November 16, 2022 | Issue #119 |
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Latest News From "The Fab Four"
Kristin Harmel spent last Thursday hunkering down as Hurricane Nicole rolled in and enjoyed two bonus days of hanging out with her 6-year-old, thanks to storm-related school closures. She and her family took advantage of the extra time together to head over to Walt Disney World. The holiday decorations are going up, and that makes Kristin very happy.
Mary Kay Andrews loved speaking to readers at the Medina, Ohio public library last week. Now she’s making her Thanksgiving menu (pies, pies, pies) and can’t wait to meet Southwest Georgia fans at The Town House Inn, this Sunday, Nov. 20 for a Holiday Tea and book-signing. Tickets are available here.
Patti Callahan Henry is back home and back at the desk after visiting her daughter and little B’s. She was so thrilled to have a chance to teach at The Kauai Writer’s Conference and she left inspired! This week she is writing (or trying at the very least) and headed to South Carolina where she will be at the Beaufort Library if you are anywhere nearby. Then it is time to prepare for Thanksgiving – one of her favorite holidays.
Kristy Woodson Harvey has been busy getting ready for Thanksgiving, one of her favorite holidays!! She has also been working on writing her next book and can’t wait to tell you more about that in the future! She has been traveling to some wonderful local events and has enjoyed seeing so many readers!
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Get to Know Our Friend, Lisa Unger!
What would you be if you weren't a writer?
I would definitely be a Jungian psychologist. The human mind, the spirit, how we’re all connected, what makes us who we are, these things are my ongoing obsession. That curiosity drives all of my books.
What's the biggest misconception people have about you and your work?
I think a lot of people expect thrillers to be very formulaic and plot driven. But so many folks writing crime fiction are diving very deep into character, exploring rich themes, and expanding the genre in different directions. All my plots flow from character and I never know where those voices are going to take me.
When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
I have been writing since I was a kid; I don’t remember a time before I defined myself as a writer.
Do you have any writing rituals?
I am an early morning writer. I like to stay as close to my dream brain as possible, and be up working while the rest of the world is still sleeping.
Is there a particular independent bookstore or library you'd like to shout-out?
I have two bookstores in my area that are so special. Tombolo Books in St. Pete and Oxford Exchange in Tampa. They are like treasured friends who support and bolster me in so many ways. My local Indian Shores Library is tiny but mighty. I so look forward to visiting with the patrons — most of whom are my neighbors! — every year!
The last book you raved about:
IT’S ONE OF US by JT Ellison. This is layered, propulsive psychological suspense at its finest. JT Ellison is a fantastic writer at the top of her game.
Tell us about your work-in-progress.
It’s a psychological thriller. Bad things will happen. And I hope it keeps you up past your bedtime! Stay tuned for more! Haha — it’s my job to keep you in suspense.
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Listen to the F&F Podcast!
Coming this Friday, November 18th—Ron & Kristy talk to Tori Whitaker about her brand-new historical novel A MATTER OF HAPPINESS.
Out Now! WB_S4E15—Ron speaks with Jennifer Coburn about her thoroughly researched and fascinating first historical fiction novel, Cradles of the Reich and about her path to change genres in her writing. LISTEN NOW!
Out Now! WB_S4E14—Ron and Patti will be talking with Amy Wallen, author of How to Write a Novel in 20 Pies. Such a fun and delicious episode for aspiring writers, readers and bakers alike! LISTEN NOW!
Out Now! WB_S4E13—Ron & Patti talk to publishing veteran Bethanne Patrick about her new podcast Missing Pages. 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
Join the Friends & Fiction Book Club with Brenda and Lisa for a virtual Friendsgiving celebration THIS Thursday, Nov. 17, from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm ET! Friendsgiving will include games, prizes, a special recipe from F&F podcast host Ron Block, and a surprise special guest! Bring your own holiday recipes and stories on Nov. 17, and click here for more information.
We’ve got some great events coming up! Take a look at our book club schedule and be sure to save the dates. All events begin at 7pm Eastern unless otherwise noted.
Nov 17: Friendsgiving, 7:30 pm-8:30 pm on Zoom only
Dec 8: Happy Hour with Ron Block and special guest Mary Kay Andrews, 7:30 pm ET
Grab these books and start reading now!
If you missed our Oct 24th book club discussion with Stacy Willingham about A Flicker in the Dark, please view it on our YouTube channel HERE.
The Friends & Fiction Official Book Club is on YouTube! You can view previous book club discussions and happy hours at your leisure. Please subscribe to our channel HERE!
Not a member of the Friends & Fiction Book Club? Join us. We would love to have you!
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Join the F&F 2022 Reading Challenge!
Join us in 2022 for a fun 12-month reading challenge. We will challenge each other all year long to read books in a different category every month. This will help all of us broaden our horizons and read books in different genres we may not have chosen for ourselves. This is a fun way to join with the rest of the F&F community and share a fun reading experience. And the F&F Reading Journal makes the perfect companion piece to this 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 November 9th episode with Philippa Gregory? 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 November 9th show HERE.
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Join Us on Fable!
Introducing Friends & Fiction: Behind the Book
Have you joined F&F on Fable yet?! We are taking our immersive reading experience a step further by partnering with this unique social platform to form the “Friends & Fiction: Behind the Book” Premium Book Club! Let’s discover, read, and talk about great books together! Download the FREE Fable app for your phone or tablet. Join MKA, Kristin, Kristy & Patti as they talk about their own books, the books they love, and books they're just discovering together. They’ll feature a new book selection every month, plus special club events, exclusive content, and more! Join our Premium Club for just $5/month! JOIN TODAY!
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Friends & Fiction Merchandise
SHOP THE F&F MERCH STORE!
NEW! Ask and you shall receive! We have finally made the souvenir posters from the Summer 2022 F&F Live Tour available online for purchase. Visit our pals at Oxford Exchange to buy yours now. These mini-posters are a full-color original design printed on glossy heavyweight card stock and individually packaged in a protective sleeve. Every single poster has been hand signed by each one of the Fab Four. They are priced at a flat rate of $15 including all taxes, postage, and handling, shipped with care anywhere in the continental US. Get your keepsake poster now while supplies last! ORDER POSTERS HERE!
Stay on track with the exclusive Friends & Fiction Reading Journal, featuring 52 book entries (one for every week of the year), a lending library, reading list, and books you put down. With a cloth cover, gold foil embossing, a satin ribbon page marker, elastic band, heavyweight paper, and a back pocket to store notes, this is the perfect gift for the book lover in your life—or for yourself! ORDER READING JOURNALS HERE.
Cozy cotton with a flattering v-neck and our signature Friends & Fiction logo, these comfy t-shirts are the perfect way to show your Friends & Fiction pride! ORDER T-SHIRTS HERE.
We can’t wait to see you model your merch!
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CONNECT WITH THE FRIENDS & FICTION HOST AUTHORS! |
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