VHP SIGNS AUTHOR BRIAN NARANJO FOR HIS FIRST TWO NOVELS, CHILDISH THINGS AND THE TAMALE LIST
Vanilla Heart Publishing, a small, independent press based in
The 36-year-old author’s second novel, The Tamale List, will be publicly released April 5, and available shortly thereafter in bookstores and online through normal distribution channels worldwide.
Only a month later, they’ll re-release his inaugural effort, Childish Things. Naranjo originally published Childish Things in May 2006, and said it was well-received by those who read it. However, with almost no distribution and limited marketing, the work was under-represented and not widely promoted.
“This time will be different,” said Kimberlee Williams, Vanilla Heart’s managing editor.
“Brian’s books will be available through all the major book distributors worldwide and widely available online,” she explained. “Plus, our marketing department is targeting book stores all over the
Williams added that the quality of Naranjo’s products makes them an ‘easy sell’. “Brian has a unique, straight-forward approach to his writing. His style draws you into the story from Page 1, and you’re soon in the thick of the plot. I fell in love with his finely crafted characters in both books, am we are excited about having them both in our title lineup,” she said.
The Tamale List is a light-hearted but fictional look at a cul-de-sac in
“It’s not exactly social commentary, but I think anyone who’s ever been on either end of the ‘there goes the neighborhood’ line will be able to identify and laugh a little,” he said of The Tamale List, which he finished writing in Jan. 2007.
“Childish Things hits much closer to home,” Naranjo continued, “because it is based on my life growing up, and focuses on a young man out of high school, who’s coming to terms with a decision he made to join the Navy. The book starts on this character’s last night before boot camp. He gets together with his favorite cousin, and the two reflect on their childhood. There are a lot of crazy, goofy anecdotes, but the central theme is about living life to its fullest, and never giving up.”
Naranjo joined the U.S. Navy in 1990, and served on active duty for a total of nearly 10 years. Today, he works for the U.S. Army at
For the native Texan, just being a “real” author makes all the difference in the world, from the feeling of satisfaction he gained, to the level of service he’s enjoyed from the publisher. Through Vanilla Heart, Naranjo has worked daily with the company’s entire team, reviewing cover concepts, promotional giveaway items, and a wide range of copy and content editing. And the price is right, he added. “Well, they get paid when my books sell, so it’s a great incentive,” he said with a laugh. “Seriously, Vanilla Heart has been a real breath of fresh air, in every way.”
Naranjo said he’s excited at the opportunity to visit different bookstores and libraries to perform readings and do book signings. “I can’t wait to meet people, total strangers, who’ve read, or are going to read my books,” he said. “That’s when it will all stop feeling like a dream!”
For more information, including announcements about Mr. Naranjo’s books and updates, or to schedule an event, please contact Vanilla Heart Books and Authors or visit Brian Naranjo at http://www.briannaranjo.com.
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Contact Kimberlee Williams, Managing Editor
Vanilla Heart Publishing
(425) 609-4718