MSI Press Blog

  San Juan Books is the hybrid division of MSI Press LLC. It allows first-time writers to become published in a traditional way through the reduction of risk by sharing publication costs. All other publishing features are traditional in nature, and most SJB authors go on to be offered traditional contracts for their subsequent books. SJB publications are available as paperback, hard cover, and e-book versions. SJB authors' books very much hold their own against their contemporaries in the traditional publishing division. Indeed, a number of them have outsold their traditional compatriots. Today, San Juan Books presents author Marti Wells-Smith. Marti Wells-Smith is a Christian, wife, friend, and grieving mother, who finds great hope in continuing her life journey amid unexpected joy and sadness. She shares her deepest thoughts and experiences through free verse poetry and non-fictional prose to comfort others who struggle with the loss of a child or loved one, or with life itself. ...

  Marti Wells-Smith is a Christian, wife, friend, and grieving mother, who finds great hope in continuing her life journey amid unexpected joy and sadness. She shares her deepest thoughts and experiences through free verse poetry and non-fictional prose to comfort others who struggle with the loss of a child or loved one, or with life itself. She’s a native Kansan who advocates for people in need as well as animals, large and small. Her background includes being a past board member for a local mother to mother ministry, safehouse and no kill animal shelter, as she continues to raise funds for the shelter at a local antique/thrift store. Her daily routine includes caring for her adopted lab mix and three devoted cats. Marti was involved in all fine arts that were offered during her school years and participated in local and regional theater productions well into her adulthood. She received a BA in English and Sociology from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, and began he...

  Marti's book has brought in all 5-star ratings on Amazon, with rave reviews. Here, take a look: Top reviews from the United States Christopher Smith 5.0 out of 5 stars   Beautifully written balm for the bereaved Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2021 Verified Purchase Lamentations of the Heart, Mingled with Peace and Joy, is aptly named and provides an enormous fount of solace and inspiration from cover to cover. Ms. Wells-Smith writes a faith-driven, emotionally and intellectually intelligent book of poetry and prose, each piece interwoven with a scriptural citation, that delves into her own experience with becoming a member of a club none of us would ever want to apply for, those of us who have lost a beloved child and are left with putting our lives back together as best we can, one foot after another, as well as prose about events and people that have led her to the place in life that she can find peace and joy. It is deeply personal and because of that spoke to ...

  What is a  book jewel ? A sometimes-overlooked book with remarkable insight and potential significance. Each month, we share near-daily, or as often as possible, reviews of the monthly book jewel - short, succinct reviews that can be read in 1-2 minutes with links to the reviewer by reviewers whose words are worthy of being heard and whose opinions are worthy of being considered. Sometimes a couple of minutes contains more impressive thought than ten times that many. We will let you decide that. This month's book jewel is  Lamentations of the Heart   by Marti Wells-Smith. Description Lamentations of the Heart  soulfully combines contemporary free verse poetry and nonfictional prose to tell the story of one mother’s grief following the death of her only child. The author interweaves scriptural passages with the inevitable struggles to accept and make sense of her new reality. All of it reveals the unending love for family that remains. Written to reach out to o...

From the blog of Marti Wells-Smithm author of Lamentations of the Heart : As I believe it is for most of us, I have moments where I question myself - what I've managed to accomplish in life, and where it all stands in this particular time and place. Do I do enough for God's Kingdom? Do I have a positive impact on those who move within my circle, or at least within my reach? Sometimes I think so. But not always. It is written in John 4:44 that not even Jesus Christ Himself had honor in His own country. One explanation offered is the factor of familiarity. Read the rest of the post on Marti's blog HERE . For more posts about Marti and her book, click HERE Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing...

  In observance of poetry month, MSI Press would like to share with its readers and fans books from two authors worth reading: One will bring a comforting smile to an unbidden tear. The other will bring an outright laugh page after page. Time spent with comforting and/or happy thoughts is time well spent indeed. Marti Wells-Smith's  Lamentations of the Heart Mingled with Peace and Joy  combines prose and poetry in a comforting missive for bereaved parents. Through its pages, one finds not only the resilience of the author but sources for anyone to develop needed resilience in the face of devastating life circumstances. When it came out, it quickly became one of Amazon's "hot, new releases." Lamentations of the Heart soulfully combines contemporary free verse poetry and nonfictional prose to tell the story of one mother's grief following the death of her only child. The author interweaves scriptural passages with the inevitable struggles to accept and make sense of...