Monday, September 13, 2021

HER PERFECT LIFE--AND A PERFECT LAUNCH!

Jenn McKinlay: It goes without saying that the Reds are each other's biggest fans! So I am just over the moon, ecstatic, and positively thrilled to announce our Hank's latest book HER PERFECT LIFE will be released into the wild TOMORROW!!!


This book has already started to buzz hard with starred reviews from Kirkus and Publisher's Weekly and was declared “A spectacular thriller” in a rave review from Library Journal! It's Hank's second pandemic launch and the publisher says it's her “Most personal book yet.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


BUY NOW!!!


HER PERFECT LIFE


It’s about sisters, betrayal, guilt, fame, and revenge. Everyone knows television reporter Lily Atwood, and that may be her biggest problem. She has fame, fortune, and beloved daughter; and her devoted fans have even given her a hashtag: #PerfectLily.  But Lily also has one life-changing dark secret—and if anyone finds out, she fears her career and happiness are over.  Problem is: how do you keep a secret when you’re always in the spotlight? And when an anonymous source begins to tell Lily secrets about Lily’s  own life --she learns the spotlight may be the most dangerous place of all. 



There is a BIG launch party tonight so don't miss out! 

Register here:  https://bit.ly/HPLLaunch 

If you can’t come, boo, but Hank can still sign and personalize a book for you! Just click on the link. 




We all have questions for Hank--and we know you will, too! YAY, Hank--and we know this will be fabulous. Scroll down for the questions--and Hank's insightful answers.

JENN McKINLAY: Congratulations, Hank! This is so thrilling (intended)! We Reds have been fortunate enough to be a tiny bit in the loop during your writing process, and I have to ask is your protagonist television reporter Lily Atwood based on someone(s) that you’ve met during your own illustrious career as a reporter or was she inspired by something else? What was the spark that inspired her story? 


HANK: Oh, thank you! I am overwhelmed and nervous, just saying.  But I know exactly where this story came from.

  

When I worked in Atlanta, in the 80s, I was anchoring the weekend news. I came home after the eleven PM news one night, around midnight or even later, and my house was surrounded by police cars. Someone had broken into my house. The police caught him, and he confessed to them that he had chosen my house to break into--because he knew I was live on television, and not home!  Isn’t that chilling?

Because he knew where I was, he knew where I wasn’t. That understanding of the deep vulnerability of being a television reporter haunted me. And that was the beginning of the story.

And led to the irony in the title.


HALLIE EPHRON: Your titles always have multiple meanings and shades of meaning that reveal themselves to the reader. A case in point: “perfect” paired with “life”? Did the title come to you as you were writing, or did you start with the title and spin a story from there.


HANK: Oh, great question, dear Hallie!  In this book, the title did not emerge until about the middle of writing it. It was initially titled “The Next Caller” because one of the key elements is that an investigative reporter, who gets a lot of news tips from sources, gets a call from an anonymous person who appears to know some secrets about the reporter herself! 


 I thought it would be fascinating to turn the tables--to have someone whose life revolves, in a way, around telling secrets--begin to understand how it feels like to be in the spotlight. 


She has such a perfect public image that her fans have hashtagged her #PerfectLily. But soon she knows her seemingly-perfect life is about to be ruined. And that the spotlight may be the most dangerous place of all.

And once I thought the phrase “Her perfect life..” 

I thought--OH! Of COURSE.



LUCY BURDETTE: Yes big congratulations on everything Hank! Jenn stole my question about your spark, but here’s another one. You’ve talked about not plotting ahead while you’re writing. How much do you know when you start out? Do you use any turning points or character sketches or any kind of structure?


HANK: NO IDEA. Nothing. I know there would be a celebrated reporter who had a dark scary secret. What was it? NO idea! 


 I did have an image of a college freshman, a girl, who comes home for the holidays, and seems sad, and her mom finds her notebook, which has a calendar with the days crossed off.  And I thought--is she counting the days until something? Or after something? 

And that’s all I had.  (And that’s on page one, so no spoilers. ;-0) 


Lily’s seven-year-old daughter Rowen was a huge surprise to me. And she was a joy to write--mischievous, funny, confident, articulate, polite--and she pushes Lily a bit. And Lily pushes right back. And they are wonderful together. Until..what if that spotlight shines on little Rowen?  


(And oh, thank you, Lucy!)



RHYS BOWEN:  Many congrats on the new book, Hank. My question: do you become emotionally involved with your heroine? Identify with her? Or can you remain detached as you do in your job?


HANK: Thank you! Hmm. I BECOME her, as I write.  It’s almost like method acting. I know when I’m  writing Lily, I have good posture, and my brain presents Lily words, and I know what she wants, and her secrets, and I make her decisions. When I write Greer Whitfield, the ambitious/brilliant/complicated producer, my eyes narrow a bit, and Greer phrases come out. . And for college girl Cassie, well, I can’t talk about that. (HER PERFECT LIFE takes place in the past and the present.)  


But I DO identify with Lily’s concern for her personal life in a public arena. People who watch her on television think they KNOW her--she’s in their living rooms every night!--and they think they’re her friend. How dangerous is that? And Lily is an investigative reporter, like I am. She does a lot of good--but someone’s scheme is thwarted in every story she does--so she’s made a lot of enemies. And, like my burglar, they know where she lives.  


DEBORAH CROMBIE: It is such a fabulous cover, Hank! Everytime I see it I have to just gaze at it for a moment. Were you pleased with it? Is that how you imagined Lily? Did the cover design go through many iterations? 


HANK: Oh, totally totally totally. Thank you, dear Debs!  I GASPED when I saw this. And yes, we went through many iterations. I kept saying: elegant, classic, Mona Lisa, Grace Kelly, luminous,  mysterious, sophisticated. And then wow. Designer Katie Klimowicz at Forge hit a grand slam home run. Even the paper stock is incredible. (And here’s a secret--in the original version, her eyes are blue. I asked for green. And poof! Green.)

 

 JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: After these great questions, I'm afraid anything I might ask about HER PERFECT LIFE will slide into spoiler territory! So I'm going to ask about launching a BIG book in Fall '21 - you're doing a mix of Facebook Live, streaming, podcasting - and of course, you're still blogging here and at Career Authors and highlighting other authors with First Chapter Fun and The Back Room. Just typing that makes me want to lie down with a cold compress. How do you manage such a packed schedule and how - since I've seen this many times - do you keep delivering 100% at every event?


HANK: (Please don't make a list like that! It is a lot, but it's a lot of fabulous. xoxoo) Truly, I adore it, and it's part of the crazy-wonderful life as an author. And these days, all the more necessary to stay connected. And aw, thank you for the wonderful links!

And we all have packed schedules, right? But remember was it--Willie Mays? Someone like that? Who was asked: "Why do you always play the best you can in every game?" And he said: "Because there might be a little boy in the stands who's never seen me before."

Right?

And speaking of schedules:



All right, Readers, it's your turn to put Hank in the hot seat! What do you want to know about HER PERFECT LIFE? 



56 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Hank . . . I loved this book.
    That burglar story is downright creepy . . . difficult knowing someone’s keeping track of where you are [and aren’t] . . .

    Since we know you don’t plot ahead, what turned out to be the biggest surprise that you encountered as you were writing the story?

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    1. Oh, thank you so much! What a great question… Well, let me put it in a non-spoiler anyway. There are people who might be alive and might be dead, and I had no idea of the fate of any of them. Never a dull moment! Xxxxxx

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  2. So many congratulations, Hank! I wish I didn't have a competing event tonight. I'll try to catch one of your other appearances.

    You are a very public person now, too - surely more than in Atlanta. Have you had other stalkers/burglars since then? Do you worry about that?

    Also, I love that there's a little girl in the book. And now I'm really scared for her...

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    1. Thank you! Yes, every time I do a story, I make an enemy. So… That is something to watch out for :-) but it is part of the deal.

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  3. Congratulations, Hank! I am so excited and can't wait until Her Perfect Life drops on my Kindle. Questions? They've been covered. The Atlanta story is so scary, and your process amazing.

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    1. You are such a dear pal! Thank you thank you thank you!

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  4. Looking forward to seeing you, Hank, TONIGHT with Brookline Booksmith.... Can't wait to get my signed first. So scary, that robber who knew where you weren't. I've read about thieves targeting homes of mourners during funerals.

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    1. Yes, it is devastating and so disturbing. And thank you thank you thank you! I saw your personalized book order, and I cannot wait to sign! You are fabulous!

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    2. Congrats, Hank! Can't wait to read your latest. Yep, Hallie, after a family friend's house was burglarized during a funeral years ago I then became that person to stay behind and "house-sit", with a big dog in plain sight, a loud boat air-horn, and usually a friend to drop by. Wasn't ever really scared.

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  5. Hank, We're so proud of you, and so happy you are a Red! xoxo

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  6. Congratulations Hank. See you this evening, if only virtually.

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  7. Congratulations, dear HANK!
    Looking forward to cheering you on at the Brookline event tonight,

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    1. Oh, yay! I am so honored that you will be there! Thank you!

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  8. Congratulations, Hank! I'll pick up my copy at Mystery Lovers, but I registered for the party tonight. See you there!

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  9. Hank, Mazel tov! The cover is gorgeous! I'm with Julia, wondering how you do it all. Your endeavors have lifted hundreds (or more) of us during this difficult time. I wish you every success!

    My parents' house was burglarized on Erev Yom Kippur, an evening with a traditionally long service. The thieves were never caught, the stolen items never recovered. It was very frustrating but with a different type of malice than your thief.

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    1. Oh, what a terrible story. And so much cynical planning involved, really scary.

      And oh, thank you for your kind words! I am so grateful…

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  10. Well, you've done it again, Hank! Congratulations! My question: We know your writing process--how you don't outline or plan ahead. Do you ever write something and later realize that it doesn't belong in the story in progress--but think, hmmmm, this has possibilities for a different story?

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    1. Well, that would be very efficient! But no, it’s sort of doesn’t work that way for me… It either works for the story or it doesn’t, you know? and if it doesn’t, I delightedly cut it. Xxx

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  11. Congratulations on both the launch and on all the good reviews and buzz, Hank!

    I agree with Judy--you have not been sitting on your hands since the beginning of the pandemic. You've instead been such a great cheerleader for so many other writers, and in really innovative ways. Well done, you.

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    1. Awwwww xxx we are all in this together, right :-) Love you!

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  12. Congrats on your new release! Have fun with the launch events. I wonder if "feeling you know your local newscaster" is an American thing? Are they warmer, friendlier, or more approachable than their international counterparts? I watch DW news from Berlin and the newscasters and reporters are intelligent and engaging...but I don't wonder what restaurants they frequent or what schools their kids attend.

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    1. That is a really brilliant question! I think the newscasters internationally are more readers, you know? Rather than reporters? and I don’t know about the connection with their viewers. Interesting! Did you ever watch that show called… Oh my gosh. It was about the Suez crisis? In a London newsroom? those reporters seemed to be known, didn’t they?

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  13. Congratulations on the new book!!
    Oh my goodness, your story about the break-in is scary. I was on a committee with a local news anchor and she would always have to leave early to be on the air and we would all say, "See you at 11." We never thought of the fact that everyone knew where she was.
    I have, however, on occasion sat in a home for a friend where everyone was at a funeral when the deceased's home address had been put in the paper.

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  14. Her Perfect Life is such a I-can't-put-it-down book! Really and truly! I'm like Julia. My questions are character related so I'll keep them until another time. No spoilers from me.

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    1. Awwwww thank you! Cannot wait to chat with you about it!

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  15. Congratulations and HUGE love you to, dear one! I love the book and am loving all the great well-deserved reviews.
    xxoo

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    1. Oh my goodness, you bring tears to my eyes. Thank you! We have known each other such a long time xoxox

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  16. HANK, congratulations on HER PERFECT LIFE. I was fortunate to read an advanced digital copy and I do not want to give away spoilers here.

    Question: Is Jealousy/ Envy a theme in your novel?

    While reading your novel, I thought about the meaning of "perfect life" and I was reminded of this quote or something like this quote "You never know what the other person is going through." What looks like a "perfect life" may be, in reality, a facade.

    It is rare that I read a thriller. Because you wrote this book, I decided to read the book. And I loved your short story about train travel in NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT (?)

    Final note: The face on the cover reminded me of a fashion magazine cover

    Diana

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    1. Every single thing you say is wonderful! Thank you! Oh my goodness, and you are so right, absolutely. Envy and jealousy, both play a big part in this, you are so right!

      And thank you about the train travel! That may be the beginning of a new book… What do you think ?

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    2. HANK, yes!

      That story about overhearing a conversation on the train would make a great novel. Though I have to say that the conclusion in that short story was Perfect! I liked that there was closure at the end.

      Did you hear about a story years ago? There were several Deaf teenagers talking in Sign Language as a Joke about assassinating President Bush. By chance, there were several Secret Service Agents who saw this conversation and they UNDERSTOOD sign language! Yes, the Deaf teens were questioned by the Agents.

      Diana

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  17. Congratulations, Hank! I can't wait to read it.

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  18. Congratulations, Hank!!! It's always a THRILL when you have a new book out! Can't wait to dive into HER PERFECT LIFE!

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    1. So eager to hear what you think!! xooo thank you, darling one!

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  19. Hank, congratulations on your gorgeous book! Just looking at all your events is making my head spin! I'll be diving in when my copy arrives tomorrow!!

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    1. ::my heasd is spinning, too..:: But in a good way! Thank you, dearest pal! xx

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  20. I pre-ordered this book. Right now I am between books and I don’t want to start reading anything new because I know I’m going to be starting this book tomorrow. Can’t wait!

    DebRo

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    1. Oh, you are wonderful. THANK YOU! xxxxx Crossing fingers, dear DebRo!

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  21. Congratulations, Hank. Your launch is inspirational!
    More than ready to read your creative twists and turns in this new book.

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    1. Oh, so lovely of you-I do hope you enjoy it! Let me know, okay? oxoxoo

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  22. Congratulations on this book launch, Hank. I love that quote from Wille Mays about playing perfecting for that little boy who hasn't yet seem him play. That's a lovely "beginner mind" type stance to take into one's work.

    I hope to make it to the launch party tonight, but if not there are plenty (!) of other times I will try to catch you. Wow. How do you keep up with yourself???!!!???

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  23. Congrats on the new book! Looking forward to reading it.

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  24. Congratulations on your book release. I already read it and loved it.

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    1. YOU are the queen of us all. THANK YOU! And I am eternally grateful for your gorgeous generous wonderful review. xxoooo

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  25. Hank, you always give us such thrilling tales, and Her Perfect Life is so thrilling. I got behind schedule, and I am just in the middle of the book now, but I hope to have it finished and reviewed by tomorrow or Wednesday. I had to make myself go to sleep in the wee hours of the morning today because I was so completely caught up in Lily's story. And, Cassie? I can't wait to find out what happened to her.

    I am registered for the book launch tonight and a signed book. In fact, I might have accidentally registered twice. I know it will be an awesome event. Congratulations on another outstanding book, Hank!

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  26. The pub. date eve event was fabulous, so many supportive writers! . . . so many more titles for Mt. TBR. I love that you surprise yourself as you surprise us. Practically perfect in every way! <3
    Amazon is now accepting reviews, and mine was the tenth when I submitted it.

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