On Tour with ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:   It was just about as meta as you can get, right? For the past three weeks, I have been an author on book tour, talking about a book called ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS which is about an author on book tour talking about her book, which is called ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS . I must have said this sentence a million times on the road, and I absolutely laughed every time. This particular book tour was eye opening, inspirational, hilarious, exhausting, and absolutely wonderful in every single way.

 

I'm trying to even decide where it began!  The week before publication, I flew to New Orleans to interview the fabulous Lisa Jewell, who was guest of honor. She is absolutely one of my writing idols. Every book she writes is brilliant and thought provoking and gorgeously written and perfectly plotted. And in real life she's an absolute dream--charming and funny and authentic. And we had a great time in front of a massive audience!

 

I was in New Orleans essentially for 24 hours, then flew back to Boston, and on the Saturday, hopped around to various local bookstores to sign books in preparation for their on-sale date on Tuesday. Sunday I had three online events, including two with my partner at First Chapter Fun, the fabulous Hannah Mary McKinnon, whose book A KILLER MOTIVE coincidentally and hilariously, had the same pub date as mine! How's that for synchronicity?

 

 

Monday was the pre-launch party at An Unlikely Story bookstore. I was interviewed by Jeff Kinney, yes, that Jeff Kinney, the owner of the bookstore, and the author of The Wimpy Kid books.   It was absolutely hilarious, and he is a genius. Publishers Weekly picked up the photo of that event, and that's very very cool.

 

 

On the on the actual launch day, I had a joint event with the wonderful BOOK LOVE Bookstore in conjunction with the Plymouth Public Library. It's so perfect, because ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS is a such a love letter to bookstores and librarians, and this truly fun event was an homage to those forces of nature.

 

 

Then, Wednesday, the glorious launch party at the historic West Newton cinema, where I was joined by the brilliant Lisa Gardner, and her new book KISS HER GOODBYE. We had a marvelous time in the old theater, and what an incredible occasion it was. Hurray, Hallie was there! And here are the guys--WIlliam Martin, William Landay, Daniel Palmer, James Ziskin and Edwin Hill. SO sweet of them to come. (I don't think I've ever seen my name on a movie theater marquee before!)

 

Then on Thursday, off for a two-week tour of the country!  (Note the time.....)

(Actually, I didn’t see much of the country except for the aerial views…)  I met so many new friends, and was teary-eyed at seeing so many old friends who came out to help celebrate. And my conversation partners made a bestseller list of their own-- In Cedar Rapids I was joined by Heather Gudenkauf, in Austin by Meg Gardiner, in Houston by Ashley Winstead, in Darien by Liv Constantine, and in Atlanta by Wanda Morris.  So much fun, and we laughed and solved the world's problems.

 

 

In all, I think I was on the road for 12 days, and stayed in 11 different hotels. And although it was wonderful, truly, every minute, from the super glamorous event in Greensboro to the absolutely adorable event in Mount Airy -- otherwise known as Mayberry-- I met an incredible number of absolutely fabulous readers and librarians and booksellers.

I came home this Tuesday, beyond exhausted, tireder than I have ever been, and also happier than I have ever been!

 

All this could be yours became an instant USA TODAY bestseller, and I am so grateful! (And ONE WRONG WORD made the list too! Whoo.)

And no, the tour isn't over, there's much more to come, but and you can be sure I will tell you all about it when the time comes.

 

 

And what landed in my mailbox the day I arrived back home? The edits for my new as yet unnamed 2026 novel. (Thanks to all of you yesterday for your incredibly good ideas!)

It absolutely fills me with joy, I have to say. I am the luckiest person in the world. Plus—wait until you see what’s coming up in the next few weeks!

So shall we do a book tour contest, Reds and Readers? Here are three pictures from the road. Can you identify these places? One lucky commenter—all you have to do is guess!-- will win a signed copy of Wanda Morris’s WHAT SHE LEFT BEHIND.

 

PS. Do you know about The Back Room? It's a wonderful online program that highlights four authors a month. Karen Dionne and I are the moderators/ hosts. It's free, and interactive, and absolutely wonderful! This Sunday at a special time-- 5:00 PM ET -- we will host Lisa Gardner, Eliza Reid, Lynn Liao Butler, and Francesca Serritella! Sign up here to get a front row :) seat.  Register at https://The-Back-room.org

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! 

Planning for Book Clubs

 LUCY BURDETTE: Before we get to the topic of the day (book clubs!), I'd like to extend my tremendous gratitude for everyone who helped launch The Mango Murders. The event at RJ Julia Booksellers was amazing--it's so much fun to talk to friends and readers in person! As an aside, if audio books are your poison, A POISONOUS PALATE  is 75% off through September 5.

LUCY BURDETTE: Now back to the topic at hand...It seems odd to me that mysteries and crime fiction can be lumped into a category of non-book club books--in other words, escapist reading, nothing worth discussing. We couldn't disagree more! With September around the corner and book clubs resuming meeting or planning their reads for the year, we thought we'd make a few suggestions. Five of us have new books that are just out or are coming this fall, and all of us have ideas about which of our books might make great book club fodder. Today you’ll hear from three of the Reds. We’ll suggest a book, a couple of discussion questions, and maybe something memorable to eat along with it. We’ll do part 2 with the other new releases in October.

I choose the brand new Mango Murders. You’ll find all my book club questions here, but here are a few to get you started:

1. Setting as Character: How does the tropical backdrop of Key West influence the tone and atmosphere of the story? In what ways does the setting contribute to the mystery?

2. Hayley’s Expertise: Hayley uses her culinary knowledge to aid in solving the crime. How important is her career as a food critic to the investigation? In what other ways does her profession help or hinder her?

3. The Explosion: The pivotal moment of the story is the explosion that transforms a party into chaos. How did this event shift the story's tone and escalate the stakes for Hayley?

4. Themes of Rivalry and Envy: The mystery revolves around professional rivalries and “recipe envy.” How do these themes play out among the characters? How do they relate to the world of food and culinary competition?

For the book club snack, I suggest a mango upside down cake. It’s super easy but delicious and fits with the theme perfectly.

RHYS BOWEN: Lucy, it’s funny that this arrived in my in box today as I’d just mailed off the list of book club questions to my publicist. (Of course this isn’t a mystery novel but historical fiction so more book clubs do tend to ask ).

Here are some of my questions for readers of Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure.

1. Did Ellie Endicott make the right decision when her husband demanded a divorce? What would you have done in the same circumstances.

2. Ellie takes two women with her—women she would not normally have considered friends. Would you have taken them?

3. Ellie has been the perfect wife. Everything runs like clockwork, her husband says. And yet the moment she is free of him she makes some rash decisions. Is this a side of her character she has not allowed to emerge before or is she evolving as a person?

4. One of her impulsive decisions is to take Yvette. Do you think that turned out well or badly for all involved?

5. What themes do you find running through the book? Second chances? Personal growth? The power of female bonding?

And for my book club snack it has to be a French cheese board with a fresh baguette.

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS is perfect for book clubs because it’s about an author on booktour–and her relationships with her readers, librarians, and booksellers. What starts as a glam cross country book tour turns into a deadly cross-country cat and mouse chase, with the author running for her life. No spoilers here--and even if you haven't read the book yet, you’ll be able to answer these!

1. On page one, Tessa walks out of her job, live on Insta—she's tired of feeling invisible. Tired of having good ideas that are appropriated by others, and tired of cleaning up after her colleagues' poor decisions and disasters. Have you ever felt like that in the work place? Have you ever just wanted to quit?

2. Tessa is part of a group called #MomsWithDreams. What would be your dream? Is there something that you have always wanted to do with your life? (If so, what’s stopping you?)

3. From the time she was a child, Tessa had a contentious relationship with her social-climbing mother. And that influence put Tessa in some extremely high-stakes situations–where she made decisions that she thought would make her mother happy. Have you ever done something to make someone else happy–only to have it backfire miserably?

4. Almost all of this book takes place in bookstores, libraries, airports and hotels–it's all on Tessa's book tour for her surprise bestselling novel. Have you ever been to an author event at a bookstore or library? Did you enjoy it? Have you ever wondered how the author felt about it?

5. Tessa becomes very apprehensive about parasocial relationships–devoted and adoring fans who relate to her book so much that they feel Tessa must understand them, personally, and should be their friend. Has reading a certain book ever made you feel so personally close to the author–that you feel they are thinking your very thoughts?

6. Tessa hears the voice of her main character very powerfully. Do you think that’s weird? Or do you think it’s logical that authors “hear” their character’s voices?

7. Tessa is on a weeks-long book tour, and must leave her beloved husband and two kids back home. How would you feel about that? She is the sole breadwinner–would that make a difference?

8. Tessa has to communicate with her family by Zoom and Facetime. And realizes she's only seeing what her husband and kids are putting in camera range–what are they leaving out? Would it frustrate you– or worry you?-- to know you’re not seeing the whole picture?

9. Tessa has memories of a gorgeous place she spent a few summer vacations. Did you have an idyllic place you visited as a child? What’s your best memory of that–or worst–and how vivid is it to you?

10. Tessa knows her life is an open book (ha ha) because her tour schedule is on her website–and as a result everyone knows exactly where she will be in person. And even what airport she might be using. Has the vulnerability of a public schedule ever seemed scary to you?

And for food for your event? Got to be Caesar salad with grilled chicken and a glass of red wine. That’s Tessa’s room service go-to!


Red readers, do you belong to a book club? How are the book selections made? What about the snacks? Does someone run the show or is it a free for all?

A Sneak Peek! at ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: First, two bits of breaking news! 

First, my new book, ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS, a just got a rave starred review from Library Journal! How fantastic is that? It says:

“Ryan nails the feel and pace of life as an author, and creates a love letter to booksellers and librarians amid the suspense and twists. Ryan has written her best book to date, which should be on everyone’s reading list."

So that’s good, huh? I can tell you I am totally and utterly thrilled. Whoo hoo.

The next breaking news: there’s a Goodreads giveaway for ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS all right now! And here is the link.

Make sure you enter! It’s such an easy way to win an advance review copy of this book. Crossing fingers you win.  (And all good reviews are joyfully welcomed.)

I am so thrilled about this book.

It's the story of debut Author Tessa Calloway, whose first novel becomes a surprise bestseller – – and she is sent on a glamorous coast-to-coast book tour. Problem is, it soon becomes clear that someone is not only trying to ruin that career, but also destroy her beloved family back home. 

What makes it even worse, Tessa fears it is all her fault – – her current danger the result of a Faustian bargain she made long ago. 

And now,  a big-time book tour becomes a deadly cross-country cat and mouse chase. And the author must run for her life. 

It’s also super meta! As you can imagine. And when the time comes, I’ll tell you where the idea came from. But any author on book tour or any reader who’s ever attended a book event will recognize the insidious reality— authors on tour are incredibly vulnerable.

Here is a tiny snippet from an early chapter  of the book – – an exhausted Tessa, returning to her hotel room, gets a call from her husband Henry.

The long hotel corridor stretched out in front of her, jewel-toned paisley carpeting in some only-in-hotels pattern, lily-shaped sconces casting a dim glow onto the row of numbered doors.

She found hers, 3016, and patted her pockets for her room key card. She tapped the card against the metal square. The light blinked insolently red.

She tried the card’s other side. Red.

“Kidding me?” She tried again. Red. Her phone buzzed in her pocket.

“Tessa?” Henry. Finally.

“Hey, honey. Hang on. My key card isn’t working,” she interrupted his greeting.

“Did you put it against your phone again?”

“No. I didn’t.” Though possibly she had. “Sometimes they’re cranky. So about Linny—”

“How’d it go tonight? They loved you, right? Tessa Calloway, instant best-selling author. Inspirer of women. Bringer of power. The darling of social media. Hang on, Tesser,” Henry said. “I think I heard something. A sound. I’ll call you back in ten minutes. Fix your key.”

“What’s wrong? What sound? Is it Linny?” The kids. Henry. Their brand-new house. But there was only the flat white noise of nothing. He’d hung up.

Footsteps behind her. A man carrying a grease-spotted paper bag from Panera glanced at her as he walked by; he seemed to be taking in her face, her whisper, her bag, her suitcase, her phone call. She smiled at him, the wan acknowledgement of a fellow traveler, telegraphing all good, nothing to see here, waiting for my husband to check on a strange sound in our new house.

The man paused, assessed her again, opened his door. At least Panera Guy had a key that worked.

It’d be easy for someone like him to pretend to be a registered guest, the thought crossed her mind. While, in reality, be lurking, scouting, targeting. Using the built-in anonymity and accepted proximity as cover. As disguise.

But that was her writer-mind at work. These days, with a deadline for an unwritten second book looming, everything became a potential plot element.

She examined her card again, front and back, trying to discover what was wrong.

Oh.

She patted the pockets of her new book-tour trench coat; knee-length, black, suitable for airplane, rain, and substitute bathrobe. In the right-side pocket, her fingers closed over another hard plastic rectangle. She’d been using a key card from her previous hotel.

“Idiot,” she whispered.

She tapped, and her keypad light went green. She opened the door, then paused. Looked, ridiculously, for Panera Guy.

But the corridor was silent, empty, only an anonymous row of identical closed doors. She deadbolted her own door. Chained it.

She was Tessa Calloway now, and safe.

 

I will be on tour for this book starting in September, and cannot wait to see you all! We are announcing the tour stops very soon, and of course you will be the first to hear.

Readers, have you ever been to an event on an author's book tour? What was your experience?  Authors, are book tours a treat for you? Or a test of your endurance?

(And here is that Goodreads Giveaway link again!)

What We're Writing: Hank gets a PEOPLE MAGAZINE exclusive!

Hank Phillippi Ryan: Well, how often do your dreams come true? So many of mine have, come to think of it. (For better and worse, just saying.)

But a few days ago, the cover of my new book, and the official synopsis, were revealed in People Magazine.

I will pause for a moment, to let that sink in.

AHHHHHH!!!

I could not believe it.  I clicked on the link and there it was.  I was floating the entire day.  And still am floating. If you want to see it in situ, in all its People Magazine glory,  here it is.   It's really fun to see.

If you don't want to click, here's a version of it. 

Hank Phillippi Ryan's New Thriller Was Inspired by Her Own Book Tour: See the Cover! (Exclusive)

'All This Could Be Yours' is both a "twisty cat and mouse thriller" but also a "love letter to readers," Ryan tells PEOPLE

By Bailey Richards

Hank Phillippi Ryan’s latest novel was inspired by her own fans — and how even innocent interactions could easily be “twisted into something sinister.”

The bestselling author, known for The House Guest, The Murder List and more, is gearing up to release her latest book, which the publisher calls a “twisty cat and mouse thriller” this fall — and PEOPLE can exclusively debut its cover.

All This Could Be Yours, slated for a Sept. 9 release, follows a writer whose debut novel becomes a sensation, but whose success is accompanied by career sabotage, threats and a secret from her past that comes back to haunt her.

"Tessa Calloway's dreams have come true — she's now a debut author with a surprise bestselling novel, with standing room only events and adoring readers on her triumphant nationwide book tour. But soon, things begin to go terrifyingly wrong, and Tessa knows it cannot be a coincidence,” an official synopsis teases.

“Someone is obsessed with not only sabotaging her career, but destroying her beloved husband and kids back home,” the synopsis continues. “Problem is, Tessa has a devastating secret. The escalating threats and increasing danger might be her own fault—the result of a high-stakes Faustian bargain she made long ago. And now, that one split-second decision may be back to ruin her life.”

All This Could Be Yours is first and foremost a nail-biting thriller, but it also has a deeper meaning, one that’s close to Ryan’s heart — and career. Ryan got the idea for the novel while interacting with a fan of her work at a book signing, she tells PEOPLE in an exclusive statement.

“It happened on my very own book tour — I was signing my novel to a reader, and wrote: 'So wonderful to see you in Scottsdale.' And I added the date. As I handed the book back to her, I thought well, I’ve just given someone a perfect alibi,” she tells PEOPLE. “That inscription proved she was at this particular Scottsdale event, and so was I. And that we had met.”

Naturally, the exchange got her thinking. “Then I thought about all the other inscriptions I’ve written: 'thank you for everything,' or 'so good to see you again,' or 'I enjoyed our time together,'” Ryan says. “I realized how many double meanings someone could concoct from those, and how my perfectly innocent inscriptions might be twisted into something sinister. Even menacing. Yikes!”

“I also thought about authors on book tour; how vulnerable we are, how everybody knows where we are every day,” the author continues. “We make it so easy — just look at our websites! Suddenly, my fabulous and exciting book tour became full of threats and danger. And life-changing bargains.”

That concept became her next novel, which is also a tribute to the people who make books come to life and into the hands of readers.

“Yes, it's a twisty cat and mouse thriller — but as I wrote it, it also became a love letter to readers, writers, librarians, booksellers,” she says, “and anyone who loves the world of storytelling.”

All This Could Be Yours comes out Sept. 9, 2025 and is available for preorder now, wherever books are sold.

HANK: Can you believe it? What do you think? Isn't it different than all my other covers?

You know I have a new publisher, so this is all part of that. And wow, so far so fabulous. And blurb from NITA PROSE! Ah ah ah.

And I cannot forget to add that the cover was designed by Minotaur's fabulous David Rotstein. Standing ovation!

And let me just point out to you..LOOK at the spine of the book! I mean--whoa. That should be in the spine Hall of Fame, don't you think? See the periwinkle earring? It's a clue...

And here's the link to People again. Just because.