Between Panic and Desire by Dinty W. Moore “Moore forges a brisk, incisive, funny, sometimes silly, yet stealthily affecting memoir in essays and skits, a ‘generational autobiography,’ and good candid guy stuff. . . . Each anecdote, piece of pop-culture trivia, and frankly confessed panic and desire yields a chunk of irony and a sliver of wisdom.”—Donna Seaman, Booklist “This book is funny, funny, funny. It is an unconventional—some might say, experimental—collection of frolicsome and touching, personal essays. . . . [T]he book is a rare example of how unusual form actually helps. It is the ideal display for Dinty’s … Continue reading Dinty, Dinty, Dinty!: Even More Praise for Between Panic and Desire

To a Distant Day: The Rocket Pioneers by Chris Gainor “Let us hope for as good a companion volume taking the story to the shuttle and space-station era and the emergence of space powers other than Russia and the U.S.”—Roland Green, Booklist Read earlier praise for To a Distant Day by visiting http://nebraskapress.typepad.com/university_of_nebraska_pr/2008/02/praise-for-to-a.html. Continue reading More Praise for To a Distant Day

Taking Trivia to the Court In Young, Black, Rich, and Famous, author Todd Boyd chronicles how basketball and hip hop have gone from being reviled by the American mainstream in the 1970s to being embraced and imitated globally today. In keeping with Boyd’s subject matter, today’s "Tuesday Trivia" tests your knowledge of the game of hoops. Don’t know your lay up from your Larry Bird? If that’s the case, this TT may not be a slam dunk. Sick of my puns? Well, shoot! I’m sorry. Okay, okay. I’ll stop. On to the trivia! 1. When was basketball invented?A. 1789B. 1902C. … Continue reading Tuesday Trivia: March 25, 2008

Hard Air: Adventures from the Edge of Flying by W. Scott Olsen “It’s hard to imagine a more gripping book for aviation buffs than Olsen’s depiction of some of the hairier aspects of service networks usually taken for granted and seldom properly noticed by the media.”—Roland Green, Booklist Check out earlier praise for Hard Air at http://nebraskapress.typepad.com/university_of_nebraska_pr/2008/03/praise-for-hard.html. Continue reading Taking Off: More Praise for Hard Air

Good Neighbors, Bad Times by Mimi Schwartz “[A] beautiful memoir of introspection and contrasts.”—Harriet P. Gross, Dallas Morning News For previous praise for Good Neighbors, Bad Times, link to http://nebraskapress.typepad.com/university_of_nebraska_pr/2008/01/praise-for-good.html. Continue reading Continued Praise for Good Neighbors, Bad Times

Jackalope Dreams by Mary Clearman Blew

“Mary Clearman Blew’s stunning first novel gives us an example—if any is required—of why fiction is still necessary and what it uniquely offers. It’s an understated achievement that recalls the early works of Larry McMurtry, along with the tough, febrile voice of S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders and the emotional intelligence of William Maxwell. Willa Cather’s work also comes to mind. . . . Sentences seethe with urgent, unhurried energy, and the description of the land the author so clearly loves is in service of the story, not showing off. You come to care deeply about these people, caught between an uncapturable past and an uncertain future. Jackalope Dreams is a small masterpiece; it deserves the attention it makes a point of not seeking.”—Paul Wilner, Los Angeles Times Book Review

To read earlier praise for Jackalope Dreams, please visit http://nebraskapress.typepad.com/university_of_nebraska_pr/2007/12/praise-for-jack.html.

Continue reading “More Praise for Jackalope Dreams”

Links to Put a Spring in Your Step Finally, the first day of spring has arrived! Those of us who have spent our winter months in icy anticipation of the arrival of spring are undoubtedly thrilled at the turn of season. In honor of spring’s grand entrance, today’s “Linking in Lincoln” is an ode to all things spring. So, whether it’s sunny or dreary where you are, enjoy a “spring break” courtesy of the UNP blog. What would spring be without the spring & summer UNP catalog? Browse our new March books here. From this page, you can also link … Continue reading Linking in Lincoln: March 20, 2008

By Peggy Shumaker Congratulations!  Your book’s been accepted for publication! First, you dance! Then you make plans to give your new book its best chance in the world. You’ve got nearly a year while the book’s in production, just barely enough time to do the following: • Contact any reporters or reviewers you know—print, broadcast, or online. Send them advance publicity and reviews. Add them to the press’s standard review list.• From your acknowledgments page, make a list of the magazines that have published your work. Do they also publish reviews? If so, compile a list of those editors and … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Advice for the Newly Published Author

Valentines by Ted Kooser “Over 22 years, Kooser has discovered a startling variety of ways to invert and enliven the vocabulary of romance, finding tender implications in even the mustiest Valentine’s symbols. . . . When it comes to his beloved(s), Kooser has generous eyes, offering always to keep her young. . . . Kooser’s poems do build a frisson, making the most of small moments of intimacy.” —Emily Nussbaum, New York Times Book Review To read earlier praise for Valentines, please visit http://nebraskapress.typepad.com/university_of_nebraska_pr/2008/01/praise-for-vale.html. Continue reading Nearly Easter, but Still Valentine’s Day: Continued Praise for Kooser’s Valentines