News from Heidi

"[A] stunning first novel ... What makes Durrow's novel soar is her masterful sense of voice, her assured, nuanced handling of complex racial issues-and her heart." -Christian Science Monitor

Read the rest of the review here.  And listen to the podcast here.

Behind the Book: A child's second chance

Debut novelist takes inspiration from a shocking headline Column by Heidi W. Durrow

I started writing The Girl Who Fell from the Sky after reading a haunting news story about a young mother—recently depressed and despondent—who led her kids to her building’s rooftop, and apparently pushed the children off and then jumped. Reporters interviewed neighbors and friends who spoke of the young mother’s fierce devotion to her children. She’d had a recent setback, but no one could have guessed that the loving mother could do such a thing. No one could put the pieces of her story together to make sense of the reason why. I became obsessed with the miracle of that horrible tragedy: One of the children, the girl, had survived!
Read the rest of the essay here.

If you don't know the work of Batt Humphreys, Brian Ray, Dale Neal, Fran Rizer or Bob Hicks, you should. And they are also very lovely people. As were all the wonderful folks I met over the weekend. I loved the South Carolina hospitality!

Yup, it's true. The Girl Who Fell From the Sky is #17 on this week's national Indie Bestseller List, right behind Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol at #16. Whoo-hoo. Happy muppet dance ensues! Thank you guys!

I made it through! I had a great time. I met wonderful students and I hope I did some good. Thank you Yale Law School for such a wonderful homecoming. It was an immensely awesome day.

These folks braved the slushy snow to come out to McNally Jackson and I am ever so grateful. You were so wonderful. I had so much fun. I hope you did too. It looks like it from the photos. And thank you Brook for the lovely introduction.

I love you guys! Thank you Adrienne & Linda. Thank you everyone who came--and those of you who came again for a new "show" but got the same thing from Powell's. I had the best time. So glad to have reconnected with you!

Thank you Nan and all the folks at Village Books. It was a fantastic night.

Thank you everybody! It was a wonderful time. And thank you Hedgebrook for co-sponsoring and bringing all these warm and wonderful people out!