Grass Roof Publishing was created in 2015 to publish the works of modern epic writer Ashley Mayers. Since then, Ms. Mayers has published 13 books across two series, and the Grass Roof Publishing imprint has expanded to publish a select set of works beyond those of Ms. Mayers.
Grass Roof Publishing focuses on works that tell compelling human stories in the accessible context of fantasy, sci-fi, and historical fiction, with a particular focus on mixed genre works with something profound to say about the human condition, enhanced by modern language, humor, and relatable characters.
Grass Roof Publishing seeks to inspire readers and to encourage discourse and introspection, in particular around the connectedness between humans and the fundamental truths that we all share regardless of where or when we were born.
About THE GLORIOUS VICTORIES OF ELEANOR MACLEOD:
Meet Eleanor MacLeod. She's more than meets the eye, and so is her story. Five books. A singularly unique heroine.
An all new Ashley Mayers epic set in the roaring 1920's.
From the Hindu-inspired fantasy world of author Ashley Mayers and her popular first seven-book series The Sita Chronicles, Eleanor's saga is an art deco fantasy epic that explores feminine strength, the meaning of life and death, and the nature of good and evil. Arranged as five books, each a nod to a classic genre, the series follows the life of a vivacious, war-veteran nurse, Eleanor MacLeod, as she crosses paths with a crew of powerful beings and is brought into their fold with secrets she cannot reveal, especially to her new half-human husband. Set in the height of the hopeful, scarred, bacchanalian 1920s, Eleanor's story is a poignant yet lighthearted exploration of the ripples of impact created by an exceptionally powerful woman making her imperfect way in the world.
When writing Eleanor's story, Ashley started at an unusual place. Eleanor, a minor character from The Sita Chronicles, only referenced in the context of her tragic martyrdom in childbirth in 1926, was a model of perfection that could only exist as a one-dimensional icon. Just like other dead mothers in fairy tales, like Cinderella's, Snow White's, and so many others, the only thing that mattered about Eleanor MacLeod in the first series was her womb that brought her daughter into the world. But, who really was she? What vibrancy and truth had been lost with her tragic death? What was her value beyond her ability to childbear? How much lost complexity could there be behind every other enshrined martyred mother – behind women whose deaths had turned their memories into an illusion of perfection, replacing their real voices and stories with the simplicity that so often comes from the surviving storytellers in their grief? Ashley set out to transform Eleanor's flat voice into a rich, real, wonderfully imperfect multi-dimensional one. She set out to give Eleanor life. What resulted surprised even Ashley, and as she wrote and edited the series over the course of 2017-2019, she learned as much about herself as she learned about Eleanor. It is Ashley's sincerest hope that readers will find as much inspiration and self-reflection in Eleanor's glorious victories as she did.
All five books of Eleanor's epic were released at once in Fall 2019. All five can be purchased in eBook or International Paperback from Amazon and its international partners.
About THE SITA CHRONICLES:
7 books. 1 Million Words. A Modern Epic to Transcend the Ages. Seven powerful heroines must find their strength and come together to save two worlds from an interplanetary apocalypse in a completely modern, multicultural epic that is "hauntingly relevant to today's world."
A captivating fantasy saga with strong science fiction and romance elements that develop later in the series, The Sita Chronicles features interwoven stories across generations, cultures, and continents. The series pays homage to its roots in the beloved Indian epic, the Ramayana, with an enchantingly vivid and unabashedly global tale. As key figures from the ancient Hindu pantheon join modern counterparts in present-day San Francisco, the UK, Sri Lanka, and India, several women's narratives come together into a 21st century 'Coming of Age' epic punctuated by mesmerizing imagery, complex philosophical dilemmas, exciting scientific mysteries, and tender human stories.
Ultimately, the series explores the question: What does it take for a young woman to transcend all that is holding her back, to become the person she wants to be in this modern world? Through the stories of seven exceptional women – Supriya, Sabrina, Shanti, Neha, Rupa, Shaheen, and Mélusine – The Sita Chronicles brings the reader along for a suspenseful, endearing, emotional journey as they discover the answers for themselves.
Addressing complicated issues facing individuals and societies today, including: changing expectations for women, racism, xenophobia, the battle between religion and secularism, climate change, LGBT and gender identity, and the legacy of colonialism, The Sita Chronicles is not shy in its approach to integrating the many challenges of the modern world into its storytelling. Yet, the comedy, tragedy, and adventure faced by the many beloved characters create a new fantasy world (not too dissimilar to ours) in which problems that seem overwhelming can be addressed with the strength of free will, familial support, heroism, perseverance, pragmatism, innovative thinking, rational humanist reasoning, and a healthy dose of the scientific method.
With over 18,000 fans on Facebook, 300+ ratings on GoodReads with a 4-star average, and presence in the San Francisco and Sacramento public libraries, The Sita Chronicles was a notable starting point for the Ashley Mayers universe, but it was just the beginning of a universe that is constantly expanding.
The Sita Chronicles spans over the course of seven full length novels. All seven books of the series (3,700 pages, 1 million words) were published in international paperback and eBook editions in 2015/2016.
To ensure the highest quality of work, Grass Roof Publishing has worked with numerous professional editors and proofreaders, diverse native experts in Hindu, Indo-Islamic and Indian culture, as well as professional book designers.
Grass Roof Publishing does not accept submissions from authors at this time.
Grass Roof Publishing is a division of DigiMarketeer, LLC.
Follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/sapphirenovels) for up to date information on publication timelines and availability.
Grass Roof Publishing focuses on works that tell compelling human stories in the accessible context of fantasy, sci-fi, and historical fiction, with a particular focus on mixed genre works with something profound to say about the human condition, enhanced by modern language, humor, and relatable characters.
Grass Roof Publishing seeks to inspire readers and to encourage discourse and introspection, in particular around the connectedness between humans and the fundamental truths that we all share regardless of where or when we were born.
About THE GLORIOUS VICTORIES OF ELEANOR MACLEOD:
Meet Eleanor MacLeod. She's more than meets the eye, and so is her story. Five books. A singularly unique heroine.
An all new Ashley Mayers epic set in the roaring 1920's.
From the Hindu-inspired fantasy world of author Ashley Mayers and her popular first seven-book series The Sita Chronicles, Eleanor's saga is an art deco fantasy epic that explores feminine strength, the meaning of life and death, and the nature of good and evil. Arranged as five books, each a nod to a classic genre, the series follows the life of a vivacious, war-veteran nurse, Eleanor MacLeod, as she crosses paths with a crew of powerful beings and is brought into their fold with secrets she cannot reveal, especially to her new half-human husband. Set in the height of the hopeful, scarred, bacchanalian 1920s, Eleanor's story is a poignant yet lighthearted exploration of the ripples of impact created by an exceptionally powerful woman making her imperfect way in the world.
When writing Eleanor's story, Ashley started at an unusual place. Eleanor, a minor character from The Sita Chronicles, only referenced in the context of her tragic martyrdom in childbirth in 1926, was a model of perfection that could only exist as a one-dimensional icon. Just like other dead mothers in fairy tales, like Cinderella's, Snow White's, and so many others, the only thing that mattered about Eleanor MacLeod in the first series was her womb that brought her daughter into the world. But, who really was she? What vibrancy and truth had been lost with her tragic death? What was her value beyond her ability to childbear? How much lost complexity could there be behind every other enshrined martyred mother – behind women whose deaths had turned their memories into an illusion of perfection, replacing their real voices and stories with the simplicity that so often comes from the surviving storytellers in their grief? Ashley set out to transform Eleanor's flat voice into a rich, real, wonderfully imperfect multi-dimensional one. She set out to give Eleanor life. What resulted surprised even Ashley, and as she wrote and edited the series over the course of 2017-2019, she learned as much about herself as she learned about Eleanor. It is Ashley's sincerest hope that readers will find as much inspiration and self-reflection in Eleanor's glorious victories as she did.
All five books of Eleanor's epic were released at once in Fall 2019. All five can be purchased in eBook or International Paperback from Amazon and its international partners.
About THE SITA CHRONICLES:
7 books. 1 Million Words. A Modern Epic to Transcend the Ages. Seven powerful heroines must find their strength and come together to save two worlds from an interplanetary apocalypse in a completely modern, multicultural epic that is "hauntingly relevant to today's world."
A captivating fantasy saga with strong science fiction and romance elements that develop later in the series, The Sita Chronicles features interwoven stories across generations, cultures, and continents. The series pays homage to its roots in the beloved Indian epic, the Ramayana, with an enchantingly vivid and unabashedly global tale. As key figures from the ancient Hindu pantheon join modern counterparts in present-day San Francisco, the UK, Sri Lanka, and India, several women's narratives come together into a 21st century 'Coming of Age' epic punctuated by mesmerizing imagery, complex philosophical dilemmas, exciting scientific mysteries, and tender human stories.
Ultimately, the series explores the question: What does it take for a young woman to transcend all that is holding her back, to become the person she wants to be in this modern world? Through the stories of seven exceptional women – Supriya, Sabrina, Shanti, Neha, Rupa, Shaheen, and Mélusine – The Sita Chronicles brings the reader along for a suspenseful, endearing, emotional journey as they discover the answers for themselves.
Addressing complicated issues facing individuals and societies today, including: changing expectations for women, racism, xenophobia, the battle between religion and secularism, climate change, LGBT and gender identity, and the legacy of colonialism, The Sita Chronicles is not shy in its approach to integrating the many challenges of the modern world into its storytelling. Yet, the comedy, tragedy, and adventure faced by the many beloved characters create a new fantasy world (not too dissimilar to ours) in which problems that seem overwhelming can be addressed with the strength of free will, familial support, heroism, perseverance, pragmatism, innovative thinking, rational humanist reasoning, and a healthy dose of the scientific method.
With over 18,000 fans on Facebook, 300+ ratings on GoodReads with a 4-star average, and presence in the San Francisco and Sacramento public libraries, The Sita Chronicles was a notable starting point for the Ashley Mayers universe, but it was just the beginning of a universe that is constantly expanding.
The Sita Chronicles spans over the course of seven full length novels. All seven books of the series (3,700 pages, 1 million words) were published in international paperback and eBook editions in 2015/2016.
To ensure the highest quality of work, Grass Roof Publishing has worked with numerous professional editors and proofreaders, diverse native experts in Hindu, Indo-Islamic and Indian culture, as well as professional book designers.
Grass Roof Publishing does not accept submissions from authors at this time.
Grass Roof Publishing is a division of DigiMarketeer, LLC.
Follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/sapphirenovels) for up to date information on publication timelines and availability.