A column featuring process notes by poets.

Humor—dark, sharp, and often redemptive—permeates this irresistible collection of poems exploring womanhood, family and sexual relationships with the candor of a camera's eye 'blinking to capture one perfect shot.' Preeti Vangani cuts to the heart of each moment like a reporter on the beat; hers is a poetry of the unresolved present and the mercurial future tense. What an extraordinary mind is at work in these pages. —D A POWELL

In "A Crime Beyond Belief," Katia Savchuk delves into a bizarre true crime tale for The Atavist Magazine. A Harvard-trained lawyer was convicted of committing bizarre home invasions. Psychosis may have compelled him to do it. But in a case that became a public sensation, he wasn’t the only one who seemed to lose touch with reality.

The Wig Diaries is Mary Ladd’s debut irreverent cancer book. Delivered with bold gallows humor, it intimately address the gravity of cancer and invites the reader to bear witness to both the horror and the joke(s). · A uniquely fresh modern and black comedy take on cancer · Covers and pokes fun at everything from diagnosis to treatment to medical bills

Hon. Barbara Boxer, U.S. Senate (ret.) wrote about Treasure Hunt: "Protecting the environment has always been a priority for me so this wonderful story is very special. It shows how children can enjoy doing something to actually make a difference!"

An explanation of how gun rights proponents see the world.

A Berkeley progressive, an army reservist cop, their two kids, a bipartisan dog and how the Iraq War affects them all. Berkeley peace activist Sophia Raday never imagined she would fall in love with an Oakland police officer and major in the Army Reserve, much less marry one. Barrett is loving and loyal, but in his world a threat lies around every corner, and so he asks Sophia to stay in Condition Yellow always aware that her life may be in danger soon. Sophia’s heart-wrenching yet humorous narrative about coming to a new understanding of peace and partnership gives hope for healing the deep divisions in our country, from the front lines of a most unusual union.

With soul-baring solos, heartfelt duets, and a big, showstopping finale—this hilarious and joyous novel will make your heart sing. Quito Cruz might be a genius piano player and composer in New York City now but it doesn’t mean that he’s any closer to his Broadway dream. Although Quito knows what the problem is. Or rather who. Because ever since that night in college—with pretty-boy jock Emmett Aoki—his inspiration has been completely MIA . . . Now Quito’s dad wants him to put on a charity performance in his hometown. And there’s one hella big string attached: convince Emmett—now one of Hollywood’s hottest celebrities—to perform. It’s all shaping up to be the biggest musical fiasco of Quito’s life. Especially when Emmett agrees to attend, and Quito realizes that undeniable vibe between them is stronger than ever. Because there’s nothing simple about falling for a movie star . . . even when he’s pitch-perfect.

After the Satanic Panic faded in the United States, a similar panic surged in parts of the Middle East and Northern Africa, where many metalheads were arrested and interrogated. In other corners of the region, government and market forces have made it difficult for metal bands to perform or record their music. And yet, a rich network of metal subcultures is hanging on in places like Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Iran, South Africa and Botswana. In this collection of essays and articles, find out how moral panics, political unrest and civil wars have challenged metalheads to keep going, and why they’re so loyal to the music.

San Francisco’s Legion of Honor museum and Lincoln Park Golf Course sit atop the grave sites of thousands of immigrants and indigent people. Their stories—and some of their remains—are coming to the surface. Featured in Alta Magazine.

For readers of Outlawed, Piranesi, and The Night Tiger, a riveting, roaring adventure novel about a legendary Chinese pirate queen, her fight to save her fleet from the forces allied against them, and the dangerous price of power. When Shek Yeung sees a Portuguese sailor slay her husband, a feared pirate, she knows she must act swiftly or die. Instead of mourning, Shek Yeung launches a new plan: immediately marrying her husband’s second-in-command, and agreeing to bear him a son and heir, in order to retain power over her half of the fleet. But as Shek Yeung vies for control over the army she knows she was born to lead, larger threats loom. The Chinese Emperor has charged a brutal, crafty nobleman with ridding the South China Seas of pirates, and the Europeans-tired of losing ships, men, and money to Shek Yeung’s alliance-have new plans for the area. Even worse, Shek Yeung’s cutthroat retributions create problems all their own. As Shek Yeung navigates new motherhood and the crises of leadership, she must decide how long she is willing to fight, and at what price, or risk losing her fleet, her new family, and even her life.

The Poet’s Garage by Terry Tierney is a provocative poetry collection enriched by deep images that refuse to remain static. Poems begin with epiphany-esque imagery only to morph into something radically new.

Set in the Vietnam War era, Lucky Ride tells the story of a recent veteran, an unraveling marriage, and a hitchhiking trip steeped in hippie optimism, post-war skepticism, and drug-induced fantasy.

An eccentric funeral parlor director can’t help falling in love – again.

Long before Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly were inmates, 19 “subversive” men were incarcerated at the notorious prison. This is the story of the largest band of American Indians ever held on the Rock.

(New Press), Christopher D. Cook's first book, was widely acclaimed and went paperback.

A​laska's universal basic income program is beloved and effective. So why is its future at risk? Katia Savchuk takes a closer look in this award-winning feature for Mother Jones.

Across the Pacific, tattoos are etched into the culture. Finding meaning in your own ‘story on skin’ helps honor the tradition.