Rae Meadows's Blog

Hello GR friends,

After the last presidential election, I went on hiatus from social media and Goodreads to focus on writing a new novel. Hope to have news on that one soon!

In the meantime, I Will Send Rain comes out in paperback on November 28th.

I hope to be back on GR very soon. Reviews of the many books teetering on my desk are not going to write themselves.

Happy fall, all!

I Will Send Rain

This Thursday Feb. 23rd, at 7:30, join me at Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn. I'll be in conversation with Cara Hoffman about her extraordinary new novel RUNNING, with an intro by publishing great, Ira Silverberg. It'll be a stellar night for books!

http://www.greenlightbookstore.com/ev...

I Will Send Rain has been shortlisted for the Langum Prize in American Historical Fiction. I'm on a shortlist! The same shortlist as Annie Proulx! Such exciting news for me on this slushy Tuesday.I Will Send Rain

http://langumtrust.org/news/current-n...

So cool to be featured in this smart new essay by Ellie Robins.

From Muir to Matriarchs: The New, Female-Penned Nature Novel

As apocalyptic weather events grow ever more frequent, a group of women nature writers is urging readers to listen to — and care for — our warming Earth.


https://psmag.com/from-muir-to-matria...

I had a fantastic time in Iowa City--reading at Prairie Lights with Dean Bakopolous (Summerlong) and talking to Kathleen Diffey's English class at the University of Iowa. The kids were so engaged and had such thoughtful, smart questions.

We used to live in Minneapolis, so it's always a treat to return and see old friends. A lively literary discussion between Peter Geye (Wintering) and me took place at Magers & Quinn. I love being called a Midwest writer even if I don't live there anymore. Peter is a gem, and if you haven't read his novels, you should.

Last but not least, I love being included in this list:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/b...

This is really cool, from a writer friend of mine (and GR author), Aaron Sanders:

The Negatives (www.thenegatives.net) is a new website that celebrates failure. The Negatives will feature interviews with artists know and with those you need to know, articles on craft, audio productions, short films, poetry, prose, and anything else that interests us.

The great writer Column McCann told me that he has the famous Samuel Beckett quote above his writing desk to remind him what writing is.

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.”

I'm on The Negatives right now. (I fail a lot) Subscribe for a periodic email!

I Will Send Rain is reviewed in the New York Times Book Review! It's not a rave exactly, but there are some nice things. (I'm just thrilled to be in the NYTBR)

I'm headed to books stops in Iowa and Minnesota this week with my eight-year-old daughter in tow. My guess is that Minecraft will be more exciting than listening to me talk. Just a guess. This lovely review from the Cedar Rapids Gazette makes me very happy about Iowa:
http://www.thegazette.com/subject/lif...

and an interview:
http://www.thegazette.com/subject/lif...

The NYTBR:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/11/boo...

After Powell's, Book Passage, and Elliott Bay Books on the West Coast, I'm home for a brief respite before heading out again. Iowa City on Wednesday--a reading at Prairie Lights and talking to a class at Iowa, which I am super excited about. Then on to Minneapolis--so fun to go back to my old home. Just in time, a review from the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

"If you are looking for an uplifting, cheery read, this is not your book. “I Will Send Rain,” however, is a powerful rendering of human resilience."

Ha!

http://www.startribune.com/review-i-w...

West Coast GR friends, I'm headed your way this week! Each night I'll be joined by an amazingly talented writer friend.

Monday 8/29 Powell's (Portland) 7:30, with journalist Anthony Effinger who will be reading from his novel-in-progress that I'm super-excited about.

Tuesday 8/30 Book Passage (Marin) 7:00, in conversation with Kelly Corrigan, celebrated speaker and author of The Middle Place.

Wednesday 8/31 Elliott Bay Book Company 7:00, reading with the phenomenal Martha Brockenbrough, also celebrating the paperback release of her novel The Game of Love and Death.

The Middle Place
The Game of Love and Death

Photographer Christina Paige and I spent a week in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Glimpse into the heart of the heart of the country.

http://lithub.com/god-guns-and-surviv...