Director at Kent State University Press. Library enthusiast. Cats and plants, too. (she/her)
Clara Totten
A few years ago, I reached out to an author on a whim to tell her how much my toddler adored her book. She wrote back and offered to mail him a copy of her next book. In a happy coincidence, my child and that book's protagonist had the same name. There was delight all around. <3
Clara Totten
Can you build a winning gymnastics program without abuse? One Ohio high school shows that, yes, you can.
Excerpt today on @defector.com from Nina Mandell's really fun book "A Fraction of a Point" from @ksupress.bsky.social.
Gift link:
The following is excerpted from A Fraction of a Point: A Gymnastics Dynasty on the Line, by Nina Mandell. Published by Kent State University Press. Reproduced by permission. The book is available for ...
2026’s reading so far, with titles from @uncpress.bsky.social, @lsupress.bsky.social, @georgetownup.bsky.social, @ksupress.bsky.social, @derfbackderf.bsky.social, and more. Honestly, every book was incredible and I’d recommend every single one ✨
Contrary to common narratives suggesting book challenges come from concerned parents, our data shows otherwise. ~92% of challenges to titles in 2025 came from pressure groups and gov't decision makers. 2.7% of challenges came from individual parents.
We dig into the data: https://bit.ly/4cmgFWQ
Clara Totten
Final packing for #SCWH26! Have a book project? Questions about publishing? Come find me at the @ksupress.bsky.social booth. Let’s chat!
Clara Totten
American Library Association
University presses make connections with their communities! Yesterday students from a local middle school visited KSU Press to learn about the different kinds of work that go into making books—a great opportunity for our staff to meet the next generation of readers, writers, and book people.
Congratulations to Eric LeMay, whose book "The First 649 Days: Essays and Other Acts of Love" is a finalist for the 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Award (@indiebookawards.bsky.social) in the LGBTQ+ category!
indiebookawards.com/previewwinne...
April is Native Plant Month! On the blog, KSU Press director @tottencs.bsky.social puts the annual celebration of native plants in dialogue with last week's @rustbeltlab.bsky.social symposium on the Regenerative Rust Belt—and arrives at insight about publishing, place, and the act of giving voice.
It's always awesome to get fan mail. Just answered some.
So if you're wondering "gosh should I tell that writer how much I loved their book/story" yeah you definitely should, immediately
My recommendation for independent bookstore day tomorrow is that you go to an independent bookstore (or several), be very kind to the booksellers, and buy a book on their recommendation that you previously knew nothing about. Your life will be enriched.
