Branch Hill Publications Book Catalogue
– March 2015

  


JUST RELEASED: 
               
FATIZEN 24602, by Philip C Barragan with artwork by Mason Arrigo is a fast paced, engaging debut novel. While offering a thrilling narritive weaved with action, this book is also subversive by tackling the topic of weight / body shaming in America.

 In a dystopian America of the not-too-distant future, the Office of Size Compliance (OSC) claims there is a national food shortage and Congress has enacted the Endomorphic Laws in its war on obesity. It is now a crime for citizens to have  Body Mass Indices of 30 or more. Fast food, eating in public restaurants, contraband back-alley breads, butter and meats, and fried chicken and desserts are felonies for the obese, and pre-programmed grocery carts direct oversized shoppers to spend their grocery allotments on federally-sanctioned foods produced by the OSC.  'Fatizen' felons are imprisoned in Calorie Camps or sent to Psychogenic Re-Integration -- or worse -- while families are torn apart, and parents sell their children with the 'deviant condition' of obesity. 

This debut novel declares that 'Fat is not a four-letter word' in a big way. The fast-paced plot is action-packed and driven by its unforgettable characters.  By turns poignant and graphic, this is a story that is unnervingly close to home even today.  Secret, grisly technology drives the world of the OSC as the fatizens' rebel underground works to contain the worst of the Dietary Guard Patrol.

Author Philip C Barragan takes us full-tilt into a profound civil rights issue, and, of necessity, the subject matter, violence and language have sharp edges and may be uncomfortable for some readers.  But that's the point.  Barragan's searing, thought-provoking dialogue and Mason Arrigo's complex and arresting illustrations together serve up a warning about tolerance and acceptance: the future is not all that far away.  'Fatizen' Delilah Palladino has found a secure channel to impart an important message, and the time to pay attention is now.

http://smile.amazon.com/Fatizen-24602-Philip-Charles-Barragan/dp/0692378294/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426084136&sr=8-1&keywords=FATIZEN+24602

Song of the Earth, by C. Susan Nunn, Nunn is a remarkable debut novel.  Fifteen years in the making, this story is surprisingly timely and relevant. Immigrant and border issues are all over the news, especially now that tens of thousands of children and young people are crossing into the US in search of their families.  

Join journalist Jessie, ATF agent Clay, and the Mixtecan People of the Rain on a life-changing journey that both brings us up short with the harsh realities of the desert crossings, drugs, and gunrunning operations, and emulates the lyrical rhythms of the ancient Mesoamerican language and way of life.  Song of the Earth is an intimate and passionate story that encourages us to get off our shelves of indifference and political concerns, to dig deep into the earth, to listen to and learn from her voice and cycles on behalf of all who share this  world.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=song+of+the+earth%2C+c.+susan+nunn&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asong+of+the+earth%5Cc+c.+susan+nunn

Or at Barnes and Noble at: 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/song-of-the-earth-c-susan-nunn/1119975596?ean=9780692235102

 A portion of the author’s proceeds, and all of Branch Hill’s, will help fund ministries that support immigrants, migrants, and refugees on both sides of the border.
 
Also now available on Kindle: Song of the Blessing Trees, by  Eugenie Rounds Rayner.  Literary  novel about environmental stewardship, with metaphysical  overtones.

http://www.amazon.com/Song-Blessing-Trees-Eugenie-Rayner-ebook/dp/B00M1X3UVA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1406206126&sr=1-1&keywords=song+of+the+blessing+trees%2C+eugenie+rayner
 
In addition to celebrating Sue Nunn’s  and Genie’s accomplishments, we want to acclaim the other authors with whom we’ve had the privilege to work.  Their books follow below.  It’s hard to believe that we have published so many authors in the short four years we have been Branch Hill.  Each one of  these books deserves a place in your library!
 
Stand on Your Own Two Feet: by Patrick Horner.  This memoir is an honest and soul-searching journey through the author’s shadows of fear and inadequacy to the judicial bench and even the pulpit.
 
Dry Branch Hollow and Other Stories: by Phibby Venable. Nominated in fiction for the 17th annual Virginia Library Awards.
 
Crystal  Promise – The Shattered Crystal/Book One: by James Funfer. Award-winning young adult urban fantasy.
 
Feltboard  Revival: by Chris Wolfe. Poetry collection.
 
Continuing  Evolution of a Conceptual God: by Jim Vires. Essays/Memoir.
 
God’s I AM in You: by Phyllis C. Rayner and Eugenie R. Rayner. Pastoral theology/Spirituality.

Golden Years and Pigs’ Ears: The Wisdom of Granmo and Ma Bell: by Ellen L.  Riley.  Memoir/Humor.
 
The  Wind is My Wine: by Phibby Venable.  Poetry  collection.

All books above are available on Amazon.com and Kindle.  
 
IN THE PIPELINE:
                 
We are reading two novel manuscripts, an essay collection by Patrick  Horner, and more border stories (both fiction and non-fiction) from Sue  Nunn.
 
IN DEVELOPMENT:
                 
A duet of poetry and prose by E. R. Rayner and renowned poet Phibby  Venable that reflects on their experiences as caregivers for – and pays tribute
to – loved ones with Alzheimer’s Disease and  dementia.