Though not out until next month, Aline Ohanesian’s debut novel, Orhan’s Inheritance, is already dropping large. A Barnes & Noble 2015 Discover Great New Writers Pick, an American Booksellers Association’s no. 1 choice for its April 2015 Indie Next Great Reads List, and Library Journal Editors’ Spring Reading Pick, in a starred review Kirkus hails it, “A harrowing tale of unimaginable sacrifice… A novel that delves into the darkest corners of human history and emerges with a tenuous sense of hope.” Library Journal declares it simply, “Unforgettable.” A former conferee, we’re thrilled to welcome Aline back to the SCWC as the second Special Guest Speaker to be announced for LA13.
Our third Special Guest Speaker to announce is Neal Griffin. Represented by Sandra Dijkstra Literary agent and longtime SCWCer Jill Marr (she’ll be with us in September), Neal’s Benefit of the Doubt is out May, in hardback, from Forge Books. A 25-year law enforcement veteran, Kirkus extols, “Griffin’s debut novel propels readers into the chilling worlds of big-money drugs, small-town corruption, and a murderer who strikes without conscience… superior to the unrealistic fare that often passes for a police thriller.” And Joseph Wambaugh (The Onion Field) effuses, “[A] unique and suspenseful debut novel by a cop-turned-author who knows the turf.” Welcome aboard, Neal!
Good “Muse” Reveal
First peek at two SCWCers with new books out soon. First off, workshop leader Ara Grigorian’s long-anticipated debut, Game of Love (Curiosity Quills Press), isn’t out until May, but today is the day that we all get to see what the cover looks like, and it looks great . . . Our other new cover reveal comes from none other than novelist/SCWC workshop leader Claudia Whitsitt. Telling the tale of three girls who become friends during the racially-charged aftermath of the 1967 Detroit Riots, Between the Lines is out March 20th.
Others to report next update. We’re still some six months out till LA13(ish), in Irvine. We’ve got the Sunriver Writers’ Summit taking place in Central Oregon’s high plateau before then. Register before the end of the month and you can knock a whopping $100 off Full Conference registration for September.
In the meanwhile, spend a few minutes watching this little inspirational excerpt from Isla Morley (Above) at this past September’s LA12 conference…
—Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC
