Monday, August 24, 2015

Cover Reveal for THE STEEP AND THORNY WAY

I'm excited beyond belief to reveal the cover and official synopsis for my next YA novel, a book I hold near and dear to my heart. Without further ado, I present to you The Steep and Thorny Way . . .

Coming March 8, 2016
Amulet Books, Hardcover, ISBN 9781419719158

A thrilling reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, The Steep and Thorny Way tells the story of a murder most foul and the mighty power of love and acceptance in a state gone terribly rotten.

1920s Oregon is not a welcoming place for Hanalee Denney, the daughter of a white woman and an African-American man. She has almost no rights by law, and the Ku Klux Klan breeds fear and hatred in even Hanalee’s oldest friendships. Plus, her father, Hank Denney, died a year ago, hit by a drunk-driving teenager. Now her father’s killer is out of jail and back in town, and he claims that Hanalee’s father wasn’t killed by the accident at all but, instead, was poisoned by the doctor who looked after him—who happens to be Hanalee’s new stepfather.

The only way for Hanalee to get the answers she needs is to ask Hank himself, a “haint” wandering the roads at night.

Some notes about the cover: 

This captivating design was created by Maria T. Middleton at Abrams, the brilliant talent behind all of my young adult covers, as well as the creator of those gorgeous interior designs. The photographer is Symon Chow, who also photographed the cover of In the Shadow of Blackbirds. I love the cover so much and feel it's absolutely perfect for The Steep and Thorny Way. Everything on the cover is significant to the story.

Yes, this novel will include historical photographs, just like In the Shadow of Blackbirds and The Cure for Dreaming. Yes, it's inspired by Hamlet, but you don't need to be familiar with the play to understand the novel. If you are a Hamlet aficionado, however, you will find nods to the plot and the characters throughout, including a ghost.

The Steep and Thorny Way features both biracial and LGBTQ characters from the past and tackles some of the darkness faced by those who didn't fit into the 1920s mold of "perfection." I think it might be my most controversial novel yet, but I also feel it's my strongest, and I can't wait to share it with everyone in March 2016.    

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

My Two August Releases Are Now Available



Back in 2013, I sold my adult novel The Uninvited to HarperCollins, and my short story "Emmeline" sold to Penguin as part of the YA horror anthology Slasher Girls & Monster Boys. Back then I learned that The Uninvited would be published in Summer 2015 and Slasher Girls & Monster Boys would release in Fall 2015. I imagined celebrating their publications about three months apart from each other.

Well, it turned out that Summer 2015 for HarperCollins and Fall 2015 for Penguin fell so close together that these two books ended up publishing only a week apart. They're both available as of today, and I'm so thankful that both publishers allowed them to head out into the world.

Here's more info about both books.

ISBN 9780062347336

. . . exquisite and magical. This story is a gem with so many facets that uphold the tenets of the Gothic genre, the sensibilities of a romance, and the illuminative window to the past of a historical piece.
USA Today’s Happy Ever After

“Dark and romantic . . . at once horrifying and tender.”
Publishers Weekly

“. . . a haunting paranormal tale.
(4 stars)
Romantic Times

“Winters is a talented writer who takes her readers on an audacious ride with this book, her first novel written for an adult audience. The plotting is near perfect.”
Historical Novels Review

ORDER ONLINE




Available from Dial/Penguin
ISBN 9780803741737

“Cat Winters’s ‘Emmeline’ is a haunting story of love and loss in wartime . . . This is satisfying, disturbing horror for the modern YA audience.”
Publishers Weekly 

Gross, creepy fun.”
Kirkus Reviews

“These chilling tales are full of suspense and dread that will haunt readers long after the last page has been turned.”
School Library Journal

ORDER ONLINE:




Please visit my Events page to find out where I'll be appearing to promote both books.

Monday, August 17, 2015

USA TODAY's Review of THE UNINVITED

I woke up this morning to discover a rave review of The Uninvited on USA Today's Happy Ever After—an amazing way to start a Monday. Here's an excerpt of the review:

Read this book. I refuse to give any spoilers or hints to spoilers. Trust me, you won't be disappointed with Cat Winters' The Uninvited . . . exquisite and magical . . . This story is a gem with so many facets that uphold the tenets of the Gothic genre, the sensibilities of a romance, and the illuminative window to the past of a historical piece.”

You can read the full review at USA Today.

ORDER ONLINE



Also available in ebook, audiobook, and library-bound editions.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Event Photos and More Upcoming Events

I celebrated the launch of The Uninvited last night at Powell's Books in Beaverton, Oregon. Thanks so much to everyone who joined me there. The store is now stocking signed copies of all three of my novels.



Here's a list of all the other events where I'll be speaking and signing between now and November.

Thursday, August 20, 2015, 7:00 pm
Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing
3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton, OR
Launch party for the YA horror anthology SLASHER GIRLS & MONSTER BOYS, with April Genevieve Tucholke, McCormick Templeman, and me.

Friday, August 21, 2015, 7:00 pm
The Book Bin
2235 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, OR
Reading and signing for SLASHER GIRLS & MONSTER BOYS, with April Genevieve Tucholke, McCormick Templeman, and me.
 
Friday, August 28, 2015, 7:00 pm
Elliott Bay Book Company
1521 10th Ave., Seattle, WA
Reading and signing with Wendy Webb, M.J. Rose, and me.

Monday, August 31, 2015, 7:00 pm
Annie Bloom's Books
7834 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR
Reading and signing with Wendy Webb, M.J. Rose, and me.

Saturday, October 10, 2015, 2:00 pm
Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore
5943 Balboa Avenue, Suite #100, San Diego, CA
Reading and signing with Laura Anne Gilman and me.

Saturday, November 7, 2015
Wordstock
Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR
Details to follow.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

THE UNINVITED Release Day

It's here!  


I'm thrilled to announce that The Uninvited, published by William Morrow, is now officially out in the world! You can find the novel both online and in brick-and-mortar stores across the United States, including Powell's, Barnes & Noble, Hudson Booksellers (in airports), and Costco.

I'll be celebrating the release of the novel this evening at Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing in Beaverton, Oregon. If you're in the area, please join me for a reading, signing, WWI-era jazz music, and desserts. If you can't make it, please see my Events page for a list of my other upcoming appearances. You can also order a signed copy from Powell's up until 7:00 this evening.

The Uninvited, ready for the launch party at Powell's

Here's what reviewers and early readers are saying about The Uninvited:

“Dark and romantic . . . at once horrifying and tender.”
Publishers Weekly

“. . . a haunting paranormal tale . . . 
with a truly unexpected twist.
(4 stars)
Romantic Times

“Winters is a talented writer who takes her readers on an audacious ride with this book, her first novel written for an adult audience. The plotting is near perfect.”
Historical Novels Review

“Devotees of romance and ghost stories will doubtless enjoy Winters’ latest.”
Booklist

“A wonderfully atmospheric and intriguing novel. A novel that is sure to keep readers hooked to the end.”
New York Times bestselling author

“Would that every chapter of history be presented in such captivating, lushly-written prose.”
Bestselling author

“An affecting novel, dark in fiction and in fact . . . Cat Winters’s latest offers resonant characters, a stunning twist, and an emotional, satisfying conclusion.”
International bestselling author of  
A Paris Apartment

“Evocative and lushly written.”
New York Times bestselling author

“Compulsively readable, beautifully written . . . I finished this story and wished very much I had written it.”
Bestselling author of  
The Fate of Mercy Alban and The Vanishing

“A mesmerizing story of life and death in one of 
America's darkest periods.” 
Author of The Madman's Daughter

“A fascinating historical fiction tale with a decidedly supernatural twist.”
Fresh Fiction

ORDER ONLINE: 


Also available in ebook, audiobook, and library-bound editions.

Preview a Chapter at USA Today's Happy Ever After

Monday, August 3, 2015

THE UNINVITED Blog Tour

HarperCollins kindly arranged for two blog tours for The Uninvited, and the first is now underway. Hosted by TLC Book Tours, the online event will consist of ten stops, running from August 4-20, 2015.

Tuesday, August 4th: 100 Pages a Day … Stephanie’s Book Reviews
Wednesday, August 5th: A Chick Who Reads
Thursday, August 6th: No More Grumpy Bookseller
Friday, August 7th: Bibliotica
Monday, August 10th: Kritters Ramblings
Tuesday, August 11th: From the TBR Pile
Wednesday, August 12th: Jenn’s Booshelves
Thursday, August 13th: Bookshelf Fantasies
Thursday, August 13th: Sidewalk Shoes
Monday, August 17th: The Reader’s Hollow
Tuesday, August 18th: Bibliophilia, Please
Wednesday, August 19th: Peeking Between the Pages
Thursday, August 20th: Raven Haired Girl

Keep an eye on my social media accounts for more updates!



“Dark and romantic . . . at once horrifying and tender.”
Publishers Weekly

“. . . a haunting paranormal tale . . . 
with a truly unexpected twist.
(4 stars)
Romantic Times

“Winters is a talented writer who takes her readers on an audacious ride with this book, her first novel written for an adult audience. The plotting is near perfect.”
Historical Novels Review

“Devotees of romance and ghost stories will doubtless enjoy Winters’ latest.”
Booklist

PRE-ORDER



Also coming in ebook, audiobook, and library-bound editions.

Preview the First Chapter