What Hank's Writing--A Letter to YOU!

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  Happy Pub Day to meeeee!!! It had seemed like the day would never arrive--the process of writing a book, editing a book, creating a book, having galleys and drafts and proofs and even more edits and deadlines and cover talks and then...yes. There is it. The preciousssss. 

And my next goal was to hit the road for book tour for ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS. (Oh yes, and finish the next book.)  

But first, my editor had one more assignment. The publisher planned to send review copies of my book to the big shots on their list, and wanted me to write a letter to accompany the mailings--sort of an introduction to the book, and from me.

Here is what I wrote.

Dear  Reader:

Stephen King once advised authors to write what they fear. Gotta tell you, as I was writing All This Could Be Yours, I was definitely following his brilliant advice.  Because what could be scarier than a book tour?

Right? As you well know, what happens after a book is published becomes a combination of roller coaster, hurricane, high dive, and mountain climb--an incredibly nerve-wracking brain-breaking time-zone-juggling book tour sprint from airport to bookstore to library to airport.

Yes, it’s a joy and a delight, and I’m always humming Magical Mystery Tour, but I also know that at every single moment of every single day something absolutely disastrous could happen.

And whoa. The suspense can kill you. You never know who you’ll meet—and what they have in store for you. What could possibly go wrong? Ha. That’s exactly what inspired this thriller.

All This Could Be Yours is high concept and super meta--about a debut author with a surprise best-selling novel who is sent by her publisher on an exciting and extensive (read: grueling and exhausting) national tour.   She soon discovers she's not traveling alone--she's being followed by someone who's obsessed with ruining her career and destroying the beloved family she left back home. 

Tessa is terrified that it's the result of a Faustian bargain she made long ago. Is her deal with the devil about to come due?

 I could tell you the rest, but I won't, and I’d adore you to discover Tessa Calloway’s dilemma for yourself.  And to join her cat-and-mouse cross-country chase through bookstores and libraries, and discover how she uses the secrets of writing to save her life.

As someone who has experienced the stress and chaos and the fabulousness of book tour, I hope it will speak to you, too, about the juggles we all have, and the decisions we all make, and the sometimes-heartbreaking sacrifices, as well as the glorious successes. 

ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS is a love letter to readers, writers, libraries and bookstores: a revealing look inside the world of a relatable and confident woman struggling to balance her wildest dreams as an author and her devotion to her family with the devastating and terrifyingly destructive secrets of her past.

I am so pleased and honored that we have been on this journey together, and will continue to do so, and I'd adore to come see you and talk with your many readers about this adventure. And oh—plot twist. You may see yourself in the book!  Not by name of course, but I hope you will recognize the depth of my respect and admiration for you and for all you do.

With endless gratitude and affection

Hank

HANK: Reds and Readers, have you ever written a letter to your readers? What would it say?  Have you read such a letter from other authors? What works, and why? 

And yes, I am on book tour right now! On Wednesday Sept 10, I'll be celebrating ALL THIS  at the iconic West Newton Cinema--with Lisa Gardner!

Check here for my events--I do hope you will join me!