme from one such lady and her maid. 200 years later, a woman facing the crossroads of her failing marriage finds a vial that once belonged to the apothecary, taking her on a wild goose chase to find out where it came from and to find what she’s been missing in her life. Light and dark all at the same time, this book balances apothecary magic with the real world feminine experience, where a woman’s magic might just set her free.
With the misty fog of London as the backdrop and the ghosts following each character, Ghost Pines Pinot Noirseemed a fitting pair for this book. The label itself reminded me of the apothecary, Nella, making her trips across the Thames to collect supplies for her potions, and the mixture of blackberry and black pepper are perfect for the fall weather.
If you’re looking for a thriller that sounds like a soap opera drama to drink up with your wine, look no further than Ladies of the Lake from Beaufort Books. After a fight and then a horrific accident in an affluent neighborhood leaves a man dead, his second wife lives her life as if she can finally breathe but other wives start getting jealous and then other husbands start dying and the LAPD and their children turn suspicious. Filled with mystery, suspense, drama, and a little romance this book is the perfect mix for those who like reality TV this Halloween. This is another lighter read for those who aren’t looking to be too scared but rather spookily entertained.
A wine that looks sweet and light but is much darker than it seems, just like this book, my pairing is theWillamette Valley Vineyards White Pinot Noir. While this wine looks like a rosé, it expresses both red and white wine characteristics — creaminess, rich mid-palate, bright aromas and flavors with balanced acidity.
This end of the spooky spectrum is where I like to read and live. Thrillers and Horror books are some of my favorites, purely because of their ability to surprise me. A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham is one of my favorite thrillers I’ve read this year; I couldn’t get to the end fast enough, reading the last 100 pages in one sitting. Chloe is afraid of the dark, and rightfully so after learning at 12 that her father was a serial killer. Now 20 years later, she downs her wine with a Xanax just to sleep at night, and when someone appears to become a copycat of her father’s crimes, she takes it upon herself to find the killer despite her fears.
A dark red wine for a dark book, the Prayers of Sinners Red Blendis my favorite on this list as well, with the title sounding just like Chloe’s attempt at atonement for the sins of her father. With notes of coffee, fruit, and gunsmoke, the wine has a bold, elegant finish just like Chloe.
Book lover and all, I think it’s essential to own more books than I can possibly read. Unleash me in a bookstore and I’m a force to be reckoned with. Seriously, I’m, like, feral. Try and interrupt me when I’m reading the back of a book and I just might hiss at you…or growl [I’m more of a dog person]. And I can guarantee once I pick up a book, I’m not putting it back down–unless it’s in my shopping basket. It’s my toxic trait. My family hates it. My boyfriend hates it. My wallet especially hates it.
Don’t get me wrong, the people in my life love that I love reading, but I think they’re more concerned with the fact that the hobby has slowly transformed into book collecting rather than actually reading said books. The introduction of BookTok and Bookstagram has only made it even worse. I see a book and I’m instantly running to the store to get it…and I might get five more, you know, since I’m there. And don’t get me started on Fairyloot and Owlcrate and Bookish Box and all those other special editions. Those I easily justify to myself since I may not get another chance to own that edition.
The point I’m getting at is I’m running out of room for my addiction. No, I don’t have a library in my house, though I wish I did. I’m actually quite limited on space. My single bookshelf is filled to the brim, I have a TBR cart overflowing with books, and bins under my bed that hold the books that just don’t fit anywhere else. This is not including the pile of my current reads that are sitting at my bedside.
I guess what my question to you guys is, what are you doing with your books? Are you just super lucky to have unlimited space to display them all? Do you have self-control and only buy books as you’re ready to read them? Do you donate books? Sell them? Prefer an eReader? Just borrow books from the library?
Please, I need to know before I’m forced to start substituting my furniture for furniture built out of books!
Call me, beep me, if you want to reach me, it’s Kim Beaussible reporting for duty as one of your new Beaufort Books Interns for Fall of 2023 (somehow it’s that year). Allow me to introduce myself.
I’m a freelance editor from Oregon with a Master’s degree in Book Publishing from Portland State University and a former member of Ooligan Press. Before then, I graduated from the University of Denver Publishing Institute and completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Oregon where I majored in English with a minor in Writing, Public Speaking, and Critical Reasoning. Books and great writing have always been my passion, but growing up somewhere that cable TV can’t reach may have influenced that (I didn’t actually get to watch Kim Possible unless I was at a friend’s house or until we got satellite when I was in high school). Now that I’m here at Beaufort, I’m excited to continue to learn and share my knowledge with authors and audiences who love the world of books just as much as I do.
Personally, I read far and wide across the bookstore from literary fiction, fantasy, general/contemporary fiction, thrillers, mythological retellings, and many more. Much like the rest of the Beaufort staff, I mainly just enjoy a well-written book, but the genre varies. Now that we know each other a little better, let’s talk about BOOKS because I don’t know about you but I’ve read some interesting ones in the past few years that I can’t stop thinking about and I have to tell someone else about this one.
As a reader and editor, I’ve been thinking about expectations lately. Years ago when I had creative writing classes, the issue I ran into was that my plots always felt somewhat predictable or lacked the creativity other writers had. However, being an editor is rather different. You’re presented with someone else’s story, fact or fiction, and are asked to help package it. Packaging can mean different things (editing, cover design, etc.) but it’s largely about meeting the audience’s expectations, whether that’s for genre, form, or other book-loving criteria. And there’s nothing worse than reading a book that doesn’t meet them, and I expect a lot from my authors. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin is one book I went into with somewhat high expectations. As a story about a platonic male-female, two-decade friendship I expected to be moved by the ups and downs of having friends for that long, especially one of the other sex and who you work with. Sam, the male protagonist, had characterizations and mannerisms as a shy, too-smart-for-his-own-good nerd that reminded me of my older brother. He has a unique worldview, finding comfort in the world of video game development, and Zevin’s writing allowed me to connect him with someone in my own life. That’s all to say, she had already started to meet my expectations. What I hadn’t anticipated was the gut wrenching chapter entitled NPC: The Nonplayable Character. If you’ve read the book, you’ll remember it as the one where you’re sobbing so hard you actually have to put the book down. That chapter exceeded any expectations I had. It was one of those moments as an editor that I knew this was the reason the book had made it out of the slush pile, I had never read anything like it. Zevin had shifted her writing style entirely for the chapter, giving us an unexpected perspective and changing the entire dynamic of the book. The defiance of my expectations is why I still talk about this book more than a year after completing it.
In writing, much like in life, things don’t always turn out the way we expect, which can be the best part of reading. The mark of a good writer or editor is to know what expectations to uphold and when to deliver the unexpected, managing and balancing them in perfect harmony.
My name is BEAUba Fett and I am excited to start my internship with Beaufort Books this fall! While my name inspiration didn’t get to say a whole lot on screen in all those Star Wars movies, you’ll be hearing a lot from me throughout the fall on a wide range of topics!
I have recently graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Screenwriting, and I’m looking to start my career in publishing. I just moved right outside New York City, which is a far cry from Ohio but I can’t wait to embrace a new lifestyle and change of pace. I’m looking for graduate programs in publishing to take the next step in my career, hopefully somewhere in the city to truly take advantage of being in the publishing capital of the world!
I’ve had a passion for reading my entire life, yet I didn’t know that publishing was the route I wanted to go down until this summer. During the months leading up to graduation and those following, I searched job sites up and down for potential fits, but I couldn’t find anything that felt like something more than just a job that would pay the bills. I eventually stumbled across the internship opportunity for Beaufort Books, and I applied immediately. After speaking with Emma and Megan, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the team here. The smaller size of the company makes everything feel more personal and allows for a closer look at how the industry works. I can’t wait to get a hands on approach to all aspects of the publishing industry and learn from experienced professionals!
Besides from how I got here, here are some of the books that have made me into the reader that I am today: East of Eden, 1984, Pet Semetary, Misery, The Grapes of Wrath, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Great Gatsby, Things Fall Apart, The Magic Tree House, and so much more. I initially was just naming more recent titles that I’ve read, but it would be incomplete without some of the defining series that grew my passion for books.
Maybe I’ll find the next one to add to this list in the submissions I’ll be reading!
Outside of reading, I love to be outside in nature, and one of my biggest life goals is to visit every national park. My favorites that I’ve been to so far are The Badlands, Shenandoah, Devil’s Tower (National Monument, but close enough), Grand Canyon, and of course my home state’s Cuyahoga Valley. I enjoy cooking homemade meals, especially a nice salmon or chicken stir fry. I’m always looking for new recipes, but I have yet to master the elusive art of making a pancake. I also write in my free time, another life goal of mine is to get something I wrote published or produced. I’ve only worked on my own scripts for movies and TV so far, but I’m planning to write my first book for my next project!
Again, I am very excited to start my journey in publishing and I feel that I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start than with Beaufort Books.
My name is Beau Swan (iykyk) and I am one of the new interns this Fall at Beaufort!
Do you guys know that TikTok trend where they use the “you’re my friend now, we’re having soft tacos later” audio? If not, click here for a link to my personal favorite example. Anyways, my point is you guys are my friends now, and while I can’t have soft tacos with you guys, I can (and will) share my most interesting facts, thoughts, and opinions (as unprovoked as they might be) with you for the next few months. My very fragile feelings will appreciate if you will put up with me for the short amount of time we have together.
I just realized we don’t know anything about each other. In order to initiate this newfound friendship, I will tell you guys a little bit about myself…
It all started when my mom met my dad, and they fell in love, and they had me! Hi, I’m Beau Swan, and my life is kind of crazy. I’m just kidding, and for my friends that didn’t get it, that’s just another TikTok reference…I have a little bit of an addiction.
Back to me though, I live in Western New York where I was born and raised. While I may not have moved anywhere different in my lifetime, I do love to travel! I feel like that last sentence makes me sound old. I’m not…at least I hope not. I’m still in my early 20s, so you tell me if I’m old or not. In my defense however, I know how to work both my phone and computer, and I can put my credit card into a pin pad the correct way without a tutorial from the cashier. I just beg that you not ask me what rizz means or if I know a particular trendy dance. The only dance I know is the Cha Cha slide and that’s only because the song tells me exactly what to do.
Ugh, I keep getting off topic. Some boring facts about myself are that I have my Bachelor’s in English and Creative Writing. I was a double major during my undergrad, but I still [by some miracle] found the time to minor in Business. Right now, I’m working on getting my MFA in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing at Emerson College. I love to write just as much as I enjoy reading what others write so it’s the perfect program for me!
I’m so excited to be at Beaufort this Fall! I’m gonna be reading manuscripts, maybe sitting in on some meetings, working on social media stuff, all that good stuff that comes with working in the publishing industry. And occasionally, I will come to rant to you guys about anything that’s on my mind in relation to books. Hope none of my new friends mind!
Once the first blissful week of sleeping in has passed, I always find college summer vacations a bit tough.
Where are my friends?
Why is there nothing to do after work except come home?
And how in the world do people fill all that free time on evenings and weekends?
After a few days of being bored out of my mind, I remember that I like reading. I rediscover old classics, pick up long-forgotten childhood favorites, and scour the shelves for unread volumes.
Being separated from my college pals, I also make an effort to reconnect with hometown friends and meet new faces. I chat with visitors at local wineries or find connections with young adults who happen to be working in my obscure hometown over the summer.
During summer, I always try to work some creative muscles as well that may have been weakened or lost in the heaviness of academics: sketching, designing letters, you name it.
Today, I realized that all of these activities—these “favorite things” that tend to make my summers fun and rejuvenating—belonged to my summer internship. My “work.”
Reading submissions, writing pitches.
Discovering random connections with my co-intern and meeting my wonderful employers.
Being allowed to spend hours on Canva designing graphics about books, playing with colors and shapes, like a 2-year-old with a box of markers.
We’ve all been told not to judge a book by its cover, but I beg to differ.
Absolutely judge a book by its cover.
Glancing at my own bookshelves, I see many covers that reveal something about the enclosed content. The nearly non-existent jacket of Elizabeth Speare’s Calico Captive, for example, suggests that the tale is so enthralling that its readers prefer lugging the book through damaging circumstances (i.e. the car) to putting it down. Likewise, Anna Karenina’s textured cover, the plastic pattern rubbed off by incessant usage, marks how often hands have cradled that life-changing—and dauntingly thick—novel.
Notice not only the state of the cover, but also its design. The lush Nebraska farmland advertising Willa Cather’s O Pioneers! assures you that you will be reading a more descriptive than narrative work. The farm buildings show that your novel is set in the American midwest around the turn of the twentieth century. Depending on your copy, you may even learn that your protagonist is a work-hardened woman characterized by endurance and grit—a pioneer.
Images credited to amazon.com
Take a look at some of our Beaufort titles.
I have yet to read A Walk in the Clouds, but judging from the cover I expect an adventure set in the western European mountains in the not-too-distant past. I envision a work reflecting the majesty of nature, and how the dignity of man and his experiences interplays with that majesty. The scenes and color palettes of The Embassy, on the other hand, reveal that this book is a war tale: high action and fast paced.
Granted, a cover will not tell you everything about a book. In addition to the visual appeal, we need Amazon reviews or a recommendation from a friend to decide which book we will dedicate hours of our future time to reading.
As a reader, my favorite period of literary history is postmodernism. I’ve always been fascinated by writers who play with form and voice, and postmodernism is rich with this kind of experimentation. I love the idea of form reflecting content and the idea of subjective truth in literature, and the postmodern era more than any other reflects these concerns. The following is a list of postmodern books you should pick up if you’re interested in the period.
The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon
Generally considered to be the entry point to postmodernism for many undergrads, and it’s easy to see why. Pynchon writes in a highly specific, idiosyncratic style that is as enticing as it is bewildering. Though this is much shorter than all of his other books, it provides a good glimpse into his style and his thematic concerns. It tells the story of Oedipa Maas and her efforts to uncover a secret society.
White Noise by Don Delillo
Delillo also has a highly specific style that is both eerie and familiar. There is a rhythmic quality to his writing that lends the story weight in an almost subconscious way. White Noise deals with consumerism and mortality in a very stark and dramatic way. It tells the story of Jack Gladney and his wife Babette’s fear of death. It was recently adapted into a Netflix film starring Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig that is just as confusing as the book.
White Teeth by Zadie Smith
This technically falls outside of what most scholars refer to as postmodernism, but stylistically it is cut from the same cloth. It might be called post postmodernism or hysterical realism, but the same themes of absurdity run throughout the book. Smith is a titan of modern literature, and her voice is eloquent and moving. White Teeth deals with postcolonialism in London and features a diverse cast of characters.
Sixty Stories by Donald Barthelme
Equal parts experimentation and compelling characters, Sixty Stories is a masterclass on the art of short story writing. Barthelme approaches short fiction with humor and wit and crafts off-kilter narratives that draw you in just as they push you away. He foregoes traditional structures and neat resolution to give you a much murkier, anecdotal form of short story, and Sixty Stories shows you just how far you can take a joke.
Lost in the Funhouse by John Barth
Barth is another writer who loves to play games with readers, and Lost in the Funhouse does exactly that. Confusing perspectives, stories within stories, parallels with Greek mythology, and a bit of humor make this book a fascinating read. Barth’s stories are often representative of metafiction as a form, and they focus less on character and more on the story as artifice, which yields exciting results. For many Barth is the representative postmodern writer, and Lost in the Funhouse is his greatest work.
I hope these recommendations appeal to some of you and pique your interest in this fascinating period in literary history. Sometimes the way the story is told is as important as the story.
This past February, I found myself at the 55th Annual California Antiquarian Book Fair (https://www.abaa.org/cabookfair) in Pasadena, CA. Rare booksellers from all over the world gathered at the Pasadena Convention Center to sell unpublished manuscripts, ephemera, and rare first editions that spanned six centuries and several continents. The event was well attended but not overly crowded, and it was a very pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Among the incredible books at the fair were signed first editions of James Joyce’s Ulysses, signed Harry Potter first editions, and a partial first draft manuscript of Infinite Jest By David Foster Wallace. Prices for these artifacts ranged from what you might pay for a decent car to a significant down payment on a house, and I contemplated selling everything I owned for a rare book and switching careers entirely. Luckily, my partner pushed me along the path between displays, and I did not have a chance to start bartering.
In addition to all of the books, there were a number of displays that demonstrated how antique printing presses worked, and some that even offered to print things for you on the spot. Several attendees received custom printings and many stood around watching the process. On the outside edges of the convention center, there were a number of sellers who specialized in rare comic books and prints from the 1900s that represented various social and political movements. Some of them were scary, and some of them were inspiring. Other sellers specialized in pulp fiction and genre writing like science fiction and fantasy, and had a number of books with unique covers.
As an inexperienced visitor, I found the history of literature to be fascinating. I found myself enamored with everything from gruesome medical literature to authors as modern as George Saunders, and it felt like there was a real literary continuity, despite the differences in content. There was a sense that this was a community, and that books mattered to the sellers. Despite the lucrative nature of antiquarian bookselling, this was a collection of people who believed that books should be preserved.
My hope is that in the future, we’ll still have this community.
April is here, readers! With Spring springing (or just around the corner, depending on where you’re reading from), there is a lot to look forward to this month here at Beaufort Books. The biggest being the publication of our newest suspense novel, Lacie’s Secrets! The cinematic and psychological thriller publishes April 12th, 2022.
While April showers bring May flowers, Beau Weasley has compiled a list of similar thrilling novels to read on a rainy day to prep for the dark twists Lacie’s Secrets will enthrall you with.
To set the scene, reminiscent of classic suspense novels, Lacie’s Secrets is the latest psychological thriller from writing duo Teresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist.
For the past 18 years, Kate Williams has tried to forget that fateful summer, the summer that ripped her family apart. But when her estranged mother unexpectedly dies and Kate inherits Villa Magda, the family’s summer home on the Maine coast, Kate decides that enough time has passed. With the help of her husband, her son, and their close group of friends, Kate decides to face the past and go back to Villa Magda for one last trip.
But the sprawling, ocean-side house isn’t as picturesque as it seems, and as the week goes on, inexplicable incidents and suspicious visitors begin to torment Kate, threatening to expose her deepest secrets.
The closer Kate gets to learning the truth about what happened that summer, the faster she realizes the house might be holding more secrets than she can handle.
As tensions run high and friendships unravel, Kate starts to question her decision to return to Villa Magda. But when tragedy strikes and a body is found floating in the pool, questions arise that demand answers: What really happened at Villa Magda 18 years ago? How much did Kate know? And how can the house be stopped from claiming its next victim? Set on a remote and gorgeous Maine estate, Lacie’s Secrets is an exciting and cinematic psychological thriller with surprising twists that will keep the reader guessing until the very last page.
When Manhattanite Sarah Rock meets a mysterious and handsome stranger in the park, she is drawn to him. Sarah wants to get away from her daily routine, her cheating husband and his crazy mistress, her frequent sessions with her heartless therapist, and her moody children. But nothing is as it seems. Her life begins to unravel when a woman from the park goes missing and Sarah becomes the prime suspect in the woman’s disappearance. Her lover is nowhere to be found, her husband is suspicious of her, and her therapist is talking to the police. With no one to trust, Sarah must face her inner demons and uncover the truth to prove her innocence. A thriller that questions what is real-with its shocking twists, secrets, and lies—The Woman in the Park will leave readers breathless.
When Manhattanite Sarah Rock meets a mysterious and handsome stranger in the park, she is drawn to him. Sarah wants to get away from her daily routine, her cheating husband and his crazy mistress, her frequent sessions with her heartless therapist, and her moody children. But nothing is as it seems. Her life begins to unravel when a woman from the park goes missing and Sarah becomes the prime suspect in the woman’s disappearance. Her lover is nowhere to be found, her husband is suspicious of her, and her therapist is talking to the police. With no one to trust, Sarah must face her inner demons and uncover the truth to prove her innocence. A thriller that questions what is real-with its shocking twists, secrets, and lies—The Woman in the Park will leave readers breathless.
When Manhattanite Sarah Rock meets a mysterious and handsome stranger in the park, she is drawn to him. Sarah wants to get away from her daily routine, her cheating husband and his crazy mistress, her frequent sessions with her heartless therapist, and her moody children. But nothing is as it seems. Her life begins to unravel when a woman from the park goes missing and Sarah becomes the prime suspect in the woman’s disappearance. Her lover is nowhere to be found, her husband is suspicious of her, and her therapist is talking to the police. With no one to trust, Sarah must face her inner demons and uncover the truth to prove her innocence. A thriller that questions what is real-with its shocking twists, secrets, and lies—The Woman in the Park will leave readers breathless.
When a bomb rips the façade off the Kensington Hotel in Tokyo, dozens are killed and injured while one man walks calmly away from the wreckage, a coy smile playing on his lips. Former Army intelligence officer Dan Reilly, now an international hotel executive with high-level access to the CIA, makes it his mission to track him down. He begins a jet-setting search for answers as the clock ticks down to a climactic event that threatens NATO and the very security of member nations. Reilly begins mining old contacts and resources in an effort to delve deeper into the motive behind these attacks and fast. Through his connections, he learns that the Tokyo bomber is not acting alone. But the organization behind the perpetrator is not who they expect. Facilitated by the official government from a fearsome global superpower, the implications and reasons for these attacks are well beyond anything Reilly or his sources in the CIA and State Department could have imagined, and point not to random acts of terror, but calculated acts of war. RED Hotel is an incredibly timely globe-trotting thriller that’s fiction on the edge of reality. The second book in the series, Red Deception, was released in 2021!
Seeking Hyde sticks closely to the biographical record as Robert Louis Stevenson struggles to write another book to be the successor to Treasure Island. After the infamous two characters, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, take form in a dream, Stevenson writes passionately for three days, convinced that he has crafted his masterpiece. His wife Fanny, a willful and demanding gypsy, offers a scathing critique, obliging him to start over from the beginning. While the revised tale is published to great acclaim, it is ultimately blamed for inspiring a gruesome series of murders in London’s East End. From that tragic historical irony, Seeking Hyde moves beyond the actual story of how Jekyll and Hyde came to be to explore the realm of “what if?” Desperate to address his own guilt, Stevenson enters the dark underworld of Victorian London. As he follows a twisted path through this midnight landscape, the author-turned-detective wrestles with the social demons of prostitution, police corruption, and the hypocrisy of powerful men—ultimately coming face-to-face with Jack the Ripper himself.
A secret destroys a man’s perfect life and sends him on a collision course with a deadly conspiracy in this shocking thriller. The Stranger appears out of nowhere, perhaps in a bar, or a parking lot, or at the grocery store. Their identity is unknown. Their motives are unclear. Their information is undeniable. Then they whisper a few words in your ear and disappear, leaving you picking up the pieces of your shattered world… Adam Price has a lot to lose: a comfortable marriage to a beautiful woman, two wonderful sons, and all the trappings of the American Dream: a big house, a good job, a seemingly perfect life.
Then he runs into the Stranger. When he learns a devastating secret about his wife, Corinne, he confronts her, and the mirage of perfection disappears as if it never existed at all. Soon Adam finds himself tangled in something far darker than even Corinne’s deception, and realizes that if he doesn’t make exactly the right moves, the conspiracy he’s stumbled into will not only ruin lives–it will end them.
Growing up Black in rural North Carolina, Ray McMillian’s life is already mapped out. If he’s lucky, he’ll get a job at the hospital cafeteria. If he’s extra lucky, he’ll earn more than minimum wage. But Ray has a gift and a dream–he’s determined to become a world-class professional violinist, and nothing will stand in his way. Not his mother, who wants him to stop making such a racket; not the fact that he can’t afford a violin suitable to his talents; not even the racism inherent in the world of classical music. When he discovers that his great-great-grandfather’s beat-up old fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius, all his dreams suddenly seem within reach. Together, Ray and his violin take the world by storm. But on the eve of the renowned and cutthroat Tchaikovsky Competition–the Olympics of classical music–the violin is stolen, a ransom note for five million dollars left in its place. Ray will have to piece together the clues to recover his treasured Strad … before it’s too late. With the descendants of the man who once enslaved Ray’s great-great-grandfather asserting that the instrument is rightfully theirs, and with his family staking their own claim, Ray doesn’t know who he can trust—or whether he will ever see his beloved violin again.
May flowers can’t come fast enough, and neither can Lacie’s Secrets, but there’s nothing better than a good book while we wait.
Hello and Happy Lunar New Year! Judy BEAUlume here—one of Beaufort Books’ newest interns and an insatiable bibliophile!
A little about me: I’m originally from Dallas, Texas where I grew up with my wonderful parents, one younger brother, and many, many pets! Through the years, my family has had lizards, turtles, a cockatiel, a cat, a tarantula (rescued from our swimming pool), and many, many wonderful dogs. My love of reading started very young (thank you Mom!) and some of my favorite childhood series included Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins, Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan, and Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett!
Nowadays, I live in NYC where I work at a bookstore, intern with Beaufort Books, and read as many books on the subway as I possibly can! Some of my favorite authors include TJ Klune, Erin Morgenstern, Casey McQuiston, and Neil Gaiman. I’m currently finishing up the Poppy War Trilogy by R. F. Kuang which I highly recommend to anyone who loves history, fantasy, or Avatar the Last Airbender.
When I’m not reading, I also love watching animated movies/tv shows, doodling, listening to fictional podcasts (if you haven’t listened to The Magnus Archives, you absolutely should!), and taking dance classes! I strongly dislike asparagus, white chocolate, and when people don’t use the Oxford comma. I look forward to sharing all things Beaufort Books with you!
My four months at Beaufort Books have been anything but normal. From assisting with a full office move to learning how to work remotely, I have had a very unique internship experience. But even with all of its twists and turns, this internship has been nothing short of wonderful.
I have learned a lot in these short four months. I was taught how long it takes to publish a book from start to finish, as well as how most books have a multiple of sixteen pages (grab your closest book and check—it’s true!). I tried my hand at designing Instagram and Amazon advertisements for our social media and online pages and realized how much time and energy goes into the creative process. I helped edit the back copy for an upcoming title and recognized how difficult it is to capture the reader’s attention without spoiling the plot. I transcribed notes into manuscripts and noticed how truly detail-oriented editors have to be.
But above all else, I learned one very important thing: Beaufort is a place where people care. This is an office where “How are you?” is a true question, not an obligatory daily greeting. But most importantly, Beaufort is a place where each and every book is treated like it is the only book in the world. The editors at Beaufort give their all to every title, from start to finish, to ensure that the final product is something to be proud of. They check each page, each comma, each word in order to publish the best book possible.
As much as publishing is a business, this is an industry about people. It is an industry built around stories, relationships, experiences, and connections. Publishing shines the brightest when we remember the real people behind every book and the journey that they’ve taken with every title. As I move forward to my college graduation and the next step in my publishing career, I will be sure to take this lesson with me. I will remember all the things that the Beaufort editors have taught me as well as the relationships that we have built.
So thank you, Beaufort, for everything, and I’m sure that I will see you soon!
