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Ask the Author: Annie Hartnett

“Ask me a question.” Annie Hartnett

Answered Questions (8)

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Hi Annie, haven't seen you since Dave's wedding. Hope all is well! Just wanted to let you know I just finished Road to Tender Hearts and I think this was definitely your best novel (so far). I know we're both big fans of John Irving and I love how you can see a lot of his influences in your writing while still carving out your own style. Keep up the great work, we look forward to your next book! Question Mark?
Annie Hartnett thank you Matt!! Means so much that you read and enjoyed it! Hope you're doing well :) Art class forever.
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I never received my giveaway book of the Road to Tender Hearts from January. Can you please send me a copy of the book? Trish Kean
Annie Hartnett Sorry to hear that! I don't send out the giveaway books but if you send me an email to theroadtotenderhearts@gmail.com I can forward it!
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Unlikely Animals is my favourite book EVER. I loved Rabbit Cake too. Do you know approximately when The Road to Tender Hearts will be out? I've been trying to find a book that makes me laugh, cry and tickle my dark sense of humour... But nothing compares to your books!!!
Annie Hartnett Well, aren't you the NICEST! The Road to Tender Hearts comes out June 2025!!! I hope you love it!
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I just finished Unlikely Animals. Ah-mazing! As an author, I love your command of keeping multiple storylines moving forward. I posted about it in my FB group (Carla Vergot's Back Porch) and I believe 3 other people have picked it up as a result. Are you working on anything else?
Annie Hartnett thank you! I'm so glad you liked it & thanks so much for spreading the word! means so much... and yes my next book THE ROAD TO TENDER HEARTS comes out (probably) next summer!
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I just finished Rabbit Cake and it's my new favorite book. Seriously, I can't thank you enough for writing it <3 Elvis and the Babbitt family have a very special place in my heart. I was also a kid who loved animal facts and currently work at a conservation center. What was your inspiration for this story?
Annie Hartnett Aw -- this is so so great to hear! There's lots of different inspirations for the elements of the book, I'm kind of a patchwork writer who takes all the parts of life that interest me and work them together. It was originally a book about sleepwalking, and how strange that is as a phenomenon, and maybe that was the initial idea, but Elvis came alive as a character as soon as I made her obsessed with animals. I'm also a big animal lover and have worked quite a few animal-centered jobs in the past too :) So so glad you liked the book and thanks for taking the time to tell me!! Annie
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Not really a question, just a heartfelt Thank you for the gift of Rabbit Cake. I just finished reading it, and I have a feeling Elvis and her family (and Boomer!) are going to stay with me for a long time. I need to tell friends and coworkers (I work at a public library) about this gem. Will you be doing a book tour or giving readings when your new book comes out?
Annie Hartnett Hi Cherie! Thanks so much -- means so much that you liked the book & took the time to write me. Yes, tell everyone! Haha. I will definitely be on tour again when the next book comes out (but have to finish it first!) :)
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Loved Rabbit Came so very much. When can we expect another book by you?
Annie Hartnett Oh thank you Ashley! Don't know why I didn't see this question 2 months ago! I'm working hard on book #2 now, but it's not done yet. I'll let you know when I've got a date.
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HI! In an interview, you mention two writers that changed your understanding of what writing can be...George Saunders and Amy Bender? I'm not sure I'm spelling their names correctly but I'd love to know what books you'd recommend of theirs since they had such an effect on you. Thanks so much--looking forward to reading Rabbit Cake...just learned about it and you from a friend's revidew on Goodreads!
Annie Hartnett Hi Kat! It was George Saunders's story "Sea Oak" that I read in college that first kicked off my excitement for the short story -- and his more recent story collection Tenth of December is wonderful. And it was Aimee Bender's story collection The Girl in the Flammable Skirt. Hope you love Rabbit Cake!
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