News

Audiobook for The Myth of Perpetual Summer

January 12, 2018 By Susan Crandall Leave a Comment

Good news! There will be an audio book available for THE MYTH OF PERPETUAL SUMMER with the same release date as the print and e-book versions. Blackstone Audio is going to be producing it. I’ll share more details–such as narrator and the packaging, as they become available.

A Rose by Any Other Name…Or Not?

December 21, 2017 By Susan Crandall Leave a Comment

I’m often asked how I came up with Whistling Past the Graveyard for a title. So, now, before all of you, I will confess: I am horrible at coming up with clever titles. My books begin in fabulous sounding files such as Book 11, or Coming of Age Book, Childhood Chaos Book, Resort Book, Barnstormers Book, or simply the main character’s first name.

So Whistling Past the Graveyard began life as “Starla.” Which is not a title, of course, catchy or otherwise. But I did what I always do, let it sit there on the file until inspiration finally hits. With luck it does. Without luck, I begin begging critique partners and editors for suggestions.

When I began chapter 8 of Whistling Past the Graveyard and typed that phrase, I literally hopped out of my chair and shouted, “That’s it!” I’m pretty sure there was a hallelujah chorus filling the room, sung by a choir of angels. Even with the divine assurance, it was a tough sell to my publisher at first. But after everyone at Gallery read the full book, it was agreed the perfect title. My sweat drenched nights of worry were over. The rest is history.

Now time for another admission. THE FLYING CIRCUS, was not a title of my choosing. My publisher was quite fond of putting the word circus on the cover. I had reservations (see note below about how titles are chosen and go to worst case scenario). This is a book about three misfits and a mutt on a journey full of danger, love and betrayal. Storm and Tempest was my first choice. Admittedly inspired by a poem not universally known, and yet, so very apt for this book.

For my upcoming June 2018 release, THE MYTH OF PERPETUAL SUMMER, I experienced a similar situation to Whistling, minus the initial doubt by my publisher. As you read this book, you’ll see that it, also, is the perfect title. Sometimes even us blind pigs find a truffle.

Not all of my titles are the ones I preferred, some were chosen by compromise, discussion, or–worst case scenario–long semi-bloody war. There are a lot of fingers in the pie of a published novel. Even though my name is on the cover, many super-talented people throw their all into making it a success. So if you’re interested in learning more of my working titles, go to each individual book page. You’ll find my working titles, as well as fun facts like deadline “snack of the book.”

Pat Conroy Book Prize

March 1, 2016 By Susan Crandall Leave a Comment

So honored to have THE FLYING CIRCUS longlisted for the Pat Conroy Book Prize in literature! Such an amazing list of books in all categories, many of which I’ve read, two of which are written by my fab critique partners, Wendy Wax and Karen White. What a great way to start the day.

Thank you Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance, once again!

For more http://www.authorsroundthesouth.com/read-this/siba-book-awards

The Flying Circus now in Paperback!

February 15, 2016 By Susan Crandall 1 Comment

Good news for book clubs. The Flying Circus is now available in paperback (February 16, 2016).

I hope you all love the new cover as much as I do and I invite those of you who have yet to meet Mercury’s Daredevils, Henry, Cora and Gil, to take this opportunity to indulge in a lovely winter read.

The Flying Circus is a national pick for the 600 plus chapters of the Pulpwood Queens Book Club. I’m so excited to share young Henry’s journey, his heartbreak and his triumphs with you all.

In celebration I’ve added an entire page of bonus material for you to enjoy. See some of the photos that inspired the book. Get an insider view of my experiences with aviation. Watch videos of the aerial thrills of the 1920s. I will be adding more items to this page, so check back often.

Also find a great book club oriented Reading Group Guide for your use. As well as a book specific author Q&A about The Flying Circus.

The Flying Circus a SIBA Summer Okra Pick

July 1, 2015 By Susan Crandall Leave a Comment

SIBA 2015 Summer Okra Pick

I’ve been sitting on this news for a couple of weeks, but today I’m proud to announce that Henry, Cora, Gil and Mercury will be joining some some pretty esteemed company on the 2015 Summer Reading Okra Picks.

Totally loving the love coming the way of THE FLYING CIRCUS!

Read Your Okra! Announcing the 2015 Summer Okra Picks

Columbia, SC – Summer is the time for picking okra, and the Southern Independent Booksellers have just picked a fresh crop — the 2015 Summer Okra Picks have just been chosen. A bushel of books that represent the best in southern lit, fresh off the vine. All the picks have a strong Southern focus and are published between July and September, 2015, and all of them have fans among Southern indie booksellers; people who are always looking out for the next great writer who should be on your plate and in your TBR stack. So it is very likely the next time you visit your local Southern indie bookstore, someone will hand you one and say, “You’ve got to read this!”

The 2015 Summer Okra Picks

Bloody Royal Prints The Flying Circus Bull Mountain Serafina and the Black Cloak

Bloody Royal Prints by Reba White Williams
9781440585456 | Tyrus Books | 07/03/2015 | $16.99

The Flying Circus by Susan Crandall
9781476772141 | Gallery Books | 07/07/2015 | $26.00

Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich
9780399173967 | G.P. Putnam’s Sons | 07/07/2015 | $26.95

Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty
9781484709016 | Disney-Hyperion Press | 07/14/2015 | $16.99

Ruthless Miss Emily Go Set a Watchman Yard War

Ruthless by Carolyn Lee Adams
9781481422628 | Simon Pulse | 07/14/2015 | $17.99

Miss Emily by Nuala O’Connor
9780143126751 | Penguin Books | 07/14/2015 | $16.00

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
9780062409850 | Harpercollins | 07/14/2015 | $27.99

Yard War by Taylor Kitchings
9780553507539 | Wendy Lamb Books | 08/18/2015 | $16.99

The Gates of Evangeline The Sea Keeper's Daughters The Drunken Spelunker's Guide to Plato A Free State

The Gates of Evangeline by Hester Young
9780399174001 | G.P. Putnam’s Sons | 09/01/2015| $26.95

The Sea Keeper’s Daughters by Lisa Wingate
9781414386904 | Tyndale House | 09/08/2015 | $19.99

The Drunken Spelunker’s Guide to Plato by Kathy Guiffre
9780895876515 | John F. Blair Publisher | 09/08/2015 | $26.95

A Free State by Tom Piazza
9780062284129 | Harper | 09/15/2015 | $25.99

Okra Picks are chosen every season by Southern Independent Bookstores. For more information visit sibaweb.com/okra.

The Flying Circus Summer Reading Pick

May 19, 2015 By Susan Crandall Leave a Comment

So very proud to have THE FLYING CIRCUS on this select list of summer reading at BookReporter!

Pre-order THE FLYING CIRCUS and Enter to Win Sterling Silver Biplane Charm

May 14, 2015 By Susan Crandall 1 Comment

Susan Crandall crafted “a luminous portrait of courage and friendship” (Karen White) in her national bestseller Whistling Past the Graveyard.

Now, this award-winning author sends an unlikely trio on an exhilarating adventure high above the American Midwest of the 1920s—in a dramatic and spirited new novel in league with Water for Elephants and The Aviator’s Wife.

With the poignant and powerful storytelling voice that made Whistling Past the Graveyard “a classic, a book people want to pass along for generations to come” (Feathered Quill Book Reviews), Susan Crandall artfully weaves the stories of three unforgettable characters, each searching for salvation that waits just beyond the horizon.

They were barnstormers . . . the daring fliers whose airborne acrobatics were a thrilling spectacle, swooping and crisscrossing the Heartland skies. Rising above each of their circumstances in their own “flying circus” are Cora Rose Haviland, a privileged young woman left penniless when her father’s fortune is lost; Charles “Gil” Gilchrist, a World War I pilot whose traumatic past fuels his death-defying stunts; and eighteen-year-old Henry Schuler, the son of a German immigrant farmer, on the run from shocking accusations. Each holds secrets that could destroy their makeshift family. And, on their adrenaline-charged journey of self-discovery, one of them must pay the price.

Be the first to receive not only your very own copy of THE FLYING CIRCUS, but enter to win one of three sterling silver biplane charms!

It’s easy! Just pre-order THE FLYING CIRCUS at your favorite book retailer by May 30, 2015, email susan@susancrandall.net with the name of the retailer and the order date and voila! you’re entered to win one of these adorable silver charms. If you don’t have a favorite book retailer, below are handy-dandy buy links.

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-flying-circus-susan-crandall/1120678846?ean=9781476772141&itm=1&usri=9781476772141&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-PwUJvmDcu1U-_-10:1&r=1,%201

BAM: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781476772141

IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781476772141

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P42X36W?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00P42X36W&linkCode=xm2&tag=simonsayscom

iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-flying-circus/id936197516?mt=11

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-flying-circus-susan-crandall/1120678846?ean=9781476772172&itm=1&usri=9781476772172&r=1

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=9781476772172&c=books&PAffiliateID=110l3H