"Still True" Audiobook out December 26!
Pre-order link, signed copies for the holidays, and an unbelievable award
It is wild—seriously wild—to hear words you wrote coming out of a talented actress’s mouth. I’ve been rifling through my feels and I can’t think of anything to compare this to in my writing career so far. Two things come close: The first time I saw my byline in print in 2006 (a shock that didn’t wear off for years, only softened into a pleasant sort of gratitude these hundreds of articles later) and the first time I saw my name on the cover of a book I wrote—that hasn’t yet worn off and I can’t imagine it ever will. But, this! I just heard the sample of my forthcoming audiobook for the first time yesterday, produced by leading independent audiobook publisher Tantor Media and narrated by AudioFile Earphones Award Winner Amy Melissa Bentley and, well…whoa. I’ve been writing professionally for 18 years now and I’ve never heard anyone read my writing aloud before, let alone the debut novel I never knew I’d write. It’s surreal. And so very, very cool. I can’t wait to hear the rest, and I’m so grateful to Tantor for buying the audio rights from the University of Wisconsin Press and investing in us this way. I really hope to connect with new readers, because finding the ones I have already has changed my life in immeasurable ways.
I just got word that the pre-order link is now live. Please consider buying the audiobook for yourself, gifting it for the holidays, and spreading the word to anyone you think would be interested. Still True was published by a small, nonprofit academic publishing house in the Midwest with essentially no marketing budget and no pre-publication reviews. Over the past 15 months, your word of mouth support has proved the worthiest opponent to the Big Publishing algorithm, and pre-ordering the audiobook triggers that algorithm again to help new readers find my book. Tantor created a custom pre-order page that provides you with all kinds of links and ways to share. I’d be so grateful if you would.
For now there is an exclusive pre-order deal available at Audiobooks.com. Then, after its December 26 release, Still True will be widely available everywhere you listen—60+ platforms including Libro.fm, so you can support your favorite independent bookseller (I’ve made links down below in the Holiday Shopping section), and the library’s Overdrive app, which is terrific news for the librarians who have written to me requesting more accessibility for their patrons and book groups. It feels so good that I can finally direct them there.
Speaking of libraries….
2023 WLA Literary Award for Fiction
At their annual conference banquet celebration in late October, the Wisconsin Library Association awarded Still True its highest honor: The 2023 WLA Literary Award for Fiction. The website reads “this is the highest literary achievement by an author with a Wisconsin connection for a work of fiction written in the previous year.” I’m honestly still pretty speechless about the whole thing. It means so incredibly much to me. Librarians are the O.G. book ambassadors and literary stewards of our communities—straight up superheroes, if you ask me. To receive this honor from them is beyond meaningful. Thank you, libraries. I don’t know what any of us would do without you.
Signed Copies for Holiday Shopping
I wouldn’t be doing my authorly duty if I didn’t put in a shameless plug this holiday season: Books make great gifts, especially signed copies that are purchased from small businesses. Here in the greater Madison area, I’m happy to pop in and sign any copies of Still True you’d like to gift this year. Simply let the bookseller know when you order and I will arrange a visit with them when the book comes in. If you are outside of my area but still want to support your local shop, message me and I will send you a signed bookplate sticker that was provided to me by my publisher.
Here are a few of my local shops that could have signed copies available:
A Room of One's Own Bookstore in Madison (Libro.fm audio link here)
Books & Company in Oconomowoc (Libro.fm audio link here)
Lake City Books in Madison (Libro.fm audio link here)
Mystery to Me in Madison (Libro.fm audio link here)
Kismet Books in Verona (Libro.fm audio link here)
Daydream Believer Books and Gifts in Lake Mills (Libro.fm audio link here)
Leopold's Books Bar Caffè in Madison (Libro.fm audio link here)
Arcadia Books in Spring Green (Libro.fm audio link here)
Republic of Letters Bookstore in Mineral Point (Libro.fm audio link here)
Boswell Books in Milwaukee (Libro.fm audio link here)
Shops outside of my area that might still have signed copies from my last visit:
Blue House Books in Kenosha (Libro.fm audio link here)
Dragonfly Books in Decorah, Iowa (Libro.fm audio link here)
Honest Dog Books in Bayfield (Libro.fm audio link here)
Apostle Island Booksellers in Bayfield (Libro.fm audio link here)
Sift and Winnow Boutique, Jewelry Studio, Workshop in Mt. Horeb
Driftless Historium in Mount Horeb
Peg Ginsberg Watercolors in Mount Horeb
Midwest shops that hosted me earlier this year for an event or have plans to host me next year: You might consider purchasing from them—let me know you did, and I’ll send you a signed bookplate:
Lion’s Mouth Books in Green Bay (Libro.fm audio link here)
Dotters Books in Eau Claire (Libro.fm audio link here)
Pearl Street Books in La Crosse
Magers & Quinn in Minneapolis (Libro.fm audio link here)
Reads by the River in Waterford
Finally, if you’re a Bookshop.org fan but spread your indie bookshop love around, you might check out the new page by Writers on Writing, my favorite podcast. They’ve just started an affiliate account for books written or recommended by hosts Barbara Demarco-Barrett and Marrie Stone, as well as books authored by the guests on their excellent show. I just got “Writing from the Inside Out” by Dennis Polumbo in today’s mail myself.
More books and a last word of thanks
In conclusion, if you’re super sick of hearing about me but you’ll never tire of books, I’d love to direct you to the 2023 Winter Reads list we put together at Madison Magazine. These are all very recent or forthcoming books that were authored by Wisconsinites; some high profile, others you might not have heard about. It is surprisingly hard to keep up with all of the work coming out of local authors, but I try with monthly Q&As and my other newsletter, Madison Magazine’s Sunday Reads.
Thank you, as always, for being here. I was just taking a look at how many book groups, libraries, bookstores, festivals, podcasts and other spaces I’ve been welcomed into since Still True launched—and it was so overwhelming I decided to save it for another newsletter. I’m feeling reflective and grateful, so stay tuned for a wrap-up closer to the new year. Until then, be well.