Blog
Announcing our latest acquisition: Royal and Ancient by Amanda Lauer
We at Chrism Press are pleased to announce our latest acquisition: Royal and Ancient from award-winning historical fiction and young adult author Amanda Lauer. About the Book: Bronwyn Campbell’s end-of-summer plans were simple: wrap up her job at Saint Andrews Country...
“Trallak Tree: A Noxxiin Lullaby,” an Original Song for the Release of Markmaker
Mary Jessica Woods writes: I am absolutely thrilled to reveal “Trallak Tree,” an original song written by myself and my extremely talented friend, Ethan Rogers. This collaboration was a blast, and I could not image a more fitting musical setting for my alien lullaby....
The “Far Things”: My Personal Take on Catholic Fiction
What are the “far things” O’Connor is talking about? It is the connection between close-up realism on Earth and a higher spiritual Truth.
Truth in the Flesh: Tattoos and Tradition in the World of Markmaker
When I first began writing Markmaker, I had nothing but a name and a premise: Mariikel Serix, an alien tattoo artist who had broken his oath to paint the truth. I didn’t know why he was an oathbreaker; I assumed he was involved in forgery or smuggling or some other criminal venture. But I didn’t know for certain. He wouldn’t tell me…
“The Tattoos He Reveres Are Not Always as Truthful as They Seem”: An interview with Mary Jessica Woods
Markmaker tells the story of Mariikel Serix, an alien tattoo artist living in a society where everyone’s life history is written on their skin. He is devoted to his craft, but after he is coerced into giving a mark of banishment to an innocent man, he realizes that the tattoos he reveres are not always as truthful as they seem. He has to grapple with this moral dilemma while facing increasing persecution from the Ascendance, a warmongering political faction that wants to use the ceremonial tattoos for its own ends…
Welcome to Our Newest Editor
Great news! We are delighted to welcome Dr. William Gonch to the Chrism Press editorial board. About Bill: William Gonch is a writer, editor, and teacher in New Jersey. A lifelong book-lover, he received his Ph.D. in English from the University of Maryland, College...
The Making of a Cover: Markmaker by Mary Jessica Woods
There are plenty of sci-fi stories about aliens. But there aren’t many novels about alien tattoo artists. The unique focus of Markmaker demanded an equally distinctive cover. This task combined the vision of the author, Mary Jessica Woods, with the...
Announcing Our latest Acquisition: The Good Death of Kate Montclair by Daniel McInerny
We at Chrism Press are pleased to announce our latest acquisition: The Good Death of Kate Montclair by Daniel McInerny. ABOUT THE BOOK Kate Montclair is dying. She has arrived at late middle age loveless, childless, and having failed to achieve the career...
Looking Ahead to 2022
After our highly successful publishing debut in 2021 that included the acclaimed historical romance debut of Rhonda Ortiz and the continuation of the illustrious Catholic Gothic tradition of Eleanor Bourg Nicholson, Chrism Press is thrilled to continue...
February 2022 Links Roundup
Updated 3/15/22. Chrism author Maya Sinha and Dr. Stuart Squires of the University of St. Thomas (Houston) discussed the themes of evil, relationships, isolation, fragmentation, and enchantment in The City Mother. Click here to listen. ...
Introducing 60 Second Reviews with Chrism Press
We have a new video series! 60 Second Reviews with Chrism Press is exactly what it sounds like: book reviews and recommendations from Chrism Press authors and editors, in 60 seconds or less. Eleanor Bourg Nicholson was our lead-off hitter with this review of the...
Announcing our Latest Acquisition: the Martha and Marya Series by Emily Hanlon
Chrism Press is pleased to announce its latest acquisition: the Martha and Marya mystery series by Emily Hanlon. About the first book, Who Am I to Judge? Martha, efficient and ever busy, loves everything about volunteering at her parish—except for the annoying...