Responsible forever for what we have tamed, new poetry release reiterates old lessons
E.H. Jacobs featured on New Hampshire radio program, The Writers' Den
Edit: I released this newsletter on 6/27, unbeknownst to me or perhaps I had forgotten, but Antoine de Saint-Exupèry’s birthday is 6/29.
If you studied French as your foreign language in an American high school, that was probably your first exposure to The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupèry. And chances are you may have watched one of the many cartoons or movies featuring the Little Prince from Asteroid B-612 who travels the universe and learns that everything that matters—primarily his ordinary rose that he thought was a one-of-a-kind flower—exists at home.
Echoes of World War II
I mentioned The Little Prince today for several reasons. 1. It’s my favorite book ever and therefore I am allowed to mention it whenever I wish. 2. As people continue to be people, it is a wonderful reminder of the many types of individuals and what motivates them. Most importantly, 3. our latest poetry collection, the chapbook Group Portrait: Poems by a Photograph by Hermann Landshoff releases July 4.
This poetry chapbook by Ben Goluboff and Mark Luebbers begins with a photograph taken at one of Peggy Guggenheim’s art salons. It features 12 people, refugee artists in the United States during World War II. The authors of this chapbook have written a poem in the perspective of each refugee, with each poem using a different form.
Now, here’s the connection… Antoine de Exupèry wrote and illustrated The Little Prince while in exile from Vichy France. He wrote the story while residing on Long Island. And I have always maintained that the rose is his wife, Consuelo. (And her autobiography, Tale of the Rose, released about 20 years ago suggests this as well. After writing this, I ordered a copy of that book.) Saint-Ex eventually returned to the war as a pilot and disappeared before the liberation of France.
The experiences of war, fascism, prejudice and political upheaval (and persecution) force people to evaluate their own character and what they stand for, and for artists/creative types, the struggle leaves an imprint that forever changes their work.
Group Portrait pays homage to those historical lessons.
To me, The Little Prince showed the motivations, merits and flaws of various types of people and served as a reminder that we need to remember who we are, our home, and know how to return to it.
Welcome, new authors
I have two more poets joining the 2026 lineup and both of their full-length collections will be available in March, in time to celebrate National Poetry Month in April.
In alphabetical order:
R. Diskin Black has granted me the honor of publishing his memoir of poems featuring 62 poems for his 62 years. He has two novels published, one I read yesterday, his YA book Ethan Weiss and the City Between Two Rivers. I adored this book! Published in 2015 via Luft Books, the cover features a drawing by his nephew. And while I generally do like like when authors play too cute on their bio, Black did a good job with this one:
Born and raised in northern New Jersey, R. Diskin Black graduated with a BA in History from Lafayette College in Easton, PA. He also went to law school, but nobody wants to hear about that. He has been gainfully employed in the legal profession his entire adult life. He is the author of Zombie Scout: The Diary of Jack Sullivan. He currently lives in New York City.
His poetry collection/memoir explores themes connecting to the death of his father of cancer when he was six and extend to his experiences in New York City as a gay man, touching on everything from Covid to screen culture.
Like in his novel about Ethan Weiss, every page of this collection offers words that were carefully chosen, crafted and curated.
Brian Mahoney will be releasing his first collection with us, following a first book with a Reading, Pa., small press 15 years ago. Similar to the trajectory of McKenna Graf, whose third collection The Depths released earlier this month, his first book chronicled his college experience whereas his new book follows him into adulthood. More details about Brian to come!
In 2026, E.H. Jacobs will release his second novel, a psychological suspense story that looks into what happens to two psychologists, one good therapist who crosses a line with the best intentions, and one narcissist therapist who exploits his patients.
Hear E.H. Jacobs on The Writers’ Den
E.H. Jacobs recorded a program on NH Talk Radio to air on Sunday 6/29, 11 am— The Writers’ Den In the photo, Jacobs is on the right. Masheri Chappelle, host of the show and president of NH Writers' Project, a statewide writing organization.
Chapelle also interviewed author Beth Ann Hooper, on the left. The recording will be available on NHtalkradio.com as a livestream or through the archives, but if you are in that region of New England, you can listen at 101.9 fm.
Thanks to Chappelle, Splintered River will now be available at Gibson's Bookstore, an independent bookseller at 45 South Main Street, Concord, N.H.
Closing notes
As part of my grant from the Pennsylvania Creative Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program, I am working with Amazon ads. So far, it’s too soon to tell what’s helping and what’s not but I am amazed that despite all the advice from those that claim they have the secrets to Amazon ad success stating nonfiction doesn’t work, I have had the most views and sales of Eva Parry’s tarot journal, Shuffling & Scribbling. More on this to come.
In researching genres and keywords for the ads, I stumbled upon “weird girl fiction” and “90s horror,” readers of which seem like potential fits for my Fashion and Fiends series. The Fashion and Fiends series begins in 2002, in part because all of the main characters can’t exist as they are in any other period of time. Supermodel Adelaide Pitney is a member of Generation X and the supernatural elements of the plot stem from fashion designer Étienne d’Amille’s experiences as a conscript soldier in Djibouti, where France sent her drafted young men after the loss of Algeria.
In my research, what made 90s horror significant was the shift into psychological elements to the horror after 80s horror focusing on monsters. I have both.
I will be moving forward with Made in the Lehigh Valley with advertising. I talk with business owner Genny Terpstra later today. You can see her web site here.
Also— a note for paid subscribers— I think I will read Tiffany Yates Martin’s book The Intuitive Author for our writing craft book in July. I read her book about editing earlier this spring. Read more about that on our paid subscriber page available through the writers resources tab.
As always,
— Angel
UPCOMING EVENTS (MOST ARE FREE)
Dianna Sinovic will be discussing the uses of Canva for authors at the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group on June 28. Her free talk will be at 11 a.m. and her afternoon, hands-on workshop begins at 1:30 p.m. GLVWG meets at the Palmer branch of the Easton Area Public Library but is also available on Zoom. The workshop is free for members, $15 for non-members. Click here for more information.
On June 28, noon to 6 p.m., local historian and author of Phorgotten No More, Wayne Sherrer will be a part of “Authors Alley” at the Warren County Bicentennial Celebration at Warren County Community College, on New Jersey Route 57 in Washington Township. His book contains his original research into the African-American history of Phillipsburg, N.J.
July 4, the official release of Benjamin Goluboff’s and Mark Luebbers’ poetry chapbook, Group Portrait, a unique interpretation of a photographic portrait in the World War II era from Peggy Guggenheim’s art salon. We have seen the advance review copies and we are really excited about this little book!
At the Whitehall (Pa.) Library, 6 p.m., on July 9, Larry Sceurman will present a family story time.
July 12, E.H. Jacobs will be at The Bookery in Manchester, N.H., signing his debut novel, Splintered River, from 1 to 3 p.m. Jacobs has a sophomore novel on deck for 2026. For more information about The Bookery, click here. (This book is also available on Kindle Unlimited.)
July 14, the official release of Motorhome Gypsies, our RV Living book that is part memoir and part practical advice, by Rachel Thompson and Lisa Cross. We may have a cover reveal soon!
At 11 a.m. on July 16, Larry Sceurman will visit the Cops N Kids Reading Room on the southside of Bethlehem, Pa. For more information on Cops N Kids Lehigh Valley, click here.
Barnes and Noble in the Southmont Shopping Center in Bethlehem Township, Pa., will host a benefit for the children’s hospital on August 16. Larry Sceurman will present a children’s story time (and he hopes to have his second children’s book ready before that event). Details to come. See Larry’s books here.
Also August 16, I will be hosting a memoir workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. at Blank Space Community Center, 85 Makefield Road Unit 7, Yardley, Pa., 19067. Tickets will be $40 and will include print materials.
Also in August, the release of Any Landing You Walk Away from is a Good Landing, historical fiction about the airline industry in the throes of 1980’s deregulation. The author of that book is retired flight attendant Dawn O’Harra.