New Year, New Authors - by Miriam Parker

January seems like a time when things that are NEW are good. New presidents, new diets, new goals. So I thought I would tell you about some of the new writers that I know are going to be coming up in the next few months that I’ve fallen in love with and that I think you will too.

We started the year off with a bang with two authors that I just can’t get enough of, for COMPLETELY different reasons. Josh Bazell is super hilarious and his debut novel BEAT THE REAPER seems so well conceived that it’s like he’s already secretly written ten novels and has just deigned to give us this one perfect one. Also, he’s in medical school which makes me feel quite lazy for JUST having a regular job. How does he do it? Regardless, he did and I thank him for it. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll just have to view this video for yourself so you know how great the book will be/is.

Also this month is a novel that you will devour called THE LITTLE GIANT OF ABERDEEN COUNTY, a novel about a girl named Truly who grows physically and emotionally beyond her small town's wildest expectations. I haven’t been as astonished by a debut since I read GODS IN ALABAMA by Joshilyn Jackson.

I also have to just mention that another debut author, Michael Shilling, wrote a super fun book about a rock band in decline called ROCK BOTTOM and has an amazing website where the songs by the band are covered by other bands. You’ve got to listen to them.

In February we are publishing GALWAY BAY which is a novel that has been in the works for many years. The story is loosely based on the author’s immigration experience from Ireland to the US which seems so timely right now that we have entered an age where the son of an immigrant is our president.

I’m also super excited about THE MAKEDOWN by Gitty Daneshvari who is a voice that you will be hearing a lot from in the future. Gitty and I had breakfast a few months ago and I just think that she is a kindred spirit who also happens to be so funny that you will literally cry with laughter when you read her book.

And then just to give you a little preview of what’s coming up in March in the world of the debut writer, we have David Cristofano who has insider government experience, writing a novel about the world of the Witness Protection program and THE CRADLE which is a debut novel for Patrick Somerville, a lovely and compact story about a man who goes on a journey for a long lost piece of furniture and finds so much more.

Miriam Parker is the Associate Director of Online Marketing for the Hachette Book Group. You can contact her at miriam.parker@hbgusa.com.