Eileen Myles’ latest book is Afterglow (a dog memoir) (Grove Press) in which Myles paints a kaleidoscopic portrait of her beloved confidant, a pit bull named Rosie. Starting with Rosie’s death, the book launches a heartfelt and fabulist investigation into the true nature of the bond between pet and pet-owner. Square Books’ Dear Reader declared, “Not your average dog book!” Indeed, Myles’ memoir delves into issues of intimacy and spirituality, celebrity and politics, alcoholism and recovery, fathers and family history, as well as the fantastical myths we spin to get to the heart of grief. Myles is the author of more than twenty books, including Chelsea Girls. She lives in Marfa, TX and New York City.

Daren Wang’s debut novel, The Hidden Light of Northern Fires (Thomas Dunne Books) tells a story of redemption amid the Civil War when families and the country were torn apart. The book centers around escaped slave Joe Bell and outspoken abolitionist, Mary Willis, who helps him. When Mary finds herself drawn to Bell in forbidden ways, her actions threaten to destroy her family, farm and all that she holds dear.

Songwriter Mark Edgar Stuart has released his second CD, Trinity My Dear (Madjack). A native of Arkansas, he is based in Memphis where for years he was the bass player for the Americana band, the Pawtuckets. The death of his father and his own bout with cancer in 2011 pushed Stuart into songwriting culminating in his first solo release in 2013, Blues for Lou, which earned “Record of the Year” honors from the Memphis Flyer. Stuart remains a sought-after producer and performer in the musically-rich Memphis area.

Texas native Crystal Yates’ most recent release is the EP The Other Side. In January 2014, along with her husband, multi-instrumentalist Will Yates, Yates won the Texaco Country Showdown (and its purse of $100,000) at the Ryman Auditorium for her original song, “Goodbye Letter.”  Her sound blends classic Willie/Waylon country with bold vocals from the Whitney Houston school. Her previous EPs include I Believe and Love Wins.