New books out by University of Louisiana at Monroe faculty and graduates

Rickey E. Pittman, adjunct English instructor in the School of Humanities at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, recently released a multi-discipline children’s book titled “Rio Grande Valley ABC.” The book covers the English alphabet, and introduces readers to the history, social science and geography of Texas. The book is illustrated by Julie Dupré Buckner, an award-winning artist and illustrator whose portrait work is held in private collections throughout the United States. Pittman is an award winning author, storyteller and folksinger originally from Dallas. In addition to his writing — “Scottish Alphabet,” “Irish Alphabet,” “Jim Limber Davis” and many more, — he has also recorded musical albums including “Bard of the South” and “A Lover’s Ghost.”

Dr. Kenneth Clow, the ULM Biedenharn Endowed Chair in Business, and Dana-Nicoleta Lascu of the University of Richmond recently collaborated on a 15-chapter textbook designed for introductory courses in marketing. “Essentials of Marketing, 5th Edition” was published by Textbook Media and features international examples and illustrations as well as business-to-business concepts. Clow has created a blog to accompany the textbook that allows instructors using the text to keep up with recent events in the area of marketing. In addition to the “Essentials of Marketing” textbook, Clow has published books in advertising, marketing research, sports marketing and services marketing. He also has published more than 200 articles in academic journals and conference proceedings.

Michael Deschamp, a 2013 graduate of ULM, has published “One Egg or Two,” a collection of short stories that explores family, friendship and tragedy through a host of characters. The series ends on the streets of New Orleans where characters help to explain the mysterious death of a popular hairdresser.

Deschamp’s first novel, “An Education through Letters: A Memoir of My First Grade Teacher Mrs. Jacobson,” was published in 2006 and follows 15 years of correspondence between a young boy and his first grade teacher.

Deschamp earned a Master of Arts in English from ULM, and holds several degrees in liberal arts, philosophy, English and creative writing. He has also taught English for more than 25 years at both the high school and collegiate level.

Both of Deschamp’s novels can be found on Amazon.com.

Louisiana Book News is written by Cheré Coen, the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “ExploringCajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.