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Author Jim Antonini Released Seventh Book

The Morgantown writer published his latest work, Candyland, during the summer of 2026.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Gambling

Flat opaque gouache-painted editorial illustration of seven stacked sculptural forms on a table, evoking the quiet nature of creative writing.
Morgantown author Jim Antonini released his seventh self-published book, Candyland, this summer, marking a productive six-year span for the local writer. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Morgantown author Jim Antonini released his seventh self-published book, Candyland, in the summer of 2026. This latest title follows his previous work, Bullets for Silverware, released under his Pump Fake Press label.

Why it matters

Antonini began his prolific publishing streak during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he reorganized existing writing files into a structured series of books. This shift allowed him to transition from hobbyist to an independent author with seven releases in six years.

Antonini has released five novels and two nonfiction works over the past six years. His previous project, Wild Bill Rides Again, earned finalist recognition in both the 2026 Kirkus Indie Book Award and the Eric Hoffer Book Awards.

The players

Jim Antonini

He is a Morgantown-based author who founded the Pump Fake Press label to self-publish his literary works.

Al Bonner

He is a collaborator who worked alongside Antonini on the 2024 book project titled The Hot Dog Diaries.

Geoffrey Fuller Five

This is a local writing group that assists Antonini in honing his stylistic approach to storytelling.

The details

The author operates out of Morgantown and credits a local writing group known as the Geoffrey Fuller Five for helping him refine his literary style. His work has covered diverse themes, including a 27-year profile of softball teams and fictional heists involving $1 million.

Timeline

  1. In 2024, Antonini collaborated on The Hot Dog Diaries.

  2. In 2025, the author released Sometimes Orange is Almost Gold.

  3. During the summer of 2026, Candyland was officially released.

  4. In 2026, Wild Bill Rides Again became a finalist for national book awards.

Culture Shift

This move follows the documented trend of the self-publishing industry, where authors increasingly leverage independent platforms to maintain creative control. Antonini’s prolific output mirrors a broader shift in the literary landscape toward direct-to-reader distribution models.

Residents may find interest in the Morgantown-based author's latest work, which is now available through his Pump Fake Press label. Readers interested in independent local literature can follow these new releases as part of their personal reading lists.

The takeaway

Authors who utilize structured peer-review groups can significantly increase their consistent output by refining their workflow over time. Establishing a dedicated publishing label offers a practical pathway for writers to manage their own catalogs and release schedules independently.

Further reading

For more on the local literary and creative scene, visit the Gambling section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Dominion Post.

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