April 2013

Exciting news, sports fan! William Morrow, one of Harper's illustrious imprints, just announced the launch of Witness, a new digital-original mystery, suspense and thriller line! Witness will debut in October 2013 with ten full length titles.

In addition, Witness will feature digital versions of Agatha Christie’s short stories. In the Fall, Witness will release all the “Hercule Poirot” short stories as digital singles, and then together in a single omnibus edition with a foreword by Charles Todd (whom we love!).

Later this year, Witness will launch its website, www.witnessimpulse.com, featuring excerpts and author-reader interactivity.

So stay tuned and keep an eye out for these titles, coming soon:

Darkness First by James Hayman

Black Dog by internationally bestselling author Stephen Booth

Prince by CWA Dagger-winning author Rory Clements

An Illustrated Death by bestselling author Judi Culbertson

Hunted by Sunday Times “Top 10” bestselling author Emlyn Reese

Blind Date by CWA Dagger-winning Frances Fyfield

The Drop by Howard Linskey

– Annie

Well TLA was a success IMHO. Great librarians, great author events, great food. PS: I want to go on a road trip with Daniel Vaughn. I will be posting pictures shortly. Side note: Have you guys used Vine? I am obsessed! 

This is a short post, I just wanted to say hi. Also, if any of you are around tomorrow at 2pm ET, I am participating in a Mystery Webinar with Booklist, so register and hear about a ton (seriously, I don't think I'll be able to fit all my titles into my time slot) of upcoming mystery/thrillers.

– Annie

In the aftermath of the horribly sad events that happened in Boston yesterday, we want to let those affected know we are thinking of you. Local author Dennis Lehane had these thoughts to share.

"Every thought and every prayer goes out to the victims and their families and loved ones. What a senseless act of waste and violence…. It's hard to imagine any people more inspiring than all those people who dashed across Boylston Street within seconds of the first explosion, and rushed to the aid of the injured. Didn't give their own safety a thought. Made me proud to be a member of the human race, which I think was the exact opposite of the effect the bomber was hoping for….

"When I watch the footage of the first explosion, I look at the Boston Public Library Main Branch across the street, and I think no matter who they turn out to be–Islamic jihadists, home grown militia, neo-Nazis, something else–what really scares them, what they truly hate, is the access to knowledge that building exemplifies…. So proud to be a Bostonian tonight. So brokenhearted to be one, too."

–Author Dennis Lehane via his Facebook page last night

Many of you are probably familiar with the Leaphorn and Chee series by New York Times bestseller Tony Hillerman. Recently his daughter, Anne, has taken up the mantle and will continue the series with Spider Woman's Daughter. Tony's widow, Marie, wrote a beautiful letter about her husband and daughter's work, and I'd like to share her thoughts with you guys.

***

Several years ago my eldest daughter Anne mentioned to me that she wanted to write a novel featuring her late father's characters. She joked that Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn seemed like her uncles.  I encouraged her to take on the challenge. Anne was already recognized as a skilled writer with several awards to her credit.

When Anne showed me a draft of her book, I thought that she had done an excellent job of faithfully presenting the characters Tony created and, in addition to that, making them her own. Spider Woman's Daughter would have made her father smile. I think he would have enjoyed these further adventures of Jim Chee, Joe Leaphorn, and Bernadette Manuelito as much as I did.

Leaphorn and Chee, Navajo Tribal Policemen, have been part of our family circle for more than thirty years. Their adventures and exploits were discussed over countless evening meals. In Tony's novels we also enjoyed a passing acquaintance with the spirited Bernadette Manuelito as both a Navajo Tribal Police Office and, finally, as the bride of Jim Chee. I hope readers will be as delighted as I was to witness the inimitable Bernie in action in Spider Woman's Daughter.

I know Tony was happy when Anne decided to become a journalist and glad when she began to write nonfiction books. He enjoyed working with Anne and her husband, Don Strel, on their previous book, Tony Hillerman's Landscape. He was pleased that they both took such an interest in his work. As much as the project itself, Tony enjoyed the opportunity it gave him to spend more time with Anne. Anne and Tony shared a special relationship which deepened near the end of his life. He loved sitting at our kitchen table talking with her about writing and life in general. He was proud of her, and so am I.

– Marie Hillerman

 ***

Egalleys are available on Edelweiss, so swing on over there and get stuck in a web of intrigue (get it? Cause it's Spider Woman? yeaaaah).

– Annie

Ok, that's a fib, but The Gettysburg Address (a graphic adaptation) by Jonathan Hennessey and Aaron McConnell did get a rave starred review in Kirkus that I had to share.

***

Where the format might lead some readers to anticipate a simplified primer, this second collaboration by Hennessey and McConnell (The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation, 2008) again finds them probing the implications of history through incisive analysis and compelling art.

What the narrative terms “probably the most famous and influential speech in American history,” “just 271 words in length and requiring no more than a few minutes to recite out loud,” might not initially seem like enough of a hook for such an expansive examination. Yet practically every one of those words proves significant, as the scope of the book extends from the American Revolution to the present day, casting the Civil War as tragic and transformative but likely inevitable as well. It finds the country’s two most revered and renowned documents—the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution—at odds with each other, as the equality celebrated in the former (though the degree to which that equality was intended to extend remains open to interpretation) finds itself on a collision course with the rights of the states (and distrust of a strong central government, after the tyranny of England) inherent in the latter. Add the profound differences between the North and South—in demographics, climate, economy, political orientation—and the intensification of those with the passage of time, and you’ve got an explosion waiting to happen. Resisting the temptation to reduce the conflict to a morality play—the evil of slavery vs. the ideal of emancipation (though there is that)—or to make President Abraham Lincoln more enlightened on race relations than a man of his time was likely to be—the authors combine historical depth with art that also finds shades of gray amid the black and white.

Even Civil War buffs should find this graphic adaptation engaging, provocative and deftly nuanced.

***

Any civil war buffs in your life? Mark your calendars for June 25th when it goes on sale.

– Annie

 

If you’re planning to attend the Texas Library Association conference in Fort Worth this year, please note this schedule change!!

Hear Nia Vardalos, Academy Award Nominated actress and writer, talk about her newly published book, INSTANT MOM.

Complimentary copies will be available for signing after Nia’s talk! 

1:15-1:50pm

Room 202 AB, level 2 in the Fort Worth Convention Center

With her signature wit and candor, Nia Vardalos will describe her and husband Ian Gomez’s bumpy road-to-parenting story and how they met their daughter when she was three years old. In her new book, Instant Mom, Vardalos describes transitioning the toddler into her new home and also explores the challenges all new moms face—from sleep to personal grooming to navigating preschool. With her first steps into the Parents Club, Vardalos learns that whether via biology, marriage, or adoption… motherhood comes in many forms, and is the same.

We look forward to seeing you in Fort Worth! Please stop by Booth 2233 and say hi!

And be sure to check out all of our author events at TLA!

THURSDAY, April 25^th, 2013

8:30 -10AM
General Session I: J.R. Martinez 

10.15-11.50am
Mystery/Thriller Panel, Room 204 AB
Featuring Deborah Crombie author of The Sound of Broken Glass
Other speakers include Stephanie Jaye Evans, Michael Koryta, Lisa Lutz, and Taylor Stevens 

1.30-2.30
Deborah Crombie booth signing
The Sound of Broken Glass

FRIDAY, April 26^th, 2013 

8:30 AM-10am
General Session II: Dan Ariely
Signing to follow

2:00-3:50pm
Publishers Book Buzz 
Convention Center, Room 203 ABC, level 2

3.30-4.30pm 
Kimberly McCreight booth signing
Reconstructing Amelia

SATURDAY, April 27^th, 2013 

8-9.20am
YA Crossover Panel, Room 201 ABC
Featuring Kimberly McCreight author of Reconstructing Amelia
Other speakers include Julianna Baggott, C.C. Hunter, Donna M. Johnson, and Rachel Vincent

1.15-1.50pm
Nia Vardalos Session in Convention Center
Signing to follow.

2-2.50pm
General Session III: Neil Gaiman
Signing to follow