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Bootstrap Publications Welcomes Three Authors to its Growing Literary Community

  • Feb 17
  • 3 min read

Tahoe City, CA - Bootstrap Publications, in its ongoing mission to publish impactful and meaningful works, is proud to formally welcome three distinct voices to its established community of authors: Carolyn Meers, N. E. Weisberg, and Chasejamison Akilah Manar-Spears (CJ). This collaboration brings together a scholar, a speculative visionary, and a creative survivor to offer readers a range of perspectives on resilience, history, and healing.


A Triptych of Perspectives


Carolyn Meers: Creative Healing and Restorative Wonder An England-born artist, musician, and mother, Carolyn Meers brings a narrative voice shaped by empathy, recovery, and purposeful living. A breast cancer survivor and six years sober, her path is defined by hard-earned self-awareness and a belief that love and creativity can conquer the greatest of challenges. A "drummer at heart," Meers utilizes rhythm as a tool for transformation, while her handmade fairy wands reflect her deep-seated belief in wonder and intention. As a proud mother to a trans son and a steadfast LGBTQ+ ally, her work serves as a compassionate voice for the marginalized, human and animal alike.


N. E. Weisberg: Historical Allegory and Speculative Depth A dedicated educator and historian, N. E. Weisberg offers a literary voice informed by a background in history and psychology. His upcoming novel, The Space Pirate King, evolved from a deconstruction of science-fiction tropes into a political drama focused on the "home front" of a galactic frontier. Drawing inspiration from the historical resistance of non-Western nations against colonialism—such as Japan, Ethiopia, and Iran—Weisberg explores the cultural and economic consequences of first contact and unprecedented threats from space.


Chasejamison Akilah Manar-Spears (CJ): Afro-Surrealism and Revolutionary Healing Born and raised in the Bay Area, CJ Spears creates at the intersection of poetry, Afro-surrealism, and "ancestral world-building." As a Yoga teacher and co-founder of the Black Seeds Bloom collective, CJ crafts stories where ecology and spirit blend to envision life beyond the "forest fire" of capitalism. Bootstrap Publications supports the development of CJ’s climate fiction trilogy, beginning with The Book of Cadence. Rooted in themes of tel-empathy and matriarchal liberation, her work centralizes Black womanhood and organic patterns in nature to re-envision indigenous societies within dystopian settings.


About the Authors


  • Carolyn Meers is a multi-media artist and vegan advocate who finds joy in drumming, gaming, and her cherished cats, Luna and Corn Chip. Her creativity emerged as a form of restoration, proving that healing is possible when we accept our past as part of our power.


  • N. E. Weisberg is a middle school social studies teacher and family man. When not in the classroom or his study, he shares his home with a cherished rabbit and remains committed to the complexities of the human experience.


  • CJ Spears is the author of the poetry collection Becoming Friends With Trees & Other Creative Prophecies. Their work is informed by Afro-surrealism, daydreams, and the silent growth of trees.


About Bootstrap Publications


Bootstrap Publications is dedicated to discovering and championing authors who provide compelling narratives of survival, scholarly insight, and imaginative spirit. By collaborating with these three authors, the press continues to provide readers with the tools to find their own "superpower" in the stories of everyday life and the worlds beyond.


Connect with Carolyn Meers:

Connect with N.E. Weisberg:


Connect with CJ Spears:

Learn more about Bootstrap Publications: https://www.bootstrappublications.com/ 

For more information on our book collection or to schedule an interview with the authors, please contact: info@bootstrappublications.com


Tags: Literary Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Creative Healing, Historical Allegory, Afro-Surrealism, Sobriety & Recovery, Cancer Survivorship, LGBTQ+ Advocacy, Military Sci-Fi, Colonialism Resistance, Climate Fiction, Ancestral World-Building, Black Womanhood, Matriarchal Societies, Political Drama, Multi-media Art, Veganism, Social Studies Education


Industries: Book Publishing, Education & Academia, Arts & Culture, Mental Health & Wellness, Advocacy & Non-Profit, Science Fiction & Fantasy




Sacramento Attorney and Author Miles Whitney Wins 2025 New Feathers Award for “Artifact of Death, Artifact of Life”

  • Feb 15
  • 2 min read


Tahoe City, CA - Bootstrap Publications is proud to announce that author Miles Whitney has been named the first-place winner of the 2025 New Feathers Award. Selected by the editorial team at New Feathers Anthology, Whitney’s winning nonfiction piece, “Artifact of Death, Artifact of Life,” was honored for its profound emotional resonance and masterful use of historical imagery.


“Artifact of Death, Artifact of Life” provides a powerful exploration of identity and survival. A queer, trans, Jewish research attorney based in Sacramento, Whitney channels his passion for justice into both the legal field and his creative work. The winning piece weaves together the haunting history of "bone music"—clandestine Soviet-era records pressed onto discarded X-ray film—with a contemporary narrative of the trans experience. Drawing on his unique ability to connect personal vulnerability with global history, Whitney presents a compelling look at the search for safety and the "indestructible music" of the human spirit.


“This is such an honor. There were so many other great works this year. Here's to a year with lots of great creativity, reading, and appreciating art!” — Miles Whitney


Key Highlights of “Artifact of Death, Artifact of Life”:

  • 2025 First Place Winner: Distinguished as the premier entry in the annual New Feathers Award cycle, selected from a competitive field of nominees across fiction, poetry, and art.

  • The Symbolism of "Bone Music": A central exploration of how banned art survived on radiographic film—literally turning images of death into vessels for music.

  • A Timely Narrative: A poignant reflection on the Passover story, drawing parallels between ancient flight and the modern challenges facing the trans community.


Since its publication in the Summer 2025 issue of New Feathers Anthology, the piece has moved readers and critics alike. This milestone arrives as Whitney prepares for the 2026 release of his debut novel with Bootstrap Publications, Midlife Musical, a richly layered exploration of art, memory, and the courage it takes to live authentically.


About Miles Whitney: Miles Whitney is an attorney, author, and advocate. With his work in the legal field and the literary arts, Whitney explores themes of grief, identity, and resilience—themes he has championed since the loss of his daughter, Isabel, in 2022. His writing has appeared in Slate, Freedom Fiction Journal, and Homo Works. Outside of writing and law, he enjoys reading Torah and training dogs in Northern California, weaving together his love for storytelling, faith, and community.


Connect with [Author Name]:

For more information on Midlife Musical or to schedule an interview with Miles Whitney, please contact:info@bootstrappublications.com


Tags: Miles Whitney, New Feathers Award, Nonfiction, Trans Literature, Midlife Musical, Sacramento Authors, Bootstrap Publications

Industries: Publishing, Literature, Social Justice, Legal



Bootstrap Publications Announces Collaboration with Dating Coach Alexis Germany Fox for Miriam Dorsett’s Upcoming Book Tell Me Your Best Joke

  • Feb 10
  • 3 min read


Tahoe City, CA – Bootstrap Publications is proud to announce an exciting collaboration with Alexis Germany Fox, a dating coach and relationship strategist, for the upcoming release of Tell Me Your Best Joke by Miriam Dorsett.

In the book’s foreword, Alexis lends her signature warmth and humor, inviting readers to rediscover the joy and playfulness often missing from modern dating. Drawing from her own experience as both a dating coach and online dater, she shares how a simple prompt—asking someone to “tell me your best joke”—became a powerful way to reveal personality, authenticity, and effort.

Miriam Dorsett, prior to writing and curating the book, initially used this question to connect with matches during the height of the global pandemic. The inspiration that led to this book’s formation was from actual online dating experiences.


“Asking for a joke isn’t really about the joke,” Alexis writes. 
“It’s a filter. You find out pretty fast if someone’s willing to put in even a little effort—if they’ll be playful with a stranger, or if their sense of humor is mean-spirited or sweet.”

The book proves that even in the most unexpected spaces, like an awkward app chat, joy and genuine connection can be found. It invites readers to laugh, relate, and reflect on the shared experience of seeking love in the digital age.


Alexis Germany Fox’s foreword reminds readers that dating doesn’t have to feel high-stakes or exhausting—it can be fun. By showing how humor opens doors to authenticity, she underscores that the real magic of dating lies not in perfect punchlines, but in the willingness to show up and try. 


Key Highlights of Tell Me Your Best Joke:

  • Features real and quirky jokes inspired by dating apps and modern romance.

  • Foreword by married dating coach Alexis Germany Fox, whose insights blend humor, faith, and practical wisdom.

  • Launches a multimedia campaign including the Tell Me Your Best Dating Story Contest and Swag Bag Kit Giveaway 

  • Features minority-owned brands for the Swag Bag Kit Giveaway: Just Sipiwe-Skin, Nailstry, and Haiti Coffee Co. and a complimentary dating profile review with Alexis Germany Fox

  • PR Kit collaborations with lifestyle influencers


Even ahead of its official announcement, Tell Me Your Best Joke is already generating excitement through early marketing discussions and planned campaigns. The book is set for a January 4th, 2026 prelaunch, intentionally timed to coincide with “Dating Sunday,” one of the most active days of the year for dating app users worldwide, It is also set to launch on February 14, 2026, Valentine’s Day.


Miriam Dorsett, Founder of Bootstrap Publications, sees this collaboration as a testament to creative connection and shared purpose. Guided by her belief in love, manifestation, and the power of authentic expression, she envisions the project as a space where humor, faith, and personal growth come together inviting deeper conversations about relationships and the many ways love can evolve and inspire.


About Alexis Germany Fox


Alexis Germany Fox is a married dating coach and relationship mentor specializing in faith-based and premarital counseling. Known for her warm, candid approach, she helps singles and couples build intentional, values-driven connections grounded in humor, authenticity, and faith. A mom to two sets of twins, Alexis embodies the balance of family, joy, and purpose that defines modern love. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine, ATTN, Bustle, Good Morning Britain, and The LA Times.


About Miriam Dorsett


Miriam Dorsett is the Founder of Bootstrap Publications, a women- and minority-owned independent press dedicated to amplifying diverse and underrepresented voices. As a writer and creative entrepreneur, she promotes community, authenticity, and self-expression through art and storytelling. Tell Me Your Best Joke is the latest addition to Bootstrap Publication’s growing catalog of empowering and thought-provoking works.


Preorder Tell Me Your Best Joke today and discover the funniest, quirkiest, and most unexpected jokes straight from the world of dating apps, perfect for readers who believe that laughter truly is the best conversation starter.


Connect with Alexis Germany Fox:


Partner Brands:


Connect with Bootstrap Publications:


Preorder list for Tell Me Your Best Joke: https://www.bootstrappublications.com/miriamdorsett 


For more information on Tell Me Your Best Joke or to schedule an interview with the author, please contact:

Bootstrap Publications


Tags: Tell Me Your Best Joke, Dating coach, Faith-based dating, Intentional dating, Modern love, Dating and Relationships, Bootstrap Publications, Miriam Dorsett, Alexis Germany Fox, Relationship advice

Industries: Publishing & Books, Dating & Relationships, Faith-Based Coaching, Personal Development, Lifestyle & Wellness, Women’s Empowerment, Entertainment & Pop Culture


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