Celebrate these Peeps!
To wrap up the year, I wanted to close by sharing the achievements of my fellow Active Alumni authors and Mustache Cartelistas and reiterate it in case you missed the 2021 in review.
Again, writing a book is a no easy feat and that’s an incredible understatement, and personally, I feel a lot of us Indies have to look out for each other. So here’s to celebrating their success!
Please be sure to check the wonderful people below and perhaps give them a read. I’m sure they would all appreciate it. Below are links and descriptions to everyone who’s published this year. I also included the Amazon look-inside preview, so you can read a sample for each.
(If I missed anyone or if you want to be featured, please let me know!)
Full disclaimer: I haven’t read everything on this list nor been paid to endorse these books
Without further ado, here’s ten fresh self-published books of 2021.
Brett Preiss
On January 20th, Author Brett Preiss published his memoir titled: “The (un)Lucky Sperm: Tales of my bizarre childhood – a funny memoir.”
I’ve heard numerous great things about it. The famous actor and producer Miles Pollard even narrated the audiobook version. The link is below:
Active Alumni Writers
Oddly enough one the day after Brett published, the Active Alumni Writers dropped their most recent collaboration, Rearview Mirror, a suspenseful thriller about a rideshare driver.
The book took an extensive amount of time and care from fourteen different authors. Some of which even reappear on this list.
Deirdre Stokes
Also last January, Deirdre Stokes, an indie poet, published her collection of poetry.
The description from Amazon says “Words Are All I Have is a collection of poetry selected to show that you can come out with love and faith on your side through the pain. Deirdre took the time to make sure each piece showed a different side of pain. Being vulnerable in her work allows you to see inside her heart. And join her on her journey through life.”
Poetry being a guilty habit of mine in the past, I picked up a copy myself to read when I get the chance.
Here’s the link to her collection. (The paperback sample on Amazon allows you to read a sliver of the first poem. Unfortunately, the embeds push the kindle edition.)
Evelyn Puerto
In February, she released her second young adult fantasy novel, Flicker of the Flame in her series. You don’t need to read book one to dive into this one as it does a great job catching up to speed and stands well on its own.
I received the wonderful opportunity to read an advance copy and thoroughly enjoyed it. There were lots of tugs at the heart strings and so many twists and turns, but I won’t spoil it for you. I highly recommend it.
She even wrote a guest post this year on the blog about worldbuilding and her books that’ll link as well. She’s an amazing fantasy writer and an inspiration.
B. O’ree Williams
Another one of the Active Alumni Writers and a founding member, he published his first sci-fi novel on the ides of March. I’ve heard lots of Tron comparisons with a dive into cybercrime and the possibilities of AI. Lots of people in the reviews loved his characters.
The story is titled Beyond the Horizon Line: The Sanctuary.
Callie Sutcliffe
A romance writer of the Active Alumni, she published the first two books of her series. Romance is typically not my bag, but I realize some of you may like it.
Most people have compared Love is Messy to classic Hallmark movies with a small-town love story and a lady with a secret past. I have not found the time to read this one yet.
Carol Wolfe
I’m sure some of you may remember, but fellow Alumni Writer Carol Wolfe, her third book in her woman’s fiction, “My Best” Series.
Her series always seems to be growing in popularity, so if this genre suits you, it may be worth a read. The link’s below.
“My Best Memory” Carol Wolfe Amazon.com: My Best Memory: Helene’s Story (My Best Series Book 3) eBook : Wolfe, Carole: Kindle Store
Jaimee Pifer
Only a few days before Lafonda and Leo, Jaimee Published a historical fiction of her ancestors, Withstanding the Fiery Furnace: Based on a True Story (The Wall Family Saga Book 1).
A snippet from the description reads, “Withstanding the Fiery Furnace is based on real-life experiences of the author’s great-great-great grandfather. Set against the backdrop of World War I and the Russian Revolution, this story recounts the struggles Jacob and his family faced and how their faith guided them on a path to wholeness.”
So it’s definitely an interesting plot. Below is a preview from Amazon, that may better pique your interest than my words can.
Krissy Baccaro
Next, we have another story from the Active Alumni that I have not read but heard good talk about. This makes Krissy’s book two in her series full of mystery and intrigue. A preview’s below if it catches your interest, I’m sure she’d appreciate a read.
According to Amazon’s blurb, the story follows Ella Perri as she discovers her grandmother Gianna that she never knew is very much alive and sets off with her uncle Luca. “For drastically different reasons, Luca and Ella race to find Gianna in the Tuscan hills where she has been safe…until now.” (Cue suspense)
John King
Last, but certainly on least, only a few months ago, John released his first fantasy novel, and I had the pleasure of reading some his early drafts. He creates wonderful characters in his stories with some unique blends in his worldbuilding with dragons, “demi-wolves” and what remains of humanity.
This story follows Shiva an average dog who’s magically transformed and embroiled in a war between humanity and her kind where she must find her place in the world and discover what happened to her master.
His bio and a link to his book are below:
John King is a graduate of Full Sail University and writes about fantasy and adventure. Having spent his youth traveling as part of a military family, he turned to fiction to deal with the ever-changing way of life, leading to his creation of the world expressed in the Of Scales and Fur saga. His work can be found on www.ofscalesandfurbyjohnnking.com.
Closing Remarks
So that was only ten fresh self-published books of 2021. There are more again like Lori Lee Palmer’s short stories and at least two more authors that I’m unsure I have permission to share about.
If you would like anyone else in the community would like me to share their story, please let me know there’s always room for more here.
May you all have a Merry Christmas!
Antonio