Welcome to the Word Forge Books Online Press Room. Each of our titles has its own website and press kit:
ALMOST PERFECT: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them
- Almost Perfect Website
- Almost Perfect Press Kit
- Almost Perfect Blog
- Scroll down for the latest press release about Almost Perfect.
MISSION: MURDER
- Mission: Murder Website
- Mission: Murder Press Kit
- Scroll down for the latest press release about Mission: Murder.
- Betty Orlemann website
DEVASTATION ON THE DELAWARE: Stories and Images of the Deadly Flood of 1955
- Devastation on the Delaware Website
- Devastation on the Delaware Press Kit
- Scroll down for the latest press release about Devastation on the Delaware
Press Releases
An Imprint of Word Forge Books
P.O. Box 97 • Ferndale, PA 18921
Phone 610.847.2456 • Fax 610.847.8220
Web www.wordforgebooks.com
Email publicity@wordforgebooks.comNEWS – For Immediate Release
Contact: Mary Shafer, Publisher
Phone: 610-847-2456 • publicity@wordforgebooks.com
“Almost Perfect” Entertains, Inspires:
New Anthology Reveals Healing Power of Handicapped PetsFERNDALE, PA – Word Forge Books, an independent publisher located in upper Bucks County, has released its first nonfiction anthology, Almost Perfect: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them. The 128-page volume collects the works of eleven writers from three countries, who share their true-life tales of the wonder brought into their lives by disabled companion animals. It is being released under the publisher’s Enspirio House imprint, and was recently featured in Publishers Weekly, the industry’s trade journal.
Readers of Almost Perfect will follow the lives of nearly a dozen amazing animals who—through birth or injury—have been rendered less than perfect, and their transformative effect on the humans who love and welcome them into their hearts and homes. Through many different writing styles—some witty, some whimsical, others reflective but all engaging—these stories allow readers to share the immeasurable rewards these people have found.
The book is the brainchild of and is edited by Ferndale author Mary Shafer, whose blind cat, Idgie, is featured in one of the essays. “I am constantly inspired by her courage and indefatigable spirit,” Shafer says of the small, gray cat who was born without eyes. “So many people feel sorry for her, but that’s just the point: They shouldn’t. She’s never had eyes, so she doesn’t miss seeing. She has no idea she’s missing anything, and so to watch her squeeze every ounce of joy out of every day really makes you stop and re-think things when you’re tempted to feel sorry for yourself. I wanted to share that inspiration with others, and that’s how the book came to be.”
The book shares the courage of Colbi, a blind Alaskan Husky, who trades a hellish life in a puppy mill for the challenges of life on a farm. Inspiration comes from Ruby, the irrepressible Labrador-Doberman mix who adapts to a devastating muscle-eating disease by learning to “roll with the punches.” Cagney, the paraplegic rat, struggles along with his human “mom” through her Master’s thesis. The joyous and graceful Tux, a handsome black-and-white cat, navigates a life of almost complete paralysis. Almost Perfect inspires through these and more true, heartwarming stories of animals who have overcome physical handicaps to share happy, full lives with their human companions.
The book is available through the publisher’s website at wordforgebooks.com or by calling toll-free 888-320 WORD (9673). Local callers can call 610-847-2456.For more information about the book, including high-resolution photos and author biographies, visit the “Almost Perfect” press room page.
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Release Date: August 15, 2008 |
Mission: Murder
First in the Hattie Farwell Murder Mystery SeriesWith the single impact of a hit-and-run incident, octogenarian Hattie Farwell is forever jolted out of a comfortable retirement in rural Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and flung into the world of high-stakes political intrigue, when her best friend is killed leaving a concert in Philadelphia.
Suddenly, a grieving Hattie is drifting amid a web of deceit and the uncomfortable dynamics of the family her friend left behind. Meanwhile, the incident begins to look less like an accident and more like murder. But who would kill sweet, gentle Annie…and why? Once Hattie convinces the police to investigate, their efforts turn up more questions than answers, and her patience wears thin.
Finally, aided by Annie’s two granddaughters and her own huge dog, Wolf, Hattie sets out to pursue her theories about what might have happened to her dear friend. Between Wolf’s nose for trouble and Hattie’s determination to solve the murder no matter what it takes, she finds herself navigating an unsavory—and increasingly dangerous—path to the truth.
Tag along as America’s latest unlikely sleuth uncovers the ugly underside of political campaigns, marital infidelity, and more than one old family secret that someone will stop at nothing to keep hidden.
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Word Forge Books
P.O. Box 97 • Ferndale, PA 18921
Phone 610.847.2456 • Fax 610.847.8220
Web www.wordforgebooks.comNEWS – For Immediate Release
For more information or to book personal appearances, contact: Mary Shafer, Author and Publisher at 610-847-2456 or floodbook@thewordforge.com“Devastation on the Delaware” Book Nears 5,000 Copies Sold; Seeks Material for Revised, Updated EditionFerndale, Pa. – Devastation on the Delaware: Stories and Images of the Deadly Flood of 1955 the only comprehensive documentary book about the record-setting weather disaster that killed nearly 100 people in the Delaware Valley, is nearing 5,000 copies sold on the third anniversary of its release in October, 2005, by Word Forge Books.
Author and publisher Mary A. Shafer of upper Bucks County is pleased with the performance of her company’s flagship title. “It hasn’t reached bestseller status, but we’re very happy that the book continues to sell steadily. Over the three years since we released ‘Devastation,’ it continues to sell more than a thousand copies annually. It always experiences a little bump in sales at the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, as well as any time a major hurricane strikes the U.S.”
Shafer still makes appearances in support of the book, both at bookstore signings and giving her hour-long digital slide presentation to various organizations. “I’ve made more than a dozen appearances this year and about ten last year. That brings total appearances to about 80 since the book came out.”
Fifty cents from each copy sold is donated to the Delaware RiverKeeper Network, to support the organization’s ongoing advocacy on behalf of the Delaware’s environmental health. So far, donations to this non-profit watchdog group have exceeded $1,500 and are headed toward $2,000. “We’re happy to be able to contribute to such a worthwhile cause, which has proven its effectiveness in saving the river from lots of environmental threats in the past few years,” says Shafer.
The publisher is at work on an audio CD version of the book, and is considering releasing an interactive DVD containing audio, video and photos that wouldn’t fit in the print version. “We’re also going to begin work on a revised, updated edition that we’ll likely release toward the end of the decade,” Shafer reports. “Lots of people have come forward with material I didn’t have access to during my original research, which will help me make the book more historically accurate and complete.” She invites anyone with material or information to offer to contact her at floodbook@thewordforge.com or 610-847-2456 with an inquiry.
The book retails for $19.95 and may be purchased at area booksellers, or ordered direct from the publisher at its website, http://www.55flood.com. Those interested in ordering the book through the mail, or retailers wishing to sell the book should call the publisher at 610-847-2456 or send an email to floodbook@thewordforge.com.
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