Happy Sunday! I’m en route to Raleigh as you read this. Book tour for Good Girls Lie has begun. I get to spend the night with my maid of honor/best friend from high school tonight, then tomorrow, I will put on my author clothes and author smile and break out my Marvy’s, and it all begins.

We had a fantastic launch at Parnassus Books in Nashville Tuesday night. I did what we call an “in conversation” with my dear friend and fellow author Ariel Lawhon. We talked about life and writing and the book and had so much fun! Thanks to all of you who came out, it was a wonderful way to kick off the tour. Almost all my events this tour are “in conversation” so do come out, because you’ll get to meet and hear some incredible authors. I’ll be with Barbara Claypole White (NC), Emily Carpenter and Kimberly Belle (GA), Alma Katsu (DC), and Hank Phillipi Ryan (MA) - all brilliant authors and friends.

I admit this is the moment in the process I’d like to go off-grid, build a cabin near a stream, and disappear. Once I get going, it will all be fine, but the few days leading up to a big tour is a little stressful. There are so many moving parts, so much packing and prepping. Printing of itineraries, double-checking of routes. Of course, the thriller kittens know something is afoot, and Jameson has made sure to bless every piece of black clothing I’ve planned to take with a luxurious nap. That is just a natural cat instinct, I think, to keep us close, to keep us home. I understand this instinct completely.

I hope I get to see you out of the road. That’s what this is about, after all, sharing the book that’s lived in my head and heart for over a year with you. 

Two housekeeping notes—the January newsletter went out Thursday, so if you don’t have it, check your promo/bulk mail folders. And I posted my Annual Review this week, too.

With that, on to the links!

Welcome to The Goode School

A few of the places GOOD GIRLS LIE has popped up recently:

-Fresh Fiction January 2020 Fresh Pick

-The Big Thrill: Up Close: J.T. Ellison

-Chapter 16: The Best Literary Citizen

-J.T. Ellison and Lisa Unger, In Conversation. This was a fun pen pal conversation about the writing life.

-CrimeReads: The Lure of the Board School Mystery. I really enjoyed putting this together.

THE LATEST ON THE INTERNET:

The Turkish Novelist Elif Shafak Wants You to Read More Women. Here, here!

What I Accomplished In the Last Decade: Classic Literary Characters Edition. Too funny.

Here's how you can help Australia's bushfire victims. Sending love and prayers to all who are affected.

5 Books That Changed My Life In 2019. A very interesting, meditative list.

How Chinatown’s public library is adapting to its senior population, along with others around the country. This is great to see!

There’s A Way To Make Your Creativity More Efficient. It’s Just Not What You Think. Lots of great tips here.

Like People, Ghosts Come in Many Colors. Lovely and fascinating, the way the artists think.

13 Book Club Questions To Energize Any Meetup. These questions are great!

'It's not going away': Vets still seeing cases of dog heart problems linked to grain-free food. Careful with your baby’s diet...

WHAT I’M READING:

STRONG IS THE NEW BEAUTIFUL by Lindsey Vonn

Lindsey Vonn is one of my heroes, and I thoroughly enjoyed this glimpse into how she keeps her body running at world champion level. If you have been dieting, or exercising, and aren’t seeing results (or are starving to death) read this. It’s a wonderful, simple, straightforward way to look at our health, and how we nourish our bodies.

What are you reading?

That’s it from me. Pack an umbrella, polish your shoes, oil your leather goods, and I’ll see you next week!

Peace and hugs,
J.T.