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Be
sure to visit the
Letter from Joyce Archives
Announcing
the 2010 Lake Atitlan Writing Workshop.
And... at long last... a preview of my new novel, Labor Day
June 15, 2009
Dear Friends,
I want to share a few things with you. First one being, that the publication of my new novel, Labor Day, is now just six weeks away. This is the novel I wrote last fall while at a writing residency at The MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire. William Morrow will be bringing it out July 28.
So many of you have written to me over the years, offering support and encouragement. So for all of you faithful readers and subscribers to this letter -- the readers I think of first when I write -- I wanted to share with you a recording of me reading the first chapter of the new novel. (This recording, along with more about Labor Day, will be posted on the William Morrow/Harper Collins website starting next month.) You can also see a very short video of me talking about the book. (And you can read my thoughts on baking pie, while you’re at it.)
If you like Labor Day, I want to ask you a favor. First, of course, I hope you buy the book. (Some time back, I believe I mentioned that I hoped you would not pre-order the novel at Amazon, because I wanted to boost the novel’s ratings on its actual publication date. Since then my publisher has informed me that pre-orders are actually great for a book.
So no need to delay, though I always believe in supporting one’s local independent bookseller, if you’ve got one in your area. (Those booksellers -- who really read our books and let customers know if they have a favorite -- are the unsung heroes in a writer’s life.)
If you’re in a book group, I hope you’ll consider getting your group to read Labor Day. I think it will make for some terrific discussions, and just in case you can’t think of enough questions to discuss after reading it, Morrow has provided a book group discussion guide for this one.
I also understand that, in these days more than ever, $25 is a lot of money to spend on a hardback book. Request that your library buy it. Ask for it for your Labor Day present. (How’s that for a new concept? Mother’s Day and Father’s Day being -- as we all know -- a little too fraught with pressure at times.)
And of course, I will be anxious to hear what you think of my story once you read it. I’ll count on you to let me know.
Finally
-- for all of you who didn’t make it to Lake
Atitlan, Guatemala, to work with me (and my good friends Laura Lippman
and Ann Hood) this past winter, I want to let you know we’ll be gathering
again this February at my favorite place on earth, for another week of
writing instruction, inspiration, great company and wonderful fun. In
the weeks ahead, my assistant Melissa
Vincel (whose baby is due at the end of July) will be posting more
information about the workshop, but just to get you started thinking about
it now, we’re sending you a
little information now (you'll need Adobe
Reader to access this link), along with my promise to keep the workshop
as affordable as I can possibly manage, during these interesting but challenging
times.
I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you.
With friendship,
Pre-order Labor Day at Amazon
, Barnes and Noble, Borders, or at your favorite local bookstore today!
RECOMMEND JOYCEMAYNARD.COM TO A FRIEND
