RALPH HANCOX'S NEW NOVEL

Fictive Press is pleased to announce the launch of Ralph Hancox's 3rd novel in two years.

Click to order your PRINT edition today. 

Or, click to order The Ape & The Peacock in your favourite eBOOK format.

It’s 1957 in the fictional Canadian Province of Superior. In the span of just a few days in November, the lives of several high-level government officials and a colourful cast of “destitutes” are about to change forever. In this penetrating social commentary, wrongdoings lead to shockingly unequal consequences for the privileged and the dispossessed.

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RALPH HANCOX'S FIRST TWO NOVELS ARE 50% OFF IN YOUR FAVOURITE EBOOK FORMAT

Get Ralph Hancox's first two novels (The Fabufestan Exposés) at HALF PRICE . Click on the book links below and insert their discount coupon code in the appropriate field.  

Copy this code for Con Job: KR28U

Click here to get Con Job at 50% OFF with discount code: KR28U

Copy this discount code for Scandalous: ZS64Y

Click here to get Scandalous at 50% OFF with discount code: ZS64Y

Ralph Hancox, Author

A fascinating and personal interview with Ralph Hancox, author of The Fabufestan Exposés: Con Job and Scandalous. 

Why Ralph Hancox wrote Con Job and Scandalous.

Author/playwright Charlotte Cameron featured in BC BookLook

Author Charlotte Cameron at the lodge where author Malcolm

Lowry and his wife once stayed on Gabriola Island, BC.

(Photo: Tom Cameron)

BC BookLook has featured author Charlotte Cameron's fascination with Malcom Lowry, best known for his novel, Under the Volcano. Her interest led her to write a play about the Lowry's entitled October Ferries to Gabriola and is putting Lowry on the literary map of BC (a BC Bookworld initiative).

Charlotte Cameron is the author of Running: The Alex Decoteau Story, published by Fictive Press in 2014.

THE PASSOVER SURPRISE "FILLED WITH WONDER AND HOPE"

A new review of The Passover Surprise by Janet Ruth Heller, in Children's Bookwatch, October 2015 (Midwest Book Review):

"The Passover Surprise is a middle grade chapter story that deals sensitively with complex issues like fairness, sexist thinking, working hard to sort out complex problems and issues within a family setting, relying on strong religious and cultural values within the framework of Judaism. 

"Lisa is the heroine who is hurt by her father's decision to award a coveted stamp book to her younger brother Jon, perhaps because he is the younger son while she is the older daughter. Some wonderful pages describe first how Lisa felt, and then how she evaluates her options and strategies to attempt to explain her reaction to her father, whom she loves. 

The Passover Surprise tackles many difficult issues of prejudice, racism, misogyny, and fairness, even including bullying. All development is influenced by the strong Jewish faith and values of Lisa and her family. The story takes place in the 60's, and has a definite period flavor to it, which is underlined by the quietly charming black and white illustrations.The Passover Surprise is filled with wonder and hope, even in times of dreadful hardship and disappointment."

AN IMPORTANT WORK ON JUDAISM

Judaism deconstructed! This seminal work by Danish philosopher Andreas Simonsen, beautifully translated by Per K. Brask.

Why Ralph Hancox Wrote The Fabufestan Exposés

A Social Conscience
by Ralph Hancox

In a few small group sessions of old dodderers like me, a couple or more years ago, we concluded that the illicit drug trade, people trafficking, and the abuse of a worldwide aging population were three of the major social horrors confronting humanity in this coming century .

I was asked, as former journalist, if I could write articles exploring these societal phenomena, dealing with the magnitude of savagery they entailed. I told them my days of writing such commentaries had long since passed and, furthermore, any such articles written by an amateur like me would be ignored .

I did some research into the subjects, accessing the authoritative international data and statistics freely available on the Web. This research confirmed the kind of concerns we had discussed among the group, but I was convinced that any critical analysis by me would have little impact.

Even so, I had the guilty feeling that I was evading a personal responsibility to do something about it all, given the information I had gathered . These misgivings have haunted my thoughtful moments ever since.

How could it all be put across to an indifferent audience by the experts themselves? My conclusion was that it could be done through a fictional setting of one kind or another.

Hence the first two books–Con Job and Scandalous–that covered, using the literary device of a documentary crew, the essential authoritative basic research on the first two issues. I have virtually completed research for the third book, on elder abuse.

  

A Q&A WITH JANET RUTH HELLER, AUTHOR OF THE PASSOVER SURPRISE

Jewish Book for Kids interviews Janet Ruth Heller about the source of her inspiration for The Passover Surprise, recently published by Fictive Press. 

INTERVIEW WITH JANET HELLER, AUTHOR OF THE PASSOVER SURPRISE

In this interview, Janet Heller, author of The Passover Surprise, talks about her sources of inspiration and her connection to Judaism. 

Q. What is the source of your inspiration?

A: I am 65 years old, and I taught English and women's studies courses at various colleges and universities for 35 years, so I have many experiences to draw on for my writing. I also served as a teacher and principal for two Jewish religious schools. I organized a successful faculty union at one university. Sometimes, I adapt stories that friends have told me about problems that they faced. I love nature, so I include birds, animals, trees, and flowers in my work. I have four younger brothers and sisters, and I began writing stories for them when I was about nine years old. I also write for my former religious school students and for my parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and great-nephews. Often, I write about a problem that troubles me. I usually feel better and understand the situation better when I can articulate my feelings in words.

Q. What brought you to use midrash as a source for your work?

THE PERSONAL STORY BEHIND THE PASSOVER SURPRISE

Author Janet Ruth Heller describes the personal story behind The Passover Surprise in this blog interview.

Q: How did you come up with the idea for The Passover Surprise, and why did you incorporate the Passover holiday into the story?

A: The Passover Surprise is based on a real-life problem that I had when I was nine years old. I did not ask adults or friends for help. I was deeply hurt by favoritism within my family. However, I wanted Lisa to get help from wise adults in my story.


I set The Passover Surprise during Passover because it is a time of miracles and reversals of fortune: slaves get freed, but masters get smitten with plagues. A small miracle happens for Lisa when she persuades her father to listen to her perspective. ...

Read the full interview in Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb.

Just in time for Passover – a chapter book for children 8 -12 years of age

Delighted that Fictive Press's newest title is available just in time for Passover.

Lisa and her little brother Jon enjoy collecting stamps. But when their father holds a contest to decide which child will get a new large stamp album, Lisa has to solve a difficult problem.

This chapter book for ages 8 to 12 (grades 3 to 6) takes place around 1960 and portrays a Jewish family celebrating Sabbath and Passover. It also includes details about the experiences of American soldiers during World War II and the early days of the Civil Rights Movement.

The book contains a handy Glossary of the Hebrew words and difficult terms used in the text, as well as a Discussion Guide to help parents and teachers explore the issues raised by this book with their children and students: sibling rivalry, bullying, discrimination, and Jewish traditions.

PRAISE FOR THE PASSOVER SURPRISE

"A sweet period-piece that weaves the longing for a coveted prize, sibling rivalry, and a firm foundation in Jewish traditions and faith into an appealing and morally uplifting tale."—Yona Zeldis McDonough, author of The Doll Shop Downstairs and The Cats in the Doll Shop

"A good look at a loving family dealing with the issues of fairness and sexism."—Shutta Crum, author of Thomas and the Dragon Queen, Dozens of Cousins, Spitting Image, and Thunder-Boomer!

"A nostalgic tale about a Passover past that evokes strong feelings of family and tradition. A warm, inviting read."—Tara Lazar, author of The Monstore, I Thought This Was a Bear Book, and Little Red Gliding Hood

CAROL'S ON A BLOG TOUR!

Get the inside scoop behind Tucson Jo and many of Carol Matas' other books in these fascinating interviews:

on Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb

on Jewish Books for Kids with author/blogger Barbara Bietz

on The Whole Megillah by author/historian Barbara Krasner