Why Does It Matter?
Lost-to-Time Stories, Cut Scenes, News, Events & More
Hello, my friends!
With only three weeks until the publication of The Story She Left Behind, I wanted to come here with you to chat about WHY I write about these lost-to-time stories, tell you some exciting news, and make sure you know about some events where I would LOVE to see you. Oh, and, also, places you can buy signed first editions!
Why do lost-to-time stories even matter?
I am drawn to the stories that have slipped through the cracks of history—the ones lost to time, whispered about but never fully told. When I find myself curious about something, I assume you might be curious also! I love the stories of forgotten figures, hidden truths, and the echoes of the past waiting to be heard.
I write about them because they remind me that history is not a static thing, but a living, breathing force, shaped by those who remember and those who don’t.
A lost-to-time story carries with it an undeniable mystery. What really happened? Who was this person beyond the bare facts left behind? What if we could step into their world and see through their eyes? I don’t just want to chronicle history; I want to reimagine it, to bring the unseen moments into the light. These stories matter because they show us how fragile memory is, how easily lives and legacies can disappear. And yet, even when someone is lost to history, their story can still shape us.
In The Story She Left Behind, I explore the life of a mother who vanishes, leaving behind a book no one can translate. Inspired by the real-life disappearance of Barbara Newhall Follett, I was shocked to find that her literary legacy was hidden in sixteen boxes at Columbia University, gathering dust. This novel is my way of asking: What do we leave behind? And how do the ones who come after us make sense of it?
I write about lost-to-time stories because I believe they are never truly lost. They are waiting—waiting for someone to listen, to uncover, to tell them again.
Upcoming Live Virtual Events
Join me for these weekly Facebook LIVE sessions to chat about The Story She Left Behind, ask me anything — and win prizes!
I’ve hosted two of these sessions already and they’ve been super fun! You can see the first one from Feb. 18th about the real cold-case literary mystery that inspired my novel HERE. And you can watch the second one from this past Tues. Feb 25th HERE in which we delved into the fascinating world of imaginary languages and childhood fantasies in literature.
You’ve still got time to join me for the remaining two sessions. Mark your calendars and meet me on my Facebook author page. I will go live again at 7pm Eastern on Tues. Mach 4th and Tues. March 11th. Each week we will dive into a new topic, and I’ll take your questions. You can ask me anything about writing, stories, the new book, my tour, or whatever you please.
Bonus! As my gift to you, my cherished readers, I’m giving away a new fabulous prize during each session!
Join me on this journey!
Cut Scenes, Part 2
And while writing about lost stories, I lose some of my own stories and work. CLICK HERE to read all about this cut scene and why it didn’t end up in my novel.
Signed First Editions
Do you want to score a signed first edition of The Story She Left Behind? Well, I’m here with a handful of ways where that’s possible!
The Friends & Fiction 2025 Subscription Box—Order through our friends at Oxford Exchange and not only will you get my new book (autographed, of course!) with extra F&F goodies available only in this box (an F&F car magnet and friendship bracelet), but you will also be signing up for two future shipments containing signed copies of Kristy Woodson Harvey’s Beach House Rules (May 27) and Kristin Harmel’s The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau (June 17). That’s one flat rate—inclusive of tax & shipping—for three shipments of bookish fabulousness. Oder HERE.
The Brenda Novak Subscription Box—I’m so proud and grateful that Brenda Novak has selected The Story She Left Behind as the March pick for her fabulous monthly subscription box. Her boxes are such an amazing treat. Each month contains a beautifully curated selection of bookish gifts, along with that month’s featured book. Oder HERE.
Alabama Booksmith—The Story She Left Behind is part of my local indie’s Signed First Editions Club. Order from them and your book will be mailed to you with a certificate of authenticity. Plus! We are gifting you a custom-printed flower seed packet that is available only through Alabama Booksmith. Details HERE.
Buxton Books—they’ve got some of the custom-made canvas zipper pouches I had made up for the Wild Dunes event in January. If you are one of the early birds to score a ticket to my March 20th event at the Charleston Library Society, Buxton Books will throw in a pouch as a free gift with purchase while supplies last. Get event tickets HERE.
Books-a-Million—I just worked my hand muscles to the bone signing gobs and gobs of books for this amazing book chain. BAM will be featuring my book in their stores and on their website as part of their Autographed Books Collection program. You can get more info and order copies HERE.
Come to a signing—Meet me at any one of my many, many book tour stops and you will leave with your very own autographed and personalized first edition of The Story She Left Behind! Where will you meet me? See all your options HERE.
Remember that no matter where you pre-order my new book from, so long as you buy before March 18th—from any retailer in any format—you are eligible for free bonus gifts from my publisher as well. So, once you buy your event ticket, or order from any of the above listed outlets, or from any bookseller at all, just fill out the simple CLAIM FORM, and you will be sent my digital travel journal and mailed a beautiful custom-designed bookplate.
News About My New Book
Support from booksellers, librarians, and book clubs means the world to me. Thankfully, I’ve gotten lots of good news about The Story She Left Behind lately. The book is:
a LibraryReads pick for March
one of B&N’s Best Books of March
a Heather’s Pick for Canada’s Indigo bookstore chain
a SIBA’s March 2025 Read This Next pick
the Reader’s Digest Book Club pick for April
a Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award
Woo hoo! I’ll keep spreading the good news as I have it, so be sure you’re following me on Facebook & Instagram and pay a visit to the Blog+News page of my website occasionally.
Book Tour
I am so excited for my upcoming book tour for The Story She Left Behind! Things kick off in grand style on Monday, March 17th at the Atlanta History Center. I’ll be joined there by my Friends & Fiction sisters Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel & Kristy Woodson Harvey. The night kicks off at 6PM with a cocktail reception, light bites, a meet-and-greet, and photo opportunity with all four of us. Then we will host a LIVE episode of The Friends & Fiction Show discussing my book followed by a book signing/personalization. All tickets include the reception and an autographed copy of The Story She Left Behind. Get your tickets now before they sell out!
Another super fun event on this tour that I really want you to know about is happening on MY BIRTHDAY! And in one of my favorite cities on earth to boot! Meet me in Charleston on Monday, March 20th! I’ll be with my good friends from Buxton Books at the beautiful Charleston Library Society building on King Street at 6pm. It’s a ticketed event and doors open at 5:30. Grab your tickets now and meet me there to celebrate the first day of Spring, my birthday, and my new book, The Story She Left Behind!
My tour also takes me to so many other great places all throughout South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, and Alabama; plus stops in St. Louis, MO, Columbus, OH, Franklin, IN, and Nashville, TN; and even a jaunt out to the west coast with stops in Pasadena & Long Beach, CA. It’s a month-long whirlwind! I so look forward to seeing so many readers and getting the chance to talk with you all about The Story She Left Behind. So take a look at my full tour and mark your calendars (and get your tickets!) for when I’m in a town near you.
Friends & Fiction
We’ve got lots of fun things in store on Friends & Fiction! Next week, don’t miss author guest Colleen Oakley as she joins Mary Kay Andrews & Kristin Harmel to discuss her new novel Jane and Dan at the End of the World. Then, the very next week, on Wednesday, March 12th, we will host a super fun LIVE episode of our web show to celebrate the launch of The Story She Left Behind! Tune in LIVE at 7pm Eastern as MKA, Kristin, Kristy and I gather for our only live show for the month of March. These live launch episodes are always loads of fun and, trust me, you will not want to miss this one!
That’s all for now!
With great love,
Patti
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. Patti is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly web show, podcast, and online community, Friends & Fiction.
She lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama with her husband. Her newest novel, THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND will be released on March 18th, 2025.
Be sure to follow Patti on social media and visit her website for the latest updates and announcements!
I'm loving the lives leading up to release! So soon now!
This is the best book. I loved it so much! And I love the idea of telling stories that slip through the cracks. It's so compelling to bring those tales back for readers to experience. xoxoxo