As Fool’s Republic opens, Simon Wyley floats in a tiny all-white cell. A short-order cook with a genius-level IQ, Wyley has had a steady job for twenty years, paid his taxes, kept to himself. A dedicated husband and father, he’s a model citizen. So why is he being held?

Wyley is accused of committing crimes against the state—the charges are always implied, never specified—and is being held without formal charge, benefit of counsel, or due process of law. He confuses and confounds his interrogators using the only weapons at his disposal, irony and whimsy, to challenge their arrogance and false assumptions. As Wyley’s journey proceeds, we develop a deeper understanding of the complicated man behind the wisecracks and the dark underbelly of the society that has imprisoned him.

Road Signs: A Story of Practical Magic">Straddling the line between fantasy and literary fiction is a genre known as magical realism. It combines the poetic punch of literature with surreal and otherworldly elements to make a genre far richer than either genre alone. Our editors were pleased to work with such a book recently, and we're even more pleased to announce that Jay Archer David's ROAD SIGNS is now available to the public. "There is a road between places, between things, peoples and times. It conceals magic, bestows power-but mostly we travel it with eyes closed. David wants to open his eyes and travel farther." This is the premise behind ROAD SIGNS, and we've invited Jay Archer David to share more about his book, its creation, and his decision to self publish,  here.

TED: Tell us a little bit about the genesis of the book idea and/or how you came to decide to write it.

STILL MISSING debuted on The New York Times extended bestseller list, where it has now stayed for three weeks as of August 1st!

Read more about Chevy Stevens and STILL MISSING, or follow her on twitter (@chevystevens) to keep up with all the latest news. Looking for a great read once you've finished The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo? Try STILL MISSING. You won't be disappointed!

No one is more excited than an author whose book gets published, but all of us at TED are thrilled about what's happening with Chevy Stevens' STILL MISSING, released July 6th. Chevy came to us with her riveting first novel when she'd taken it as far as she could. Chevy was determined and dedicated to making STILL MISSING the best book possible, and enlisted Renni Browne's editorial assistance. "She was tireless," Renni said. "And what she does with an editorial suggestion is just breathtaking."

In 2008 we matched Chevy with literary agent Mel Berger at William Morris/Endeavor, who secured a three-book contract with St. Martin's. All four advance reviewers--Publisher's Weekly, Kirkus, Library Journal, and Booklist--gave STILL MISSING starred reviews, and pre-pub recommendations have also rolled in from Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Oprah Magazine, Romance Times Book Review, and others.  STILL MISSING was touted in People Magazine's "Great Escapes" feature, and the book was held up and recommended in Good Morning America's "Top Picks for Great Summer Reading."

A few weeks ago I posted some of the more interesting debut sales that had been recently made. There have actually been A LOT of exciting debut deals recently - a bright spot in a grim time! - and here are some of my faves: