Lincoln Native and UNL Student Receives First Book Deal

Dead Socials by Jeff Hill
Dead Socials by Jeff Hill

POE BOY PUBLISHING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 18, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Hill, 402-326-3555, jhill25@unl.edu

Lincoln Native and UNL Student Receives First Book Deal
Signings set for Friday and Sunday, October 25 and 27

Poe Boy Publishing today announced Lincoln author and University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) PhD student Jeff Hill’s debut novel, Dead Socials, was released in late August. Book signing events are scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. at Trade a Tape Comic Center at 145 South 9th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska and from 2 to 5 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Southpointe at 2910 Pine Lake Road, Lincoln, Nebraska on Friday, October 25 and Sunday, October 27, respectively.

“When Poe Boy Publishing reached out to me about publishing my book, I was ecstatic,” said author Jeff Hill. “I have written stories all my life. I love taking readers on an adventure, whether it is thrilling, scary, suspenseful, funny, or all these emotions combined. To be able to go on my own journey to publish my first novel has been amazing, a little nerve-racking, and humbling.”

The supernatural ghost thriller Dead Socials is about a disgraced reporter who returns to his Midwestern hometown to document the story of the deadliest school shooting in the history of the country. In one of many twists in the book, the main character speaks with the people who did not survive the shooting and dives into the world of mass media and social media hysteria to find out what really happened.

“Plan for a lot of surprises,” said Hill. “This is a thrill-seeking fictional read that boldly highlights the harsh reality of how social media can impact and alter the lives of many.”

After teaching English to high school students for 10 years before furthering his own education, Hill feels passionate about student safety.

“The simplest of kind acts and inclusive behavior can really make a difference in a person’s day, week, and life,” he said.

Hill said he estimates about 200 or more readers will be attending the two signings. For those who cannot attend, Trade a Tape Comic Center will mail autographed book copies to readers or hold them in the store for pick up. Hardcover books are $25.

Hardcover and eBook formats are also available to order through Amazon here. Poe Boy Publishing is planning a book tour at several bookstores, libraries, and universities across the country in fall and winter 2024. A schedule has not been announced.

For more information on Jeff Hill, follow him on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Patreon as jeffhillwriter. For more information on Poe Boy Publishing, go here.


Author Jeff Hill has been writing novels and short stories since he could pick up a pencil. Currently pursuing a PhD in Human Sciences and a graduate certificate in personal leadership at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Hill holds a BS in education, graduate certificates in both digital humanities and the teaching of writing, and a MA in English, all from UNL. He became a college lecturer after teaching high school for a decade and currently serves as a chapter advisor for Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Hill has over 100 short story publications for various literary magazines, available in print and online with links from Hill’s Patreon website. A former research associate for the Walt Whitman Archive and faculty member of the Writer’s Hotel writing conference in New York City, Jeff is also a freelance writing tutor and has worked part time in a comic shop since he was a kid. Dead Socials is his first published novel.