Indie Autumn

Hello, and welcome, to a new segment here on The Backlist Book. Indie Autumn is for the championing of independent authors and books published via small/independent presses. Today I'm going to share with you some of my personal favorite books that fit the bill. Let the screeching (affectionate) commence!

First up is Our Bloody Pearl by D. N. Bryn. 

This atmospheric take on the lore of sirens is absolutely worth the plunge. First published in 2018, Bryn weaves a masterful tale of drama, forced confinement, unlikely partnership, and high stakes rescue. Our protagonist is Perle, a siren captured by a lady pirate who has figured out how to neutralize their song. With their greatest weapon useless all seems lost until a chance for escape presents itself, in the form of another pirate...But is he really their chance to escape, or just another type of cage?

you can see my original review here.

The above book was originally published through The Kraken Collective.

Next we have I Am a Feminist: Claiming the F-Word in Turbulent Times by Monique Polak. 

This books serves as an excellent jumping off point for exploring feminism, what it is, and what it isn't. Within you will find a brief primer on the waves of feminism, and why now more than ever we need to reclaim this term from the jaws of fascism, and incels. While the latter two topics are not directly discussed within, this book is all about why we need to stand tall and proud in our acceptance of others. Further reading is encouraged to gain a more rounded understanding of such a weighty, and relevant, topic.

See my original review here.

This book  was published by Orca Books. Orca is an independent Canadian Press.

And finally, we have Cinderella's Dress by Shonna Slayton.

Set in 1944 in New York City, the story centers Kate, a department store employee, and, if her mother gets her way, an actress. One day Kate's aunt, and some relatives from Poland arrive suddenly. With them is a mysterious steamer trunk, seemingly full of heirlooms. The aunt seeks to convince Kate that she has a sacred duty to protect the contents of the trunk at all costs for they once belonged to the woman who inspired Cinderella. Kate must race against time and disease to get to the truth of the matter. 

See my original review here.

This book was independently published by the author under the name Amaretto Press via Smashwords.