Patry Francis - The Liar's Diary

Patry Francis' debut novel, The Liar's Diary, is available in paperback today. Patry was recently diagnosed with an aggressive cancer and because of treatment is unable to tour or publicize her book.

A tremendous number of bloggers have conspired together to help launch Patry's novel in a show of support and an effort to do what she can't right now.

For the full story behind how all this happened, go to Susan Henderson's LitPark.

Here's a brief excerpt that really sums it up for me, from Susan Henderson at LitPark:

What began as a personal gesture of caring for a friend became an astonishing show of community - writers helping writers; strangers helping strangers; and most surprising of all, editors, agents and publishers, who have no stake in this book, crossing "party lines" to blog, to make phone calls, and to send out press releases.

This effort has made visible a community that is, and has been, alive and kicking - a community that understands the struggle artists go through and rejoices in each other's successes. It's a community made up of many small voices, but - guess what? - those many small voices can create some noise. So while today is for Patry, it's also a symbolic gesture for all of you who work so very hard for little or no recognition, for all of you who keep going despite the rejections, and for all of you who have had illness or other outside factors force your art or your dreams aside. We are in this together.

But FIRST check out Patry's stunning blog, Simply Wait, then go buy her book. Take a moment and hold it in your hands. Send Patry some warm wishes and healing energy. You'll be supporting an author who has been so generous with fellow writers she has a huge posse trying hard to return the favor.

And now, here are Patry's words, lifted off her blog:

"Though my novel deals with murder, betrayal, and the even more lethal crimes of the heart, the real subjects of THE LIAR'S DIARY are music, love, friendship, self-sacrifice and courage. The darkness is only there for contrast; it's only there to make us realize how bright the light can be. I'm sure that most writers whose work does not flinch from the exploration of evil feel the same."


I'm looking forward to reading it.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

When new music teacher Ali Mather enters Jeanne Cross's quiet suburban life, she brings a jolt of energy that Jeanne never expected. Ali has a magnetic personality and looks to match, drawing attention from all quarters. Nonetheless, Jeanne and Ali develop a friendship based on their mutual vulnerabilities THE LIAR'S DIARY (Plume / February 2008 / ISBN 978-0-452-28915-4 / $14.00) is the story of Ali and Jeanne's friendship, and the secrets they both keep.

Jeanne's secrets are kept to herself; like her son's poor report card and husband's lack of interest in their marriage. Ali's secrets are kept in her diary, which holds the key to something dark: her fear that someone has been entering her house when she is not at home. While their secrets bring Jeanne and Ali together, it is this secret that will drive them apart. Jeanne finds herself torn between her family and her dear friend in order to protect the people she loves.

A chilling tour of troubled minds, THE LIAR'S DIARY questions just how far you'll go for your family and what dark truths you'd be willing to admit˜even to yourself.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Patry Francis is a three-time nominee for the Pushcart Prize whose work has appeared in the Tampa Review, Colorado Review, Ontario Review, and the American Poetry Review. She is also the author of the popular blogs, Simply Wait and Waitress Poems. This is her first novel. Please visit her website at PatryFrancis.com.