Sara J. Henry's Blog, page 2

A failed blog-hop, with shout-outs to three amazing author friends: Rachel Devenish Ford, Teresa J. Rhyne, Quinn Cummings

The immensely talented ER Brown asked me to participate in this blog hop - where each person 'tagged' answers questions and then 'tags' other writers to answer the same questions - and since (a) I like him, (b) I like his work, and (c) he's Canadian*, I said yes.

ER's debut novel of last year - ALMOST CRIMINAL - was a finalist for the Edgar award for best paperback original and the Arthur Ellis award for best first novel. His wonderful blog post is here, where among other things, he pays me the supreme compliment: "A former Ottawa resident, her Canadians are spot on."

Because the questions for this particular blog hop are ones I have trouble answering, I've put my answers at the bottom. Up top I'm putting what's far more interesting, my friends whom I'm tagging :

Rachel, Teresa, and Quinn,  all of whom I'm proud to call my friends - and whose books I love:

First is Rachel Devenish Ford, a wonderful lyrical writer, author of THE EVE TREE and a new novel set in India, which she's currently editing. She lives in Thailand. She's Canadian, and she and her family are on a long-awaited trip back home at the moment, so likely won't have time to do these blog questions. But do yourself a favor and check out her blog, or one of her books, THE EVE TREE, or one of her compilations of blog writing.
The Fords: Rachel, her husband Chinau, and their astoundingly adorable children. Teresa J. Rhyne, who wrote the wonderful NY Times bestseller THE DOG LIVED (AND SO WILL I) - the story of battling cancer on behalf of her dog, and then herself, and somehow  along the way falling in love with a great fellow who used to not like dogs ... and the follow-up, due out in October and available for pre-order now, THE DOGS WERE RESCUED (AND SO WAS I). Teresa is hands-down one of the loveliest people I have ever met - and a marvelous treat on Facebook - she's a queen of Facebook posts.

Quinn Cummings, wonderful author and former actress (a Academy award nomination when she was a child), whose most recent, delightful book is PET SOUNDS, which she describes as "about the animals who have been the boss of me" - she donates part of the sale of each book to Sante D'Or, an animal shelter. Her two previous books are THE YEAR OF LEARNING DANGEROUSLY, about her explorations into home schooling, and NOTES FROM THE UNDERWIRE, both also excellent. You can find her on Facebook, but your best best is following her on Twitter, where she takes 140-character writing to a high art.
Quinn Cummings, left, and Teresa J. Rhyne, at a recent dog festival, with their books. Now for the questions that I'm not particularly good at:

1) What am I working on?
The problem here is that I don't like to talk about my work while I'm writing. I write and rewrite and polish and rewrite again ... but I don't talk about it until it's done. Let's just say my third novel is a stand-alone, in the third person, unlike my first two novels. And I have a couple of other books cooking as well.

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I've never thought my work fit cleanly into any specific genre - I call the first two suspense novels, which covers a lot of territory. And I find it almost impossible to try to point out 'differences' without sounding self-laudatory. So, I strike out again.

3) Why do I write what I do?
It's what comes into my head. It's what wants to be written. It' the story or stories that won't let go.

4) How does my writing process work?
I do my creative work either early in the morning or late at night - and that while I compose on a computer, I do a lot of hand editing.  I print many drafts, and revise and edit a lot. And I read most of the book aloud, some chapters multiple times.

But please do check out these wonderful authors: Rachel and ER write fiction; Quinn and Teresa write non-fiction, and all are very talented.

*I lived and worked in Canada for several years, set my books partly there, and have a degree from a Canadian university. 

Heading off to Thrillerfest in NYC

Photobooth Simon Toyne & me. I'm heading off to Thrillerfest in NYC, where I'll be Thursday through Sunday (hanging out, but not on any panels) - maybe see some of you there!

I'll be at FanFest on Friday night as the guest of the wonderful Simon Toyne, a UK author I met at 2011 Bouchercon - where I gave him a copy of LEARNING TO SWIM, which his young son soon thereafter appropriated to represent a lake with his train set - as the hardcover of LTS features a woman floating in a very blue lake. He's a great fellow and of course I've devoured his SANCTUS trilogy, as you should as well.

Looking forward to seeing Simon as well as many great friends - it's my suspicion that the crime writing community, I suspect, is unparalleled in its camaraderie.  Hope some of you make it to Thrillerfest and go hear Simon - he's on a panel at 10:30 am Saturday, along with Gayle Lynds, Karna Small Bodman, Carla Neggers, Brenda Novak, Kate White, and our friend Daniel Palmer.

Somehow LEARNING TO SWIM is chugging along, still $1.99 on Kindle

Thanks to all who helped promote the recent e-book sale of my first novel, LEARNING TO SWIM - it has gone back to full price in all formats except for Kindle, where it's still $1.99.

So if you know anyone who might like it , please spread the word! (Great for book clubs, and I do Skype visits or in-person ones if close enough.) Or if you know someone with a birthday coming up, it makes a nice gift - it's easy to gift e-books via Kindle, and also Nook.

And if you loved this book or the sequel, A COLD AND LONELY PLACE,  a review is much appreciated, on Amazon or B&N or wherever - strong reviews help vendors decide what books to promote.

Thanks again! Your support means a lot.

PS I often do giveaways on my Facebook author page, which I neglect to mention here. This week's is nearly over, but I'm trying to do one once a week.

A huge thank-you to everyone who helped make this happen.

Yes, that's me at #103 here, the first appearance on the USA Today bestseller list -  this book that I wrote many years ago, the one languished in a drawer for a decade before I pulled it out and decided it deserved another chance. My first novel.

When I say "I couldn't have done it without you," it's not hyperbole. My publisher, Crown, set up the recent e-book sale and publicized it via BookBub. (I found out on the Friday evening before the sale started - an hour after I'd temporarily deactivated Facebook for a social media break. I signed right back on.) Then friends and cousins and fans tweeted and Facebook-shared and urged their friends to buy this book. And helped keep me going doing the same.

To everyone, I am supremely grateful. I can write the best books I possibly can, but I can't hand-sell door to door. You all helped make this happen. Thank you.

I'm feeling extraordinarily lucky and very, very grateful right now.

Where you can pre-order THE COMPETITION by Marcia Clark (not at Amazon) - pub date July 8

Marcia Clark's new novel, THE COMPETITION, comes out July 8, and here's where you can preorder it - some of these are offering discounts:

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/RiLBOL Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/1hDGkOy Google Play: http://bit.ly/1pZCVcl Hastings: http://bit.ly/1rR9gXC At your local, indie bookstore: http://bit.ly/1jdJBxX iBooks: http://bit.ly/1ooBa8E Overstock: http://bit.ly/1tOkKH7
Description of THE COMPETITION:

A Columbine-style shooting at a high school in the San Fernando Valley has left a community shaken to its core. Two students are identified as the killers. Both are dead, believed to have committed a mutual suicide.

In the aftermath of the shooting, LA Special Trials prosecutor Rachel Knight teams up with her best girlfriend, LAPD detective Bailey Keller. As Rachel and Bailey interview students at the high school, they realize that the facts don't add up. Could it be that the students suspected of being the shooters are actually victims? And if so, does that mean that the real killers are still on the loose?

This is one of the books affected in the Amazon disagreement with the publisher Hachette , so Amazon isn't allowing pre-orders. Once publication date hits, shipment from Amazon may be delayed several weeks and (judging from other new Hachette books) it likely will be at or near full price, without the usual deep Amazon discount.

But don't let this keep you from getting your hands on Marcia's book  or let it hurt her book sales (pre-orders are really important for authors). Call up your local bookstore to order, or click one of the links above.

And my first novel, LEARNING TO SWIM, goes on sale for $1.99, in all e-book formats

Good news! My publisher is offering my suspense novel Learning to Swim for $1.99 on all e-book platforms for a limited time. This book is suitable for ages 11 and up, and popular with book clubs, with a reading guide in the back.  It won the Anthony Award and Agatha Award for best first novel and the Mary Higgins Clark Award, and was a Target pick. (And I'm particularly fond of it!) Here's how it starts:

“If I’d blinked, I would have missed it. But I didn’t, and I saw something fall from the rear deck of the opposite ferry: a small, wide-eyed human face, in one tiny frozen moment, as it plummeted toward the water.”

So if you'd like it at a bargain price (it has never been on sale before) you can get it from:
Amazon KindleApple iBookBarnes & Noble NookBooks-a-MillioneBooks.comGoogle PlayKobo
For those of you who have mentioned that you've loved my  novels and are eager to see more - this is a chance to help make this happen. I'm paraphrasing another author friend here:  the absolute greatest favor you could do to make more Troy books a reality is to share your excitement for LEARNING TO SWIM with others, by letting them know about this or even by gifting an e-book to a friend or family member.  And thank you for finding and reading my books!

Some descriptions:
“A single woman dives headlong from a ferry into Lake Champlain to rescue a child, and then must figure out what to do with him. Compulsively readable, this is all about what we do for love.”  —Boston Globe
 
“In Henry’s tense first novel, a young woman rescues a boy from the waters of Lake Champlain, only to see her unruffled life abruptly give way to an unfamiliar world of wealth, privilege and danger. ”  —The New York Times

And my first novel, LEARNING TO SWIM, on sale for $1.99, in all e-book formats, until June 27

Good news! My publisher is offering my suspense novel LEARNING TO SWIM for $1.99 on all e-book platforms until June 27. This book is suitable for ages 11 and up, and popular with book clubs, with a reading guide in the back. It won the Anthony Award and Agatha Award for best first novel and the Mary Higgins Clark Award, and was a Target pick. (And I'm particularly fond of it!) Here's how it starts:

“If I’d blinked, I would have missed it. But I didn’t, and I saw something fall from the rear deck of the opposite ferry: a small, wide-eyed human face, in one tiny frozen moment, as it plummeted toward the water.”

You can purchase from:

Amazon Kindle
Apple iBook
Books-a-Million
eBooks.com
Google Play
Kobo

For those of you who have mentioned that you've loved my novels and are eager to see more - this is a chance to help make this happen. I'm paraphrasing another author friend here: the absolute greatest favor you could do to make more Troy books a reality is to share your excitement for LEARNING TO SWIM with others, by letting them know about this or even by gifting an e-book to a friend or family member. And thank you for finding and reading my books!

Some descriptions:
“A single woman dives headlong from a ferry into Lake Champlain to rescue a child, and then must figure out what to do with him. Compulsively readable, this is all about what we do for love.” —Boston Globe

“In Henry’s tense first novel, a young woman rescues a boy from the waters of Lake Champlain, only to see her unruffled life abruptly give way to an unfamiliar world of wealth, privilege and danger. ” —The New York Times

Learning to Swim

An announcement I neglected to mention here

My novel A COLD AND LONELY PLACE was recently nominated for an Anthony Award for best novel - delightful and astounding news for a book that holds a special place in my heart.

Best Novel Nominees:
SUSPECT - Robert Crais
A COLD AND LONELY PLACE - Sara J. Henry
ORDINARY GRACE - William Kent Krueger
THE WRONG GIRL - Hank Phillippi Ryan
THROUGH THE EVIL DAYS - Julia Spencer-Fleming

I want to give a shout-out to the nominees in the best paperback category, which includes multiple books (and authors):

THE BIG REAP - Chris F. Holm
PURGATORY KEY - Darrell James
JOYLAND - Stephen King
THE WICKED GIRLS - Alex Marwood
AS SHE LEFT IT - Catriona McPherson

You can find the full list of nominees here.

These awards will be given at Bouchercon in November in Long Beach, California, a lovely fan conference open to anyone - you can register here.

Where you can order Megan Abbott's upcoming THE FEVER - which you won't want to miss

This is the first in a series of posts promoting books of authors who have been 'blacklisted' from Amazon - in a dispute over terms, Amazon is not allowing pre-orders for any books published by Hachette and its imprints. (Other Hachette authors' books have been put on 'delayed' shipping - one to three weeks - with prices increased to full price.)

Politics and business practices aside, this is seriously harming authors, since around 50% of all book sales occur through Amazon. And pre-orders are very important in determining a book's success. But there are plenty of other places to buy books, and this is the time to turn to them.

You aren't going to want to miss Megan Abbott's THE FEVER, coming out June 17.

The Nash family is close-knit. Tom is a popular teacher, father of two teens: Eli, a hocky star and girl magnet, and his sister Deenie, a diligent student. Their seeming stability, however, is thrown into chaos when Deenie's best friend is struck by a terrifying, unexplained seizure in class. Rumors of a hazardous outbreak spread through the family, school and community.

As hysteria and contagion swell, a series of tightly held secrets emerges, threatening to unravel friendships, families and the town's fragile idea of security.

"A chilling story about guilt, family secrets and the lethal power of desire, THE FEVER affirms Megan Abbott's reputation as "one of the most exciting and original voices of her generation." - Laura Lippman

"THE FEVER holds true to its title: It's dark, disturbing, strangely beautiful and utterly unshakeable.  Megan Abbott has created a mesmerizing, modern portrait of teenage life today: Brutal crushes, competing allegiances and first-bloom sensuality, all magnified by the rush and crush of technology." – Gillian Flynn

Here is where you can order this book:

Where can I order/pre-order The Fever (pub. date June 17)?
Your local bookstore
IndieBound
Barnes & Noble
BN Nook (ebook)
iTunes (ebook)
Kobo (ebook)
Powells
Books a Million  ($15.60)
and many other places. 

Stores with signed copies that will ship directly to you include Book Court, Word, Brookline Booksmith, Square Books, Murder by the Book, Book People, Poisoned Pen, Aunt Agatha's, Nicola's and River Road Books.

Note:  I'm neither affiliated with Hachette nor published by them. I do know some of the authors whose books I'm promoting here.

Left Coast Crime, here I come

Heading off soon to Left Coast Crime, a wonderful conference held this year in Monterey, California. There I'll not only get to see a bunch of friends, but be on panels with fantastic authors - see panel listing here (yes, especially looking forward to paneling with my friend Marcia C) - but also attend presentations by Bill Pronzini and Marcia Muller, who wrote many of the first crime novels I ever read ... all this PLUS Sue Grafton. And more.

I'll also be co-hosting a table at the Saturday banquet with my friend Chris F. Holm, whose books I think are genius, and Katrina Niidas Holm, his kick-ass book-reviewing wife. (You can sign up to sit at our table when you arrive at the conference, I think.)

It's too late to register, unless there are cancellations perhaps, some day passes may be available.