FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2023

**Crimson Leaf Publishing Announces Debut Novel Cypress Bend**

*The Southern gothic thriller marks the launch of the firm’s flagship fiction imprint*

ST. LOUIS, MO — Crimson Leaf Publishing announced today the upcoming release of *Cypress Bend*, a Southern gothic thriller and the first title in its 2024 fiction catalog. Set in the humid marshlands of the Mississippi Delta, the novel follows a disgraced journalist’s return to her hometown to investigate a decades-old disappearance that mirrors a modern-day crime.

The novel marks a pivot for the boutique publisher as it expands its reach into high-concept commercial fiction. *Cypress Bend* explores themes of generational trauma and environmental decay in the American South, blending elements of a traditional procedural with atmospheric literary prose.

“We didn't just want a mystery; we wanted a story where the landscape itself felt like the primary antagonist,” said Crimson Leaf founder, Sarah Jennings. “In *Cypress Bend*, the swamp is as much a character as the detective. It’s a narrative that demands to be read in one sitting, and it sets the tone for the caliber of storytelling our readers can expect from this imprint.”

Early industry reviews highlight the novel’s pacing and its unflinching look at small-town power structures. The publication is part of a broader multi-platform launch strategy by Crimson Leaf Marketing to leverage digital-first audience building within the mystery and thriller communities.

*Cypress Bend* will be available in hardcover, trade paperback, and digital formats on March 12, 2024. Pre-orders are currently open through major retailers and independent bookstores. The author will embark on a regional four-city book tour beginning in New Orleans on the date of release.

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ABOUT CRIMSON LEAF PUBLISHING: Crimson Leaf Publishing is an independent house based in St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in high-concept fiction and narrative non-fiction. The firm provides integrated marketing and distribution services for debut and established authors.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Zara
Lead Creative Copywriter, Crimson Leaf Marketing
press@crimsonleafmarketing.com
(555) 012-3456