Well. How to even begin this newsletter when it feels like we’re living on a different planet than we were two months ago?
First of all, thank you to everyone who reached out to check on us and find out how to help Asheville and Western North Carolina after Helene’s devastation. Our belief in the power of community is continuously strengthened by this one. Our beloved mountain home is still recovering and will be for months and years ahead. It helps to know that we have you out there rooting for us! The good news is, as of yesterday, we have drinkable water in the taps!
Second, one thing that helps us keep the light alive in the face of Helene and other devastations is art. The beauty of words and other mediums that feed us deep down in our souls. Watching the artists of Asheville come together to help each other. Getting authors together and watching them check in on one another and laugh and commiserate. Enjoying the interplay of visual and written work in projects by David Allen Voyles, Katherine Scott Crawford, and others. What a gift.
As always, the best way for you to support us is to support our authors and bookstore friends. If there is anything we can do for you, or to support you, please reach out. Thanks for reading!
—Lauren
An Ode to a Good Dog
Tiny Cakes Christopoulos, one of our beloved Gold Leaf pets (and, let’s face it, an important member of the team) passed away last Wednesday.
She was 17 years old and spent much of her life being held by various admirers (including previous GLL interns), sniffing out dropped snacks, and scaring away bigger dogs, which was most of them since she was only 6 lbs.
She will be missed, but her legacy lives on in some of our early Facebook posts where Caroline hid her face in pictures of bookstores for people to find, like the one above (Avid Bookshop) from 2017.
Looking Ahead
For those of you in the book industry, you know that we are constantly looking ahead. Right now, publishers are gearing up for their spring releases and, well, so are we. So, here’s a little preview.
A new book by Michael Amos Cody is headed our way on April 15, 2025 when Madville Publishing will release The Streets of Nashville.
“An elegantly written, mysterious and electric crime novel. Michael Amos Cody’s experience as a Nashville songwriter and Ezra MacRae’s encyclopedic knowledge of country music bring Streets of Nashville to life.”—Alex Kenna, author of What Meets the Eye and Burn This Night
The third novel from musician and writer Peter McDade, King Cal, is coming from Trouser Press on April 16, 2025.
“King Cal is a glorious and gripping story of the early days of a musician’s life: that uncertain, chaotic time when a young dreamer begins to transform into an artist. I have never read a more accurate or emotionally affecting portrayal of that transformation.”—Dan Wilson, Grammy-winning singer and songwriter
Our longtime friend John Rhea (website to come!) has written a debut novel about humanity and how easy it is to fall from grace called Lifer. Redhawk Publications will release it in April 2025.
“The author deftly explores themes of redemption, survival, and the intricate human connections that can flourish even in the darkest of places. With its rich character development and thought-provoking narrative, Lifer offers a powerful reflection on the choices we make and the paths we take.”—Michel Stone, author of The Iguana Tree and Border
In her second novel of historical fiction, Katherine Scott Crawford blends the art and history of miniature portrait painting with a time-slip mystery. The Miniaturist’s Assistant is coming from Regal House Publishing on May 13, 2025.
“A multifaceted love story wrapped in a mystery that unfurls on the changing winds of history. A rollicking, page-turning tale, this unforgettable novel explores time travel, art, passion, the complexity of past sins, and the abundant promises embedded in the here and now.”
—Connie May Fowler, author of Before Women had Wings
A.A. Vacharat’s debut YA novel, This Moth Saw Brightness, featuring a BIPOC neurodivergent protagonist, is scheduled from Penguin Teen for May 27, 2025.
From the publication announcement: In this near-future YA novel, high school senior ‘Wayne Le is randomly selected for a teen health study, but when he notices a change to his personality, he wonders if he and his fellow participants are unwittingly involved in something more sinister than a simple research project.
The first in a new series featuring P.I. Annie Gore, The Witch’s Orchard, by Archer Sullivan, is scheduled for release August 12, 2025 from Minotaur.
“An enthralling trip through the twisting byways of small-town Appalachia, where everyone knows everyone—or do they? P.I. Annie Gore is a delight–tough, cynical, and determined to find the truth behind the tantalizing story of the witch’s orchard—a story that changes with each teller.”
–Vicki Lane, author of the Elizabeth Goodweather Appalachian Mysteries
If you’re interested in a review copy of any of the above,
or would like to host one of the authors, please send us a note at theteam@goldleafliterary.com!
A Gift from a Friend
One of our fabulous friends in the biz, Katey Schultz, has built a wonderful community through Writeability, her badass nonprofit, as well as her mentorship and other supports for writers. She’s offering the Gold Leaf community an opportunity to take part in her EMERGE + Publishing Bundle for for $99 (usually $350)!
If you’re interested in just the live-writing (December 2 through 13) part of this program, it’s free for all. Registration is required to receive the Zoom details to join the sessions. The Emerge + Publishing Bundle includes the live-writing plus a downloadable resource workbook, 2 Literary Picnics featuring 6 Guest Experts, and one live Q&A session with Katey.
The coupon code Katey is offering will expire on December 2, 2024 and can be used at checkout by entering: PUBLISH122024
Halloween Shenanigans
With non-potable water running through the taps, we were able to keep our Spooky Signing date at Barnes & Noble in Biltmore Square Park on October 26th. Keri and Carrie (yes, pronounced the same way) dressed up and hosted this crew of awesome local authors with spooky reads.
(L-R Keri, David Allen Voyles (Edgar), Meagan Lucas (Here in the Dark), Melissa Cole Essig (contributor to Haunted States of America), Nathan Ballingrud (Crypt of the Moon Spider), Megan Shepherd (Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas), Andrew K. Clark (Where Dark Things Grow), and Carrie.
Upcoming Events
All times are Eastern, and all events free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Alan Gratz Virtual School Visit
Crowdcast, join from anywhere!
Tuesday, November 19 @ 1pm
Jennifer McGaha launches The Joy Document
The Wrong Way River Campground, Asheville, NC
Tuesday, November 19 @ 6pm
Jennifer McGaha in conversation with Katherine Scott Crawford
M. Judson Booksellers, Greenville, SC
Wednesday, December 4 @ 5:30pm
Alan Gratz Virtual School Visit
Crowdcast, join from anywhere!
Tuesday, December 19 @ 11am
Andrew Clark and Nathan Ballingrud
City Lights Bookstore, Sylva, NC
Saturday, January 25 @ 3pm
*Rescheduled from October due to Helene
Andrew Clark in conversation with Charles Dodd White
Union Ave. Books, Knoxville, TN
Sunday, January 26 @ 3pm
As always, please feel free to share this with anyone you think would enjoy it. We appreciate you and our lush literary ecosystem so much!
Connect with us on social media! @goldleafliterary
“The primary benefit of practicing any art, whether well or badly, is that it enables one’s soul to grow.” —Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.