Debbie Harpham
from author’s website
WHO AM I? I WRITE BOOKS. I EDIT OTHER PEOPLE’S STORIES. I TEACH CREATIVE WRITING. AND I BAKE.
WRITE. I am honored to say I’m the bestselling author of a novel, and a memoir. But what I’m giddy about is my new book released October 18, 2022, How to Write a Novel in 20 Pies: Sweet & Savory Secrets for Surviving the Writing Life. Don’t tell my other books, but How2Pie is my favorite. In this hybrid of a how-to, memoir, and cookbook, I encourage writers to persevere from the start when they put thier pen to the page, to the finish when they sign that book contract. Ideally, it’s about pursuing the journey, while reminding writers to have fun along the way. And, that means Eat More Pie! The book is fully illustrated by Emil Wilson, my writing partner and deliciously good friend.
EDIT. As associate director of the New York State Summer Writers Institute for 7 years, and writer-in-residence for another seven, I’ve helped scores of writers finish their books. After years of leading writing groups, I realized that looking at 10, 20, or even 30 pages in a workshop is just not doing a book justice. I prefer to work with students’ entire manuscript. Want a set of eyes to look yours over? Contact me for more info on how to submit.
TEACH. I was the Associate Director of the New York State Summer Writers Institute in Saratoga Springs, NY, and was affiliated with them for over 20 years as I love all the authors that gather on that campus. I have taught creative writing classes at UCSD and UCLA Extensions. I currently host a 200-page manuscript workshop about twice a year with co-host David Ulin, former LA Times Book Editor. David and I love the work and students have gone on from our workshop to get stellar agents and successful book deals. My heartthrob job is mentor to Science and Engineering K-12 students on personal essays.
BAKE. As a kid I was a chicken pot pie fanatic. Today I bake any kind of pie. If you can dream it, I will bake it. Savory Salons is my way of bringing pies and writing together. I host salons with authors and a small intimate guest list of folk with a conversation surrounding everything that stems from the author’s latest work. If you want to be invited, let me know and I’ll put you on the list. OR, let’s do a book club at your house and we can talk about my books and I’ll bring pie! Just reach out to me and we can make something happen. Shall I whet your appetite? Salmon and portobello pie, carne asada pie in a cornmeal crust, and for dessert four-cherry pie or apple ginger pie. Pie, pie, pie.
ABOUT HOW TO WRITE A NOVEL IN 20 PIES:
Providing comfort food and inspiration for the aspiring novelist, How To Write a Novel in 20 Pies offers novelist and writing coach Amy Wallen’s insider secrets on living the writing life. Filled with chapters about writing, revising, submitting to an agent, and book promotion, this book combines Wallen’s experienced writing advice with the brilliant illustrations of Emil Wilson, including recipes for literary success and the full recipes for 20 sweet and savory pies.
As a novelist, memoirist, and associate director of the New York State Summer Writers Institute, Amy Wallen has a few things to say about the writing world, many of them irreverent and snarky. From her perspective as a teacher, mentor, and published author, her belief is that the way to survive the hard knocks of writing a book and trying to get published is to bust a gut working, laughing, and eating pie.
With chapters including “Oh Agent, Where Art Thou?”, “Revising, Rewriting, and Reimagining,” and “The Joy of Rejection,” Wallen balances out the challenging stages of the writing process with both sweet and savory goodness, featuring recipes for chocolate pecan pie, salmon and portobello pie, and the recipe for the best cherry pie ever.
Throughout the book, Wallen demystifies the vagaries of the publishing business, providing delicious recipes that will keep your belly full even when you’re staring at an empty page. Her writing advice is neatly paired with the brilliant illustrations of Emil Wilson, who shares her sharp wit, sardonic look at the demands of the writing life, and her mad love of pie. Combined, the stories, lessons, images, and recipes will provide encouragement and camaraderie for the novel-writing journey, from putting pen to page, to finding an agent, to celebrating publication—all with a piece of pie.
AUTHOR VISITS:
Author visits with Amy Wallen are available via NovelNetwork.com.