From the Wonderful to the Weird
The Wild World of Book Tour
Dear Reader,
In the 1970’s I was a fan of all the best music—Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel, The Eagles—to name only a few. Their band tours were legendary, and the stories from the road something both crazy and terrifying for a young girl. They were worshiped on the road and screaming fans called their names. Their lives were enviable.
Book tour is NOT that.
AND YET all of you made the last weeks on the road something to celebrate. From booksellers to readers, you inspire me!
Some of my stories – from wonderful to the weird – on the road alone.
~In Tallahassee at MIDTOWN READER, two friends from 8th grade, Denise and Ida, showed up with our yearbook, which led to meeting another friend from that era in Orlando the next night. I fell down a rabbit hole of memories and loved every minute of it. I looked at those pictures and thought — if I could tell that young girl what she has ahead!
~Arriving in the very nick of time, begging for an early check-in, I recordeed from a hotel room in Orlando, Florida and had THE MOST FASCINATING conversation with Kristin Hannah and Barnes & Noble about her blockbuster THE WOMEN and THE SECRET BOOK OF FLORA LEA. You CAN WATCH IT HERE.
~In Knoxville at UNION AVE BOOKS we dodged severe weather and colleagues from my College of Nursing at Auburn showed up to surprise me! The volunteers and staff were chef’s kiss wonderful!
~At sunrise I drove through the great smoky mountains of Tennessee and was overwhelmed with the awe and beauty.
~I showed up at an event and realized that the high heels I’d been carrying to put on when I arrived – well, I’d left them at the Starbucks on the way there. I had to go back, find them on the chair, and was still only ten minutes late to an incredible luncheon at STORY AND SONG in Fernandina Beach.
~I hung out with writer pals for in conversations: Sara McCoy (O’Henry Magazine and THE COUNTRY BOOKSHOP hosted me in Greensboro).
~Lisa Wingate (where we spoke together at HALF PRICE BOOKS in Dallas).
~And Kristin Harmel (where we spoke together at Quantum Leap Winery with WRITER’S BLOCK BOOKSTORE in Orlando).
~And the incredible bookstagrammer, LB Vietor hosted me in Greensboro with insightful questions that made the event so special.
~I watched the eclipse with a woman who was a friend of a friend and found a new friend in Tallahassee, Florida. There I was lonely and sitting in a park when I received a text – Hey, want to join me for lunch? God bless people who are kind to strangers on the road.
~I arrived at and tried to check into the wrong hotel.
~I left various belongings all over the country – a hairbrush, shampoo, air pods, and a kindle. (I got all but the hairbrush back).
~I was spoiled rotten by the incredible women of the TUCKAHOE WOMAN’S CLUB in Richmond, Virginia with FOUNTAIN BOOKS. I rode shotgun in a convertible through the springtime beauty of that historical city and heard the most inspiring stories about founding a club for women in 1936.
~I was reprimanded for a bad word one of my character’s uttered, and I had to explain that I am not every character. (Even if I do utter that word when needed).
~I had dinners and lunches with booksellers and toured new cities (looking at you Elizabeth at FABLED BOOKSHOP in Waco) even if for a blink.
~I walked through a Narnia wardrobe into the children’s section at FABLED BOOKSHOP and met readers who wore T-Shirts that stated, “Path of Totality” (the eclipse was coming in full in two days).
~The team at Atria Books / Simon & Schuster, and Megan Rudloff who put up with panicked calls – I could not have done it without you.
~The many readers who drove miles, filled rooms, asked questions, and shared stories, you really lifted this weary traveler up. A special shout-out to the Friends & Fiction faithful who show up and show out everywhere. This community I have built over the past four years with my sisters in crime, Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel and Kristy Woodson Harvey, continues to astound me.
Six airplanes, five rental cars, nine hotels, and countless driving miles, I am thankful for all of you. Those facts would be unbearable if not for the camaraderie and bookstores and inspiration I find with all on you on the road.
WHAT INSPIRED ME ON THE ROAD
BOOK: A Short Walk in Wide World by Douglas Westerbeketh – it was wildly creative, and it kept me occupied in bland hotel rooms.
TV SERIES: The Gentlemen. I watched these episodes back-to-back — on planes, in hotel rooms, in airport lounges. The dialogue, wit, and creativity of it sparked inspiration!
AUDIOBOOK: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. (I am still listening!) There is a reason she won the Pulitzer.
ESSAYS: Sarah Bessey Field Notes. Her work is so grounded and moving. I always find something in her essays that helps me along.
YOU: You! Readers and Booksellers who showed up, fed me, offered gift bags with chocolate, and gave me energy through your enthusiasm.
NEWS
Meanwhile, you can check out all the newest right HERE! Including…
My BARNES & NOBLE Instagram Live conversation with Kristin Hannah.
An interview with me in the TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT.
My list for Shepherd of My Favorite Books that Transport You to Another Land
My BOOKSTORM PODCAST interview about The Secret Book of Flora Lea.
An article I wrote for Career Authors: After Your First Draft: The Search for Meaning
ARKANSAS STATEWIDE READ: The Secret Book of Flora Lea was chosen as the selection for 2024’s “If All Arkansas Read the Same Book” annual, statewide reading program. This program is designed to encourage the enjoyment of reading and promote book discussion in libraries of all types across Arkansas. I’m honored that they chose my book and look forward to traveling through the state of Arkansas in July to talk with readers all about it! Read all about it HERE.
FRIENDS & FICTION
We are busy as ever over at Friends and Fiction!
Join us on Wednesday, May 1st at 7pm ET to watch this week’s episode of The Friends & Fiction Show with Kristin Harmel and me interviewing New York Times and internationally bestselling author, Janet Skeslien Charles, to discuss her brilliant new novel, MISS MORGAN’S BOOK BRIGADE, based on the true story of Jessie Carson, the American librarian who changed the literary landscape of France. Watch the video broadcast as it airs on Wed 5/1 at 7pm ET on F&F’s Facebook & YouTube, and catch it on our podcast Fri 5/3.
We’ve got a lot to look forward to this season on F&F! Take a look at our full Spring guest line-up!
Lucky me as I get to be the host for two of these incredible guests—Sunny Hostin on the 5/29 show and Lisa Wingate on the 6/12 show. Stay tuned to our YouTube channel, too, as we have some great bonus “Behind the Book” mini-episodes, like THIS ONE where I got to chat with Kristy Cambron about her newest work of historical fiction, The British Booksellers. I hope you’ll also sign up for the F&F Substack, too, as we always have great content there. Coming up this month, we will have a roundtable chat with twelve historical fiction authors taking a deep dive into writing about WWII—and we’ll even include a giveaway!
I still have some MORE EVENTS coming up, and I’d LOVE to see you!
For now, back to writing the new book and preparing for my son’s wedding!
With Love,
Always,
PCH
ABOUT PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY
New York Times Bestselling Author and Podcast Host
Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Globe and Mail bestselling author of seventeen novels and a podcast host. 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.
Patti is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly web show, podcast, and online community, Friends & Fiction.
A full-time author, mother of three, and grandmother of two, she lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama, with her husband, Pat Henry. Her newest novel, The Secret Book of Flora Lea, is set outside Oxford in the hamlet of Binsey and was released on May 2nd, 2023, by Atria (Simon & Schuster).
Be sure to follow Patti on social media and visit my website for the latest updates and announcements!
Watching your travels exhausts me. Your stamina amazes me. Thank you for all you do to support and encourage other writers.
What an adventure! I am looking forward to your next book.