Tag: marc severson
Award, Too! “Don’t Throw Me in the Cholla Patch” Receives Storytelling World Honors
And! Marc Severson’s “Don’t Throw Me in the Cholla Patch” gets an Honor (honorable mention) in the 2020 Storytelling World Honors event. We’re proud of this unique and quirky book (with Francesco Orazzini’s great art) and can’t wait to bring the next book in the series in late 2020 or early 2021.
“Don’t Throw Me in the Cholla Patch” featured on Publishers Weekly Cover
(Press Release) An Arizona-based book from The Small-Tooth-Dog Publishing Group is one of only a handful of titles from Independent Publishers to appear on the September 2, 2019, cover of “Publishers Weekly” magazine. “Don’t Throw Me in the Cholla Patch,” written by Tucson’s Marc Severson and illustrated by Francesco Orazzini, was chosen as one of just 17 books from a curated field of 40 books. The book, an original folktale designed for older children features the plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert as two desert-dwelling tricksters face off in a battle of wits over who gets dinner and who is dinner. Learn more at chollapatch.com
Sean Buvala, the publisher at The Small-Tooth-Dog Publishing Group, says, “We’re honored to be on the ‘Publishers Weekly’ magazine featuring the works of independent publishers the world over. PW is considered the ‘bible of book publishing business’ and features the work of the publishing industry at all levels.”
“Don’t Throw Me in the Cholla Patch” features artwork by Italian illustrator Francesco Orazzini. The story is by Marc Severson of Tucson, Arizona. Featuring a battle of wits between hungry Coyote and the small-but-chatty Woodrat the Packrat, the two meet up under the moonlight in the Sonoran Desert. Will Woodrat be able to talk his way out of this or is he in for a thorny end? The book is intended for kids in the elementary middle grades.
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Interview with Author Marc Severson
Our publisher, Sean Buvala, sat down with author Marc Severson to talk shop about his new book “Don’t Throw Me in the Cholla Patch!” recently published by us. A transcript is included below. It’s a transcript, not a polished, printed document. Enjoy the “flavor” of it all.
Sean Buvala: Hey. This is Sean Buvala with Small Tooth Dog Publishing Group. I’m talking today to one of our new authors. You’ve been around the block for a while.
Marc Severson: Thirty years or so.
Sean Buvala: This is Mark Severson. He has just released with us, Don’t Throw Me in the Choya Patch. The wood rat and coyote story. The first of the woodrat stories.
Marc Severson: Absolutely.
Sean Buvala: Mark, how are ya?
Marc Severson: I’m doing great. I like to say that over the last 30 years, I’ve become an overnight sensation.
Sean Buvala: Yes, that’s right. That’s all it takes is 30 years. Hey, so we are really pleased to see this book come out with you.
Marc Severson: Not as pleased as I was.
Sean Buvala: That’s good. Look, even your name is on it.
Marc Severson: I know.
Sean Buvala: Where does the story come from? What is the history?
Marc Severson: That’s a great question. When I was an archeologist, I used to be out in the Sonoran desert and I’d find these piles of brush and such. They were surrounded by cholla. I always wondered about them. The fellow that I was doing the survey with said they were woodrat nests. I just thought, “Wow, what a fascinating creature.” They can bring cholla to its nest to protect it from all the other animals.
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New Catalog for Independent Bookstores!
#IndiesFirst! We are, as they say, delighted to be a featured publisher in the latest catalog for independent bookstores via the IBPA. You’ll find our titles on page 24. This season, we’re featuring: “From Audience to Zeal: The ABCs of Finding, Crafting, and Telling a Great Story” by Laura Packer; “Don’t Throw Me in the Cholla Patch” by Marc Severson; “The Fox and the Crow: Art and Stories Inspired by Aesop with Michelle and Sean Buvala; (and soon to be released) “The Kid’s Ultimate Guide to Creating Fun and Fantastic Stories for Writing and Telling” also by Sean Buvala.
Use the links above to order your copy of any of the books. TRADE/Industry ACCOUNTS: please see our page at this link now in order to create an account for your ordering with trade terms. Point-of-Sale materials are available for most titles we offer.
Small-Tooth-Dog Publishing Group at Tucson Festival of Books 2026 | Booth 288 Schedule & Events
Tucson Festival of Books 2026
The Small-Tooth-Dog Publishing Group – Booth 288
We are excited to return to the Tucson Festival of Books 2026 on March 14 and 15.
You can find The Small-Tooth-Dog Publishing Group at Booth 288, located on the south side of the mall area.
Search for us in the TFOB app under: The Small-Tooth-Dog Publishing Group.
This year, Booth 288 is a destination.
If you are planning your festival weekend, plan to spend time with us.
Full Weekend Schedule – Booth 288
Every featured book includes a hands-on, book-based craft led by illustrator Michelle Buvala.
Saturday – March 14
Craft included
Illustrated by Michelle Buvala
Free Craft included
A middle-grade novel inspired by Norse folktales
Craft included
children’s picture books
Celebration crafting for all ages
Sunday – March 15
Craft included
Trickster stories rooted in the Sonoran Desert
Craft included
Craft included
Craft included
Book-Based Crafting All Weekend
This is not just a book signing booth.
Every featured book includes a craft directly related to our books. Illustrator Michelle Buvala will be leading crafting throughout the weekend, encouraging children and families as they:
New crafts will rotate throughout the weekend. Families are welcome to return multiple times.
Meet Our Authors and Illustrators
We are proud to feature:
Read Michelle’s bio
Read Nancy’s bio
Read Harriet’s bio
Read Tamera’s bio
Read Marc’s bio
Read Sean’s bio
Visit their individual pages to learn more about their work and books.
For Families Visiting the Tucson Festival of Books
Booth 288 is designed for:
Bring your children. Stay for a craft. Browse the books. Talk with the authors.
We are located on the south side of the mall area.
So You Want to Publish a Children’s Book?
The Small-Tooth-Dog Publishing Group works with select authors who are serious about their craft and committed to building readership.
We focus prim
arily on:
All of our authors are expected to actively participate in building their platform, including social media engagement.
If you are an author who is:
We encourage you to speak with publisher Sean Buvala at Booth 288 during the festival.
You may also DM us to set up an informal time to talk.
Begin here:
So You Want to Publish a Book?
We are selective. We are encouraging. We are committed to quality.
Plan Your Visit to Booth 288
Tucson Festival of Books
March 14–15, 2026
Booth 288
South side of the mall area
Search for The Small-Tooth-Dog Publishing Group in the official festival app.
Come create.
Come read.
Come meet the authors.
Come talk publishing.
We look forward to seeing you at the Tucson Festival of Books 2026.