July 19, 2023 | Issue #148 |
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Latest News From "The Fab Four"
Kristy Woodson Harvey wants to thank everyone so incredibly much for their support of her launch week for THE SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS. She loved to see so many of you at her events and is so grateful for all your posts and reviews and support!! She has a lot more events coming up this week, so go see her if she’s in your area!
What Kristy is reading: The Shore by Katie Runde
Kristin Harmel is back to work on her next novel after a week of adventures around Orlando with 7-year-old Noah, including visits to SeaWorld, the Crayola Experience, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. She’s very excited to see Meg, Patti, Kristy, Mary Kay and Ron this week at Oxford Exchange–one of her favorite places in the world–and she can’t wait to toast Kristy and The Summer of Songbirds in person.
Patti Callahan Henry is back from some beach time on the Gulf coast, and she’s returned to her writing desk and loving the feeling of diving back into a new work! She’s so ready to get to Tampa to celebrate Kristy’s Summer of Songbirds with the whole FF crew. Oh and hey! Did you know she’s going back for another round of tour for The Secret Book of Flora Lea? You can check out all her stops RIGHT HERE.
Mary Kay Andrews is putting the final touches on the tour for the September 26 release of Bright Lights, Big Christmas. Watch for her stops in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Connecticut, New Jersey and more. She’s also looking forward to hanging with her F&F crew in Tampa, this Thursday for Kristy’s The Summer of Songbirds event at Oxford Exchange, and then getting in some weekend beach time with Mr. MKA and her hometown pals across the bay in St. Pete.
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Get to Know Our Friend, Steven Rowley!
What's the biggest misconception people have about you and your work?
I write a lot about grief and heartbreak and sometimes I think people worry my books are too sad. (Particularly with my first novel Lily and the Octopus.) Readers will warily ask: Am I going to cry? I never know how to answer that other than to promise them they will smile. I may tackle serious journeys. But we're all going to have genuine laugh-out-loud moments along the way -- and hopefully a lot of them. Because that's how life is.
When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
I wrote short stories as a kid and I remember once my father took one to his office, ran off several copies on the photocopier and brought them home all collated and stapled. I remember thinking "There can be more than one copy of something I write?" And a lightbulb clicked. In that moment a writer was born.
Is there a particular independent bookstore or library you'd like to shout-out?
I currently reside in Palm Springs and we just got a new independent bookstore, aptly called The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs. I'm thrilled to have a bookstore in town and they carry signed copies of all my books. I just love the entire team over there and I stop in regularly just to hang out. There's no place better than a bookstore. Additionally, I wouldn't have the career I have today if I didn't have a public library card as a kid -- and parents who encouraged me to use it. So I always love to give thanks to the South Portland Public Library in South Portland, Maine and to the children's librarian, Mrs. Brado.
The last book you raved about.
My husband, author Byron Lane (A Star is Bored), and I each had new books publish on May 30th. So in addition to my new novel The Celebrants, I'm telling everyone to get his new book too. It's called Big Gay Wedding and it's so much fun. Think Father of the Bride, but mother of one of two grooms.
Tell us about your work-in-progress.
For the first time in my life I'm remaining tight-lipped! But if you're a reader of mine, I think you'll be very excited. Stay tuned for news. SOON, I promise.
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Get to Know Our Friends, Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke!
What would you be if you weren't a writer?
If Lisa wasn’t a writer, she would be a professional chef. She loves cooking, but she’s self-taught, and for starters, her knife skills could use some serious help. She would love to go to culinary school and learn all the tricks of the trade!
If Liz wasn’t a writer, she would be a personal shopper. What better world than to be able to shop for a living? She already does a lot of it, but to be paid to step into a store like Anthropologie would be amazing!
Tell us about the first piece of fiction you ever wrote.
When Lisa was eight years old, she wrote a story called, There’s a Jungle in My Closet about a little girl who goes into her closet at night and falls into a world filled with animals. Fun fact: when Lisa’s step-daughter was nine, she added on to the story and included illustrations!
In first grade, Liz’s short story about a great, big dog was published in the esteemed literary journal of her elementary school!
Do you have any writing rituals?
Lisa’s writing ritual is to write early before anyone in the house is awake. It involves coffee, coffee, and more coffee. Also, she must listen to music while she writes!
Liz also prefers to write early in the morning. But she likes to mull the chapter over in her mind first for a day or so, and then it spills right out on the page!
Is there a particular independent bookstore or library you'd like to shout-out?
Yes! Warwick’s in La Jolla is our beloved local indy bookstore. We cannot say enough good things about it! If we could move in there, we just might! Julie Slavinsky, who coordinates the author events, is also an absolute gem!
The last book you raved about:
We both devoured The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer. It was heartfelt and charming. A perfect palette cleanser!
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Featured Bookseller
Bookshop.org
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Listen to the F&F Podcast!
Coming this Friday, July 21st—Ron & Patti talk to Ashlee Cowles and Danielle Stinson, the writing team known as A.D. Rhine, about their debut fantasy novel HORSES OF FIRE.
Out Now! WB_S6E14—Ron & Meg talk to British novelist Alex Hay about his debut novel, described as Downton Abbey meets Oceans Eight, THE HOUSEKEEPERS. LISTEN NOW!
Out Now! WB_S6E13—Ron & Meg talk to the writing pair of Christine Pride & Jo Piazza about their eagerly anticipated second novel, YOU WERE ALWAYS MINE. LISTEN NOW!
Listen, download, subscribe, rate, review & share wherever you get your podcasts!
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News from the Zibby Award-Winning Friends &Fiction Official Book Club with Brenda & Lisa
It's time to celebrate! Join Brenda and Lisa in a virtual Third Anniversary Party for the Friends & Fiction Official Book Club at 6 pm ET on Tuesday, July 25. The Fab Four, giveaways, and games will all be part of the evening. Become a member of the Friends & Fiction Book Club group on Facebook to join in the fun!
Coming up:
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July 25: Third Anniversary Book Club Celebration, 6pm ET
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Aug 18: Happy Hour with Ron Block and special guest, 7 pm ET
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Aug 21: Kristy Woodson Harvey, The Summer of Songbirds
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Sept 18: Abby Jimenez, Yours Truly
All events begin at 7pm Eastern unless otherwise noted. Grab these books and start reading now!
If you missed it:
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What We’re Reading:
Connect with us!
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Become a member of the Friends & Fiction Book Club group on Facebook!
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Subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can view previous book club discussions and happy hours at your leisure!
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Follow us on Instagram!
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The F&F 2023 Reading Challenge!
We have announced the 2023 F&F Reading Challenge! This year the challenge is being run by the F&F Official Book Club with Brenda & Lisa. Join in on all the fun on their Facebook group page. Each month there is a different category prompt designed to get all of us reading outside of our comfort zone. Let’s have fun together all year long reading books from lots of different genres. On the book club’s Facebook page, there will be ideas shared for each category and the chance to talk with fellow members about your reading selections. The timeless F&F Reading Journal makes the perfect companion piece to this or any reading challenge, helping you keep track of all the books you read all year long. Grab your reading journal HERE.
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F&F is on YouTube!
Subscribe Today!
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Did you miss the July 12th episode celebrating the launch of Kristy’s THE SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS? If so, you can watch it on our YouTube channel HERE. We air our show on YouTube every Wednesday night at 7pm ET. And every episode since our show’s inception can be found there too. So if you ever miss one, or in case Facebook is being difficult, check us out on YouTube. Subscribe today so you never miss an episode and get alerted every time we post new content. We also have book trailers and highlight clips on our channel, too! Watch the July 12th show HERE.
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Friends & Fiction Merchandise
SHOP THE F&F MERCH STORE!
Available Exclusively at Oxford Exchange:
SHIRT—Original white fitted v-neck T’s: ORDER HERE. Use Code FFBOGO at check-out to claim your FREE T-shirt when you purchase one!
POSTER—2022 Tour Posters autographed by all four F&F hosts ORDER HERE.
READING JOURNAL—Cloth bound with gold foil embossing, satin ribbon marker, elastic band, heavyweight paper, and a back pocket ORDER HERE.
WINE TUMBLER—Powder coated, double-wall stainless steel thermal tumbler with clear push‐on lid. ORDER HERE.
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CONNECT WITH THE FRIENDS & FICTION HOST AUTHORS! |
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