Fiona Davis's Blog, page 2
June 21, 2018
Tour dates for August 2018!
I'll be hitting the road this summer to meet readers and chat about my new release, THE MASTERPIECE (out 8/7/18). I hope to see you and be able to say thanks in person. Here's the quick scoop:
August 7 - New York City
August 8 - Columbus, OH
August 9 - San Francisco
August 10 - Los Angeles
August 11 - Houston
August 13 - St. Louis
August 14 - Long Island, NY
Visit my Goodreads Events page for full details, or check out my website at http://www.fionadavis.net.
Happy reading!!
F.
August 7 - New York City
August 8 - Columbus, OH
August 9 - San Francisco
August 10 - Los Angeles
August 11 - Houston
August 13 - St. Louis
August 14 - Long Island, NY
Visit my Goodreads Events page for full details, or check out my website at http://www.fionadavis.net.
Happy reading!!
F.
June 5, 2018
Early Praise for "The Masterpiece"
I'm thrilled at the lovely reviews and blurbs that have recently come in for my next book, due out in August, and wanted to share a few of them here with you:
“Davis has written another paean to a New York City landmark. Historical fiction fans will love the compelling dual narrators and time periods perfectly captured in this novel based on the history of one of the busiest transportation hubs in the world.”—Library Journal (starred review)
“Fiona Davis has made a name for herself in writing about famous New York City locations, and in The Masterpiece, she delivers another un-put-down-able gem.”—PopSugar
“How could I not adore a book set in New York City, my favorite city in the world? A soaringly smart page-turner about art, history, memory, and how two blazingly unique women, separated and yet bound together by different decades, struggle to find their place and make their world their own. Magnificent.”—Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You and Cruel Beautiful World
“With her two previous novels, The Address and The Dollhouse, Fiona Davis established herself as the master of plumbing the depths of New York’s landmarks for the secrets that lie beneath. Now in The Masterpiece, Davis turns her talents to Grand Central Terminal, with a powerful dual narrative about an artist who taught at a prestigious art school in the station in the 1920s and a single mother working at Grand Central in the 1970s who discovers the remains of the art school. Davis seamlessly weaves the compelling narratives of these women against a backdrop of vivid historic detail, once again setting the standard for bringing New York’s past to life.”—Pam Jenoff, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Orphan’s Tale
“Fiona Davis is a master of making the past come roaring to life with rich and luxurious detail. The Masterpiece is her best yet. With formidable women, dazzling prose, and the glamorous backdrops of the New York art scene in the 20s and 70s, this is a must-read.”—Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
“Davis has written another paean to a New York City landmark. Historical fiction fans will love the compelling dual narrators and time periods perfectly captured in this novel based on the history of one of the busiest transportation hubs in the world.”—Library Journal (starred review)
“Fiona Davis has made a name for herself in writing about famous New York City locations, and in The Masterpiece, she delivers another un-put-down-able gem.”—PopSugar
“How could I not adore a book set in New York City, my favorite city in the world? A soaringly smart page-turner about art, history, memory, and how two blazingly unique women, separated and yet bound together by different decades, struggle to find their place and make their world their own. Magnificent.”—Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You and Cruel Beautiful World
“With her two previous novels, The Address and The Dollhouse, Fiona Davis established herself as the master of plumbing the depths of New York’s landmarks for the secrets that lie beneath. Now in The Masterpiece, Davis turns her talents to Grand Central Terminal, with a powerful dual narrative about an artist who taught at a prestigious art school in the station in the 1920s and a single mother working at Grand Central in the 1970s who discovers the remains of the art school. Davis seamlessly weaves the compelling narratives of these women against a backdrop of vivid historic detail, once again setting the standard for bringing New York’s past to life.”—Pam Jenoff, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Orphan’s Tale
“Fiona Davis is a master of making the past come roaring to life with rich and luxurious detail. The Masterpiece is her best yet. With formidable women, dazzling prose, and the glamorous backdrops of the New York art scene in the 20s and 70s, this is a must-read.”—Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
September 6, 2017
The Three Stages of Writing a Book: Research, Write, Edit
Since “The Address” was released on August 1, I’ve been traveling around doing author talks and Q&As at bookstores, and one of the most-asked questions is, “How long does it take you to write your books?” A little over a year is the answer. It’s fast, but I think I have something of an advantage because I worked for many years as a journalist, and so am used to a daily writing routine. I procrastinate like crazy, but eventually end up at my desk, typing away, and once I get caught up in the story and the characters, time flies by.
My daily hours ebb and flow, depending on what stage I’m in. The breakdown is pretty much as follows: I spend a few months researching, figuring out the characters, and plotting the story. Then it takes around six months to write a first draft. I write around 1,000-1,500 words a day and I don’t go back and edit. Some days hitting my word count only takes an hour. Other days, it’s more of a slog.
The most intensive stage is when I edit the first draft. I read it through, mark it up in pencil with notes like “Fix!” and “No!” and then revise it, page by page. It’s exhausting and humbling. But usually, the next read-through isn’t quite as traumatic. And each revision after that gets a little easier.
I went back and checked my calendar, and discovered I do around eight to ten revisions (the last few under the sure hand of my publisher’s copy editors and proofreaders). After that, it’s launched out into the world!
My daily hours ebb and flow, depending on what stage I’m in. The breakdown is pretty much as follows: I spend a few months researching, figuring out the characters, and plotting the story. Then it takes around six months to write a first draft. I write around 1,000-1,500 words a day and I don’t go back and edit. Some days hitting my word count only takes an hour. Other days, it’s more of a slog.
The most intensive stage is when I edit the first draft. I read it through, mark it up in pencil with notes like “Fix!” and “No!” and then revise it, page by page. It’s exhausting and humbling. But usually, the next read-through isn’t quite as traumatic. And each revision after that gets a little easier.
I went back and checked my calendar, and discovered I do around eight to ten revisions (the last few under the sure hand of my publisher’s copy editors and proofreaders). After that, it’s launched out into the world!
September 2, 2017
Redbookmag.com & Brit + Co. on THE ADDRESS
“If you’ve ever been to New York City, chances are your walk through the Upper West Side led to an acute fascination with one of its most famous buildings: The Dakota. This is the novel that dives into all the secrets, madness, and mystery surrounding this esteemed residence. Fiona Davis again proves she is the master of the unputdownable novel.”
--Redbookmag.com
Fiona Davis delivers her fans a richly layered historical plot that explores the stories and rumors of one of Manhattan’s most prestigious residences: The Dakota. From socialites to failed careers to amazing characters never to be forgotten, this is one of 2017’s most glorious NY-based tales and needs to be enjoyed before summer ends.
--Brit + Co
--Redbookmag.com
Fiona Davis delivers her fans a richly layered historical plot that explores the stories and rumors of one of Manhattan’s most prestigious residences: The Dakota. From socialites to failed careers to amazing characters never to be forgotten, this is one of 2017’s most glorious NY-based tales and needs to be enjoyed before summer ends.
--Brit + Co
August 15, 2017
Bookreporter.com on THE ADDRESS
“As a mother, there were parts that ripped my heart out; as a wife, there were parts that maddened me despite loving the protagonist; and as a woman, I felt frustration and pride in varying measure. I adore a book that grabs me, makes me think, analyze and feel, and Davis’ latest delivers. Full of questions and angst, forbidden love and self-discovery, history and mystery, THE ADDRESS is a great read that is expertly crafted. Readers know they are in the hands of a confident storyteller.”
August 14, 2017
People magazine on THE ADDRESS
"A delicious tale of love, lies and madness."
August 4, 2017
PureWow on The Address
“Davis’s enthralling new novel follows two women living and working a century apart in the same building: The Dakota… Historically rich and poignant on matters of gender, social and economic inequality, "The Address" is old New York at its finest.”
August 1, 2017
Book birthday: The Address!
I'm thrilled that today is the publication date for my second novel, The Address. It's set in NYC's most famous apartment building, the Dakota, and has a similar structure as my first novel, The Dollhouse: two time periods linked by an element of mystery. Thank you to everyone who's followed the journey of this book - I'm so happy to have it out in the world! Please let me know what you think and reach out to me on social media/Goodreads - I love to hear from readers. xoxo F.
July 26, 2017
Us Weekly on The Address
Spanning over 100 years, Fiona Davis’ mystery is packed with deceit. Sara, the manager of the Dakota apartments, has an affair with Theo, a married resident. A century later, Bailey finds an artifact in the building that ties her to Sara -- and Theo's murder.
July 20, 2017
Notes from the road
The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind - I just got back from a book tour for the paperback release of “The Dollhouse” which involved readings and author talks at the top independent bookstores in La Jolla, Seattle, and Denver. The booksellers I met are my heroes, and the patrons warm and welcoming. I had barely landed back in New York before I headed to a couple of Long Island libraries, meeting with 150 avid readers who were equally enthusiastic.
I now turn my attention, with a touch of nostalgia, to book number two - “The Address” - which comes out on August 1st. I’m excited to share it with the world, but it’s been such a pleasure spending the past year talking about “The Dollhouse.” I’ve had lively discussions about the characters of Darby and Rose and shared illuminating historical nuggets I uncovered during my research. It’s been a debut author’s dream. I’d like to thank all the Goodreads readers who’ve friended me, reviewed the book, and followed along, as well as the amazing authors I’ve met along the way. It’s a spectacular community, and I’m honored to be here.
I now turn my attention, with a touch of nostalgia, to book number two - “The Address” - which comes out on August 1st. I’m excited to share it with the world, but it’s been such a pleasure spending the past year talking about “The Dollhouse.” I’ve had lively discussions about the characters of Darby and Rose and shared illuminating historical nuggets I uncovered during my research. It’s been a debut author’s dream. I’d like to thank all the Goodreads readers who’ve friended me, reviewed the book, and followed along, as well as the amazing authors I’ve met along the way. It’s a spectacular community, and I’m honored to be here.
