Hi Friends,


I’m writing this from the London rehearsal room of Austenland the musical, where I am listening to talented actors sing and act jokes I have written - they are putting the “joy” in “joyous season.” So this note will be a short one. Here’s what I’m looking forward to in 2025:

1. Sharing behind-the-scenes moments of my 2026 novel with you as I write it  

2. Watching Austenland - my new musical - in a concert performance at the Savoy Theater in London for one day only in March 

3. The debut of my daughter’s middle grade book, The Extraterrestrial Zoo, in March

4. Spending time with my husband, kids, and grandkids. 


I know that after January 20th, things in this country are going to be a challenge and will test my patience and my rage - but I am choosing to believe that just means there is more need for art that promotes kindness and compassion, and that actively seeks to dismantle systems of oppression and divisiveness. So I’m choosing to remember that there are certain things that I can control - and that’s what I’m leaning into. “Don’t let anyone steal your joy” feels like a good mantra.  


Wishing you all health, happiness, and excellent books in the coming year!


XO,

Jodi 

BY ANY OTHER NAME Is An Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller!



In 1581, Emilia Bassano—like most young women of her day—is allowed no voice of her own. But as the Lord Chamberlain’s mistress, she has access to all theater in England, and finds a way to bring her work to the stage secretly. And yet, creating some of the world’s greatest dramatic masterpieces comes at great cost: by paying a man for the use of his name, she will write her own out of history.


In the present, playwright Melina Green has just written a new work inspired by the life of her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano. Although the challenges are different four hundred years later, the playing field is still not level for women in theater. Would Melina—like Emilia—be willing to forfeit her credit as author, just for a chance to see her work performed?


Told in intertwining narratives, this sweeping tale of ambition, courage, and desire asks what price each woman is willing to pay to see their work live on—even if it means they will be forgotten.


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Have you always wanted to ask me a question, but thought it might get lost amidst the clutter of social posts? Well, I've created a special email account just for you! Submit your question to jodi@askjodipicoult.com and I promise to answer a few each month in my newsletter.

Q: What are you listening to?

JP: At the moment, the ripping score of Austenland the musical!


Q: What are you reading?

JP: V.E. Schwab’s Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil.


Q: What are you watching?

JP: Black Doves.

Have You Heard...


I received this year’s Robie Harris Author Award for free speech advocacy from The National Coalition Against Censorship and Judy Blume presented me with the award!

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The characters from By Any Other Name? Who is your favorite so far?

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Facebook Post Of The Month #1: Caroline


I have literally just finished reading this wonderful book (By Any Other Name). I felt like I was truly inside the head of Emilia, living her life with her and I shed tears at the end. I will never ever forget this brave, wonderful woman and I will never read, watch or listen to certain "Shakespeare" plays and sonnets again without searching for her voice within them. Thank you for this moving, educational book.

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I think this (By Any Other Name) is my favorite Jodi book of all time, and I have read them all! 

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Mad Honey, Wish You Were Here, The Book of Two Ways, A Spark of Light, Small Great Things, and Leaving Time are all available in paperback.


You can read summaries and purchase the books via the links below.

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Jodi In The News


BookTok Has A Trump Problem

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Author Jodi Picoult Ends The ‘Keep Politics Off Booktok’ Debate Once And For All With The Most Searing Rebuttal To Date

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Grazia Book Club: Jodi Picoult Is Set To Upset A Lot Of (Male) Shakespeare Scholars

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