Fish Island is an actual island in New Bedford Harbor, where my partner, freelance writer Carol Steinfeld, had her office for a number of years. As you can see from the image above, it was a practical, down-to-earth island, which makes it a good symbol for the practical, down-to-earth liberal religious books you’ll find here.
Unitarians, Universalists, and other religious liberals in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Essays on Rev. William Jackson, the first African American minister to declare himself a Unitarians (in 1860); Mary Rotch, a primary influence on Ralph Waldo Emerson and theologian in her own right; Rev. John Murray Spear, Universalist and abolitionist; Tryworks Coffeehouse, an outreach program to teens; and more.
With an index, extensive notes, a list of all Unitarian and Universalist ministers who served in New Bedford to 2009, a bibliographic essay on sources, brief biographies of prominent New Bedford Unitarians and Universalists, etc.
428 pages. 2009.
Perfect-bound 6x9 in.
Print on demand: click for up-to-date pricing.
Also available as a free ebook.
A new reader's edition of the classic statement of universal salvation, edited for clarity and ease of reading by Rev. Dan Harper. Includes a general index, a scripture index, and a brief biography of Hosea Ballou.
205 pages. 2015 edition.
Perfect bound 6x9 in.
Buy from Lulu or Buy from Barnes and Noble (shipping may be chaper from Barnes and Noble).
A history of early Unitarianism in Palo Alto, California, told through the stories of individual Unitarians and Universalists, rather than through the stories of the institution, or the (mostly male) ministers. Includes extended biographical essays on Sylvie Thompson Thygeson, early provider of birth control; Leila Lasley Thompson, war widow and Unitarian minister; Alice Locke Park, suffragist and pacifist; and more.
With an index, extensive notes, a bibliographic essay on sources, etc. Expected publication date: 2025.
In production, scheduled for spring, 2025
Perfect-bound 6x9 in.
A book filled with fun ecojustice information for kids age 8 to 12. Written for Ecojustice Camp, a week-long day camp in Palo Alto, the book gives lots of interesting facts about the ecosystems of the Adobe Creek watershed. The book introduces ecojustice elders Rachel Carson, Cesar Chavez, Ishi, Wangari Maathai, and Henry Thoreau. Includes practical tips on camping, hiking, and spending time outdoors.
Scheduled for 2025
Perfect-bound 5.5x8.5 in
All the posts and comments from the first six years of my blog, Yet Another Unitarian Universalist (YAUU), in a six volume set of ebooks. YAUU began on the old AOL blogging platform, before Twitter even existed, at a time when Facebook was limited to college students at elite universities. This collection offers insight into the beginnings of UU social media. Now available as FREE ebooks (in PDF format). These volumes are unedited, with posts and comments the way they originally appeared on the blog.
PDF ebooks, 6/9 in. pages.
2005 — FREE download
2006 — FREE download
2007 — FREE download
2008 — FREE download
2009 — FREE download
2010 — FREE download
Indian Melodies by Thomas Commuck was the first musical publication by a Native composer in the U.S., and was published with 4-shape note-heads. This inexpensive, legible, and complete edition is designed for use by Sacred Harp and shape note singers. As a Methodist himself, Commuck mostly drew on Methodist hymn texts. It is sold at cost, and I make no profit from this book; those who use this book are encouraged to send donations to the Brotherton Indian Nation.
Due to Lulu's printing limitations, this edition is bound across the top (long edge), instead of across the end (short edge) as is customary with shape note tunebooks. Since this edition is issued under a Creative Commons license, you are welcome to reprint it with whatever binding you prefer.
116 pages. 2019 reprint edition.
Paperback. Coil-bound (long edge).
Does not have Fish Island Books imprint.
Print on demand: click for up-to-date pricing.
This is a collection of four dozen Yuletide songs and carols, arranged for SATB voices. The texts mostly come from older Unitarian, Universalist, American Ethical Union, and Quaker hymnals and songbooks, and will appeal to religious liberals.
Suitable for carolers, choirs, and informal groups that enjoy singing four-part harmony. Includes both classic harmonizations, and less well-known harmonizations.
100 pages. 2014.
Perfect-bound 8.5x11 in.
ISBN: 9780988941335
Print on demand: click for up-to-date pricing.
Over 100 copyright-free hymns and spiritual songs for use by religious liberals. All sheet music was drawn from sources that are in the public domain in the United States. Although no warranty is made to this effect, to the best of the compiler's knowledge texts, tunes, and arrangements are public domain. The musical typesetting is also released into the public domain. As public domain material, it can be freely reproduced, altered, etc.
Priced at the minimum amount Lulu.com will allow for global distribution. Since all the sheet music in this book is public domain, you only need to buy one copy, then you can reproduce as many individual copies of each hymn that you need.
199 pages.
Perfect-bound 8.5x11 in.
ISBN: 9781304447463
Does not have Fish Island Books imprint.
Scheduled for May, 2025 — check my online Lulu.com store for availability.
