Painting for Peace in Ferguson selected as the MO book at Nat. Book Fest; has national publisher

ST. LOUIS - June 23, 2015 - PRLog -- Painting for Peace in Ferguson (http://www.paintingforpeacebook.com/) is honored to be Missouri Center for the Book (http://www.missouribooks.org/)'s 2015 selection to represent the state at what is considered the largest book fair in the country: Library of Congress National Book Festival (http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/). Held in Washington D.C. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the 15^th anniversary of the book festival takes place Saturday, September 5 from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. and boasts more than 100 authors, poets and illustrators for the day. More than 100,000 people are expected at this year's festival.

Painting for Peace in Ferguson, by Carol Swartout Klein, was published in February 2015. Since then it has sold nearly 2,000 paper- and hard back editions and is currently pressing its second edition through its new, national publisher: Amphorae Publishing Group, based In St. Louis. Most recently the book won the Independent Publisher's (IPPY) 2015 Outstanding Book of the Year Award (http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=1938) Gold Medal, one of only nine selected out of 6,000 applicants. It has been on the St. Louis independent book best-seller list for at least 15 weeks and in the number one position for 10 of those weeks.

“This honor really goes to all the artists and volunteer who came out on cold winter days to paint hundreds of works of amazing art,” noted author Carol Swartout Klein. “It was so inspiring to se hundreds of people show up and work together despite differences in age or race to bring hope to their community. The effect it has had on the town and its people was transformational; turning fear into hope and destruction into creation. This book is about an inspirational moment, but is also aspirational in that it shows the kind of society we can strive to become.”

According to an email from Missouri Center for the Book as to why they selected Painting for Peace in Ferguson to represent Missouri it was "because it represents such a timely and beautiful story of hope."

Written in child-friendly verse, the book features the actual artwork that was painted on hundreds of boarded up windows in Ferguson and surrounding areas and the South Grand street in St. Louis City. The art ranges from simple messages of hope and peace to provocative works calling for social change.

The soon to be released second edition of the book features additional artwork from the effort, showcasing more than 160 images of art and acknowledges more than 300 artists and volunteers who participated in Paint for Peace STL. The book's simple, but powerful message, as told by Klein, is that when people reach out to each other across lines that divide us and work together, remarkable things can happen. A single paintbrush cannot make much change – but hundreds working together can transform a landscape. Painting for Peace in Ferguson shares the basic idea that anyone, at any age has a talent that they can contribute to help others. Although the plywood boards have come down off the windows, this book will forever captures this moment of goodwill and community outreach and the compelling works of art that were the result.

With the new publisher and national distribution, Painting for Peace in Ferguson will be available at book stores throughout the country beginning August 1 to share its message of hope, healing and unity. Until recently, the book was available at local St. Louis retailers, on its website or through Amazon. Painting for Peace in Ferguson has proven to be a valuable tool to help parents and educators start the conversation about the issues that come between us and to envision a brighter future. Additional resources and links to curriculum suggestions are available online at www.paintingforpeacebook.com. All profits from the book will benefit youth and economic recovery programs in Ferguson and surrounding areas.

The book is available at independent St. Louis book retailers (http://www.paintingforpeacebook.com/#!retail-bookstores/cspw), select St. Louis shops or through Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Painting-Peace-Ferguson-Carol-Swartout/dp/0989867161), and nationally beginning August 1. The book retails for $15.95 for the paperback and $25.95 for the hardback.

More about Painting for Peace in Ferguson

The book is a complete product of St. Louis artists and artisans. Designed by Robert O’Neil and Michael Kilfoy, the book was published by Amphorae Publishing group, printed by Advertisers Printing Company and bound at Jaffe Book Solutions. www.paintingforpeacebook.com. Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/paintingforpeacebook?fref=ts). Twitter (https://twitter.com/PaintPeaceBook). YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsLzH4NhBtBPNVY18t-mwcQ).

About the author

Carol Swartout Klein grew up in Ferguson and was so inspired by witnessing the spirit of hundreds of volunteers coming together to bring hope to a community in shock that she wanted to capture the story and Painting for Peace in Ferguson is the result. A journalist and marketing professional by training, Klein has always wanted to write a children’s book. She saw how healing the actual process of creating the artwork was for all those involved … as the community came together to help others, the artists, business owners and volunteers benefited themselves … and created new connections that she hopes will continue to strengthen in the future.

About Missouri Center for the Book

The Missouri Center for the Book is a statewide organization that promotes the importance of books and reading to Missouri residents, celebrates the state’s literary heritage, and recognizes the contributions of Missouri’s authors, book illustrators, booksellers, publishers, librarians, and others involved in the literary arts. The 2014 selection was Underground, by Shane W. Evans.