AKMARAL: Cover Reveal!
Why I love it, thanks to my author-supporters, and my first book launch event, coming in May 2024
Here’s a special edition of my newsletter because…. Drum roll, please!
Here’s Looking at AKMARAL for the Very First Time
I am so excited to show you the gorgeous cover of my novel AKMARAL, the story of a nomad woman warrior of the ancient Asian steppes who must make peace with making war, which launches in May 2024:
WHY I LOVE IT:
First, I think it beautifully articulates the mood and essence of the novel within. Trust me, with book covers, that’s rare!
Second, the flying deer image at the top is a critical symbol in the novel. It is taken directly from the left shoulder of the Pazyryk Ice Maiden mummy who is one of the key inspirations for my main character, Akmaral.
As a symbol of deep spiritual significance and the powerful connection between heaven and earth, the flying deer represents both Akmaral’s character and her journey. I love the mystical treatment of the deer. With the painterly fading, it looks like it truly is part of the “Pasture of Heaven” where all warriors of Akmaral’s people, the Sauromatae, are fated to travel at journey’s end.
Finally, I am breathless at seeing bestselling novelist Christina Baker Kline‘s praise on the cover. I cannot thank her enough for lending her support after reading AKMARAL while it was still in manuscript form. (I literally printed it out right here on my office printer, but made it look as much like a typeset galley as I could.) Her generosity is extraordinary! And she is not the only one. I received more wonderful, pre-pub praise from Cathy Marie Buchanan, Laurie Lico Albanese, Barbara Quick, and Stephanie Cowell. I couldn’t feel more supported as I send AKMARAL out into the world.
And I Booked My Book Launch!
Thanks to Millburn, NJ, librarian and fellow author, Jon Michaud, I have a date for my book launch. Put May 9, 2024 on your calendar at the Millburn Public Library where I’ll be in conversation with my dear friend, art historian Dorothy Berinstein Kelly. Live music will be provided by UMiami-Frost School of Music students led by my son, the talented Cooper Davis!
May is a long way off, but if you are looking for a fascinating read right now, check out Jon’s latest book, Last Call at Coogan’s: The Life and Death of a Neighborhood Bar, about a bar in Washington Heights, New York City, right around the corner from where my husband lived when we first started dating. Back then, the neighborhood was not for the faint of heart, and we loved it anyway. Ah, those good old, rough NYC days!
Thank you, everyone, for your support. And to my paid subscribers, you are ANGELS!
Forthcoming by Judith Lindbergh
AKMARAL: a nomad woman warrior on the ancient Asian steppes must make peace with making war - May 2024 from Regal House Publishing
“Fraught with conflict both internal and external. Thoroughly imagined and vividly described… Fans of Madeline Miller and Natalie Haynes will relish how Lindbergh weaves fact and fiction to craft a gripping saga, a love story, and a convincing portrait of a time and people lost to history.”
—Christina Baker Kline, #1 bestselling author of Orphan Train and The Exiles
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I am so looking forward to reading your new book!
I love the cover, Judith! It’s gorgeous- so evocative.