Lisa Genova

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Lisa Genova, self-published author of Still Alice, credits Kelley & Hall for getting her book noticed by national media, which resulted in a six-figure book deal.

We wanted to send a congratulations to our wonderful client, Lisa Genova, for her new deal with Simon & Schuster! Here is the mention from Publisher’s Weekly.

Pocket Wins Debut

Anthony Ziccardi at Pocket was the victor in an auction for a first novel by Lisa Genova titled Still Alice; Vicky Bijur sold world rights. The book is about a successful 50-year-old professor and renowned linguistics specialist who has finally found time to enjoy her marriage and career now that her three children are grown, but whose accelerating memory lapses culminate in a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s. As she struggles with the steady stripping away of her cognitive abilities, she finds new meaning in the moment and a different level of intimacy in the indeterminate time that remains. Genova, who has a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Harvard, is an online columnist for the National Alzheimer’s Association. Senior editor Kathy Sagan will edit, and planned pub date is early 2009; post-BEA, there are translation rights offers on the table in several countries.

Book Trailers

Interesting article in today’s Wall Street Journal on the effectiveness of book trailers. I have to say that, although I do like some of the trailers created for certain books, I don’t find them effective enough to send me running to a store to buy my copy. I did, however, love the video Jen Lancaster did for her newest memoir, SUCH A PRETTY FAT. Check it out here.

Jackie Collins

Jackie Collins and Jocelyn Kelley

Jackie Collins is a one-woman dynamo! Her 26th novel, MARRIED LOVERS, is hitting the shelves just in time for summer. As Al Roker said, “If it’s summer, it means a new Jackie Collins novel is coming out!” All of Jackie’s books have been New York Times bestsellers and none of them have ever been out of print. This woman is a marvel. You can also find a picture of us on her site, as well.

Write With a Hook

We often see that the most successful publicity campaigns are for books that have a news hook embedded in the plot. Jodi Picoult is a great example of an author who writes with a news hook, from school shootings to suicide pacts, she covers them all. New York Times best selling author Jacquelyn Mitchard also writes with a hook, her newest YA book, ALL WE KNOW OF HEAVEN, beautifully explores the tragic circumstances surrounding an accident and a case of mistaken identity. The story is similar to the recent case involving Laura Van Ryn and Whitney Cerak: one buried under the wrong name, one in a coma and being cared for by the wrong family.

The greatest strength an author can have is a compelling, news worthy story and flawless writing. These authors do just that. Another great example of an author using an interesting story angle to propel the story forward is Lisa Gardner. Lisa has said before that she is a fan of true crime stories and she uses this passion to infuse her suspense novels with a “ripped from the headlines” aspect. Her newest release is SAY GOODBYE. We were able to chat with Lisa at Book Expo America where she was signing copies of SAY GOODBYE. Check out her latest, you will not be disappointed!

SAY GOODBYE by Lisa Gardner

SAY GOODBYE by Lisa Gardner

This Blog…

We want to use this blog as a way to create an open conversation and information source for writers. We also want it to be a place where anyone can come to find book industry news. (If another newspaper cuts its book review section, trust us, we will write about it.) We also want to provide some insight into the mysterious and ever-changing world of book publishing, book publicity and the media.

Please feel free to let us know if you have any questions or would like us to cover any particular topic.

We are excited about bringing all of you along on this exciting journey.

-The Kelley & Hall Team

Book Expo America 2008

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

(Megan Hall, Brunonia Barry and Jocelyn Kelley)

We are just back from our exciting adventures in sunny California! Book Expo America ran this past weekend, from May 28 – June 1, at the Los Angeles Convention center. It was a fun-filled weekend packed with author signings, book releases, seminars and parties. It was great to visit with some of our clients and catch up with friends.

It was an especially exciting time for one of our clients, Brunonia Barry, who was there to celebrate the upcoming release of her debut novel, THE LACE READER (William Morrow, August 2008). We are so thrilled for her and all of the exciting adventures she has ahead of her.