FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 14, 2025
Bancroft Press Acquires Landmark Presidential History Book from Renowned Historian Dr. Allan J. Lichtman
La Crescenta, CA – Bancroft Press, one of America’s leading independent publishers, proudly announces the acquisition of publishing rights for Great American Presidents, an authoritative exploration of presidential leadership by Dr. Allan J. Lichtman, distinguished historian and celebrated election forecaster.
Scheduled for publication on September 9, 2026, Great American Presidents offers a deeply insightful and engaging narrative exploring the lives, achievements, and legacies of twelve presidents widely regarded as the greatest in American history: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Ronald Reagan. Through rich anecdotes, nuanced character studies, and compelling analyses, Dr. Lichtman examines how these influential leaders shaped pivotal eras including America’s founding, westward expansion, the struggle over slavery, the Great Depression, World War II, and the complexities of the Cold War.
Dr. Lichtman, a professor at American University renowned for his highly accurate presidential election predictions using his acclaimed “Keys to the White House” system, brings unparalleled expertise and media acumen to this ambitious project. An author of numerous influential works, including the award-winning FDR and the Jews and the widely discussed The Case for Impeachment, Dr. Lichtman’s scholarship has profoundly impacted historical discourse and public understanding.
“Publishing this book means a great deal to me—not just as a publisher but as someone who deeply appreciates the historical insights and compelling storytelling Allan brings to American political history,” said Bruce Bortz, founder and publisher of Bancroft Press. “I envisioned this as a significant contribution to historical literature and public discourse from the outset. Allan’s approach reveals these presidents as they truly were—remarkable yet deeply human, full of contradictions and paradoxes.”
Bancroft Press plans robust support across all formats—hardcover, paperback, e-book, and audiobook—with strategic international, academic market, and subsidiary rights initiatives.
“Given Allan’s exceptional media presence, proven ability to captivate broad audiences, and his extensive and loyal following, I’m fully committed to an aggressive and comprehensive marketing effort,” Bortz stated. “We believe Great American Presidents will become not only a cornerstone title for Bancroft Press but also a lasting work of historical significance.”
Dr. Lichtman is enthusiastic about the partnership: “I’m thrilled to collaborate with Bancroft Press to bring this important exploration to readers everywhere. The presidency remains America’s most influential institution, and understanding these leaders provides valuable insights into our nation’s past, present, and future.”
For more information, please contact:
Bruce Bortz
Bancroft Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -April 5, 2025
“Wrangling the Doubt Monster” by Amy L. Bernstein Wins Prestigious First Place BookFest Award for Nonfiction – Self-Help – Inspiration
LOS ANGELES, CA — April 5, 2025 — Bancroft Press is proud to announce that Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears, Finding Inspiration by Amy L. Bernstein, illustrated by Mary Grace Corpus, has been awarded the First Place BookFest Award in the category of Nonfiction – Self-Help – Inspiration.
Wrangling the Doubt Monster, wrote BookFest, “is celebrated as the indispensable guide every creative person needs in today’s challenging world. Bernstein offers a compelling perspective by positioning self-doubt not as an enemy to defeat, but as an ally to manage. Through concise, poetic insights, motivational quotes, and delightful illustrations, the book provides powerful tools to help artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers tackle their fears, overcome creative blocks, and courageously pursue their passions.”
The BookFest, a highly-regarded biannual literary event established in May 2020, honors outstanding books across various genres, selected by esteemed panels of literary and entertainment professionals. Receiving a BookFest Award places Wrangling the Doubt Monster among notable literary works recognized for their exceptional contribution to readers, writers, and the publishing community worldwide.
Publisher Bruce L. Bortz expressed excitement and pride, saying, “Amy L. Bernstein has crafted a uniquely powerful book, offering essential wisdom not just to writers and artists, but to anyone wrestling with self-doubt. This prestigious award underscores the impact and universal relevance of Amy’s profound insights.”
Praise for Wrangling the Doubt Monster includes accolades from Publishers Weekly BookLife, Kirkus Reviews, and notable authors and coaches like Dr. Eric Maisel and Jennie Nash. Bernstein’s work has resonated deeply, empowering countless readers to harness their fears as fuel for creative and personal growth.
About the Author: Amy L. Bernstein is an acclaimed author, former journalist, and certified book coach dedicated to helping individuals navigate doubt and achieve artistic fulfillment. Her compassionate and practical approach has inspired audiences globally through workshops, lectures, and her popular Substack newsletter, Doubt Monster.
About Bancroft Press: Since 1992, Bancroft Press has established itself as a premier independent publishing house, known for its carefully curated literary fiction and nonfiction titles that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Located strategically in Los Angeles, Bancroft Press connects outstanding literary content to a broad readership and the entertainment industry.
For more information, media inquiries, or to schedule interviews with the author, please contact:
Bruce L. Bortz
Publisher, Bancroft Press
[email protected]
818-275-3061
www.bancroftpress.com
Amy L. Bernstein
[email protected]
410-491-3133
https://amywrites.live
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 4, 2025
LIBBY STERNBERG’S “DAISY,” A FEMINIST REIMAGINING OF “THE GREAT GATSBY,” OPTIONED FOR LIMITED SERIES OR FILM
La Crescenta, CA — April 4, 2025 — Bancroft Press is excited to announce that the acclaimed novel Daisy, by award-winning author Libby Sternberg, has been optioned by Bassett Hound Productions for development as a limited television series, with the possibility of a feature film adaptation. The novel, widely praised as a compelling feminist reinterpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic The Great Gatsby, will soon be adapted for the screen, bringing its fresh perspective and poignant themes to an even wider audience.
Michael Goldstein, head of Bassett Hound Productions, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “Libby Sternberg’s writing is truly amazing, and her book captivated me immediately. We are especially drawn to the way she crafted a period piece that resonates with contemporary issues, vividly depicting the challenges and realities faced by women during the Jazz Age.”
Since its publication by Bancroft Press, Daisy has received extensive critical acclaim. Reedsy Discovery Reviews hailed it as “stunning and beautifully crafted,” describing it as “both a love letter to Fitzgerald’s original and a fresh and enriching take on the classic.” Booklist praised it as “original and charming,” underscoring the book’s significant reexamination of its titular character, Daisy Buchanan.
The novel, set in the tumultuous Jazz Age, gives voice to Daisy Buchanan as she navigates the complexities of love, independence, and personal agency, challenging her portrayal as a mere “beautiful little fool.” Sternberg’s reimagining enriches the narrative, uncovering a deeper understanding of the female experience during the Roaring Twenties.
Libby Sternberg, an Edgar finalist and celebrated author, shared her excitement about the adaptation: “Seeing Daisy Buchanan’s untold story reach a broader audience through television or film is a dream come true. I hope viewers connect deeply with her journey and the timeless struggles she represents.”
Bruce L. Bortz, publisher at Bancroft Press, remarked: “We’re proud to see Daisy attracting such attention and enthusiasm. This story is more relevant than ever, and we can’t wait to see Libby’s powerful vision brought to life on screen.”
The deal highlights the ongoing trend of Bancroft Press’s titles gaining recognition and interest from Hollywood, underscoring the publisher’s reputation for literary excellence and compelling storytelling.
For media inquiries, contact:
Bruce L. Bortz
Publisher, Bancroft Press
[email protected]
410-627-0608
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 26, 2025
Bancroft Press Acquires Acclaimed Journalist Roland De Wolk’s Epic True-Crime History, Rum, Roulette & the Righteous
Los Angeles, CA (March 26, 2025) — Bancroft Press is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Rum, Roulette & the Righteous: An American Epic of Greed, Goodness & Outrageous Optimism, a sweeping nonfiction narrative by distinguished journalist, educator, and author Roland De Wolk. The book is scheduled for hardcover release in October 2026.
Set against the turbulent backdrop of early 20th-century America, Rum, Roulette & the Righteous tells the riveting true story of Tony Cornero—the immigrant bootlegger, gambling visionary, and defiant outlaw—and Warren Olney III—the straight-arrow lawman, eventual boss of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, and reluctant enforcer of moral order. Their showdown off the coast of Southern California in 1939, where gambling ships battled law enforcement in full public view, offers a personalized window into the forces that shaped modern America: immigration, Prohibition, corruption, moral crusades, and the rise of big government.
“This is a big, gutsy, myth-shattering work,” said Bruce Bortz, publisher and editor at Bancroft. “Roland has written the American Battle of Algiers—a cinematic, character-driven history with real stakes, real grit, and real consequences that still resonate today.”
De Wolk brings his four-decade journalism career to bear on this tale of ambition, resistance, and identity. An Edward R. Murrow Award recipient, and longtime investigative reporter for KTVU and the San Francisco Chronicle, De Wolk is also a pioneer in online journalism and a former Senior Adjunct Professor at San Francisco State University. His most recent book, American Disruptor: The Scandalous Life of Leland Stanford (UC Press), received wide acclaim for its revelatory portrait of a Silicon Valley forefather.
“I’ve spent much of my career trying to surface stories that matter but were overlooked,” said De Wolk. “This is one of the most incredible true tales I’ve ever come across—two men on opposite sides of the law, both driven, both flawed, both trying to define what kind of country this would be.”
The deal was negotiated directly between author and publisher. Bancroft Press has acquired world rights in hardcover, trade paper, and ebook. An advance reading copy is expected in early 2026, with the final book to follow in fall of that year.
For rights inquiries or media contact, please email [email protected].
Follow the book and conversation using hashtags:
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#TrueCrimeHistory
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#ProhibitionEra
#GamblingShips
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Social Post Version (for Facebook/Instagram):
Book Deal Alert!
We’re thrilled to welcome award-winning journalist Roland De Wolk to Bancroft Press! His upcoming nonfiction thriller Rum, Roulette & the Righteous dives into the true-life battle between a gambling outlaw and a straight-arrow FBI chief—set on the high seas off 1930s California.
Coming Fall 2026.
If you love Boardwalk Empire or The Devil in the White City, this one’s for you.
#RumRouletteAndTheRighteous #TrueCrimeHistory #ProhibitionEra #BancroftPress #Fall2026Books #RolandDeWolk
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -March 25, 2025
Distinguished Presidential Historian Allan J. Lichtman Pens Foreword for Upcoming Biography “BECOMING JFK”
(La Crescenta, CA – March 25, 2025) – Bancroft Press proudly announces that Allan J. Lichtman, renowned presidential historian and Distinguished Professor at American University, has contributed an exclusive foreword to the upcoming biography, “BECOMING JFK: John F. Kennedy’s Early Path to Leadership,” authored by Scott Badler and scheduled for release on September 23, 2025. Lichtman’s involvement underscores the book’s importance and the unique insights it provides into JFK’s formative years.
Lichtman, acclaimed author of “The Keys to the White House” and the award-nominated “White Protestant Nation,” highlights the distinctiveness of Badler’s narrative approach. In his foreword, Lichtman describes the book as an “intimate and deeply human portrait of a flawed yet ultimately transformational president,” applauding Badler for his blend of historical rigor and imaginative storytelling.
“BECOMING JFK” explores Kennedy’s lesser-known early experiences, from academic life at Harvard and his extensive travels abroad, to his World War II heroics and the personal struggles that shaped his character and leadership style.
“Having Allan Lichtman’s authoritative voice lends tremendous weight and credibility,” says Bancroft Press founder and publisher Bruce L. Bortz. “His involvement emphasizes the historical depth and broad appeal of Scott Badler’s exceptional work.”
The biography has already been praised by Midwest Book Review as “lively, revealing, and thought-provoking,” promising to engage both leisure readers and scholars alike. Lichtman’s endorsement further positions “BECOMING JFK” as a key contribution to Kennedy scholarship.
For more information or to arrange interviews with Scott Badler or Allan Lichtman, please contact:
Bruce L. Bortz
Bancroft Press
818-275-3061
[email protected]
Relevant Hashtags: #BecomingJFK #JFK #JohnFKennedy #PresidentialHistory #Biography #NewBooks #AllanLichtman #ScottBadler #AmericanHistory #Leadership #BookLaunch #Historians #PublishingNews #BancroftPress
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 8, 2025
Bancroft Press Releases Highly Anticipated Audiobook Version of RING by Michelle Lerner, Narrated by Jenny Barr
La Crescenta, CA – Bancroft Press is thrilled to announce the release of the audiobook edition of Michelle Lerner’s critically acclaimed debut novel, RING, now available on Amazon and Audible. Brought to life by the captivating narration of Jenny Barr, listeners will experience a deeply emotional journey, exploring themes of grief, hope, spirituality, and healing.
Publisher Bruce L. Bortz praised the production, remarking, “Beautiful book. Beautiful reading, Jenny. I was in tears at the end. Michelle is a tough audience, but I think she’ll be proud.” Indeed, author Michelle Lerner expressed her pride and gratitude for Barr’s portrayal, a sentiment echoed by Barr herself, who reflected: “Beautiful book indeed. I will miss these characters.”
Jenny Barr, an Indiana Hoosier residing in Quebec by way of Boston, brings warmth and empathy to her performance, enhancing Lerner’s powerful narrative and making it a must-listen for those coping with grief, seeking spiritual insight, or simply appreciating exceptional literary fiction.
RING follows Lee, a non-binary parent profoundly affected by the mysterious death of their daughter. Journeying to a remote Canadian sanctuary designed to support individuals grappling with life-ending decisions, Lee encounters transformative companionship—most notably, Ring, a remarkable dog whose presence profoundly impacts Lee’s path toward healing. Lerner masterfully weaves together an exploration of complicated grief, suicide, spiritual renewal, and the profound connections humans share with animals and nature.
Praise for RING includes starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal, lauding the novel as “an emotional read that readers will be thinking about long after finishing” and a “must-purchase addition for people facing grief and looking for hope and healing.”
The audiobook edition is a powerful extension of Lerner’s compelling prose, offering listeners an immersive experience filled with emotional depth and a resonant narrative. It stands out as an essential resource for mental health professionals, educators, book clubs, and anyone navigating grief or seeking a profound spiritual narrative.
About the Author
Michelle Lerner is a poet, lawyer, and advocate whose personal experiences with chronic illness deeply inform her work. Her commitment to authentic storytelling is evident throughout RING, a novel celebrated for its emotional honesty, lyrical prose, and insightful representation of non-binary characters. Lerner lives and writes in suburban New York.
About the Narrator
Jenny Barr is an experienced audiobook narrator from Indiana, currently based in Quebec. Known for bringing warmth and depth to her narrations, Barr thoughtfully captures the nuanced emotional landscape of RING, making her performance unforgettable.
Audiobook Information:
- Title: RING
- Author: Michelle Lerner
- Narrator: Jenny Barr
- Publisher: Bancroft Press
- Release Date: Available Now
- Formats: Audiobook (Audible and Amazon)
- ISBN: 978-1-61088-631-4
Available for immediate download:
For media inquiries or review copies, please contact:
Bruce L. Bortz
Publisher, Bancroft Press
[email protected] | (410) 627-0608
www.bancroftpress.com
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