Historical Fiction Is Back In Vogue

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - May 31, 2013 - PRLog -- Sea Hill Press President and CEO, Greg Sharp, today announced the official release of its newest historical fiction title "RIVER BRAIDS” by first time author Marcy Luikart.  When Sharp met author Luikart almost five years ago, the story was still in development. “Marcy has spent an enormous amount of time researching this work,” said Sharp. “Once I had a chance to read it from cover to cover, I knew it was a book we wanted to include in our line.” Sea Hill Press is one of the last true small presses located in Santa Barbara. Having been in the publishing business since 1999, Sea Hill Press publishes about a dozen new titles each year. “Though specializing in self-help and personal empowerment titles, we began to build out a historical fiction category several years ago. “‘River Braids’ is a great addition to this mix,” says sharp.

“River Braids” is a multi-generational story that spans 100 years. The family's struggles are chronicled through the stories of three people: Joe Barton, a promising 1904 Olympic rower, his young love, Annie, and Joe's grandson, Sonny Barton. Through the story of Joseph Barton and young Annie's letters and diary entries, we learn about Joseph Barton's place on the Olympic rowing team. Upon the team's arrival to the Louisiana Purchase Exhibition to participate in the 1904 Olympics, Joe finds himself involved in the Exhibition's Wild West Show, but he also discovers that he does not fit into any world. Joe was raised in the white middle-class society of his father but finds himself defined by his mother's Indian heritage. While at the fair he explores this other part of himself with the indigenous peoples who have set up villages in the Ethnology Exhibit.

“River Braids” weaves together three stories: Sonny's modern-day journey, Joseph Barton's 1904 recollections, and Annie personal feelings to chronicle the 100-year history of the Barton clan. Sonny realizes the importance of his heritage as a descendent of a proud Native American line and as the latest link in generations-long bond with the Mississippi River itself.

“Early reviews have been very strong,” says Sharp. “We broke from our traditional publicity campaign and tried going grass roots to readers, using a competition hosted on line with goodreads.com. During the competition, 50 copies were given away as review copies -- the feedback was over the top. People love it.”

About the Publisher

Sea Hill Press is represented in the book trade by Continental Sales Group, Chicago, IL, and distributed by Innovative Logistics, Lakewood, NJ. “River Braids”  (ISBN 9781937720162) is available though all major book chains and online stores.

Abut the Author

Marcy Luikart’s short stories have appeared in The Iconoclast, Bellowing Ark, Pangolin Papers, Beginnings, QWF, and the Connecticut Review. Marcy lives in Santa Barbara, California, with her husband, Ralph, and a miniature poodle. She enjoys obedience and agility training with the poodle, hiking, camping, fiddling, painting, and most especially a good story.