January Audiobook Publications

Another month has come and gone…but now we have more audiobooks to celebrate! Each month we compile the audiobooks that we helped publish, to make it easier for you to view!

Follow us to keep up with our monthly publications!

Without further ado we bring you romance, action and adventure, paranormal and fiction audiobooks!

What to Read in 2020 Based on Your Zodiac Sign

Aries (March 21-April 19): Heart of Mist

As an Aries, you’re known for your optimism and confidence. You’re also very determined and never let anything get past you. Go on a journey with Bleak, where she is snatched from her home but all she wants is to cure her power. This read will make you feel a range of emotions, Aries. 

Taurus (April 20-May 20): Mafia Boss

Practical, patient Taurus, you’re arguably the most stubborn of the signs. Luc and Amelia are two stubborn people, but are they aren’t going to let that or their lives get in the way of possible love. 

Gemini (May 21-June 20):  The Work of Art

Sweet, gentle Gemini, you’re always down for an adventure and are adaptable in any situation. Take an adventure with The Work of Art as you are swept away to London in 1814. Phyllida Satterwaite is set to marry a man not of her choosing, she must learn to adapt to her own situation and find happiness her own way.   

Cancer (June 21-July 22): Rescuing Broken

You, Cancer, are rather emotional. Any chance you get to cry and let your tears run free is therapeutic to you. Can a second chance at love heal a broken and shattered heart. Read Rescuing Broken for yourself to find out. 

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Pour Judgement

Ah Leo, your warm-hearted nature tends to get you in some sticky situations. Korie Potter is headed to Camp Pour Judgement for a fun getaway, but what she was not expecting was leaving with a fake fiance who was anything but her type. 

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): No Vacancy

As a Virgo, your loyal attitude has been able to give you some pretty great friendships. Like you Virgo, Caterina Longo is dependable, but when her life goes off the rails will an unexpected vacation put her back on the right track? 

Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 22): Silent Threat

Libras are all about finding justice in any situation. You’re known for your tenacious spirit and willingness to stand your ground, ex-Marine Mara Roberts is one of the Agency’s most reliable assassins until her father comes into the picture. But her father explains he is being set up, she must find out the truth for herself. 

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Dark King

You’re the bravest of the signs, Scorpio, which is your greatest strength and weakness. You’re willing to risk your life for the greater good, Aenor has been thrown in prison but she is still the fae princess. Travel with her on a brave journey to restore her magic.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A Killer’s Mind

You let your curiosity get the best of you at times, Sagittarius. You’re always down for a good mind-bending story- descend into a serial killer’s psyche and untangle his twisted fantasies with Zoe Bentley. With twists you won’t see coming!

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Method

You, Capricorn, never make the same mistake twice. You learn from your past and are often unwilling to forgive and forget. You will relate to Mila, she married an A-list player knowing she would always come second to his craft. Until the death of her husband’s best friend erupts in scandal and she questions if she knows her husband at all. 

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Center of Gravity

Independent is the best word to describe you, Aquarius. You’re all about self-growth and fending for yourself. This story follows Lex as she moves to Los Angeles to follow her dreams of becoming a dancer. She will do whatever it takes to learn from the best. 

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Arrange Me

As a Pisces, you believe in love at first sight and live for anything even slightly romantic. You’ll fall head over heels for this unconventional way of finding love. But as long as you find it, right Pisces?

For more information about Hershman Rights Management visit our website! We helped publish all of these novels! Specializing in audiobooks and foreign rights!

Fun Games For Book Lovers

A great way to spend quality time with friends and family this season is to play games! Winter vacation is coming up and who knows, there might be a snow day or two- so gather around and play a game based on literary fun!

It Was a Dark & Stormy Night – A Game of First Lines for People Who Love to Read

Test your knowledge of the first lines to popular novels. This board game is for the well-read, in which it asks players to name the author or title of a book based on the opening lines. Test your reading knowledge bases on six genres!

Pride and Prejudice Board Game

Step inside the world of Jane Austen’s novel. Race through the board game’s countryside while you fight to be the first couple to get married! And answer questions about the novel along the way. 

Bookopoly

A classic we all know and love with a fun literary twist! Have fun in this property trading game and see what fun spots you can land on. 

221B Baker Street Master Detective Game

For the mystery book lovers out there who prefer Clue, this game is for you. Compete to see who is the fastest at solving cases in the best Sherlock Holmes manner. 

Trivial Pursuit Book Lover’s Edition

Imagine the whole game being made up of the Arts & Literature category. If that’s all you need then just cut to the chase and get this version of Trivial Pursuit. Test your knowledge among family and friends, who doesn’t like a little friendly competition?

Happy Holidays!

For more information about Hershman Rights Management visit our website!

November Audiobook Publications

November has come and gone, but these audio books are here to stay! If you are looking for a great new audio book keep scrolling, because we have a lot to offer. 

We work hard alongside our authors to give the audience a different approach to a novel. An audiobook can help you visualize the characters and story better in your own mind by listening to it. Allow your eyes to rest, and your imagination to take over. 

Which one is your favorite?

The Feminist Romance

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As an author of romance herself, Alisha Rai spoke in an interview about her experiences incorporating feminism into her writing. In her novels, her lead female is the one in power, such as being a billionaire with a huge company in the palm of her hands. Matter of fact, most of her female leads take on some form of dominant position (and no, I’m not talking about in the bedroom!) where she is “overpowering” her male counterpart. That’s the not the usual trope you see. From reading many of the romance novels on the market today, one would think that  women like to be controlled and compliant. But, authors like Rai are telling us that’s not always the case and why it shouldn’t always be that way.

In a way, romance novels can be feminist works even without Rai’s juicy switch. Romance is a special genre already. But, we can revolutionize the genre even more by adding in more feminist elements to the stories and characters. This is important if we want to keep the genre evolving and relatable. It will also keep the genre ‘special,’ for more than one reason. One writer points out why romance is special, in 7 ways:

  1. Just like Rai’s protagonists, other authors choose to include strong female protagonists.
  2. Romance is a genre filled with female/women’s voices.
  3. Women’s needs are placed first. Inside the bedroom and out.
  4. The genre allows women to explore their fantasies.
  5. Regardless of how she is in real life, a romance novel allows a woman to take control of her sexuality.
  6. Romance allows topics that have been outcast as “taboo” to be explored in depth.
  7. And finally, it is a genre which allows many voices to get their foot in the door.

Seeing women that have it all may be refreshing and encouraging to read, but if none of that appeals to you, there will always be authors writing about the classic romance between two individuals- which we definitely don’t want to lose either.

Hispanic Heritage Month

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From September 15th to October 15th, Hispanic Heritage Month takes over. A general inclusion of staple Hispanic foods, music, and basic history are taught to children and events based on different Hispanic cultures fill up community boards (although pride parades happen throughout the rest of the year). One part of Hispanic Heritage Month we would like to focus on here at HRM are some Latinx writers who have made their mark on the publishing industry.

Thanks to the Library of Congress and the interviews conducted with each author included on this list, we hope you can indulge in the works of these talented individuals not only this month but throughout the entire year:

  • Gina Franco
  • William Archila
  • Juan Felipe Herrera
  • Laurie Ann Guerrero
  • Tim Z. Hernandez
  • Diana Garcia
  • Brenda Cardenas
  • Rigoberto Gonzalez
  • Valerie Martinez
  • Richard Blanco
  • Carmen Gimenez Smith
  • Eduardo C. Corral
  • Fred Arroyo
  • Maria Melendez

The Task of Writing

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Writer’s block is far from fun for any writer. The thought of not being able to achieve a significant chunk of writing in one session after another holds so many creators back from moving forward with their novels. Sometimes writer’s block can be incredibly discouraging, pushing wordsmiths into a hole and often times leading them to give up their work. Most writers don’t actually want to give up their dreams, they just feel like they don’t have any other choice because every story idea they have doesn’t go anywhere. The Write Nook is here to help our readers put their fingers back on the keyboard and to get their ideas rolling again.

The best way to cure writer’s block is simple: keep writing.Famous authors recommend it, so you can do it, too.

To celebrate #WritingWednesday, we wanted to put together some fun writing prompts to kick start your creative brain. Let’s light a match and put it to the dimming flame together!

  • At a wake for a father, the estranged ex-wife slow dances with their son. Why does she dance with him, and what secret does she whisper in his ear as they dance? 
  • Your character goes to a psychic, who sets them up with some creepy foreshadowing.
  • Somebody’s knocking at the door. Somebody’s ringing the bell. Open the door and let them in, whoa…wait, it’s four AM. What’s going on? Who could it be?
  • This whole scene would be more interesting if someone had a hangover. And also, if they couldn’t remember last night.
  • Pirates attack and pillage. This is more fun if the story DOESN’T take place in the sixteenth century.

All of these prompts come from writing generators (and here, or there). These generators can provide some amusement as well as inspiration. The best part is if there is a comment section, writers tend to share what they’ve written. Those can be fun to read and potentially spark some inspiration, as well. Even with a writing generator, one can write a short story to merely exercise the brain-it doesn’t need to be your next masterpiece.

Now go get out of that writing slump and back in action!

Write on!

Judging A Book By Its Cover

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If you are travelling down the self-publishing path, then creating a book cover is going to be another part of your publishing journey. After walking through aisles and aisles of books at the local B&N, I started to notice the similarities amongst some of the genres. There’s a cycle a writer should keep in mind when creating the cover to their book. If you were the book, the process would go a little something like this:

  1. Get noticed by the potential reader browsing all your friends on the bookshelf or Amazon page.
  2. Either you’re picked up or clicked on, because you’re just that interesting.
  3. If you’re exactly what the potential reader wants, they’ll buy you.
  4. Of course, they’ll read you.
  5. After they’re done, they’re going to talk about you to other people. They’ll entice their peers with your inspiring and rich content.
  6. Let this process repeat.

But, how can you get to step one? A good cover takes a couple different factors into account. For a fiction novel, you won’t want to include too much text. The title, author name, and maybe an essential quote from the book or a shortened quote from a reviewer is more than enough to do the trick. When you add too much text, it becomes too much for a the reader to consume or it might reveal too much about your novel. This can cause the reader to quickly put your book back on the shelf or scroll onto the next book. Quick catchphrases or quotes can sometimes be a good subheading – but make sure it doesn’t go much beyond a sentence. If images help your novel pop, make sure the image used is significant to the plot of your novel. It becomes visually appealing when a story about a dog, has a dog on it (or whatever the story may be). When you pick the right image, a reader can get just as much information about your novel from just looking at the cover as they can from reading its summary.

Let’s use Caraval by Stephanie Garber as an example. The cover of Caraval is a happy medium between being too boring and too active. The bright white color font of the title pops out at you, so you are immediately drawn to the title. The lettering intertwines elegantly with the star design without being too intrusive, adding a little extra pizzazz without hindering your ability to read the text easily. The glittery stars within the star design, against the space background, flow together in a simple manner. When creating your cover, you want to reflect the story you’re telling. In Garber’s novel, her main character, Scarlett, must find her sister in five nights while being surrounded by magic and performances (therefore, the star design on the cover mirrors the nighttime or bursts of magic within the novel).

If you are a visual artist, as well as a wordsmith, you might want to take it upon yourself to create your own cover because you know the image you wish to convey to your readers better than anyone else. Or recruit someone you may know or a trusted cover designer to work with you to create the perfect cover that will bring your story to life. Regardless of how your cover is made, you want to be able to appeal to your readers and represent your book in an exceptional way that wouldn’t allow it to be looked over by browsers.