Media Room for The War On Sarah Morris

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The War On Sarah Morris, Kathleen Jones’ new novel, was published by Legacy Book Press on April 11, 2024.

IF YOU’VE BEEN BULLIED AT WORK, THIS IS YOUR STORY!

In The War on Sarah Morris, a middle-aged woman struggles to survive in the cruel and ruthless corporate jungle.

What happens when one day, without any warning, your secure corporate job suddenly becomes precarious? And all your professional duties get taken away, leaving you with nothing but repetitive, mind-numbing tasks?

Sarah Morris, a 49-year-old editor at a Toronto book publisher, finds herself in this predicament in October 2010, when Quill Pen Press, the company she has faithfully served for twenty-one years, undergoes a reorganization in the aftermath of the 2008 Recession. Concerned only with preserving her own cushy job, Gillian Martin, Sarah’s selfish boss, gives all of the company’s book editing projects to freelancers and to Derek Witowsky, her pet employee, unofficially demoting Sarah and two of her colleagues, who are now expected to spend their days tagging and formatting documents. When the two younger colleagues leave to pursue better opportunities, Gillian dumps all their data entry tasks on Sarah and pressures her to complete an ever-growing mountain of work in less and less time, while taking away her right to paid overtime.

At first, Sarah is afraid to face the truth; she tells herself that she will get her old job back once the economy improves. But when Gillian starts bullying her, she realizes that her company doesn’t have her best interests at heart and that she’s been pigeonholed into a dead-end job.

PRAISE FOR THE WAR ON SARAH MORRIS

“A story for our times, “The War on Sarah Morris” by author Kathleen Jones is an inherently compelling, deftly crafted, and showcases her narrative driven and impressively distinctive storytelling style as a novelist. A work of fiction that may well resonate with the reader’s real life experiences all too well, “The War on Sarah Morris” is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that “The War on Sarah Morris” is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).”

–Midwest Book Review’s Small Press Bookwatch, July 2024

“In this tense, funny novel, Sarah Morris, a 49-year-old editor, faces upheaval at the publishing company, Quill Pen Press, where she’s worked for the past 21 years. Though there is no change in her job title or pay, all of her job responsibilities are now different, and she is forced to do overtime without pay for new daily tasks that she hates. With a recession ravaging hopes of economic stability and finding herself her family’s sole income-earner following her husband’s dismissal from his banking job, Sarah must decide what steps she needs to take in her career to find her way back to being happy in the workplace. Does she dare a job search, as she puts it, “In middle age. In a crappy job market … that’s hostile to older people like me”?”

“Sarah exemplifies the emotional turmoil many feel when facing discontent in the workplace as Jones delves into self-doubt, the fear of starting over, and being complacent in a dead-end job. With wit, snark, and a striking sense of all-too-real realism, Jones writes a relatable and personable narrative about being pigeon-holed and feeling stuck with work that is no longer fulfilling or providing the space or opportunity for advancement. Exploring toxic work cultures, micromanagers, and workplace favoritism, The War on Sarah Morris is punchy and pained, outraged and comic, offering much that readers—especially women working in troubled industries—will find resonant. While set in 2011, the novel feels pointedly of the moment.”

“Jones convincingly captures the inner workings of a publisher and the ever-increasing responsibilities that fall onto lower level staffers, plus the indignities of a job search, from “biographical resumes” to pop-quiz writing assignments in job interviews. In this, Jones blends the engagingly dishy with sharp-elbowed analysis of power dynamics. Readers who have ever worked under tyrannical managers or for companies who only care about how much money is coming in will be impacted and feel a personal connection to Sarah’s struggle.”

Takeaway: Sharp-elbowed novel of a woman facing a job hunt after 20 years in publishing.

Comparable Titles: Lisa Owens’s Not Working, Liz Talley’s Adulting.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

– Booklife (Publisher’s Weekly), February 2024

“An inspiring read full of hard truths!”

– D.S. Marquis, author, Of School and Women

“A poignant read that highlights the struggles middle-aged women face in the corporate world, particularly in a struggling economy and the toll it takes on their health—physically and mentally.”

– Kathy Coatney, author, Falling For You . . . Again

“A workplace drama filled with sass and comedic relief! . . . You’ll love this glimpse inside a woman’s fight to save her career and herself.”

– C. D’Angelo, award-winning author, The Difference and The Visitor

“The story questions the way we live our fast-paced lives, and the protagonist encompasses many aspects that we can all relate to. . . The author explores the meaning of loyalty, commitment, boundaries, betrayal, and love. Of course, there is a surprise twist in the tale, and I recommend that you read the story to find it!”

– Gail Gilbride, author, Under the African Sun
 

“This well-written novel is worth a read, and I highly recommend it.”

– Joanne Kukanza Easley, author, I’ll Be Seeing You, Sweet Jane, and Just One Look

“Kathleen Jones broaches important, relevant topics in this novel, such as ageism and sexism in the workplace. At the same time, she shows that even when you’re pushed to the brink of despair by ruthless business ethics, you can still grab back control and be the master of your own destiny. A must-read!”

– Berendsje Westra, author, Coffee Spills & Songs

“The War on Sarah Morris is a well-written, insightful look at a toxic work environment that crushes valuable employees in favor of the bottom line.”

– Kathleen Duhamel, author, Fed Up and the Deep Blue Trilogy

AUTHOR BIO

Kathleen Jones was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in English literature. For thirty years, she toughed it out in the corporate world, chiefly as an editor for various Canadian book publishers. Sometimes, Kathleen had the opportunity to do work that she enjoyed, but too often, she didn’t. Towards the end of her career, the type of work that interested and challenged Kathleen began to slip away, and she became less and less happy.

Then one day, Kathleen realized something: creative, out-of-the box thinkers like her don’t belong in the corporate world, and if she wanted “meaningful” work, she would have to create it for herself.

That was when Kathleen decided to pursue the only work that she’d ever really wanted to do since she was a child: the work of a novelist!

Today, Kathleen is a full-time author who also writes frequent book reviews for Goodreads, Amazon, and LibraryThing. Her first novel, Love Is the Punch Line, an offbeat midlife romance set in the world of standup comedy, received several favourable 4- and 5-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Kathleen lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Visit Kathleen online at https://kathleenjones.org/ and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/joneslepidas and sign up for free updates at http://eepurl.com/ceSobT 

PRAISE FOR KATHLEEN JONES’ DEBUT NOVEL, LOVE IS THE PUNCH LINE

“When aging comedian Josh meets business woman Holly, sparks fly, but it’s not an easy road to happy ever after. Love Is the Punch Line is a sweet love story with lots of twists and turns that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Holly and Josh’s story will leave you emotionally invested and rooting (though sometimes also frustrated!) for these two. So, can this Jewish washed-up comedian and smart and sassy Torontonian find their happy ever after? You’ll just have to read it!”

– Alicia Montgomery, author of the True Mates series

“A spinning yo-yo of ups and downs in hysterical pursuit of middle-aged romance for L.A.’s Jewish King of Comedy and the Irish shiksa from Toronto who heckles him into loving her.”

–B.A. East, author, Patchworks

“I liked how Jones treated the story and how the romance follows a different path.”

-Lisa Torquay, author, The Lass Defended the Laird

 “Kathleen Jones’ debut, Love Is the Punch Line, is a surprising novel. It’s the story of stand-up comic Josh Steinberg, who is on his way to being washed up at fifty-four, and Holly Brannigan, who, for some unfathomable reason finds the pudgy comedian appealing. Filled with characters that seem as if they just walked out of a sitcom, Love Is the Punch Line might just tickle your funny bone.”

-Anne Clinard Barnhill, author, At the Mercy of the Queen, Queen Elizabeth’s Daughter, and The Beautician’s Notebook

Media Contact and Review Copy Requests:

Kathleen Jones (legal name: Kathleen Lepidas)

Email: joneslepidas@bell.net

Address: 5 Southmead Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1L 2H7

Phone: 416-752-4856

Author site: https://kathleenjones.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/joneslepidas

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.lepidas

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-jones-lepidas-csc/

Contact Kathleen today to request an interview or review copies.

PROMOTIONAL INFORMATION

PUBLICITY AND MEDIA COVERAGE

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

  1. Where did you get the idea for this book?
  2. Was this book based on your real-life experiences?
  3. Who are the main characters?
  4. Why is your book relevant?
  5. Why would someone want to read your book?
  6. What makes your book unique?
  7. What inspires you to write?
  8. Why did you put off your writing career until your 50s?
  9. Have you always wanted to write, or did you only take an interest in writing in midlife?
  10. What advice would you give to new writers?

AUTHOR PHOTOS

You are welcome to use these photos of me:DSCN2567.jpg