Posted on Friday, May 22, 2020
Dr. Patricia Marchesi, Assistant Professor of English, has received a publishing offer from Bedazzled Ink Publishing, a small press firm in California, for her novel, “Florissant.” The company is dedicated to literary fiction, nonfiction and children’s books that celebrate the unique and under-represented voices of women and books about women.
“I’m thrilled that they were interested in my book for their young adult imprint,” Dr. Marchesi said.
Earlier in the year, she was awarded the grand prize for unpublished fiction in the 2019 Eyelands Book Awards for “Florissant.” The competition is sponsored by Eyelands Literary Magazine and Strange Day Books, based in Greece.
“Because I won the Eyelands award, the novel also will be translated into Greek and published by Strange Day Books,” she said.
“Florissant” is Dr. Marchesi’s first venture into the young adult fantasy genre. She wrote two self-published science fiction novels for middle-grade readers. “Shelby & Shauna Kitt and the Dimensional Holes” and “Shelby & Shauna Kitt and the Alterax Buttons” have won Children’s Literary Classics gold awards.
Dr. Marchesi specializes in Shakespeare and Renaissance drama, and that interest inspired “Florissant.”
“It’s a young adult fantasy novel,” she said. “Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ serves as the backdrop, and the story takes place in an imaginary old-growth forest inspired by the forests of Georgia.”
According to the author, the story follows Wynd, 15, who doesn’t know she’s a fairy. She longs to fly, to be free, to disappear. Problem is, she cares too much about her 10-year-old sister to leave her behind. Sylva would never make it in the foster care system on her own. She thinks she’s a tree. And no one believes her but Wynd.
When Sylva becomes deathly ill, it's up to Wynd to save her sister and take her back home to Florissant, an enchanted forest with a boarding school for orphaned fairies. Yet little does Wynd know that coming home is only the beginning of a great – and dangerous – adventure, one that will force her to face her deepest fears in order to save the fairy realm.
Dr. Marchesi said she isn’t sure of a release date, although the publisher’s website said the book is coming in October.
There are only a few days left to sign up for summer classes. Sessions begin Wednesday. To sign up, email registrar@lagrange.edu or call 706-880-8924.
Don’t forget Homecoming 2020 is scheduled for Oct. 16- 18. This year will feature commencement exercises for the Class of 2020 at 9 a.m. Oct. 17.
This will be the last weekly @lagrange for the academic year. We will go to a monthly edition and will return in August. Have a great summer, everyone.
Women’s Basketball
Coach Jasen Jonus announced year-end team awards. Those honored were Jahpera McEchin, Panther Award (Most Valuable Player); Jada Strickland, Dedication Award; and Haylee Reeves, Academic Award.
In case you missed it, our incredibly talented music students and faculty pulled off an amazing (virtual) rendition of "Lean on Me" for this year's Baccalaureate service. Enjoy! #LCPantherProud #ClassOf2020
2 – Felecia Moore
5 – William Yin
9 – James Blackwood
14 – Trevor Wenners
16 – Leonora Dismukes Evans
Justin Thurman
19 – Susan Laforet
21 – Fred Wagenaar
22 – Trinity Hightower
24 – Christi Hu
28 – Laine Scott
New Troup coach excited for challenge – LaGrange Daily News, May 16, 2020
Volleyball teams have new coaches – LaGrange Daily News, May 14, 2020
Category: College, Academics, Faculty, Arts and Culture
Keywords: novel English Marchesi
