Author Terri Giuliano Long

Terri Giuliano Long is the bestselling author of the novel In Leah’s Wake. Her life outside of books is devoted to her family. In her free time, she enjoys walking, traveling, and listening to music. True to her Italian-American heritage, she’s an enthusiastic cook. In an alternate reality, she might be an international food writer. She lives with her family on the East Coast and teaches at Boston College. In Leah’s Wake is her debut novel. To find out more about Terri  and her work please visit the links below:

Website: www.tglong.com

Blog: www.tglong.com/blog

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tglong

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tglongwrites

PRAISE FOR IN LEAH’S WAKE

Susan Straight, National Book Award Finalist, author Take One Candle Light A Room

“Terri Long’s accomplished first novel takes the reader on a passionate roller-coaster ride through contemporary parenthood and marriage. It’s sometimes scary, sometimes sad, and always tender.”

Margot Livesey, author of Banishing Verona and Eva Moves the Furniture

“I felt I knew these characters better than my friends and neighbors. In Leah's Wake is a beautifully written and absorbing novel."

Holly Robinson, Contributing writer, Family Circle, Parents, Ladies’ Home Journal, author of The Gerbil Farmer’s Daughter: A Memoir

" By turns howlingly funny and achingly sad, the book details the vivid, harrowing journey of a fragile family that unravels – and finds redemption – thanks to a teenager’s rebellion. In Leah’s Wake is an irresistible read.”

Jennifer Donovan, Managing Editor 5 Minutes for Books, Top 50 Book Blogger

“There are no quick and easy solutions here for Leah or for her parents. They . . . pulled me right along as I continued to make comparisons to my own life.”

Susie Kline, Blogger, Motherhoot

"As a mom, I felt what Zoe felt. It tore my heart out to see the promise of a child being replaced with the nightmare of reality… I’m adding Terri Giuliano Long to my list of authors I want to be stranded with."

Monica Madsen, Blogger, A Mother’s Touch Bookshelf

"I give In Leah’s Wake 5 stars and recommend reading to anyone with tweens. Although it is fiction, this book can be a great reference for parenting teenagers."

Haley Stokes, Blogger, Triumphal Writing
In Leah's Wake is beautifully written, haunting, fascinating, and a book that has a lot to say, a lot to teach you, without getting preachy.

What is the current project you are working on?

I’m currently working on a psychological thriller with a historical twist.

Nowhere to Run takes place in the White Mountains in northern New Hampshire. A year after the brutal murder of her six-year-old daughter, Abby Minot, formerly an award-winning writer, accepts her first assignment—a profile of the philanthropic Chase family, kin of the popular New Hampshire senator and presidential hopeful, Matthias Chase.

In her initial research, Abby glimpses darkness under the Chase family’s shiny veneer. Digging deeper, she uncovers a shocking web of lies and betrayal, dating back to the nineteenth century. Abby soon finds herself trapped—between an editor obsessed with uncovering the truth and the town and family who will stop at nothing to ensure it stays hidden.


How do you set your book apart from other books in the genre?


In Leah’s Wake, my debut novel, tells the story of a family in collapse. Sixteen-year-old Leah, a star soccer player, has led a perfect life. When she meets a sexy older guy, attracted to his independence, she begins to spread her wings. Drinking, ignoring curfew, dabbling in drugs—all this feels like freedom to her. Her terrified parents, thinking they’re losing their daughter, pull the reigns tighter. Unfortunately, they get it all wrong, pushing when they ought to be pulling, and communication breaks down. Soon, there’s no turning back. Twelve-year-old Justine caught between the parents she loves, and the big sister she adores, finds herself in the fight of her life, trying desperately to pull her family together.

This is a quiet story about an ordinary family in disarray. The multiple points of view – that of the local police officer, as well as each family member – make it unique. Because In Leah’s Wake is very much about community and the need for greater communication – the way each person witnesses an event is distinct and subjective - the stories often overlap. These, I think, are the key differentiators.

What is the best thing about being a writer?

I’m passionate about writing. I enjoy every aspect of the process, from the initial burst of inspiration through the painstaking, sometimes frustrating, months or years of revision. Most exciting - that aha moment, when the work suddenly comes together, you understand what you’re writing about, and the relationships among the various scenes and chapters suddenly make sense.

What is the worst thing about being one?

The worst is marketing my work. To succeed, whether indie or traditionally published, authors must take responsibility for marketing their work. While I enjoy reaching out and connecting with people, I’m uncomfortable with calling attention to myself. The solipsism that can attend self-marketing turns me off.

For six months after publishing In Leah’s Wake, I did no marketing at all. Not even my parents knew that I had published the book. Naturally, I sold very few copies. Realizing that I could either market or watch my book die, I held my nose and jumped in. With my publicist, Emlyn Chand, I’ve developed (I hope) fun, creative marketing activities – games and contests, for instance – that give back to participants. I’ve also given away over 500 eBooks. This builds name recognition without me tweeting or posting about my book 24/7. I think people appreciate this. I also try to support other authors. Reaching out to people--building connections and enhancing relationships--makes marketing enjoyable.

What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?

Believe in yourself. To deal with rejection, boot your computer, day after day, when it seems as if no one cares, the stars are misaligned – to indie publish in a world that still privileges the traditionally published - you have to believe in yourself.

Writing is a lonely profession. Most of the time, we’re alone with our work. That loneliness can wear on you, and cause you to question yourself.  A community of caring writer friends, supporting and encouraging you, can make all the difference.

Hold onto your dreams. You can make them happen. Don’t ever give up!

What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

Before focusing on fiction, I wrote news articles, edited technical articles for trade magazines, and wrote marketing and web copy. I’ve also taught writing for 16 years – so I’ve worked on countless projects. In Leah’s Wake is my first novel; Nowhere to Run will be my second full-length fiction project.

What do you like to do besides writing?

I’m a passionate traveller and foodie. My husband, Dave, and I have had the good fortunate of visiting many beautiful, interesting places. I love ethnic foods and I’m fairly gutsy when it comes to trying new dishes. In Beijing, a few years ago, we went to a tiny restaurant with two students. The restaurant was a local spot and the menu was written in Chinese, so our friends ordered for us. When the steaming bowl arrived, I dipped my chopsticks into the stew – and pulled out a frog. The head had been removed, thank goodness, but the body was fully intact. I realize that a lot of people eat frog; this was actually green. I thought Dave would gag when I ate it. To his credit, he didn’t.

I were not a fiction writer and teacher, I could see myself an international food writer.


Who is your favorite author?

I have many favorites. Anne Tyler was my favorite for a long time; one summer I read every one of her books. Although I didn’t care for her debut, I’ll read anything by Kate Atkinson. Harlan Coben’s books are my guilty secret. My favorite book of all time is The Road, by Cormac McCarthy - I am in awe.
I admire the short story writer Andre Dubus. Dubus wrote haunting, insightful stories about real people. I memorized the end of “A Father’s Story” for a graduate class; years later, I still hear the rhythm and cadence of his language. Jessica Treadway, recipient of the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction for her latest collection, Please Come Back To Me, writes gorgeously evocative stories. Both authors are, in my view, grossly under-appreciated. It feels terribly wrong that such luminous work reaches the hands of so few readers.

What are some of your favorite books?

This is another tough question - it’s really hard to narrow the list.

The Road, by Cormac McCarthy is my all-time favorite. This powerful novel transports us to a gray, post-apocalyptic world, where humans have been reduced to animal instinct--for inhabitants of this new world order, murder and cannibalism are a means of survival.

Within this harsh environment, McCarthy gives us a tender, elegantly rendered father and son. In their travels, near starvation, they meet terrible challenges and hardships, yet they face every one with dignity and grace. Near death, the man says to his son: "You have my whole heart. You always did.” That line has stayed with me – as have so many other stark, tender moments.

Olive Kitteridge, by Susan Strout, is a quirky book of linked stories. The stories take place in coastal Maine. Although the inhabitants of each New England state are a bit different – I’ve lived most of my life in Massachusetts - I understand and relate to these characters. These deeply human stories, often about family, portray the heartache, the wonder and the joy of ordinary life.

Susan Straight’s elegant novel A Million Nightingales is another favorite. A Million Nightingales tells the moving story of a beautiful young slave girl in nineteenth century Louisiana. Sold upriver, Moinette is repeatedly assaulted and must rely on her intelligence to survive. This powerful story stayed with me long after I’d finished reading.

Many emerging novelists are also writing wonderful books. A few I’ve enjoyed: Farsighted, Emlyn Chand; Black Beast, Rob Guthrie; Forbidden Mind, Kimberly Kinrade; The Trust, Sean Keefer; Exeter, Jennie Coughlin; Well With My Soul, Gregory G. Allen; Treasure Me, Christine Nolfi; and Riversong,Tess Hardwick.

How would you describe the writing "scene" where you live?

We’ve moved to Stowe, Vermont, just two weeks ago. Although I know this is an artsy town, I have not yet had time to discover the scene. Until this fall, we lived in Massachusetts. Boston, with its many universities, boasts a vibrant writing community.

How has social media changed the publishing industry?

Technological advances made it easier, cheaper and faster to publish a book; in that sense technology powered the e-Revolution. Before social media, though, it was nearly impossible for indie writers to sell their books. While people did self-publish, only a lucky few sold more than a hundred copies.

For nearly six months after I published In Leah’s Wake I did no marketing at all – like my predecessors I sold very few books. In March, realizing that I could either market or watch the book die, I began to work on my social media platform. Once I met my publicist, Emlyn Chand, I began to branch out. Since May, through social media alone, I’ve sold over 55,000 books. It’s been an amazing experience. Just a few years ago, this could never have happened. Book bloggers, who read our books and spread the word across the Internet, are vitally important. We couldn’t do it without you, John! Thank you so much!!


What is your thought process like when you're writing?

Before I begin a book, I think, in general terms, about story, character, plot. Once I start writing, I try not to think too much. Otherwise, I run the risk of over-thinking or putting too much logic and not enough instinct into the work. When I’m in the midst of a book, the story stays with me; it invades my dreams at night and I often find myself daydreaming. When I’m in that dreamy state, I tend to recognize connections and figure things out.

You could have any super power. What would it be?

I’ve always wanted to fly – maybe a flying policewoman. In my book, In Leah’s Wake, the only non-family member with a voice is Jerry Johnson, the policeman. I see him as the connecting force in the novel and for this family. Though flawed, like all of us, he takes his responsibility for others to heart. I very much see police this way – as the connecting force in communities. To me, they’re heroes.


Do you believe in life on other planets?

Yes. Given the size of the universe, I find it impossible to imagine that life exists only on Earth.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptations?

I think they’re wonderful. I’ve seen many outstanding adaptations. Books and films are very different, of course. Books get their power from the rich inner life they depict while films are visual. Assuming that their creative minds work differently, I find the comparison, the differences and similarities between the vision of the writer and filmmaker, very interesting.

That said, I prefer to see the film before reading the book. Knowing the outcome has never spoiled a book for me. Until I started reading on a Kindle, I always read the end of the book first. That allowed me to slow down and savor the writing. On the other hand, once I’ve read a book I have a strong picture of the characters and my own vision of the story; if the filmmaker’s sensibilities are too different from mine or the film veers too far from the story told in the book, the film will often be ruined for me.

If you could have any first addition book. Which would it be and why?

The Road, Cormac McCarthy. As I’ve mentioned above, I think this book is a masterpiece. It’s a book I could read over and over. Someday – I hope not in my lifetime, but you never know – books will be a novelty. It would be wonderful to have a first edition now, but if books disappeared a first edition would truly be a treasure.

 Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you so very much for hosting me today, John! I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts with your readers. It’s an honor to be here!

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Thank you for doing the interview Terri. I look forward to reading and reviewing "In Leah's Wake". Terri was nice enough to send me the book trailer for her debut novel. I've emebed the trailer at the bottom of the page.  Readers can purchase "In Leah's Wake" by clicking on the following links:




Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/In-Leahs-Wake-ebook/dp/B0044XV7PG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1306533515&sr=8-3

Amazon Paper: http://www.amazon.com/Leahs-Wake-Terri-Giuliano-Long/dp/1456310542/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318690782&sr=8-1

Barnes & Nobles: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/In-Leahs-Wake/Terri-Giuliano-Long/e/2940011264566?itm=1&USRI=In%2BLeah27s%2BWake

Indie Bound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780975453391

TRAILER FOR "IN LEAH'S WAKE"



COMING DECEMBER 15 – NEWLY EDITED UK EDITION, PUBLISHED BY INSPIRED QUILL PRESS.

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