Metal Lunchbox Publishing

09/28/2025

New article about Ellen Parry Lewis and her new book “Messages from Ben” from Metal Lunchbox.

Ellen Lewis, a visiting professor at Rowan University, spent so much time in escape rooms that her husband probably wondered if she’d ever come home. She did, only to trap readers inside her new young adult Civil War spy novel. This isn’t any ordinary historical fiction. “Messages from Ben” ...

08/08/2025

Back-to-school is just around the corner. Now is a perfect time to gift a copy of "How to Become a Valedictorian" by Ellen Parry Lewis to your favorite student(s).

Becoming a valedictorian does not come by accident. This book shows you actual strategies used by top students to win the top spot.

06/07/2025

New Release! “Messages from Ben” by Ellen Parry Lewis is now available from Metal Lunchbox Publishing.

Eloise Brown and her neighbor, Benjamin West, have always had a deep understanding for one another. Their childhood was filled with secret codes and fun adventures. But once they reach adulthood, the things they used to play at become vital to their survival as the Civil War threatens everything they cherish. Ben engages in covert missions for the Union, sending Eloise heartbreaking letters during his time away. In an apparent quest for revenge, Eloise heads south where she joins up with a handsome Confederate captain. Offering to break Ben's codes for the Confederates, Eloise must continually make quick decisions that may alter the course of the war itself.

Messages From Ben can be considered an escape room in a book. It is an interactive novel, containing fifteen distinct messages, each with at least one unique code to break.

Cover Design by SF Varney.

Eloise Brown and her neighbor, Benjamin West, have always had a deep understanding for one another. Their childhood was filled with secret codes and fun adventures. But once they reach adulthood, the things they used to play at become vital to their survival as the Civil War threatens everything ...

11/25/2024

Metal Lunchbox authors Sammi Caramela and Ellen Parry Lewis were featured in Rowan University’s exciting new reading series featuring faculty and alumni creative writers!

03/18/2024

NEW RELEASE! Mourning Moon: A Collection of Poetry and Prose by Sammi Caramela is now available to read in paperback or Amazon Kindle. Also available on Kindle Unlimited.

When everyone around you tells you how to feel, who to be, and what you need, how do you define yourself? Through art. You grab the pen. You open the notebook. You let that voice within you speak — whether whispering or screaming. And you hear it. You listen with an open heart and unconditional a....

02/18/2024

New Release! Mourning Moon: A Collection of Poetry & Prose by Sammi Caramela is scheduled for release on March 15. One woman's journey through trauma, abuse, heartache, resilience, and - most importantly - love. Preorder now for your
Amazon Kindle

When everyone around you tells you how to feel, who to be, and what you need, how do you define yourself? Through art. You grab the pen. You open the notebook. You let that voice within you speak — whether whispering or screaming. And you hear it. You listen with an open heart and unconditional a....

04/25/2023

NEW RELEASE! "Stars and Wanderers" is a new science fiction/fantasy anthology of short stories written by Virginia Parrish, Andrew Bockhold, J. M. Robison, Sammi Caramela, David Sangiao-Parga, and Ellen Parry Lewis. Read in paperback or on your Amazon Kindle. https://amzn.to/3LrD0b6

"Stars and Wanderers" is a collection of science fiction and fantasy themed short stories. Featuring new work by authors Virginia Parrish, Sammi Caramela, J.M. Robison and Andrew Bockhold curated and edited by Ellen Parry Lewis.

04/02/2023

Mark your calendars for a new release from Metal Lunchbox Publishing! Science fiction/fantasy anthology "Stars and Wanderers" edited by Ellen Parry Lewis will be available Friday 4/22/2023.

Cover designed by SF Varney .

09/23/2022

Great article by Ellen Parry Lewis about the joys of pairing the right food with your favorite book genre.

In our latest op-ed, Nonfiction Editor Ellen Lewis offers her fellow writers guidance by enlisting the aid of distinct foods capable of immersing readers into assorted book genres.

Check it out: https://www.rowanglassworks.org/opinion/a-taste-for-literature

05/23/2022

See what readers are saying about "Some Place Like Home" by Sammi Caramela.

"April’s story made me feel less alone in some respects but more than anything helped me understand how to approach being a good friend to someone with OCD or anxiety."-Timothy

"The way Sammi writes April makes OCD so understandable, especially during April's spirals. This is an awesome coming-of-age book that deals with some heavy topics without being 'doom and gloom.'"-Lucas

"Fantastic debut!!! So refreshing and validating to read a book with an honest and accurate representation of mental illness in young adults."-Ashley

"Some Place Like Home was a great look into life with OCD. As a teacher, my students are struggling with mental health and I think they can benefit a lot from reading a YA book that shows a character going through the struggles and coming out of it a stronger person."-Nicole

"Some Place Like Home" is available in to read in paperback or on Amazon Kindle. Order your copy today. Honest reviews are always appreciated.

April is different, and not just in the quirky-girl-in-converse kinda way. She doesn't stress about college applications or prom dates like the other seniors in her class. Instead, she cycles obsessions and fear ranging from vomiting to being a bad person. For the most part, April can hide behind...