Literary Scene

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

With great regularity, I’m asked a couple of specific questions about this column. Instead of me responding to each via email again and again, let me address them here.

How do I get my book reviewed in Sarasota Scene’s “Literary Scene” column? You (or your publisher/agent/publicist) should send one (1) copy of your new or forthcoming book to: 

Ryan Van Cleave
C/O Sarasota Scene Magazine
443 John Ringling Boulevard, Suite F
Sarasota, FL 34236

Can I send you a book of mine from way back when? No. Our focus is on new or forthcoming titles.

What about self-published books? If they’re as well-written AND as well made as anything you find at Barnes & Noble or Bookstore1? And it’s a new or forthcoming title? Sure.

What type of books do you want to receive? Only books that have a Sarasota/Manatee county connection (via subject matter, author connection, or author tour) are considered for inclusion in the “Literary Scene” column. In rare cases, having a clear connection to the state of Florida might suffice.

What genres/types? I’ve covered mysteries, thrillers, histories, picture books, middle grade, young adult, business books, retirement books, health and wellness titles, and more. In short, if the book is well-written and I think readers of Sarasota Scene might like it, it’s going to be strongly considered.

Should I follow up once my book has been sent to you? Preferably not. I’m inundated with “Did you get my book?” and “Are you using my book?” emails/notes. My preference is to spend my time reading the books, writing the reviews, and writing other Sarasota Scene pieces (like my humor column or “Education Matters”) versus answering those questions.

What makes you choose one book over another? Quality. I realize that’s not super helpful, so let me offer this. I respond well to:

Books that have heart.
Books that resonate.
Books that are skillfully written.
Books that matter.

In short, a book that doesn’t in some way excite me—or my reader friends, or my Ringling College students, or my wife, or my writer pals, or my own family—is unlikely to be included.

How many books do you cover per year? On average, I cover 3 per issue, so 36 books per year. This means that 75% or more of the books that are sent to me will NOT be included in “Literary Scene,” and that (sadly) has included books written by my friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Sorry about that!

For those of you who care about such things—unused books are typically:

• donated to area schools, churches, and youth reading programs
• used in classes at Ringling College such as “Introduction to the Profession of Creative Writing,” “Topics in Editing and Publishing,” or “Writing for Young Adults” 
• shared with/given to students.
  

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Evangeline of the Bayou
by Jan Eldredge

Jan Eldrege’s debut novel, Evangeline of the Bayou is the spooky tale of Evangeline Clement, a 12-year-old haunt huntress-in-training (a swamp witch) who comes from a long line of Louisiana women who rid the world of supernatural menaces. Guided by Gran and empowered by “her mama’s silver haunt huntress talisman hanging beneath her T-shirt,” Evangeline is eager to prove herself. If she doesn’t by age 13, though, the Council will declare her a middling—a person with no magic powers. For Evangeline, that’s a fate far worse than facing a bayou banshee alone.

When Gran is summoned to the big city of New Orleans during Mardi Gras to take on a powerful adversary, Evangeline sees her chance to earn her birthright and save Gran, too.

Evangeline’s grit and pluck make her an extremely likable character. And the well-wrought environments of the bayou and New Orleans feel fresh and luscious, too. This story of self-discovery is a wonderful, memorable read. Highly recommended.

Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5
www.janeldredge.com

The Rhino in Right Field
by Stacy DeKeyser

Stacy DeKeyser is the accomplished writer of books for young readers such as The Brixen Witch, One Witch at a Time, and Jump the Cracks. Her latest, a historical fiction tale titled The Rhino in Right Field, has a far more robust sense of humor than her other books while still deftly tackling themes/issues reader will appreciate, such as kid rivalries and the age-old parents vs. kids dynamic.

Set in the Midwest in the late 1940s, this novel follows the story of Nick Spirakis, a 12-year-old kid who’s on a first-name basis with a 2,580-pound rhino named Tank. This rhino—a Diceros bicornis, we learn—lives in the city zoo, just beyond the fence where Nick plays right field. Maybe “plays” is the wrong word. As Nick admits: “To be perfectly honest, I couldn’t catch a fly ball to save my life.” 

The story starts with the kids’ last baseball flying into Tank’s pen and Nick’s buddies encouraging him to fetch it. Oh boy.

The larger story here is that Nick and his baseball pals have a dream—to win the batboy-for-a-day contest offered by the city’s minor league baseball team. But Nick has to cook up plenty of lies to get free from his immigrant father’s grasp so he can take his shot to win the prize. As expected, zany adventures and mayhem are quick to follow.

Nick’s first-person conversational voice works well and the chapters are short enough to keep things zipping along. Whether you’re a baseball fan or not, this sweet story has a lot to offer. 

Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 
www.stacydekeyser.com