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Rewilding
At its heart, Rewilding is a tender, poignant middle grade novel about twelve-year-old Joy, who finds herself juggling way more than any kid should. While taking care of her younger brother Ian and hiding their struggling home life from nosy adults, Joy stumbles into something unexpectedly healing: nature. Between dodging Child Protective Services and trying to keep her family from falling apart, she begins to rewild a neglected yard and, in the process, slowly begins to rewild herself.
Joy’s narration is painfully real, funny in all the right ways, and completely heartbreaking when it needs to be. Right from chapter one, when she eavesdrops on a conversation between the school counselor and her brother, we’re dropped into a world where Joy is already carrying the emotional weight of an adult. “Big clumsy Joy strikes again,” she says after barging into Bertie’s office, and that moment hits like a brick. She’s trying so hard to hold things together that you want to jump into the story and tell her she doesn’t have to. But that’s the thing, she does have to. No one else will.
The themes Gerlits weaves through the story of neglect, gaslighting, mental illness, and body image are handled with honesty and subtlety, but they never weigh the book down. Joy’s relationship with her own body, for instance, is explored quietly and compassionately. She’s constantly aware of her size, of how her clothes don’t fit right anymore, of how people react to her strength. And then comes the moment when Joy discovers a baby bird in the woodpile and makes the quiet but profound decision to care for it. The scene is deeply moving. When she gently says, “You trust me,” to the fragile creature in her hands, it becomes a powerful symbol of her own longing to be trusted, needed, and capable. For a brief instant, everything else in the story seems to pause around that simple, tender exchange.
But what I loved most was the metaphor of rewilding. Not just the literal ecosystem restoration Joy does in the ARK yard, but the way she’s unknowingly restoring herself. Her home life is rough. Her mom is barely functioning, her dad is unreliable, and her little brother is too young to understand the danger they’re in. Yet Joy never gives up. She mows the lawn, feeds her brother, protects her mom’s dignity, and tries (with mixed results) to raise a bird. The passage in which Joy resolves to clean up the yard to prevent others from suspecting neglect is among the most emotionally wrenching in the novel. It reveals a fierce, protective love intertwined with a desperate desire to maintain control over an unraveling situation. The moment is rendered with striking authenticity and emotional depth.
Rewilding isn’t just a story for kids. It’s for anyone who’s ever tried to make the best of a messy situation. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt unseen or overwhelmed or not strong enough, only to discover they are. I’d recommend this book to middle grade readers who like realistic stories with heart, but also to adults who remember what it was like to be young and scared and brave all at once. This book doesn’t shy away from hard truths, but it also offers hope in the shape of a baby bird, a patch of wildflowers, and a girl who learns she really does know her own strength.
Pages: 288 | ASIN : B0DZCJYQHW
An Incredible Collaboration
Ghosts: The People That Melt in the Rain #2 plunges Laura into the haunting town of Deluge, where emotional power unlocks eerie mysteries, and reality bends under the weight of the strange. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Years ago, I lived in New York and one summer as I pushed my toddler on the swing in our front yard, a fast-moving thunderstorm suddenly clouded the sky and began to spit rain down upon us. I quickly scooped up my daughter, and as I was rushing her inside the house a title flashed in my mind, The People That Melt in the Rain. It was a shocking moment of inspiration. That afternoon I sat playing with my daughter, staring out at the pouring rain and pondering a cursed town with residents that actually melted in the rain.
Obviously, I had to approach the story with a “stranger comes to town” plot and that is how I began book one, with Laura’s move to Deluge. This book Ghosts reveals more of the mysteries of the town and starts to present Mrs W. as a possible antagonist. I wanted to create a magic realism throughout all the books, and with the help of my husband, Mike Dubisch, we have definitely managed that in this series. He draws these comics and has had a great deal of input on the plot and characters as we go on through the story. I help with layouts and coloring the comics, so it’s become an incredible collaboration.
Laura’s tears play a pivotal role in this volume. What do they symbolize for you?
The term “crocodile tears” comes from the fact that when crocodiles eat, they cry. Why? Why do they shed so, so many tears? Why are these reptiles bawling when they consume their prey? No one knows why but it plagues me, as if they regret their need to hunt and kill.
Tears are more than water. They have hormones and chemicals and serve us quite well. They communicate emotions, clean our eyes from irritants, and help us process and understand our experiences. They are magic in a lot of ways.
In this story Laura’s tears are of loss (her own loss of her home and friends) and of empathy for Huya’s loss and imprisonment. These are powerful emotions and emotions have a profound effect on everything in our lives. This story is a classic “Chosen One” tale, so of course Laura’s tears pack an even more powerful punch.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
A sense of feeling stuck or trapped is woven throughout all the books in this series. What I really wanted to convey is a sense of learning to navigate an impossible situation, conquering challenges, and ultimately of Laura and many of the characters becoming very resilient.
Themes of friendship, courage, and mystery are at the very heart of this story.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book in this series is called Rain and it just came out in the last few weeks. It’s already been getting great reviews! The People That Melt in the Rain has an every 8 months publication schedule and Mike and I are currently working on the art for book six.
As an author/illustrator team, we also have a children’s book coming out for the next Christmas season called Crow’s Christmas Star, which is funny and sweet and I hope people will consider it for the child in their life this Christmas.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
Social Isolation
Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest follows a 12-year-old warlock and his twin as they try to uncover the mystery of their origins and the powerful forces that seek control over them. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I started writing the Dylan Dover series during the Covid pandemic, when the province that I live in (Ontario, Canada) was under a complete lockdown. At that time, my son named Dylan (no coincidence!) was 12 years old and like so many other young people, he was suffering from the effects of social isolation. He turned to books as an escape mechanism and I wrote the first two books of the series (Dylan Dover: Into the Vortex and Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest) as a creative outlet for the both of us during this very challenging time. My son and I would spend hours discussing characters and plot twists, and then I would turn those ideas into written words which he would then read and critique. When you consider how the pandemic completely interrupted our regular lives, and the feelings of vulnerability and the lack of control that many of us experienced during that time, I think that those emotions were strongly at play in the writing of these first two novels in the series. Dylan, and his brothers Remy and Seth (later joined by their missing sister, Siri), are all trying to be controlled by evil forces but together, they find ways to increase their powers and to face adversity. During a time when our world was in chaos, the Dylan Dover immortal universe was born!
Do you have a favorite character in this novel? One that was especially fun to write for?
The character Dylan is my favourite character to write for because the voice in my head, is that of my youngest son, Dylan. I like to tell people that the character of Dylan Dover is based entirely on my son, except of course for the fact that my son has no magical powers and is not part of a secret prophecy! As my son aged and went through various challenges in his real life, those situations were mirrored in the novels. Discovering who you are and where you fit into the world, what your goals and values are, how you want to be perceived by others, how you deal with setbacks – these are all aspects of growing up in the real world and in the Dylan Dover series. I also found it both fun and challenging to make the voices distinct for all four of the siblings. I wanted them each to have very unique personalities, strengthens and weaknesses as individuals because even though they must learn to trust each other and work together to maximize their powers, they are each special in their own ways.
Did you create an outline for the characters in the story before you started writing, or did the characters’ personalities grow organically as you were writing?
I did not have any outline created before or during the writing process. My son and I would discuss ideas and I would then write a chapter based on what we had talked about. The characters, plot lines and settings all developed organically during the writing process. The more I wrote, the more alive the characters became in my head. The character of Dylan was based on my own son, so that character was easier for me to imagine in my head, and the development of Dylan Dover through the series in many respects mirrored the development of my son. My experiences as a mother of three children and as a high school teacher for over twenty years, helped me to find the voices and evolve the characters as the writing progressed. Having my son critique each chapter as it was created also was a huge help. If I wrote something that seemed disingenuous, he wouldn’t hesitate to tell me!
Can fans get a peek inside the next installment in this series? When can readers expect to see it released?
Book 3 in the series is called Dylan Dover: Players of the Prophecy. I hope it will be published in early 2026. It is currently in the advanced editing stages. Here is a brief synopsis:
In Dylan Dover: Players of the Prophecy, the siblings are convinced that the ancient prophecy is on the verge of being realized. They must further develop their powers and learn to work together if they have any chance of successfully thwarting Baltazar’s evil plans to seize the siblings’ powers for himself before killing them, destroying the immortal world and then dominating all humans and supernatural beings for his own pleasure. The siblings discover amazing new talents when they combine their magic, including their ability to time travel, but they are still so young. Will they make the right decisions, and will their powers be enough to subdue this threat and save their immortal home?
The siblings are not alone in their quest, and there are other allies working to help them in unexpected ways. And of course, there is Thea. As she discovers her genetic lineage which biologically links her to Cius, the vampire with the gift of foresight, she learns that she too shares the ability to see future events before they occur. But some of Thea’s visions are frightening and show her playing a direct role in the destruction of her friends. Thea tries desperately to remove herself from the future combat which she sees will result in the death of Dylan, but can she control her own destiny, or is her vision unalterable despite all of her efforts?
In a climactic ending, a monumental battle pits the malevolent Baltazar against the siblings. This final encounter brings the ancient prophecy to its end… or does it?
Author Links: Into the Vortex | Orion’s Quest | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Amazon
Dylan, Remy, and Seth (identical warlock brothers), Thea (a wizard), Halle and Oliver (shapeshifters) and Via (a fireball) are hiding out in the forest near Dylan’s human home, using magic to hide their location. They are on the run from the immortal Ministry and an evil vampire named Baltazar. Their goal: find their missing sister Siri to complete an ancient prophecy of four siblings who will change the course of history for magical and non-magical creatures alike.
New characters are introduced as they travel the world to find Siri. Dylan’s entourage is assisted in their quest by earthly and immortal beings, including the Greek God Orion. The story is a whirlwind that takes the action from New York City, to Mexico, Bhutan and Alaska.
Delilah Versus The Ghastly Grim
Delilah Versus the Ghastly Grim follows a twelve-year-old girl who, after a life-threatening seizure, finds herself in a strange new world. There, she must uncover her hidden powers and confront a formidable enemy, all while searching for a way home. But her journey is more than just a quest for survival, it’s a path toward self-discovery, courage, and destiny.
Delilah is no ordinary pre-teen. Though her abilities begin to stir quietly, they grow stronger just in time for a battle unlike any she could have imagined. Her adversary, The Ghastly Grim, is a dark, power-hungry force that rebels against the mysterious Kangaroo Council and ventures deep into the forbidding realm of Cora Larn. Within Othersphere, the Grim unleashes a shadowy entity known only as the Sorcerer Dread. Mist takes form. Shadows move. And the fate of more than one world hangs in the balance.
T.L. McCoy’s Delilah vs. the Ghastly Grim is a spirited entry into the young adult fantasy genre, calling to mind the strange charm of Neil Gaiman and the eerie wonder of Ray Bradbury. But make no mistake, McCoy’s voice is her own, and it’s distinct.
At first glance, Delilah might seem like any other pre-teen. That illusion fades fast. Her transformation begins with a subtle unease, triggered by the arrival of a peculiar figure: Mr. Peabody. One moment, she’s in class; the next, she’s swept away to the Garden of the In-Between. From that point forward, reality bends.
The world McCoy crafts is a kaleidoscope of strangeness that is lush, offbeat, and endlessly surprising. Every new character and creature is a delight to encounter, yet beneath the whimsy lies purpose. Delilah navigates this unfamiliar terrain with a blend of grit and grace. Like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole, she embraces the bizarre with refreshing speed, an asset in a land where logic sleeps and imagination reigns.
Danger, though present, is carefully modulated. McCoy tempers the menace, ensuring the tone remains accessible for younger readers. The emphasis lies more on adventure, wonder, and the quirky pleasures of exploration than on terror. This choice roots the novel firmly within its intended audience: young adults hungry for magic and mischief, not nightmares.
Still, the stakes feel real. That’s largely thanks to Delilah herself, a winsome heroine full of curiosity, courage, and heart. Surrounding her is a colorful cast of supporting characters who bring not only flair but emotional weight. Together, they help elevate the story from a lighthearted romp to something richer.
Delilah vs. the Ghastly Grim is fast-paced, brimming with imagination, and anchored by a protagonist you can’t help but root for. It’s a charming blend of humor, peril, and wonder, an enchanting tale that promises to delight its target audience and beyond.
Ghosts: The People That Melt in The Rain #2
Poor Laura, she has no choice but to accept her new life in the mysterious town of Deluge, where she now lives with her mother. In Ghosts: The People That Melt in the Rain #2, author Carolyn Watson-Dubisch throws Laura into a world where the strange becomes the everyday. From the moment she arrives, uncanny things begin to unfold. A neighborhood cat vanishes, yet its muddy paw prints persist. A woman trapped within a painting at the local library suddenly pleads for Laura’s help. The girl, overwhelmed by emotion, begins to cry, and with those tears, everything changes. What follows is a sharp twist in Laura’s story, one that pulls the reader into a world both eerie and imaginative.
Ghosts channels the nostalgic spirit of Goosebumps, where strange events unfold in a small town, but with a twist: everyone in this town already knows it’s strange. Rather than relying on mystery alone, the book leans into its own eccentricity, crafting a world where the bizarre is baked into everyday life. The inclusion of a “Previously in” chapter smartly reorients readers before plunging into the next segment, maintaining narrative momentum while making space for new developments.
The Traveling Show stands out as delightfully uncanny. Its peculiar charm held my curiosity, especially as the plot zeroed in on Laura and her fate. Her storyline, filled with quiet tension and unfolding mystery, made it impossible to look away. The illustrations are striking and evocative and add dramatic flair to every beat of the story, making emotional moments land with even more impact.
Chapter 4, The Storm, wraps the reader in an eerie atmosphere. Its sense of dread is palpable, yet subtle. From the first panel to the last, I was fully engaged. It’s easy to imagine kids gathered in dimly lit rooms, whispering this story aloud for maximum chills. Watson-Dubisch crafts a tale steeped in mood and originality. Her characters are vivid, multifaceted, and compelling. The pacing moves swiftly, keeping tension high.
Ghosts: The People That Melt in the Rain #2 is a captivating graphic novel that offers a mysterious, emotional, and highly original experience. With its memorable characters, compelling plot, and stunning illustrations, it promises to enchant readers well beyond its target age group.
Pages: 44 | ASIN: B0D8JPYPM2
Sixty Years of Adventure
Icy the Iceberg follows a snowflake-turned-iceberg who goes on this long emotional journey through the water cycle. What was the inspiration for your story?
My wife and I were on an Alaskan boat cruise. I enjoyed sitting on the deck looking at the scenery. I watched the beautiful shoreline, the amazing mountain peaks, and the wildlife—both animals and fish. As I watched the mountain peaks, I remembered a trip we took to the Athabasca Glacier in Alberta Canada. While we were walking on the glacier, it started snowing. It amazed me that little snowflakes could form a glacier. The cruise ship we were on was a smaller one, so it was able to sail close to the Mendenhall glacier. While we were there, a huge portion of the glacier broke off (calved) and crashed into the ocean water. There was a very loud crack when it fell. The splash when it hit the water was enormous. The iceberg was very large and a beautiful blue color.
The whole experience amazed me. Several days later, I went to the boat’s library and wrote the story.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I felt that all the things I observed while walking on a glacier and watching from the ship would be educational to young readers. The snow falling on the glacier, the compacting of the snow into ice, the intense pressure as the ice continued to compact, the entrapment of the oxygen in the ice forming a beautiful blue color, the huge piece of ice calving forming an enormous floating iceberg, etc. I developed the character of “Icy” so he would be part of all these events.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Sidney “Mindy” Makis?
After writing the story, I was visiting my sister, Mindy, in Binghamton New York. I showed her the story. I did not know at that time that she had taken many art classes while she was in college. I left the story with her. She called me later and said she had developed the characters. In the book. With the help of Brian Behling, we put the story and characters into a book.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
My wife and I have had almost sixty years of adventure together. We tell people the story of how we met and got married after two months. We had very little money because I was still in college. We lived on Nancy’s income. We lived in a farmhouse with an outhouse for a bathroom and a coal-burning stove in the kitchen for heat, for two years. The bedrooms were freezing in the winter. Our first child was born while we lived there. As the years passed, we became more and more successful. During that time, we had many very interesting stories. Everyone to whom we tell the stories says that we should write a book about them.
One of the dreams I had all my life was to own a log house. I also wanted to have a bedroom where I could look at the stars. About twenty-five years ago we moved to Libertyville IL. We purchased a log house on five and a half acres of land. We have made considerable improvements to the property during those years.
Several years ago, I decided to start writing a book about our life. I am going to call it FROM OUTHOUSE TO LOGHOUSE.
It is a work in progress. I am in the process of selling my business. Hopefully, I will have more time to devote to writing with the ultimate goal of finishing it within the next year.
I also have a few more ideas about two more children’s educational books.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
An illustrated tale of resilience and wonder, Icy the Iceberg invites readers to explore the mysteries of the natural world and the cycle of life through the eyes of unforgettable traveler.
Will Icy’s adventure ever truly end? Or is this just the beginning?
The World is Their Oyster
Looking for Unicorns on Safari follows a mom and her two children who go on a safari adventure through Africa and her daughter spends the trip looking all over for a real-life unicorn. What was the inspiration for your story?
Very simple, the inspiration is quite simple, I went on safari with my kids in beautiful Kenya. My daughter loves unicorns and of course, we were discussing our favorite animals and looking for them – including unicorns. I love how kids live in their own version of reality and everything seems possible. The world is their oyster. I noticed in the museums and books stores that there was a limited selection of children’s books, so I wanted to write one and add some Swahili, to hopefully make the book more attractive to visiting foreigners like us, but also to locals.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
All families have their own little nicknames and stories, I want to encourage children and parents to embrace their stories and discover the world from their own perpsective, and enjoy the wonder they discover.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I like the scene with the line ‘I see the grand gazelle with their bow ties and dow eyes’. This is my daughter’s favorite animal from the safari – besides unicorns of course.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have a story I am working on focusing on the fun and silly interactions between young children. There is a lot of humor in these ones. I think it will be available later this year.
Author Links: Facebook | Website | Instagram | Amazon
LITERARY TITAN 