Flashlight #12: The Red Grove is out in one month!

Touring schedule, nice words about the book, and a few ridiculous photographs.

Hi, friends!

I'm writing to let you know that my debut novel, THE RED GROVE, will be out from FSG on May 14th-- less than one month from today! 

THE RED GROVE is a special place, protected. The women who live in its valley believe that no violence can befall them; they’re safe. Some think it’s from the magic of the mighty redwoods, others believe it comes from the ferocity of the mountain lions. And then 16-year-old Luce’s mother disappears, which should be an impossibility. While caring for her younger brother and her ever-dreaming aunt, Luce has to figure out where her mother has gone, a journey that will force her to face the myths we believe as truth and the price of safety.

The animals are drawn to the strange and thrilling tale.

The novel has been getting some really nice early attention that I'm so very grateful for: kind reviews from Kirkus (“A thoughtful coming-of-age story enfolded inside a cleverly crafted double mystery”) and Publishers Weekly (“Fontaine shines with the complex story of Luce’s evolving understanding of her community and her family. This tugs at the heartstrings”).

And some writers I deeply love and admire have said generous things about it.

Some very nice words from some brilliant writers!

One big way to help a book before it’s out is to preorder - one for yourself, one for a friend, one for your enemy (I’m not picky), and even one for your local library. The library thing is easy - simply request for them to buy the book! Look below to see how happy I’ll be.

And I'm heading out into the world for some events! Below is the first batch of places I’ll be - it’s always scary to show up to these events, not knowing if I’ll be the only person in the room. Please come and say hello! And more events are to come - I’ll keep my website updated with touring info.

• May 14
  Asheville, NC. The Red Grove book launch! rEvolve Mercantile, 7pm ET. Co-hosted by Malaprop’s and Punch Bucket Lit

• May 15
  Brooklyn, NY. The Center for Fiction. 7pm ET. In conversation with Julia Phillips

• May 16
  Boston, MA. Porter Square Books & Grub Street. 7pm ET. In conversation with Margot Livesey

• May 17
  Providence, RI. Riffraff. 7pm ET. In conversation with Annie Hartnett

• June 4
  Seattle, WA. Elliot Bay Books. 7pm ET. Details TBA

• June 5
  Olympia, WA. Browsers Books. 6pm ET. In conversation with Star Wuerdemann

• June 6
  Portland, OR. The Stacks. Details TBA

• June 8
  Corte Madera, CA. Book Passage. 4pm ET. Details TBA

• June 23
  Asheville, NC. Malaprop’s. In conversation with Taylor Brown.

• June 25
  Spartanburg, SC. Hub City Bookstore. 6pm. In conversation with Eric Kocher

• June 27-30
  Sweet Briar College, VA. Sweet Briar Arts and Writing Retreat, Keynote Speaker

• July 18
  Providence, RI. Riffraff. With The Finishers: Clare Beams, Rufi Thorpe, Annie Hartnett

• July 19
  Newton, MA. Newtonville Books. With The Finishers: Clare Beams, Rufi Thorpe, Annie Hartnett

• July 21
  Exeter, NH. Water Street Bookstore. With The Finishers: Clare Beams, Rufi Thorpe, Annie Hartnett

• Sept 20
  Asheville, NC. Punch Bucket Literary Festival. In conversation with Lauren Groff

Plus, I have an extra bonus up my sleeve for those who are preordering.

Annie Hartnett and I will be offering two workshops:
1. “Finish What You Started: For Novelists” (April 23, 8-9:30pm ET, zoom)
2. “Finish What You Started: For Memoirists” (April 30, 8-9:30pm ET, zoom)

The cost of attendance is simply a preorder! This is for anyone in the midst of writing a novel or memoir, who has had a great idea and put some words on the page and then thought wait--how do I possibly make it to the end? We'll offer tips on creative accountability and artistic confidence, and we'll also go deep into tricks to keep your plot engine cruising. In addition to answering your questions, we'll send you away with ways to re-energize your writing practice, both for your current project and with tools to sustain you long-term. Both classes will meet on zoom.

We happily offer this workshop FREE to those who email proof of preordering THE RED GROVE from the indie bookstore of your choice, or bookshop.org (or honestly, wherever, including audiobooks, all of it is welcome). Email it to: tgfontaine@gmail.com

Ok, that’s it! Thank you being a reader.

xoxo
Tessa