Only the Living? What is that?
So glad you asked!
Only the Living is the title of my most recent book publishing effort*. This is a novel by my dear friend, Louise Jackson, author of many books, our third project together. We began working on this one last summer, and now it is ready for purchase.
Based on a true story that takes place in the Western United States during the tumultuous nineteen thirties, Only the Living is centered on Teresa Wei Ramirez, a young girl of Mexican-Chinese heritage. Thrust from a stable family life as a child in Arizona into a life of migratory field work, Teresa’s life evolves into one of fear, longing, and dreams of escape as her labor crew migrates through agricultural fields up and down the Pacific Coast states.
Teresa’s dreams of escaping become reality after she survives being beaten and abandoned in the fields of California’s Central Valley farmlands and is taken to a welcoming home and family in the Tulare County town of Farmington. There she finds acceptance, love and hope for her future, yet holds a continuing fear of the life she’s left behind.
Her interactions with those who have created her fears, love, marriage, parenthood, reunification with family, labor union struggles, and lifestyle choices, all contribute to Teresa’s struggle for belonging in diverse
multicultural communities of complex, multifaceted individuals.
The story takes place in a decade of change and uncertainty between two world wars, a time of massive immigrations, migrations, depression, social upheavals, prejudice and fear. A time also, of opportunity, new freedoms, changing technologies and values. A time not unlike today.
WHERE CAN YOU BUY ONLY THE LIVING?
So glad you asked! Right here, at Lulu Publishing.
Why yes, that is my painting on the cover! Thank you for noticing. Louise insisted, and I am completelyhelpless in the face of her requests.
*I help local authors by editing, proofreading, formatting, designing covers, and submitting manuscripts to assisted-self-publishing companies. This is my first novel. Nope, I don’t do marketing, other than putting the purchasing info on my blog.
6 Comments
I did recognize your painting at my first glance!!
Oh yea, Kathy! I was worried that it looked like more of a painting by me than a nice background to set the tone for the book.
Looking forward to another interesting read from Louise!
Hi Jill, nice to hear from you! I bet that cover of Louise’s caught your attention. 😎
Wow! This is amazing. What a fun collaboration and the cover art is gorgeous <3
Thank you, Elisabeth! I only consented to working on a novel because it was my dear friend Louise, and we work so well together. It was a real privilege to be able to complete her third book.