Tuesday, April 4 was Publication Day! YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN is officially out in the world.
It has been quite a week.
Despite the terrible weather in Minneapolis, the April 4 event at Once Upon A Crime was standing room only for the conversation with me, and Jess Lourey and Cara Black. There was a great discussion and a lot of enthusiasm for the book!
APRIL 6 was the launch at Exile in Bookville, the wonderful bookstore in the Fine Arts Building on Michigan Avenue. The event was held in a gorgeous room overlooking the lake. Tracy Clark, (author of the Chicago mystery “Hide”) was a generous and fun conversational partner. The place was crowded, and the audience asked thoughtful and interesting questions. It was lovely to see so many folks come out in support.
These programs are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
Reviews and Responses
Several podcasts and interviews took place throughout the week, including a live stream broadcast with Sara DiVello and Murder By The Book, now available on YouTube. (Link below.)
To top it off, over the weekend I woke to the following email: “I have the most wonderful news! Shelf Awareness (the most prestigious literary newsletter for both readers and the publishing industry) is featuring YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN today with a starred review, partially quoted here:
“....A sharp, sensitive, self-aware 72-year-old intimately narrates You Should Have Known, a beautifully drawn psychological literary thriller--and an accomplished first novel...Frannie's wise, introspective narrative voice heightens the suspense in this complex thriller. Her anger and resentments, contrasted against flaring bouts of conscience and self-questioning, make for an immensely thought-provoking psychological portrait that explores themes of what is right and what is just." ”
This followed another review from Chick Lit Central, calling YSHK a
“compelling novel that, thematically, goes beyond the plot to ask deeper questions about the responsibilities people have to each other, and the ripple effects of their actions.”
Obviously I am thrilled with these reviews—not just because they are positive but because they are also thoughtful and insightful. (Links to full reviews and the YouTube interview below, along with information about other upcoming events and interviews.)
More reflections and responses and information to follow, but for now...I am almost out of coffee (those of you who know me recognize this as an impending crisis that demands attention.) Good reviews or bad, the laundry needs to get done and the pantry restocked.
Please read and enjoy!
Before I forget: I don’t want to give short shrift to the visual art I have worked so hard on: Next Sunday is the opening reception at the Evanston Art Center. The exhibition’s title :“All the Water That Ever Was, Now Is” is taken from a National Geographic article in the 90’s— an early notice about the notion of Water-as-a-Commons, and framing ideas about sustainability, responsibility, demographics and the future. More info below. Stop by!
Okay—NOW go have some coffee (and send some over).
Updates
EVENTS
Sunday April 16, 1-4 Exhibition Reception
“All the Water There Ever Was, Now Is”
Evanston Art Center 1717 Central Street, Evanston, IL
Sunday April 23, 2pm
Prairie Lights Books in Iowa City!!! With Abby Geni!!
15 South Dubuque St. Iowa City, IA 319-337-2681 800-295-BOOK
Saturday May 13, 2pm
READINGS, Printer’s Row Wine, 2pm
719 S Dearborn CHICAGO
FEATURES AND INTERVIEWS
In the coming months I’m going to be a guest on several podcasts and interviewed in several publications. (Details to follow as drop dates become finalized). These include:
The Wednesday Journal, Oak Park
The Gazette, Iowa City
Little Village, Des Moines
The Writer’s Forum, with Michael Tusa, WRBH New Orleans
PODCASTS and LIVESTREAMS
A Bookable Space with Yvonne Battle-Felton
A Bookable Space is your audio literary salon. Each episode features writers delivering three engaging readings and answering three interesting questions. Hosted by Yvonne Battle-Felton, author of Remembered. Here's the link for the show: https://shows.acast.com/bookable-space
Hey Boomer
You are ready to live your best life, but sometimes wonder where to begin or how to make it happen. You would really like some insight into what is getting in your way.
Turn the Page
The official podcast from the Syosset public library in Long Island! (I love librarians!)
Game of Books
Game of Books, a podcast where you can get valuable writing information and follow along on the journey to conquer the World of Publishing. Cathi in the North and Christie in the South start begin with novel ideas in the Land of Writing. They each become Queen of their Domain (just ask their kids) and have moved into the Land of Querying. Each time they think they are going to become the all elusive Author in the World of Publishing, a new land pops up … Land of Editing, Land of Contracts, Land of Promoting, Land of Readers, etc. Luckily they are recording their adventures and pitfalls for future generations in the Land of Writing.
Late Bloomer Living
Reimagine your future! Create a better life! https://www.latebloomerliving.com/podcast/
Carter Wilson's Making It Up
In this conversation series USA today best selling author talks with writers of all backgrounds in order to find out why they do what they do...childhood influences, roots of creativity, luck and loss, tools of the craft, and the highs and lows of publishing. At the end of the conversation, a random sentence from a random book is used it to create an impromptu short story. https://carterwilson.com/making-it-up/
Kris Clink's The Writing Table
A podcast for writers and book lovers. Whether you're a newbie-author or a reader, pull up a chair and learn from established authors, publicists, bloggers, and creatives. There is always room at the writing table.
Murder by the Book
In the past 15 months, Sara DiVello’s hosted nearly 100 mystery and thriller authors—ranging from celebrities including Dean Koontz, Jeffery Deaver, Patricia Cornwall, Ruth Ware, Lisa Unger, Dr. Ian K. Smith—to debut authors.
ARTICLES
Writer’s Digest
My article is out:“How to Keep Readers Connected When Your Protagonist Does Something Reprehensible” https://www.writersdigest.com/writing-characters/5-tips-to-keep-readers-connected-to-your-protagonist-even-when-she-does-something-awful
CrimeReads
Coming up in (sister publication of LitHub) on a special reading list roundup. Details coming soon!
EXHIBITIONS
April 1- May 7, (Opening reception April 16 1-5 pm)
All the Water that Ever Was, Now Is
Evanston Art Center
Comprised of large paintings, a sculptural installation, research into agencies that care for our water, and demographic data of the communities that share Lake Michigan water accessible via QR codes, All The Water That Ever Was, Now Is engages the idea of water as a commons, a contended resource and a mutual responsibility. The dialogue touches on livelihoods, access, pollution, wealth, ownership, usage, climate change and fears and obligations for the future.
https://www.evanstonartcenter.org/exhibitions/rebecca-keller