Patti Callahan Henry

Patti Callahan Henry
File:PattiHenryPortrait.jpg
OccupationNovelist
Alma MaterAuburn University
Georgia State University
GenreFiction, historic fiction
Website
https://patticallahanhenry.com

Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times,[1] Globe and Mail,[2] and USA Today[3] bestselling author of eighteen novels, including her most recent, The Secret Book of Flora Lea. She is also a podcast host and public speaker. Her novels often explore themes of love, loss, personal transformation, and the power of storytelling.

Early life and education

Henry attended Auburn University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing,[4] and later obtained a Master of Science in Nursing from Georgia State University. She worked as a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist before becoming a full-time writer.[5]

Career

Henry's writing career began with her debut novel Losing the Moon, which marked the start of her career in fiction. She has since authored eighteen additional novels, including The Secret Book of Flora Lea (2023), Surviving Savannah (2021), and Becoming Mrs. Lewis (2018). Her books have also been translated into numerous languages.

Henry's work in historical fiction is notable for its in-depth exploration of lesser-known stories and figures.[6] For example, Surviving Savannah is based on the true story of the Steamship Pulaski, often referred to as "The Titanic of the South."[7] Her novel Becoming Mrs. Lewis explores the love story between C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman, offering a fictionalized account of their relationship.[8]

In addition to her fiction, Henry has contributed essays and short stories to various anthologies and publications, including Southern Living, PINK,[9] Writer's Digest,[10] and Garden and Gun.[11] She has also written an Audible Original, Wild Swan, which is a novella about Florence Nightingale, narrated by Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo.[12]

Podcasting and public speaking

Patti Callahan Henry is the co-host and co-creator of the weekly online show and podcast Friends and Fiction,[13] which features New York Times bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristy Woodson Harvey, and Kristin Harmel. The show, which airs live every Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM EST, provides insights into the world of writing and publishing and has featured numerous guest authors such as Amor Towles,[14] Kristin Hannah,[15] Jodi Picoult,[16] Elin Hilderbrand[17] and William Kent Krueger.[18][19]

Henry has also hosted podcast series that complement her novels, such as "The Untold Story Behind Surviving Savannah"[20] and "Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis,"[21] where she explores the real-life stories and research behind her books.

Awards and recognition

Henry has received several awards for her contributions to literature, including:

Bibliography

  1. Losing the Moon (2004) ISBN 9780451211958
  2. Where the River Runs (2005) ISBN 9780451215055
  3. When Light Breaks (2006) ISBN 9780451218346
  4. Between the Tides (2007) ISBN 9780451221148
  5. The Art of Keeping Secrets (2008)
  6. Driftwood Summer (2009)
  7. Coming Up for Air (2011)
  8. And Then I Found You (2013)
  9. The Stories We Tell (2014)
  10. The Idea of Love (2015)
  11. The Bookshop at Water's End (2017)
  12. Becoming Mrs. Lewis (2018)
  13. The Favorite Daughter (2019)
  14. The Perfect Love Song: A Christmas Story (2019)
  15. Wild Swan (2020)
  16. Surviving Savannah (2021)
  17. Once Upon a Wardrobe (2021)
  18. The Secret Book of Flora Lea (2023)

References

  1. ^ "Hardcover Fiction Books - Best Sellers - Books - May 21, 2023 - The New York Times". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  2. ^ "The Globe and Mail Bestsellers for the week of May 20, 2023". The Globe and Mail. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  3. ^ "The Secret Book of Flora Lea". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  4. ^ "Distinguished Lecture Series presenting Patti Callahan Henry". Office of Communications and Marketing. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  5. ^ "About | Patti Callahan Henry | New York Times Bestselling Author". Patticallahanhenry. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  6. ^ DeVito, Shannon (May 3, 2023). "Barnes & Noble Presents The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry as Their May 2023 National Book Club Selection". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  7. ^ "Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan: 9781984803771 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  8. ^ Davidson, Denise (2020-03-30). "'Becoming Mrs. Lewis' explores the turbulent life of the woman C. S. Lewis called 'my whole world'". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  9. ^ "Meet Patti Callahan Henry". itsallpink.com. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  10. ^ Column, Guest (2013-04-15). "Writing the "True Novel"". Writer's Digest. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  11. ^ Kraft, Chris (2019-09-17). "Remembering Two Icons of the Literary South". Garden & Gun. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  12. ^ "Wild Swan | Patti Callahan | The Story of Florence Nightingale". Patticallahanhenry. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  13. ^ "Home". Friends & Fiction. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  14. ^ Friends & Fiction (2022-01-26). Amor Towles | Friends & Fiction #109. Retrieved 2024-09-06 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ Friends & Fiction (2024-01-17). Kristin Hannah | Friends & Fiction #200 January 17, 2024. Retrieved 2024-09-06 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ Friends & Fiction (2021-04-15). Jodi Picoult | Friends & Fiction #62 | 1 Year Anniversary. Retrieved 2024-09-06 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ Friends & Fiction (2023-07-26). Elin Hilderbrand | Friends & Fiction #179 July 26, 2023. Retrieved 2024-09-06 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ Friends & Fiction (2021-01-14). William Kent Krueger | Friends & Fiction Episode #46. Retrieved 2024-09-06 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ "Home". Friends & Fiction. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  20. ^ "The Untold Story Behind Surviving Savannah". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  21. ^ "Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis". Spotify. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  22. ^ "The Christy Award™ Archives". christianbookexpo.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  23. ^ Stuart, Shauna (2020-01-31). "Alabama Library Association Award recipients include director of the Magic City Poetry Festival". al. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  24. ^ Haskins, Shelly (2020-01-19). "Mountain Brook author wins 2020 Harper Lee Award". al. Retrieved 2024-08-30.