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.
billie hinton’s camera-obscura:
life and lessons on November Hill Farm
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
a very special day
Today our newest family member arrived on the farm. The horses were beside themselves with excitement. You've never seen such gorgeous movement - floating, extended trots in unison. Here's a shot as they glimpse the new family member.
Here he is! Rafer's breeder leads him to the paddock to see the horses. He was amazingly brave and confident.
Rafer's breeder introduces him to the herd!
The meetings continued all afternoon. By bedtime it was clear that little Rafer had bonded with Cody, and they're sharing a stall and paddock tonight, happy as can be.
Here he is! Rafer's breeder leads him to the paddock to see the horses. He was amazingly brave and confident.
Rafer's breeder introduces him to the herd!
The meetings continued all afternoon. By bedtime it was clear that little Rafer had bonded with Cody, and they're sharing a stall and paddock tonight, happy as can be.
Friday, January 25, 2008
more cold in the a.m.
We had a respite here the past two days, and I had a revelation. 45 is almost tropical after 8.
This morning it's 22 and I'm already thinking of the stiff fingers and difficult to open plastic buckets of vitamins/minerals and flax that face me in the feed room.
I was thinking, though, that while there is a moment of dread over bundling up to go out into the cold, once there something changes and it becomes magical. There is something almost physiologically good about weather extremes.
In this intense (for us here in the south) cold, there's a purity of air and breath and thought that happens when I stand outside. My head clears, and my airways, and suddenly I can feel my body in a way I don't feel it when the air is warmer.
It's hard to imagine the heat of summer in this moment, but that opposite extreme has its own visceral sensations: heaviness, sweat, the feeling of almost melting into the heat and humidity.
The extremes defy distraction. They force us to be present and aware.
Which makes me think how much we lose when we buffer ourselves so successfully against the season's changes and extremes. How whole and complete we might be if we followed the wheel of the year and actually participated in its turning.
This morning it's 22 and I'm already thinking of the stiff fingers and difficult to open plastic buckets of vitamins/minerals and flax that face me in the feed room.
I was thinking, though, that while there is a moment of dread over bundling up to go out into the cold, once there something changes and it becomes magical. There is something almost physiologically good about weather extremes.
In this intense (for us here in the south) cold, there's a purity of air and breath and thought that happens when I stand outside. My head clears, and my airways, and suddenly I can feel my body in a way I don't feel it when the air is warmer.
It's hard to imagine the heat of summer in this moment, but that opposite extreme has its own visceral sensations: heaviness, sweat, the feeling of almost melting into the heat and humidity.
The extremes defy distraction. They force us to be present and aware.
Which makes me think how much we lose when we buffer ourselves so successfully against the season's changes and extremes. How whole and complete we might be if we followed the wheel of the year and actually participated in its turning.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
a couple of shots from weymouth
These were the ones that managed to get snapped before the battery died.
This pair of painted ponies at the barn kept me from missing my horses too much. I went down each day and said hello to them. They are stunning here but even more so pulling a carriage!
This was my desk this trip. I did very little work there; instead, I set myself up in the chair across the room with my feet resting on a folded comforter. It worked well. It was nice to have the desk set up, though, and my horse helped.
This pair of painted ponies at the barn kept me from missing my horses too much. I went down each day and said hello to them. They are stunning here but even more so pulling a carriage!
This was my desk this trip. I did very little work there; instead, I set myself up in the chair across the room with my feet resting on a folded comforter. It worked well. It was nice to have the desk set up, though, and my horse helped.
Monday, January 21, 2008
very cold
Last night we hit 8 degrees Fahrenheit. I went out this morning at 9 to feed and it was 14 degrees.
The horses came in for their feed same as usual, and licked the tubs clean. I hauled some hot water from the house to add to their water buckets so they could drink cold water as opposed to icy water. The troughs out in the paddocks were frozen solid on top, so I cleared the main one and will let the sunshine help out with the other two.
They are in the front field now with a bale of hay spread in piles in the sunniest spots, and will keep blankets on until it gets to the high temp for today, near 40. I like to give them a break from the blankets.
There will be no riding today, that's for sure.
The horses came in for their feed same as usual, and licked the tubs clean. I hauled some hot water from the house to add to their water buckets so they could drink cold water as opposed to icy water. The troughs out in the paddocks were frozen solid on top, so I cleared the main one and will let the sunshine help out with the other two.
They are in the front field now with a bale of hay spread in piles in the sunniest spots, and will keep blankets on until it gets to the high temp for today, near 40. I like to give them a break from the blankets.
There will be no riding today, that's for sure.
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