Best-selling Novel by Terri Giuliano, In Leah's Wake, Published as New Edition by Inspired Quill Press
Online, January 24, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Terri Giuliano Long, author of the award-winning, independent ("indie") novel In Leah's Wake, has announced the European launch of a revised version of her self-published book by Inspired Quill Press.
The newly edited edition features two new chapters and several new scenes. "I listened carefully to responses and suggestions I received from readers and reviewers," Long says. "I cut over 60 pages and added insights while still maintaining the integrity of the original edition and showcasing what I felt were the best parts of the novel."
"We are very excited about publishing In Leah's Wake in the United Kingdom and beyond," says Sara Slack, founder of Inspired Quill Press," a progressive UK publishing house committed to showcasing talented new authors. "We think we're an excellent match for Terri, who has achieved great success on her own and is now ready to take the next step. Terri is a brilliant example of the kind of writers we take pride in representing."
Long, 54, a long-time resident of Newton, Mass., and an adjunct writing professor at Boston College, originally self-published In Leah's Wake, her debut novel, in 2011, after her contract with a traditional publisher fell through. Loosely based on the town of Harvard, Mass., the novel, about a contemporary family caught in the throes of adolescent rebellion, soon became a best-seller. By August, it ranked number six on the Barnes & Noble Nook Top 100 list. To date, it has ranked in the Kindle Top 100 list for three months and has sold nearly 75,000 copies.
Long credits bloggers and her strong social networking platform for the novel's success so far.
"At first, I was too embarrassed to self-promote, so I put the book on Amazon and left it at that," she says. "But with sales lagging, I realized that if I didn't try something different, the book would die, so I started blogging and created a Twitter account." Long became very active onTwitter and Facebook, created book discussion guides, interactive quizzes, and a video trailer for her web site. "I actually began to enjoy the marketing since it allowed me to connect with so many people, and eventually I became a mentor to some of them," she adds.
In addition, she started participating in "blog tours," which enabled her to connect with key influencers and industry bloggers, whom she calls "the fairy godmothers and godfathers of indie authors." She says, "Their support, whether in posting reviews, interviews, or guest blog posts, pushed this little book to the top of the charts.
"People started referring to my novel as 'the little indie book that could,'" she adds.
While Long continues to be a strong advocate for indie publishing, she decided to pursue a more traditional publishing route in hopes of finding new markets for her first novel and a potential home for her second novel, which is now in the works.
Long, the mother of four daughters, began working as a writer in high school when, at age 16, she produced a column for the Chelmsford Independent (Chelmsford is a suburb of Boston). Long received an AB in Philosophy from Boston College. She started writing In Leah's Wake for her thesis at Emerson College, where she earned an MFA in Creative Writing.
For more information, visit www.tglong.com. Or connect on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tglongwrites or Twitter: @tglong.
ABOUT TERRI GIULIANO LONG
Terri Giuliano Long grew up in the company of stories. Books offer her a zest for life's highs and comfort in its lows. She's all-too-happy to share this love with others as a novelist and as a lecturer at Boston College.
Her life outside of books is devoted to her family. In her spare time, she enjoys walking, traveling, and meeting interesting people. True to her Italian-American heritage, she's an enthusiastic cook. In an alternate reality, she might have been an international food writer.
ABOUT IN LEAH'S WAKE
In Leah's Wake follows the journey of Zoe and Will Tyler, two parents leading "a perfect life"-beautiful home, established careers, two sweet and talented daughters. While their eldest daughter, Leah, an exceptional soccer player, is on track for a prestigious scholarship, their youngest, Justine, is more responsible than seems possible for her 12 years and just wants her sister's approval. With Leah nearing the end of high school and Justine a seemingly "together" kid, the parents are set to enjoy a peaceful life...before everything goes wrong.
Will's job becomes shaky, but this goes almost unnoticed compared to Leah's unforeseen, sudden rebellion. Leah hooks up with Todd, a high school dropout three years her senior. Todd introduces Leah to drugs, sex, and petty crime. At first, Leah is ambivalent about this new lifestyle, weighing her commitment to her boyfriend versus her love for her family.
Then, one night when Leah breaks curfew, Will blows up at her and threatens to kill her "scumbag boyfriend." In her efforts to keep the peace, Zoe tells Leah she can do better. Unfortunately, these attempts push Leah further into the arms of Todd, and a rift threatens to destroy Will and Zoe's once-happy marriage.
The main characters-Zoe, Will, Leah, Justine, and Jerry, a local cop who is drawn to Zoe-move the reader seamlessly through the harsh events that unfold. Readers want to know: Will Justine follow in Leah's wake? What will happen to Leah? Will Zoe and Todd's marriage last? Is there any way for all this to end happily?
Awards & Recognition
Coffee Time Reviewer Recommend Award
Book Bundlz Book Club, 2011 Book Pick
Book Bundlz 2011 Favorites, First Place
Bestseller For a Day, selected by Indie Book Collective
for free elite promotion, based on book quality and author platform
August 2011 Barnes & Noble Book Pick
Barnes & Nobel Nook # 6 Overall August 2011
Sisterhood of the Traveling Book, September 2011 Book Pick
Amazon Kindle Top 100 Overall, August - November 2011
Amazon Kindle Editor's Pick, December 2011
Amazon Kindle, Top 10 Literary Fiction, January 2011
Amazon Books, Top 10 Women's Fiction, January 2011
Praise for In Leah's Wake
"Sometimes scary, sometimes sad, and always tender."
Susan Straight, National Book Award finalist, author Take One Candle Light A Room
"In Leah's Wake is a beautifully written and absorbing novel."
Margot Livesey, Award-winning author of Banishing Verona
"Pulled me right along as I continued to make comparisons to my own life."
Jennifer Donovan, 5 Minutes for Books, Top 50 Book Blog
"An incredibly strong debut, this book is fantastic on many fronts."
Naomi Blackburn, Founder Sisterhood of the Traveling Book
"As a therapist, I found this novel to be . . .an accurate description of what can happen when our youth are pushed too hard, parents stop communicating, and the family system breaks down."
Susan Salluce, author Out of Breath
"A very moving and, at times, heartbreaking story which will be loved by many, whether they be parents or not."
A. Rose, Amazon UK, TOP 100 REVIEWER
"The author draws the qualities and failings of each of the characters to the forefront, so much so that you believe that you see them in real life."
Alessi Lover "C.A.D.", Amazon UK, TOP 100 REVIEWER
"Emotional, beautiful and touching."
Niina, For The Love of Reading! (Helsinki, Finland)
"I'm adding Terri Giuliano Long to my list of authors I want to be stranded with."
Susie Kline, Book Blogger, Motherhoot
"The story draws you in with a great hook in the first chapter and keeps you on your toes."
Coral Russell, Alchemy of Scrawl, author Amador Lockdown
"No one reading this can remain untouched or unmoved."
Susan Roebuck, author Perfect Score (Portugal)
"An excellent novel for teenagers and parents alike."
Denise Du Vernay, The Geek Magnet
"A book to read, share, then read again."
Bri Clark, author The Familial Witch
"There is someone in the story everyone can find a way to relate to."
MB Mullhall, author Near Death
"Ms. Long leaves the reader with the sense that even through the worst storms that can happen within a family, there is a possibility of redemption for them all."
Paula Tohline Calhoun, Reflections from a Cloudy Mirror Blog
"Keeps the reader turning the pages. Worth every second spent reading it."
Courtney Conant, author The Blood Moon of Winter
"Easily the best read that I have enjoyed in 2011."
Bonnie Erina Wheeler, Fate Fixed Blog
"Well written and carefully constructed."
Krystal Larson, Live To Read Blog
"A masterful illustration of the problems both parents and children face in our culture."
Gabriella Wheeler, A Book A Day Reviews
"Multiple ripples of meaning contribute to the overall intensity of this deeply moving psychological drama."
Cynthia Harrison, Author Sister Issues