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Gulf Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
From Stephen King to New Jersey diners, History Press books explore local lore
With deep knowledge of Stephen King's books and curiosity about their inspirations, writer Sharon Kitchens began a journey around Maine. As she learned about the real-life settings and people behind such fiction as 'IT' and 'Salem's Lot,' she arranged them into an online map and story she called 'Stephen King's Maine.' 'It was amateur hour, in a way,' she says. 'But after around 27,000 people visited the site one of my friends said to me, 'You should do something more with this.'' Published in 2024, the resulting book-length edition of 'Stephen King's Maine' is among hundreds released each year by The History Press. Now part of Arcadia Publishing, the 20-year-old imprint is dedicated to regional, statewide and locally focused works, found for sale in bookstores, museums, hotels and other tourist destinations. The mission of The History Press is to explore and unearth 'the story of America, one town or community at a time.' The King book stands out if only for its focus on an international celebrity. Most History Press releases arise out of more obscure passions and expertise, whether Michael C. Gabriele's 'The History of Diners in New Jersey,' Thomas Dresser's 'African Americans of Martha's Vineyard' or Clem C. Pellett's 'Murder on Montana's Hi-Line,' the author's probe into the fatal shooting of his grandfather. Andrew Higgins and Savannah Shealy peruse the biography section of the Green Hand Bookstore. Like Kitchens, History Press authors tend to be regional or local specialists — history lovers, academics, retirees and hobbyists. Kitchens' background includes writing movie press releases, blogging for the Portland Press Herald and contributing to the Huffington Post. Pellett is a onetime surgeon who was so compelled by his grandfather's murder that he switched careers and became a private investigator. In Boulder, Colorado, Nancy K. Williams is a self-described 'Western history writer' whose books include 'Buffalo Soldiers on the Colorado Frontier' and 'Haunted Hotels of Southern Colorado.' The History Press publishes highly specific works such as Jerry Harrington's tribute to a Pulitzer Prize-winning editor from the 1930s, 'Crusading Iowa Journalist Verne Marshall.' It also issues various series, notably 'Haunted' guides that publishing director Kate Jenkins calls a 'highly localized version' of the ghost story genre. History Press has long recruited potential authors through a team of field representatives, but now writers such as Kitchens are as likely to be brought to the publisher's attention through a national network of writers who have worked with it before. A customer shops at the Green Hand Bookstore in Portland, Maine. 'Our ideal author isn't someone with national reach,' Jenkins says, 'but someone who's a member of their community, whether that's an ethnic community or a local community, and is passionate about preserving that community's history. We're the partners who help make that history accessible to a wide audience.' The History Press is a prolific, low-cost operation. The books tend to be brief — under 200 pages — and illustrated with photos drawn from local archives or taken by the authors themselves. The print runs are small, and authors are usually paid through royalties from sales rather than advances up front. History Press books rarely are major hits, but they can still attract substantial attention for works tailored to specific areas, and they tend to keep selling over time. Editions selling 15,000 copies or more include 'Long-Ago Stories of the Eastern Cherokee,' by Lloyd Arneach, Alphonso Brown's 'A Gullah Guide to Charleston' and Gayle Soucek's 'Marshall Field's,' a tribute to the Chicago department store. The King guide, which has sold around 8,500 copies so far, received an unexpected lift — an endorsement by its subject, who was shown the book at Maine's Bridgton Books and posted an Instagram of himself giving it a thumbs-up. 'I was genuinely shocked in the best possible way,' Kitchens says, adding that she saw the book as a kind of thank-you note to King. 'Every choice I made while writing the book, I made with him in mind.' 'Stephen King's Maine' by Sharon Kitchens and 'The History of Diners in New Jersey' by Michael C. Gabrielle. Photos: Associated Press History Press authors say they like the chance to tell stories that they believe haven't been heard, or were told incorrectly. Rory O'Neill Schmitt is an Arizona-based researcher, lecturer and writer who feels her native New Orleans is often 'portrayed in way that feels false or highlights a touristy element,' like a 'caricature.' She has responded with such books as 'The Haunted Guide to New Orleans' and 'Kate Chopin in New Orleans.' Brianne Turczynski is a freelance writer and self-described 'perpetual seeker of the human condition' who lives outside of Detroit and has an acknowledged obsession with 'Poletown,' a Polish ethnic community uprooted and dismantled in the 1980s after General Motors decided to build a new plant there and successfully asserted eminent domain. In 2021, The History Press released Turczynski's 'Detroit's Lost Poletown: The Little Neighbourhood That Touched a Nation.' 'All of the journalist work that followed the story seemed to lack a sense of closure for the people who suffered,' she said. 'So my book is a love letter to that community, an attempt for closure.' Kitchens has followed her King book with the story of an unsolved homicide, 'The Murder of Dorothy Milliken, Cold Case in Maine.' One of her early boosters, Michelle Souliere, is the owner of the Green Hand Bookstore in Portland and herself a History Press writer. A lifelong aficionado of Maine history, her publishing career, like Kitchens', began with an online posting. She had been maintaining a blog of local lore, 'Strange Maine,' when The History Press contacted her and suggested she expand her writing into a book. 'Strange Maine: True Tales from the Pine Tree State' was published in 2010. 'My blog had been going for about 4 years, and had grown from brief speculative and expressive posts to longer original research articles,' she wrote in an email. 'I often wonder how I did it at all — I wrote the book just as I was opening up the Green Hand Bookshop. Madness!!! Or a lot of coffee. Or both!!!' Associated Press
New Indian Express
09-08-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
From Stephen King to New Jersey diners, History Press books cover local lore around US
The History Press is a prolific, low-cost operation. The books tend to be brief — under 200 pages — and illustrated with photos drawn from local archives or taken by the authors themselves. The print runs are small, and authors are usually paid through royalties from sales rather than advances up front. History Press books rarely are major hits, but they can still attract substantial attention for works tailored to specific areas, and they tend to keep selling over time. Editions selling 15,000 copies or more include 'Long-Ago Stories of the Eastern Cherokee,' by Lloyd Arneach, Alphonso Brown's 'A Gullah Guide to Charleston' and Gayle Soucek's 'Marshall Field's,' a tribute to the Chicago department store. The King guide, which has sold around 8,500 copies so far, received an unexpected lift — an endorsement by its subject, who was shown the book at Maine's Bridgton Books and posted an Instagram of himself giving it a thumbs-up. 'I was genuinely shocked in the best possible way,' Kitchens says, adding that she saw the book as a kind of thank-you note to King. 'Every choice I made while writing the book, I made with him in mind.' Getting the story right History Press authors say they like the chance to tell stories that they believe haven't been heard, or were told incorrectly. Rory O'Neill Schmitt is an Arizona-based researcher, lecturer and writer who feels her native New Orleans is often 'portrayed in way that feels false or highlights a touristy element,' like a 'caricature.' She has responded with such books as 'The Haunted Guide to New Orleans' and 'Kate Chopin in New Orleans.' Brianne Turczynski is a freelance writer and self-described 'perpetual seeker of the human condition' who lives outside of Detroit and has an acknowledged obsession with 'Poletown,' a Polish ethnic community uprooted and dismantled in the 1980s after General Motors decided to build a new plant there and successfully asserted eminent domain. In 2021, The History Press released Turczynski's 'Detroit's Lost Poletown: The Little Neighborhood That Touched a Nation.' 'All of the journalist work that followed the story seemed to lack a sense of closure for the people who suffered,' she said. 'So my book is a love letter to that community, an attempt for closure.' Kitchens has followed her King book with the story of an unsolved homicide, 'The Murder of Dorothy Milliken, Cold Case in Maine.' One of her early boosters, Michelle Souliere, is the owner of the Green Hand Bookstore in Portland and herself a History Press writer. A lifelong aficionado of Maine history, her publishing career, like Kitchens', began with an online posting. She had been maintaining a blog of local lore, 'Strange Maine,' when The History Press contacted her and suggested she expand her writing into a book. 'Strange Maine: True Tales from the Pine Tree State' was published in 2010. 'My blog had been going for about 4 years, and had grown from brief speculative and expressive posts to longer original research articles,' she wrote in an email. 'I often wonder how I did it at all -- I wrote the book just as I was opening up the Green Hand Bookshop. Madness!!! Or a lot of coffee. Or both!!!'
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
From Stephen King to New Jersey diners, History Press books cover local lore around the US
NEW YORK -- With deep knowledge of Stephen King's books and curiosity about their inspirations, writer Sharon Kitchens began a journey around Maine. As she learned about the real-life settings and people behind such fiction as 'IT' and 'Salem's Lot,' she arranged them into an online map and story she called 'Stephen King's Maine.' 'It was amateur hour, in a way,' she says. 'But after around 27,000 people visited the site one of my friends said to me, 'You should do something more with this.'' Published in 2024, the resulting book-length edition of 'Stephen King's Maine' is among hundreds released each year by The History Press. Now part of Arcadia Publishing, the 20-year-old imprint is dedicated to regional, statewide and locally focused works, found for sale in bookstores, museums, hotels and other tourist destinations. The mission of The History Press is to explore and unearth 'the story of America, one town or community at a time.' The King book stands out if only for its focus on an international celebrity. Most History Press releases arise out of more obscure passions and expertise, whether Michael C. Gabriele's 'The History of Diners in New Jersey,' Thomas Dresser's 'African Americans of Martha's Vineyard' or Clem C. Pellett's 'Murder on Montana's Hi-Line,' the author's probe into the fatal shooting of his grandfather. Like Kitchens, History Press authors tend to be regional or local specialists — history lovers, academics, retirees and hobbyists. Kitchens' background includes writing movie press releases, blogging for the Portland Press Herald and contributing to the Huffington Post. Pellett is a onetime surgeon who was so compelled by his grandfather's murder that he switched careers and became a private investigator. In Boulder, Colorado, Nancy K. Williams is a self-described 'Western history writer' whose books include 'Buffalo Soldiers on the Colorado Frontier' and 'Haunted Hotels of Southern Colorado.' The History Press publishes highly specific works such as Jerry Harrington's tribute to a Pulitzer Prize-winning editor from the 1930s, 'Crusading Iowa Journalist Verne Marshall.' It also issues various series, notably 'Haunted' guides that publishing director Kate Jenkins calls a 'highly localized version' of the ghost story genre. History Press has long recruited potential authors through a team of field representatives, but now writers such as Kitchens are as likely to be brought to the publisher's attention through a national network of writers who have worked with it before. 'Our ideal author isn't someone with national reach,' Jenkins says, 'but someone who's a member of their community, whether that's an ethnic community or a local community, and is passionate about preserving that community's history. We're the partners who help make that history accessible to a wide audience.' The History Press is a prolific, low-cost operation. The books tend to be brief — under 200 pages — and illustrated with photos drawn from local archives or taken by the authors themselves. The print runs are small, and authors are usually paid through royalties from sales rather than advances up front. History Press books rarely are major hits, but they can still attract substantial attention for works tailored to specific areas, and they tend to keep selling over time. Editions selling 15,000 copies or more include 'Long-Ago Stories of the Eastern Cherokee,' by Lloyd Arneach, Alphonso Brown's 'A Gullah Guide to Charleston' and Gayle Soucek's 'Marshall Field's,' a tribute to the Chicago department store. The King guide, which has sold around 8,500 copies so far, received an unexpected lift — an endorsement by its subject, who was shown the book at Maine's Bridgton Books and posted an Instagram of himself giving it a thumbs-up. 'I was genuinely shocked in the best possible way,' Kitchens says, adding that she saw the book as a kind of thank-you note to King. 'Every choice I made while writing the book, I made with him in mind.' History Press authors say they like the chance to tell stories that they believe haven't been heard, or were told incorrectly. Rory O'Neill Schmitt is an Arizona-based researcher, lecturer and writer who feels her native New Orleans is often 'portrayed in way that feels false or highlights a touristy element,' like a 'caricature.' She has responded with such books as 'The Haunted Guide to New Orleans' and 'Kate Chopin in New Orleans.' Brianne Turczynski is a freelance writer and self-described 'perpetual seeker of the human condition' who lives outside of Detroit and has an acknowledged obsession with 'Poletown,' a Polish ethnic community uprooted and dismantled in the 1980s after General Motors decided to build a new plant there and successfully asserted eminent domain. In 2021, The History Press released Turczynski's 'Detroit's Lost Poletown: The Little Neighborhood That Touched a Nation.' 'All of the journalist work that followed the story seemed to lack a sense of closure for the people who suffered,' she said. 'So my book is a love letter to that community, an attempt for closure.' Kitchens has followed her King book with the story of an unsolved homicide, 'The Murder of Dorothy Milliken, Cold Case in Maine.' One of her early boosters, Michelle Souliere, is the owner of the Green Hand Bookstore in Portland and herself a History Press writer. A lifelong aficionado of Maine history, her publishing career, like Kitchens', began with an online posting. She had been maintaining a blog of local lore, 'Strange Maine,' when The History Press contacted her and suggested she expand her writing into a book. 'Strange Maine: True Tales from the Pine Tree State' was published in 2010.
Winnipeg Free Press
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
From Stephen King to New Jersey diners, History Press books cover local lore around the US
NEW YORK (AP) — With deep knowledge of Stephen King's books and curiosity about their inspirations, writer Sharon Kitchens began a journey around Maine. As she learned about the real-life settings and people behind such fiction as 'IT' and 'Salem's Lot,' she arranged them into an online map and story she called 'Stephen King's Maine.' 'It was amateur hour, in a way,' she says. 'But after around 27,000 people visited the site one of my friends said to me, 'You should do something more with this.'' Published in 2024, the resulting book-length edition of 'Stephen King's Maine' is among hundreds released each year by The History Press. Now part of Arcadia Publishing, the 20-year-old imprint is dedicated to regional, statewide and locally focused works, found for sale in bookstores, museums, hotels and other tourist destinations. The mission of The History Press is to explore and unearth 'the story of America, one town or community at a time.' The King book stands out if only for its focus on an international celebrity. Most History Press releases arise out of more obscure passions and expertise, whether Michael C. Gabriele's 'The History of Diners in New Jersey,' Thomas Dresser's 'African Americans of Martha's Vineyard' or Clem C. Pellett's 'Murder on Montana's Hi-Line,' the author's probe into the fatal shooting of his grandfather. A home for history buffs Like Kitchens, History Press authors tend to be regional or local specialists — history lovers, academics, retirees and hobbyists. Kitchens' background includes writing movie press releases, blogging for the Portland Press Herald and contributing to the Huffington Post. Pellett is a onetime surgeon who was so compelled by his grandfather's murder that he switched careers and became a private investigator. In Boulder, Colorado, Nancy K. Williams is a self-described 'Western history writer' whose books include 'Buffalo Soldiers on the Colorado Frontier' and 'Haunted Hotels of Southern Colorado.' The History Press publishes highly specific works such as Jerry Harrington's tribute to a Pulitzer Prize-winning editor from the 1930s, 'Crusading Iowa Journalist Verne Marshall.' It also issues various series, notably 'Haunted' guides that publishing director Kate Jenkins calls a 'highly localized version' of the ghost story genre. History Press has long recruited potential authors through a team of field representatives, but now writers such as Kitchens are as likely to be brought to the publisher's attention through a national network of writers who have worked with it before. 'Our ideal author isn't someone with national reach,' Jenkins says, 'but someone who's a member of their community, whether that's an ethnic community or a local community, and is passionate about preserving that community's history. We're the partners who help make that history accessible to a wide audience.' The History Press is a prolific, low-cost operation. The books tend to be brief — under 200 pages — and illustrated with photos drawn from local archives or taken by the authors themselves. The print runs are small, and authors are usually paid through royalties from sales rather than advances up front. History Press books rarely are major hits, but they can still attract substantial attention for works tailored to specific areas, and they tend to keep selling over time. Editions selling 15,000 copies or more include 'Long-Ago Stories of the Eastern Cherokee,' by Lloyd Arneach, Alphonso Brown's 'A Gullah Guide to Charleston' and Gayle Soucek's 'Marshall Field's,' a tribute to the Chicago department store. The King guide, which has sold around 8,500 copies so far, received an unexpected lift — an endorsement by its subject, who was shown the book at Maine's Bridgton Books and posted an Instagram of himself giving it a thumbs-up. 'I was genuinely shocked in the best possible way,' Kitchens says, adding that she saw the book as a kind of thank-you note to King. 'Every choice I made while writing the book, I made with him in mind.' Getting the story right History Press authors say they like the chance to tell stories that they believe haven't been heard, or were told incorrectly. Rory O'Neill Schmitt is an Arizona-based researcher, lecturer and writer who feels her native New Orleans is often 'portrayed in way that feels false or highlights a touristy element,' like a 'caricature.' She has responded with such books as 'The Haunted Guide to New Orleans' and 'Kate Chopin in New Orleans.' Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Brianne Turczynski is a freelance writer and self-described 'perpetual seeker of the human condition' who lives outside of Detroit and has an acknowledged obsession with 'Poletown,' a Polish ethnic community uprooted and dismantled in the 1980s after General Motors decided to build a new plant there and successfully asserted eminent domain. In 2021, The History Press released Turczynski's 'Detroit's Lost Poletown: The Little Neighborhood That Touched a Nation.' 'All of the journalist work that followed the story seemed to lack a sense of closure for the people who suffered,' she said. 'So my book is a love letter to that community, an attempt for closure.' Kitchens has followed her King book with the story of an unsolved homicide, 'The Murder of Dorothy Milliken, Cold Case in Maine.' One of her early boosters, Michelle Souliere, is the owner of the Green Hand Bookstore in Portland and herself a History Press writer. A lifelong aficionado of Maine history, her publishing career, like Kitchens', began with an online posting. She had been maintaining a blog of local lore, 'Strange Maine,' when The History Press contacted her and suggested she expand her writing into a book. 'Strange Maine: True Tales from the Pine Tree State' was published in 2010. 'My blog had been going for about 4 years, and had grown from brief speculative and expressive posts to longer original research articles,' she wrote in an email. 'I often wonder how I did it at all — I wrote the book just as I was opening up the Green Hand Bookshop. Madness!!! Or a lot of coffee. Or both!!!'
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Freaky Foot Tours Expands to Tucson with New Downtown Tucson Haunted History Tour
Tuscon, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - January 27, 2025) - Freaky Foot Tours, Arizona's premier ghost tour company, is thrilled to announce its expansion into Tucson with the launch of the Downtown Tucson Haunted History Tour. This marks a major milestone for the locally-owned business, celebrated for its award-winning storytelling and unique blend of historical insight and paranormal intrigue. Freaky Foot Tours Tucson Guide "Monk" enchanting guests with stories of the Pima County Historic Courthouse's history as well as the spirits who still roam those halls after dark. Freaky Foot Tours, a beloved staple in Flagstaff for nearly a decade and voted Best Guided Tour Company in 2023 and 2024 in the Best of Flagstaff awards, has built a reputation for creating memorable, educational, and spine-tingling experiences. The company is now bringing its expertise to Tucson, offering a fresh perspective on the city's rich past and the spirits that may still linger. Exploring Tucson's Haunted and Historic Heart The Downtown Tucson Haunted History Tour immerses guests in the vibrant tapestry of Tucson's early days. While ghost stories are a highlight, participants will also gain a deep understanding of the city's cultural and historical roots. From the tales of early pioneers to the mysteries surrounding historic landmarks, the tour offers a captivating journey into the past. "Our mission has always been to connect people to the places they visit through compelling storytelling," said Nick Jones, Chief Ghost Officer of Freaky Foot Tours. "Tucson's history is rich, diverse, and full of fascinating stories that deserve to be shared. This expansion is an exciting opportunity for us to engage a new audience while preserving and celebrating the legacy of those who came before us." A Local Company with a Passion for Storytelling As a locally-owned and operated Arizona company, Freaky Foot Tours takes pride in showcasing the state's unique history and culture, even the marketing and merchandise are by an Arizona based artist Brigitte De Marco. The Tucson expansion underscores the company's commitment to enriching local communities by creating high-quality experiences that blend education, entertainment, and a touch of the supernatural. What Sets Freaky Foot Tours Apart Freaky Foot Tours stands out in the crowded ghost tour industry by focusing on authenticity and quality storytelling. Each tour is meticulously researched by co-owner and History Press author Susan Johnson to ensure historical accuracy while maintaining an engaging narrative. Guests leave not only entertained but also enlightened, with a newfound appreciation for the region's history. How To Book A Tour For those interested in learning more about this exciting new offering, visit the website for the Downtown Tucson Haunted History Tour. This expansion solidifies Freaky Foot Tours' reputation as Arizona's go-to provider for ghost tours, with a growing footprint that now includes Tucson and Flagstaff. Freaky Foot Tours 422 N Toole Ave Tucson, AZ 85701 Link to Google Map Freaky Foot Tours 212 W Aspen Ave Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Link to Google Map The Freaky Foot Tours Flagstaff Team After Conducting An Investigation Into The Hotel Weatherford. Flagstaff, AZ. Back Left "Steve Benning", Back Right "Susan Johnson", Center Left "Revel Lucien", Center Right "Michelle Le Fevre", and Front "Nick Jones" About Freaky Foot Tours Freaky Foot Tours is Arizona's leading haunted history and paranormal tour company, offering engaging and immersive experiences that combine historical storytelling with ghostly intrigue. Founded in Flagstaff nearly a decade ago, the locally-owned company has expanded to Tucson, bringing its award-winning tours to new audiences. Known for its meticulously researched narratives and exceptional guest experiences, Freaky Foot Tours connects participants to Arizona's rich cultural and historical heritage while delivering thrills and chills for all ages. For more information, visit Press Inquiries Freaky Foot Tourshttps:// Jonesinfo@ Foot Tours422 N Toole AveTucson, AZ85701 To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
