Plague Authors are Crushing It

I recently heard someone refer to writers who have released books during the Covid era as “plague authors.” As a member of that illustrious group myself, I found that term spot on. No sugar coating, no euphemism, just telling it like it is. And my friends, let’s be clear: releasing a novel into a world where people are generally consumed bv much larger, more important, legit concerns than whether you can tell a good story is no easy feat.

While all the rational people out there are watching the headlines, figuring out appropriate precautions, muddling through complicated thoughts about politics, the economy, religion, health, and life as we know it, we plague authors are all like, “but, my book….”

And yet. 

I’ve made sure to tell everyone I know that my second novel, That’s Not a Thing, came out on April 14, 2020, which was the height of the pandemic in my home state of New York. The book, which is a love story set in New York City, felt like the perfect love letter to my floundering city. Even so, I wasn’t sure how or whether to promote it or if I should simply crawl under a rock and wait out the madness. 

Luckily, some of my sister authors had the good grace to release wonderful fiction during this same period, which has so greatly helped me to temporarily escape my own fears about the pandemic, my professional success, the germs on my groceries, the education of my four children, and what type of protective gear I would require before ever stepping foot on another airplane.  

I hope that other people have also been able to find and enjoy these new releases. To that end, I’ve decided to point out a few of my recent favorites in hopes that people might take a brief break from the scary news and focus on these deeply entertaining, life affirming, fabulously escapist reads for a few moments instead.

We Came Here to Shine by Susie Orman Schnall (June 16, 2020) – Two intrepid young women enjoy a beautiful friendship as they seek answers to important questions. An entirely engrossing story set against the glorious backdrop of the 1939 New York World’s Fair

The First Emma by Camille Di Maio (May 5, 2020)- Historical fiction about a female beer brewer during Prohibition. Fabulous world building and so much interesting history. It will keep you turning page after page.

The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez (April 14, 2020)- An unlikely event brings together two perfect strangers and readers end up with fun, flirty romance at its finest. There’s also a really cute dog. 

Summer Longing by Jamie Brenner (May 5, 2020)- For those who love a beach read that actually includes beaches, this story about a baby left on a doorstep in Cape Cod will grab you right from the start.

You Again by Debra Jo Immergut (July 7, 2020)- A mysterious story about a woman who is haunted by her younger self. A psychological thriller about the search for ambition that will keep you up late into the night.

The Swap by Robyn Harding (June 23, 2020)- Full of obsessions, celebrity worship, and partner swapping, this gripping psychological thriller is not for the faint of heart. Full of heart-pounding moments that make for a great read.

Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel (July 21, 2020)- Classical music, country retreats, complicated friendships and inspiring relationships. Vivid scenes, great world building, and an all-around good time.

Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing by Allison Winn Scotch (August 1, 2020)- A woman in a position of power struggles with how to achieve her best professionally while also maintaining equilibrium in her personal life. When is it ok to ask for help?  

Happy reading, my friends!

—

Jacqueline Friedland is the award-winning author of Trouble the Water, a historical fiction novel.  Her contemporary women’s fiction debut, That’s Not a Thing, is forthcoming in April 2020. 

Jacqueline graduated Magna Cum Laude from both the University of Pennsylvania and NYU Law School.  She practiced as a commercial litigator at the New York law firms of Debevoise & Plimpton, LLP and Boies, Schiller & Flexner, LLP.  After determining that office life did not suit her, Jacqueline began teaching Legal Writing and Lawyering Skills at the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law in Manhattan and working on her first book in her limited spare time.  Finally deciding to embrace her passion and pursue writing full time, Jacqueline returned to school to earn her Masters of Fine Arts from Sarah Lawrence College, graduating from the program in 2016.

When not writing, Jacqueline is an avid reader of all things fiction. She loves to exercise, watch movies with her family, listen to music, make lists, and dream about exotic vacations. She lives in Westchester, New York with her husband, four children and two very bossy canines.

That’s Not A Thing

Meredith Altman’s engagement to Wesley Latner ended in spectacular disaster. When Wesley lost his parents in an accident, mere weeks before the wedding date, he blamed Meredith and left for an open-ended journey to Europe, breaking off their engagement and shattering Meredith.

It was Aaron Rapp, a former Ivy League football player and baby-saving doctor who finally helped lift her heart off the floor. Now a couple of years into their courtship, Aaron and Meredith have just gotten engaged, and she feels her life is on a positive trajectory at last. As they celebrate their engagement at a new TriBeCa hotspot, however, Meredith is stunned to find the restaurant owner is none other than Wesley, the man she is still secretly trying to forget.

Now that Wesley is back in the States, Meredith is bumping into him everywhere, and he clearly still has the feels for her. Before long, she learns that he has been diagnosed with ALS, and her feelings about their past become all the more confusing. As Meredith spends more time with Wesley and is pulled further under his spell, she learns what kind of man her new fiancé really is―and what kind of woman she wants to be.

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