Tag Archives: equestrian

HORSE SHOW is an Editor’s Choice @ The Historical Novel Society!

Bonnie DeMoss over at the Historical Novel Society wrote a lovely review of HORSE SHOW, naming it an Editor’s Choice title!

DeMoss writes: “I was so impressed by “Two on a Horse,” set on the Steeplechase ride at Coney Island in the early 20th century. Although the horses were made of wood, they were part of a harrowing ride, and Bowers describes the personal stories of the riders in vivid detail. From the first lady to attempt to ride the Steeplechase astride to a sexual assault occurring during the ride itself, the story has a strong impact, and the reader can see and feel the violence of the ride as well as the trauma of the riders. Equally fine is “Of Course, Of Course,” which on the surface is about a young newlywed couple who discover a horse abandoned on their new property. However, underneath lurks a saga of a wife awakening to her own abandonment, abuse, and neglect in 1960s California. These perfectly crafted tales create a tragic picture that will have an emotional impact on the reader. Highly recommended.”

Click here to read the rest of the review over at the Historical Novel Society!

Then, click here to order your very own copy of HORSE SHOW!

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Happy New Year, HORSE SHOW!

HORSE SHOW is galloping into 2025 by appearing on a slew (a Seattle Slew?) of “best of” and “year end round-up” lists!

Thank you to everyone who added my curious little book to your Goodreads in 2024, shouted it out via social media, reviewed it on Amazon, or otherwise shone your spotlight in its general direction. When you’re published by a small-but-mighty press like SFWP, word of mouth is priceless!

A Victorian New Year’s greeting card.

First up, the Jackson Center for Creative Writing at my alma mater Hollins University named HORSE SHOW its “Winter TBR” title on Instagram, writing:

“In her striking debut collection, Jess Bowers ’03 leads us into a museum of the forgotten and the extraordinary: the world of horses in American history. Through thirteen vivid and unrelenting tales, Bowers unpacks the intricate bond between humans and their equine companions, a relationship marked by care, exploitation, and awe. From the mare who defies scientific reason to the television palomino whose charm holds a strange power, HORSE SHOW is an exploration of obsolescence, grief, and nostalgia. Bowers’s prose is arresting, her humor sharp, her imagery unforgettable.”

>blushes fiercely<

Next, the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP), included HORSE SHOW in its “Fiction of 2024” round-up, alongside my pressmates Tara Campbell and K.E. Semmel. Check out CLMP’s whole reading list here!

Also, Wendy J. Fox’s July 2024 list of “15 Small Press Books You Should Be Reading This Summer,” including HORSE SHOW, was just named one of Electric Literature’s “Most Popular Articles of 2024,” which is so cool.

More exciting HORSE SHOW adventures are already on the books for 2025, including AWP in Los Angeles (!!!) and a virtual February reading at Goucher College, another beloved alma mater.

Watch this space!

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