Janna Malamud Smith Books

Exploring the psychological barriers to art-making, this book intertwines the lives of renowned artists with the author's experiences as a psychotherapist. Each chapter addresses a specific challenge within the creative process, revealing how understanding these obstacles can transform them into sources of artistic energy. Through the journeys of figures like Julia Child, Charlie Chaplin, Lady Gaga, and Michael Jackson, the narrative offers a philosophical and analytical perspective on the creative impulse and mastery in various art forms.

Bernard Malamud, a prominent postwar American novelist, is celebrated for his significant contributions to literature, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning "The Fixer" and "The Assistant," recognized by "Time Magazine" as one of the best novels of all time. With over a dozen published works, he has not only solidified his status among America's literary elite but also influenced the trajectory of the nation's literature, exploring new themes and narratives that resonate deeply with readers.

"When the Island had Fish is the story of a tiny island, Vinalhaven Maine, that offers a close look at the significant history of Maine fishing particularly, but also provides a meditation on America's past and future. Vinalhaven's fishing history is in every way America's history. It's a story of habitations by native peoples and European-American settlers, their use of natural resources, their communities and kin, and their efforts to find ways to live in a harsh environment. Anyone interested in creating a viable collective future will learn from reading about the Penobscot Bay fisheries and fishermen, and about Vinalhaven's citizens' expansive knowledge of craft, husbandry, self-governance and community independence, and interdependence"-- Provided by publisher