John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

About John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Providing exceptional writing, editing and publishing services to hundreds of international clients, ranging from nutritional copywriting and long-form ghostwriting to substantive editing, assessment/analysis of academic texts and structural/content editing for bestselling novels.

Review: Dutch Preacher Boy by Tuna Fisch

Dutch Preacher Boy by Tuna Fisch

From the life of an immigrant in Western Michigan to the overwhelming allure of Los Angeles and the sweat-soaked streets of Latin America, Dutch Preacher Boy: Coming of Age in Grand Rapids, Taking Wing Beyond* by Tuna Fisch is an unpredictable and deeply compelling memoir.

The author’s unforgettable childhood in the beauty of Holland and his exciting journey to the “New World” sets the tone for the story, summoned by a razor-sharp memory and the ability to paint rich and immersive scenes, even from five decades ago. His sense of childlike wonder and excitement is everywhere in the prose, which […]

2022-02-14T04:39:17+02:00January 3rd, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Pricking Balloons by James C. MacDonald

Pricking Balloons by James C. MacDonald A mournful and musing collection of poetry in every form, Pricking Balloons by James C. MacDonald is both existential and immediate, dissecting a myriad of events, ideas, and feelings through his unique lens.

Divided into four sections titled with names of cities, some poems do feel tied to locations, but many others are biblical, philosophical, familial, and nonspecific. The New Orleans pieces feel like poetic questions, touching on sacred words and secret messages, ideals, and beliefs, but there are also intimate snapshot poems of tragedy and change, such as “The Little Girl in the Canal Street Mall” and “Crescent City […]

2022-01-04T11:01:24+02:00January 2nd, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

Ask Uncle Neil: Why Is My Hair Curly? by Neil Thompson

Ask Uncle Neil: Why Is My Hair Curly? by Neil Thompson

An educational, relatable, and encouraging children’s book, Ask Uncle Neil: Why Is My Hair Curly? by Neil Thompson is a vital read for any child striving to better understand their identity. Exploring some of the possible reasons why those of African descent have curlier hair, this vivid and informative book also touches on the scientific process and self-confidence, in addition to splashes of lighthearted humor. Though some of the prose is overly wordy for a children’s book, the core message is strong and empowering for young readers, and will spur discussion with parents.

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2022-01-04T04:58:44+02:00January 1st, 2022|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Snowlands: A Blood Moon by Morr Meroz, Illustrated by Collin Fogel

Snowlands by Morr Meroz

Author Morr Meroz and illustrator Collin Fogel have summoned a beautifully stunning world with their immersive graphic novel Snowlands: A Blood Moon.

Feba the snow-white wolf cub is forced to flee her pack to avoid a curse – or a death sentence – launching her on the journey of a lifetime, as she crosses paths with many other creatures wandering in the wild, some who are keen to join her adventure, and others who aren’t so sure. Gathering allies and making friends along the way, like Batu the monosyllabic wildcat, Usha the grief-stricken leopard seeking the Seeress, a pacifistic […]

Proud in Her Hijab by Zinet Kemal

Proud in Her Hijab by Zinet Kemal

Author Zinet Kemal delves into a cross-cultural teaching moment for school-age kids with her new book Proud in Her Hijab, a relatable tale of pride and identity. After overhearing her fellow students making jokes about what was hiding beneath her hijab, Iman returns to her family in tears. However, an enlightening lesson from the women in her family send her back to school with renewed pride in her culture and faith, for a timely tale of open communication. The summary of themes at the end of the book is a good review for younger readers, and offers a chance […]

2022-01-04T11:31:50+02:00December 31st, 2021|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Heaven or Hell? by Samuel Ludke

Heaven or Hell? by Samuel Ludke

A thought-provoking work of visionary fiction, Heaven or Hell? by Samuel Ludke takes readers into a literary purgatory where a man must make heartbreaking choices. A Civil War soldier fleeing the violence of war finds himself at death’s door, and the door of a mysterious church, where his eternal fate can finally be decided. In this extended and philosophical metaphor, the author plays delicately with the ideas of death, memory, responsibility, and redemption, while also creating an engaging narrative that rarely feels preachy. Some scenes and ideas are compressed or rushed, and could be expanded beyond a novella, but this […]

2022-01-03T07:05:38+02:00December 31st, 2021|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Binge by Anne Pfeffer

Binge by Anne Pfeffer

Impossible standards of beauty and the cruel nature of society are boldly exposed in Binge by Anne Pfeffer, a powerful story about self-image, expectation, and the wounds we ultimately inflict on ourselves. When an aspiring writer is given her long-awaited break, the joy of publication is overshadowed by stress at how the world will see her imperfect and snack-loving self, as opposed to the glamorous characters of her novel. Addressing the patriarchal challenges and overlooked anxieties faced by women around the world, this clever and quippy book initially comes off as light reading, but also deftly critiques dark truths of […]

2021-12-31T15:27:21+02:00December 28th, 2021|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Exalted Infidel by David Colin

Exalted Infidel by David Colin

An insightful and challenging piece of exploratory prose, Exalted Infidel by David Colin explores the complexity of mankind through naturalistic observation. Celebrating and dissecting the diverse range of culture, religion, and beliefs across a swath of African nations, this epically penned road novella takes readers on an eye-opening philosophical journey. Though the content is rich with experience and research, the execution occasionally feels rushed, while the language is sometimes overly academic. The prose is engrossing overall, but can be weighed down by creative syntax, a plethora of adverbs, and some convoluted descriptions that aim to elevate the tone at the […]

2021-12-28T09:26:08+02:00December 23rd, 2021|Categories: Editorial Reviews|
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