Dear Wonderful Readers,
Yes, it’s almost time to set sail for publication day, and it will be a much safer journey than my passengers on the doomed Pulaski, but JUST as exciting. I know you’ve been along the ride with me the past years as I’ve talked about the research and the stunning discoveries along the way, and I can’t wait to share this novel with you!
Your Cruise Documents and Itinerary
Now that you’re in your stateroom and ready to sail — here are some goodies for you: places to Pre-Order Signed First Editions, an early listen to part of Chapter One audio narrated by the brilliant Brittany Presley. You can also select a Book Excerpt for your reading pleasure while on deck, or in the privacy of your cabin. If you decide you would like a copy of the ship's map and course, the captain has reserved a copy for you. If you are curious (and a bit nosy) about this Longstreet family and your fellow shipmates, you can get a peek into their past. If you are ready for a cocktail, the Maitre d’ has a special champagne punch recipe on the menu, designed for your embarkment and the exciting voyage ahead. Plus, a chance to win a coin recovered from the bottom of the sea by the shipwreck hunters who discovered the remains of the Steamship Pulaski. If you want to know what everyone is saying about this upcoming journey you can check out all the praise and comments.
From the Cruise Director Activities & Events
Once out to sea, and you get your sea legs, our virtual events will begin! We also have a full lineup of shore excursions. Although I will miss seeing each and every one of you out there on the road and in the bookstores and at the luncheons, I am thrilled with the unique events I have coming up. Starting on March 4th, each event has its own singular and extraordinary surprises. Click below to begin your adventure.
News Bulletin from the Wheelhouse
Surviving Savannah Featured in Sunday's Parade Magazine. —"Judge a Book by its Cover" "Patti Callahan takes a dive into Southern history with her new book, Surviving Savannah." —Savannah Now "Tale of Steamship and doomed passengers rises again in the novel, Surviving Savannah." —The Bluffton Sun
Cruise Entertainment
An Announcement from the Captain
I also have some really exciting news for later in the journey (meaning, later in the year)! Extra Extra! Harper Collins publisher has TODAY announced a new imprint called HARPER MUSE.
"HarperCollins Focus announced today the launch of its new book imprint, Harper Muse. Expanding the publishing company's footprint into general market adult fiction, Harper Muse will be under the direction of vice president and publisher, Amanda Bostic. Based in HarperCollins Focus' Nashville location, the imprint will focus on women's fiction, historical fiction, and southern fiction categories with stories that resonate with Millennial and Generation X readers. "Stories have a profound ability to connect people—especially in the fragmented world we find ourselves in today, and I could not be more thrilled to be launching HarperCollins Focus' first fiction imprint, Harper Muse," said Bostic. "We want Harper Muse to be a place where readers can escape with novels that offer hope and encouragement throughout the day—the kind of stories that continue to run through your mind days after you have put the book down." The imprint's debut novel is set to release in the fall of 2021 by New York Times bestselling author and beloved novelist, Patti Callahan. Once Upon a Wardrobe, a historical novel set in 1950 will be Callahan's sixteenth published novel. "The power of story to impact and change us, to connect us to each other and to open our hearts, is not only the inspiration for the new HarperCollins imprint Harper Muse but also for my new novel Once Upon a Wardrobe," said Callahan. "I am endlessly fascinated by the stories that captivate our collective imagination, and I'm delighted that my newest novel, a story inspired by Narnia's ability to captivate and enchant us the world over, will be the debut for this visionary new imprint." View Press Release. Their debut novel will be a story I’ve kept under wraps for the past few months. I have been bursting to tell you about it and now I can! It is called ONCE UPON A WARDROBE and will be out on October 19th, 2021. I’ll tell you much more about it as the miles and months on our journey bring us closer. But here is a hint: ”Where did Narnia come from?” The answer will change everything. From the bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis comes another tenderly imagined and enchanting story that pulls back the curtain on the early life of C. S. Lewis. Read More about the book and Q&A.
My Shipmates
Tune in on Wed Feb 24th at 7pm ET via Facebook Live on the F&F Group page, on our YouTube Channel, and on the PARADE Magazine Facebook page.
As you know, my Friends and Fiction shipmates are always along for the journey. Join us this week as we welcome our friend and mega-bestselling author Kristin Hannah! And soon you can join us on our inaugural voyage of Surviving Savannah where I will take the Fab Four on a trip they have no idea they are about to embark upon.
And for your listening pleasure on your walks along the promenade— our most recent podcast Kristin Harmel and I recorded an episode called BOOKS ABOUT BOOKS. Listen in as we interview bestselling, award-winning author Katherine Reay about her novel, The Printed Letter Bookshop, the story of a woman who inherits her aunt's bookshop. She is joined by Janet Skeslien Charles whose novel The Paris Library, based on the true WWII story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, just debuted on the New York Times bestseller list.
Captain's Recommendations
For your entertainment (after you have read Surviving Savannah, of course), here are some of my favorites this month.
What I am Reading
My dear friend, J. T. Ellison and I share a launch date this year! Her newest, Her Dark Lies is twisty-turny wonderful. Atmospheric and stunning.
The other book I can’t stop talking about is Paula McLain’s newest out in April titled When the Stars Go Dark. It is so deeply moving that you more dwell in it than read it.
And last but not least the book that is stealing my heart is Kristy Woodson Harvey’s April release, Under The Southern Sky. With prose as warm as a best friend telling you a story, this novel will carry you away.
What I'm Watching
Have you seen Ted Lasso? You must. I am telling you in a world gone mad, this series will heal the jagged edges.
About the Author
Patti Callahan
New York Times Bestselling Author. Podcast Host.
Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of fifteen novels, including the (Historical Fiction), BECOMING MRS. LEWIS—The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis (writing as Patti Callahan). In addition, she is the recipient of The Christy Award—A 2019 Winner "Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year for 2020 and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for 2019. On March 9, 2021, a new historical fiction novel — SURVIVING SAVANNAH based on the true story of the Steamship Pulaski wreck will be released. WILD SWAN, a novella following the fiery life of one of history’s greatest heroines and the mother of modern nursing: Florence Nightingale by Patti Callahan was released December 10, 2020, as an Audible Original performed by Cynthia Erivo. The author is also the host of the popular seven-part original "Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis Podcast Series" launched, October 2019. The podcast audiobook collection including bonus material was released in January 2020, and available now. The new expanded BECOMING MRS. LEWIS paperback edition was released on March 24, 2020, and available now. REUNION BEACH, Stories Inspired by Dorothea Benton Frank, a collaboration and tribute to be released April 27, 2021, and available for pre-order now. Patti joins a group of bestselling authors to present a moving anthology to pay tribute to the legendary NYT bestselling author and her literary legacy. ONCE UPON A WARDROBE is another tenderly imagined and enchanting story that pulls back the curtain on the early life of C. S. Lewis from Callahan— coming October 19, 2021, and available for pre-order now—published by Harper Collins' new imprint —Harper Muse. Callahan's Once Upon a Wardrobe will be their debut novel launching this fall. Patti Callahan is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly Friends and Fiction Facebook Live Show and podcast, featuring the five bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Kristin Harmel, and Mary Alice Monroe with endless stories, special guests, and a way to connect readers and writers. A full-time author and mother of three children, she now resides in both Mountain Brook, Alabama, and Bluffton, South Carolina with her husband. Read More.
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