New from Regal House Publishing, The Reel Life of Zara Kegg: Love, grief, Godzilla, odd beach winter

RALEIGH, N.C. - June 29, 2026 - PRLog -- Regal House Publishing announces its new publication The Reel Life of Zara Kegg by Brad Barkley, author of the novels Money, Love (Norton) and Alison's Automotive Repair Manual (St. Martin's), two collections of short stories, and three YA novels with Penguin: Scrambled Eggs at Midnight, Dream Factory, and Jars of Glass.

About The Reel Life of Zara Kegg
Three years after her mother's death, 16-year-old Zara is still settling into life in Carolina Beach, N.C., where she knows almost no one. Working as the lone projectionist at the Palace Theatre—a rundown movie house that shows only vintage '50s sci-fi and horror flicks—Zara spends her nights in a dusty booth, fueled by coffee, pushups, and the occasional existential crisis (with popcorn).
Then she meets Zachary, whose "Z" name feels like fate. His clothes don't match, his stories don't always add up, and he might be the most interesting person she's ever met. As their friendship deepens into something more, Zara learns about the struggles Zachary hides beneath his charm—and wonders if trust is possible.
When her boss tasks her with organizing a Valentine's Day Godzilla marathon—complete with 150 inflatable Godzillas on the roof—Zara must confront the chaos in her own life. Like any good Godzilla movie, the big question remains: who will survive, and who will be crushed?

Praise for The Reel Life of Zara Kegg
"In The Reel Life of Zara Kegg, Brad Barkley has created a cast of wonderfully weird characters who are trying, like all of us, to find their way in this confusing world of ours. If John Green wrote a novelization of the film Cinema Paradiso, it might very well be this one. Lucky for us, Brad Barkley has done just that."
—Ann Hood, author of The Knitting Circle and She Loves You (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)

"A wonderful love story! Barkley weaves sensitivity and humor like no other YA writer. If you're into deserted beach towns, boarded-up carnival rides, teens with big, coming-of-age feelings, and retro movie theaters—this timeless book is for you."
—A.J. Small, author of If I Promise You Wings

Publication Details
Paperback:   214 pages
ISBN: 9781646037230
US $18.95 / CAN $26.99
Epub/Mobipocket
ISBN: 9781646037247
US $9.99 / CAN $12.99

Available at bookstores, online retailers, and direct at the publisher's storefront (https://regalhousepublishing.com/).

Distribution:
Independent Publishers Group
814 N. Franklin Street
Chicago, IL 60610
P: (800) 888-4741
F: (312) 337-5985
distribution@ipgbook.com

For review copies contact or other inquiries:
Regal House Publishing
806 Oberlin Rd #12094
Raleigh, NC 27605, USA
rhpsales@regalhousepublishing.com
www.regalhousepublishing.com