The Luminous Heart of Jonah S.

By Gina B. Nahai

QUESTION FOR CBSD: As you can see, we are planning to publish this in both paperback and hardcover. We suspect Gina Nahai has a decent library track record. Are we right about that??

Extremely timely novel, given what is happening in Iran these days. The novel is set between contemporary Los Angeles and Tehran from the 1950s through the 1970s. It explores the history of Iranian Jews migrating to America. In this sense it is filled with fascinating historical details, but often reads like a comic literary novel.

Gina Nahai has a solid commercial track record from her previous novels.

To be published simultaneously with the novel Tehran at Twilight and the anthology Tehran Noir.

Strong Jewish themes, so the book should appeal to a Jewish audience.

Los Angeles and New York City both have large Jewish-Iranian communities, so those two cities will be important for this book.

Author will likely conduct 12-city tour sponsored by the Jewish Book Council

Publicize to major dailies, weeklies, literary publications, alternative publications. Major radio and television push.

Akashic's promotion will have a strong social media component

Promote to a general literary audience, but also to Jewish, Middle Eastern and Iranian-themed venues.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Akashic Books
• Release date: Sep 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781617753299