Plus THE WOMEN in paperback, catching up on summer and more
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Lots of News!!
Hello from the Pacific Northwest!
2026 has been a pretty remarkable year, and 2027 is gearing up to be an absolute whirlwind. It’s a lot to contemplate for a woman who spends most of her time alone in a room with a pen, paper, and her own imagination.
To get ready for everything that’s coming, I’ve taken these last few beautiful PNW summer months to really settle back and enjoy life. I’ve spent time with friends and family, read many of the books on my seriously unmanageable TBR pile, gone to lunch with girlfriends, hosted dinner parties, including my yearly paella party, gone on “cocktail cruises” on the bay in front of my house with neighbors, and watched some movies and television. In short, I relaxed and slowed down.
Summer party: first, get the wine…
Set the table...
Make paella
Set out appetizers…and enjoy!!!
I would love to say these are my flower pots, but I do not have a green thumb. But it’s a good reason to visit the neighbors!
Family day at the local pool in summer. I love to hear the kids laughing. It reminds me that I used to write here in a lounge chair while my son and his friends swam.
Summer lunch with longtime writer friends. Christina Dodd, Jayne Ann Krentz, and Megan Chance. (Check out their new books!)
Peace. Quiet. No travel. Time with friends, family, and girlfriends. It was heavenly, and exactly what I needed after the last few years of writing, which, of course, leads me to MY NEW BOOK.
Woo hoo! I haven’t talked much about this book, mostly because it was a slippery idea that melted and morphed and pushed back at me. Like all of my favorite books, it frightened and challenged me. There were times along the way when I wasn’t quite sure what I was creating or if it would live up to my dreams and expectations. You’ll have to let me know what you think. 😊
So, now, without further ado, I am finally lifting a piece of the veil to you, my steady readers. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your support over the last few years. Thanks to all the book clubs and readers who have reached out and asked me time and again, “WHAT’S NEXT?”
Drumroll please, the answer is: The Fire. In many ways, this book is different from what I’ve been doing for the last few years, especially given that it is set in contemporary America. This novel is my way of looking at women today, the challenges we face and the future we share.
First, the cover…
The Fire: Coming May 4, 2027
And now, a little bit about the story…
Merritt Locke is a woman you've seen before. A faithful wife, a devoted mother, a generous daughter.
But every woman has a line that, once crossed, changes her forever.
Betrayed by those she trusts and thrust into the pitiless glare of the public spotlight, Merritt will break the one rule everyone in her life is counting on her to uphold. In the aftermath, she embarks on an impulsive cross-country journey to reconnect with her estranged daughter, and along the way, meets — and joins forces — with women who are as familiar as they are unforgettable.
An epic novel that reckons with the history we are all living through, The Fire is an anthem to those who feel invisible and forgotten and a rallying cry for women of every age to stand together to be seen...and heard.
Merritt Locke's emotional, physical, and spiritual journey is not quite like anything I’ve written before. I hope you love her and the women she befriends as much as I do.
There’s more to say about this story — honestly, I can’t wait to share it with you — but it’s still months away from publication. You can read more about it here in the Elle magazine announcement that was shared last Thursday. Here’s the link where you can pre-order it from your favorite retailer.
As the publication date gets closer, I’ll be sharing more about the story and the process behind its creation and my upcoming tour dates, so please be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for the scoop, but for now, I’m hoping you’ll celebrate the cover with me. And the fact that I finished another book — my 25th! I know it seems strange, but every time I begin a new novel, I wonder if I can do it again, pull a story out and see it land in the world.
Update on The Women
But before The Fire, there was, of course, The Women, which is available in paperback tomorrow.
I cannot thank you all enough for embracing this novel about the courageous, trail-blazing women who served in Vietnam. When I began writing it, I honestly didn’t know if readers would accept this story about a time — and a war — that people often refused to talk about. It’s safe to say now that I am not the only one fascinated and inspired by these women.
Below are pics of covers from around the world. I love seeing all the different images and graphics for them.
This novel has struck a chord with so many people, women and men, young and old; it has sparked conversations and memories. I cannot ask for more. I’ve met so many vets and their families who have shared how the book impacted them. It was truly an honor to shine a light on these forgotten veterans.
I’d also like to take this moment to mention retired Army Capt. Diane Carlson Evans, my mentor and friend, who passed away in May after a brave and prolonged battle with cancer. Diane was a remarkable woman who touched so many lives. I am grateful for her help and advice on The Women. She taught me a lot about the war and the nurses and their service, but her lasting lesson to me was about grace and courage and compassion. The world is a lesser place without her.
Tour Information for The Women
I will be doing a short tour to celebrate the paperback edition of The Women.
Surprisingly, the tour sold out so quickly that I wasn't able to get it in a newsletter in time (too much relaxing on my back patio with girlfriends and wine, I think). I'll try to do better for The Fire tour in May. There are a few tickets left for these two events…
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
7:30 pm PDT
Sydney Goldstein Theater with Book Passage
275 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
In conversation with Yangsze Choo
Tickets here
Saturday, September 26, 2026
7:00 pm PDT
Luther Burbank Center with Copperfield’s
50 Mark West Springs Road #500, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
In conversation with Ellen Sussman
Tickets here
I'd love to share a few pics from the library event I did in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with my bff, author Megan Chance, here. Almost 9,000 of you showed up. WOW!!! I felt like Taylor Swift. Who says books are dead? I would say they are thriving, thanks to readers like you. Whole book clubs showed up. What a night!
Kent District Library event in Grand Rapids, Michigan
And you know how I always say that "girlfriends will save you"? Well, I couldn't have done it, stood up there, without Megan beside me. What a great time we had.
The Nightingale Movie
As many of you know, The Nightingale movie is finally a reality. This has been a winding and circuitous road, to say the least, getting here. The movie has been sidelined many times — by COVID, by writers' strikes and actors' strikes. But one thing that has remained in place, always, is the beautiful script by Dana Stevens, and the absolute faith and commitment of Elle and Dakota Fanning.
I now know that all of the alleys and intersections we came to along the way were necessary to get us here, where we belong, with this amazing cast and crew. I went to Europe for filming this year, and I guarantee, as soon as they let me, I’ll share my photos!
For now, get ready for March 19, 2027. Grab your friends, your book club, your favorite movie partner and a few tissues, to watch The Nightingale finally take flight in your local theater.
Standing with Kauai
One final note. As many of you know, for years I spent part of the year living on Kauai, and part of my heart is always there. Thus, the news of the hurricane that tore through the island really hit me hard. I have chosen the Kauai food bank as a way to help from afar. Sending friends my love.
Aloha and Inspiration!
