Open Books Press

11/05/2025

Our submissions queue is nearly full! Still a few slots open, but get yours in ASAP before it closes. The queue for Brick Mantel Books filled up within hours on November 3.

https://openbookspress.com/query

10/31/2025

Don't forget—stop by The Lodge Des Peres tomorrow morning for a FREE workshop on memoir writing and publishing hosted by the St. Louis Writers Guild!

You can also join virtually via the SLWG website.

Judy Mundle authored The Block Manager: A True Story of Love in the Midst of Japanese American Internment Camps as a tribute to her friend Janet. Drawing on her experience of writing and publishing the account of Janet’s life, Judy will share advice on accessing a true story’s heart. She will discuss her motivation for writing the book, the difficulties and triumphs along the way, and her rough road to publication. Bring your questions about how to turn true events into compelling stories. A representative from The Block Manager’s publisher, Open Book Press, will also be available to answer your questions about the publishing process.

10/27/2025

Join us this Saturday from 10 to noon for a FREE workshop on memoir writing and publishing hosted by the St. Louis Writers Guild!

You can also join virtually via the SLWG website.

Judy Mundle authored The Block Manager: A True Story of Love in the Midst of Japanese American Internment Camps as a tribute to her friend Janet. Drawing on her experience of writing and publishing the account of Janet’s life, Judy will share advice on accessing a true story’s heart. She will discuss her motivation for writing the book, the difficulties and triumphs along the way, and her rough road to publication. Bring your questions about how to turn true events into compelling stories. A representative from The Block Manager’s publisher, Open Book Press, will also be available to answer your questions about the publishing process.

10/15/2025

Exciting news! After a long hiatus, Open Books Press will open submissions on November 3.

Note that we are limiting the amount of submissions before closing again (till sometime mid- or late next year), so be sure to review the submission guidelines and have your manuscript ready to go.

http://openbookspress.com/query

P.S. Newsletter subscribers got this notification a week early!

07/02/2025

Last week, friends and colleagues gathered to celebrate the life of Robert Yehling, an author and editor who dedicated his life to helping other authors shape their careers, and a beloved friend to many.

Send a message to learn more

06/02/2025

After Judy Mundle's discussion on Jan Hattori Koizumi, The Block Manager, Masako Ishida gave a few of us a hands-on lesson in ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement at St. Louis Public Library! It's a way to connect with and honor nature and was fascinating to learn about. Thanks, St Louis JACL & Japan America Society of St. Louis!

If you missed Judy's event, visit our website to get a signed copy. Left Bank Books may also have a few signed copies left in stock.

05/30/2025

Come listen to Judy Mundle talk about Jan's experiences during and after WWII as an American-born child of Japanese immigrants. Stay after the discussion for a flower-arranging (ikebana) demonstration. Hope to see you there!

05/30/2025

Hope to see you tomorrow afternoon at St. Louis Public Library for a discussion of Judy Mundle's The Block Manager, recent winner of the Indie Author Project Award for Memoir! Plus, St Louis JACL and Japan America Society of St. Louis are providing an ikebana demonstration (the Japanese art of flower arrangement) after the discussion. Paperbacks and hardcovers will be available for sale and signing by Judy.

The Block Manager tells the story of Janice ("Janet") Koizumi of St. Louis. Author Judy Mundle, Janice's good friend, will speak about working with Janice to write the book and of Janice's experience in internment camps and her time in Hiroshima right after WWII. Janice was a treasure to many here and lived to be 101!

Event details: https://slpl.bibliocommons.com/events/67ceeac99ae235620015e402

05/29/2025

We're so excited that Masako Ishida will be hosting an Ikebana demonstration after Judy Mundle's discussion Saturday afternoon at St. Louis Public Library—Buder! If time and attendance allow, attendees may get some hands-on ikebana experience.

Ikebana (生け花) is the Japanese art of flower arrangement that dates back to the 15th century. Ikebana emphasizes natural beauty of flower materials including the stems and leaves as well as the shapes, lines, and forms. It expresses the beauty of flower materials using an asymmetric composition, empty space, and the principle of minimalism. Ikebana is also known as “kado” (華道) (the way of flowers), involving the spiritual practice of understanding nature, tranquility, harmony between all living things and oneself.

Masako began practicing Ikebana at the age of 12 under the guidance of her grandmother, who was a teacher in the Ohara School of Ikebana International School. After her grandmother passed away, Masako took over teaching her grandmother's students. She is a licensed teacher with 30 years of experience in the Ohara Ryu School in Japan. In the U.S., she is dedicated to community outreach programs.

St Louis JACL
Japan America Society of St. Louis

05/27/2025

This Saturday afternoon, join us at St. Louis Public Library for a discussion of Judy Mundle's The Block Manager, recent winner of the Indie Author Project Award for Memoir! Plus, St Louis JACL and Japan America Society of St. Louis are providing an ikebana demonstration (the Japanese art of flower arrangement) after the discussion. Paperbacks and hardcovers will be available for sale and signing by Judy.

The Block Manager tells the story of Janice ("Janet") Koizumi of St. Louis. Author Judy Mundle, Janice's good friend, will speak about working with Janice to write the book and of Janice's experience in internment camps and her time in Hiroshima right after WWII. Janice was a treasure to many here and lived to be 101!

Event details: https://slpl.bibliocommons.com/events/67ceeac99ae235620015e402