Announcing the release of my first novel, believe. It has been an amazing journey! The novel is a blend of history and fiction, suspense and mystery; one I'm sure you would enjoy. The novel can be approached in two very different ways. It may be read quickly as pure enjoyment or...you may look for all the clues, search for the answers, pay attention to the details, and try to put the puzzle pieces together before you're given the answers. I'll start you out with a few questions to ponder:
What are the significances of the different flowers at the beginning of each chapter?
Why are they important?
What happens when Goldie is presented with a specific flower?
Why can't Elam speak?
Who are Patrick and Madeline...really?
Which parts are historical fact and what is fiction?
Did I peak your interest? You may visit Goldie Bell Taylor in historic Hope Cemetery in Salem, Ohio. Be sure to have a special flower to present to her, but be open to the possibilities if you do.
If you want a personal, signed/painted copy of the novel it is available through my website (Click on the Buy A Book page).
believe may also be found at the list below:
The Salem Historical Society Gift Shop
The Flower Loft in Salem, OH
The Spread Eagle Tavern in Hanoverton, OH
The Look Nook at Salem Community Hospital
Moore & Moore in Portersville, PA
Alliance Community Hospital Gift Shop
Marco Island Art League Gift Shop on Marco Island, FL
OR ask for it by name at your local bookstore or on line. And proudly, as of Feb 14th...Kindle.
We are also very excited about our S/NLE (signed/numbered limited edition). A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany each hard cover. Only one hundred originals with each piece of interior artwork are hand painted by me. The editions are available for $100.00 at my book signings and on this website. To purchase, click on the Buy a Book page and click on Limited Edition. Remember quantities are extremely limited!
We have celebrated the launch with many exciting events. Our first event was held Friday evening, September 25, at the Spread Eagle Tavern in Hanoverton, Ohio. This historic landmark played an important role in the novel and I felt it was the perfect place for our debut. We had well over 100 people come to the event. It was a very exciting start. We will be visiting The Spread Eagle Tavern again so be sure to check out my Home page for specifics. For directions or other information on the tavern, please visit www.spreadeagletavern.com.
We had Stan Boney and camera expert, Jim Bowser, tape a television interview that aired in October on Channel 33 - WYTV. The response at Hope Cemetery was amazing. We had many people come for the special reading at Goldie's feet and were able to squeeze in an unexpected reading in the Chapel earlier that evening. If you missed Stan's piece, log onto http://www.wytv.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=12355@wytv.dayport.com&navCatId=12 Thank you, Stan and Jim. In addition to WYTV, Mike Case at the noon news on WFMJ interviewed me live and Kathy Vogel aired a radio interview on MIX 94.1 We received notification from Barnes and Noble in November that believe had been approved to be stocked. We also were honored to have a "Meet the Author" event held this February at the Marco Island Art League.
Our 'traveling novel' has been moving around the globe! It started in Ft. Myers, Florida and has been read in Pittsburgh, PA, Atlanta, GA, Marco Island, FL, flew across the pond to England and back again to the US! As of mid-summer, it's been to Long Island, NY, Williamsport, PA, Ontario, CA, Lyme, NH, Chicago, IL and off to San Francisco. Keep those comments and cities coming by emailing me at karen@karenbiery.com. I'll update the list as I hear from you. Thank you to all the participants. It has been fun traveling with you.
So, in summary, the past few months have been a wonderful new experience for me. It's been six months of many "firsts". The enthusiasm generated from the novel is a humbling experience. I thank all of those involved from the bottom of my heart. I couldn't have done it without you.
Are you a member of a book club? Why not add this novel to your read list? As a footnote, if my schedule permits, I would be available for your after-read discussion.
For those of you that have an interest in history, Salem has much to offer. From the Quaker movement to Anti-Slavery to The Women's Rights, historical manufacturing, and much more, please visit www.salemhistoricalsociety.org. The Historical Society has a multitude of facets that will surprise and educate you. They also have a wide variety of books available, many by Dale Shaffer, our own town historian. Your visit will be well spent.
As a final note...be on the lookout for my second work of fiction, pieces set for a 2010 fall release. The tale surrounds two eleven-year-old boys, Collin and Jesse, who discover a burial mound in Minerva, OH. They find remains of a child adorned with small carved images. Each piece holds specific power that is unleashed on those that have the unfortunate luck to find it. The boys are torn between honor and adventure and make decisions that will affect not only their own lives, but the lives of eight others.
And as an update on my second novel, pieces, we are finished editing. All of the interior artwork has been drawn, scanned and set for the printing process. The manuscript has been sent to proof for set up. My painting for the cover is finished. I am bursting with excitement about this novel! It is very different than believe. We are still on target for an October release, so be on the lookout for information on upcoming signings. If you would like to be on my mailing list for the official announcement, please email me your contact info at karen@karenbiery.com.
To contact me, send to: Karen Biery
PO Box 279
Damascus, OH 44619