I received an email recently saying that novelist Patry Francis, whose debut novel THE LIAR’S DIARY is due to come out in trade paper on January 29, was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. She’s had several surgeries and her prognosis is good, but since she’s home recuperating, she won’t be able to do anything with regard to promotion. I met Patry through Readerville.com several years ago, and she is truly a wonderful person and writer.
A few of her author friends are arranging a THE LIAR’S DIARY Blog Day for her on January 29, and the idea has REALLY taken off. In just one week, 120 authors have already agreed to blog about Patry’s book on the 29th, including a couple with amazingly huge readerships, like Neil Gaiman and Jennifer Weiner, as well as a few who blog in conjunction with online magazines like Writers Digest and SMITH Magazine.
Most of the bloggers, though, are ordinary folks whose blogs haven’t yet attained that reach, but still want to help. (like me!) Susan Henderson is keeping the list(leave a comment there if you want to participate) on her website, LitPark. It’s growing by the minute, and no wonder; Patry is a lovely person, who is dealing with her situation unsentimentally, and with courage and grace.
You’ve got to read her blog, for some truly astounding, beautiful and moving writing.
My copy of The Liar’s Diary just arrived, and I am going to steal a few moments this afternoon to get started reading. So bloggers, if you can, please join in. And readers who are NOT bloggers, if you could come back here on January 29th and leave a comment about the book, or write your own review on the novel’s Amazon page, that would be great. It would be great to have a huge show of support.
January 15, 2008 at 6:44 pm
i don’t have a huge readership but i’d love to join the blog day.
January 15, 2008 at 8:11 pm
kyra, I am sure you have more readers than I do! You’ll have to get your own copy of the book, and read it. I ordered mine online and it came very quickly. Go to LitPark and tell them you’re joining the blog day – wonderful!!
January 17, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Too much cancer around these days. I visited Patry’s blog – you are right, amazing.
January 17, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Thanks, Susan! I’m truly overwhelmed by the generosity of my writer friends. Ours is an amazing community!