Draft:Patti Callahan Henry
![]() | Draft article not currently submitted for review.
This is a draft Articles for creation (AfC) submission. It is not currently pending review. While there are no deadlines, abandoned drafts may be deleted after six months. To edit the draft click on the "Edit" tab at the top of the window. To be accepted, a draft should:
It is strongly discouraged to write about yourself, your business or employer. If you do so, you must declare it. Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
Last edited by Way245 (talk | contribs) 0 seconds ago. (Update) |
![]() | |
Born | Patti Callahan March 20, 1964 Philadelphia, PA |
---|---|
Occupation | Novelist |
Alma Mater | Auburn University Georgia State University |
Genre | Fiction, historic fiction |
Spouse | Pat Henry |
Children | 3 |
Website | |
https://patticallahanhenry.com |
Introduction
[edit]Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times[1], Globe and Mail[2], and USA Today bestselling author of seventeen novels, including her most recent, The Secret Book of Flora Lea. She is known for her works in both contemporary Southern fiction and historical fiction, and is also a podcast host and public speaker. Her novels often explore themes of love, loss, personal transformation, and the power of storytelling.[3]
Early Life and Education
[edit]Patti Callahan Henry was born on March 20, 1964, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is the daughter of a Presbyterian minister, which influenced her early appreciation for storytelling. At the age of twelve, her family moved to South Florida, where she developed a love for reading and writing, often finding solace in libraries. Henry attended Auburn University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and later obtained a Master of Science in Nursing from Georgia State University. She worked as a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist before becoming a full-time writer.
Career
[edit]Henry's writing career began with her debut novel Losing the Moon, which was well-received and marked the start of a prolific career in fiction. She has since authored eighteen additional novels, including The Secret Book of Flora Lea (2023), Surviving Savannah (2021), and Becoming Mrs. Lewis (2018). Her books have been translated into numerous languages and are recognized for their rich, emotional narratives that delve into the complexities of human relationships and the impact of past events on present lives.
Henry's work in historical fiction is notable for its in-depth exploration of lesser-known stories and figures. For example, Surviving Savannah is based on the true story of the Steamship Pulaski, often referred to as "The Titanic of the South." Her novel Becoming Mrs. Lewis explores the love story between C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman, offering a fictionalized account of their relationship.
In addition to her fiction, Henry has contributed essays and short stories to various anthologies and publications, including Southern Living, PINK, Writer’s Digest, and Garden and Gun. She has also written an Audible Original, Wild Swan, which is a novella about Florence Nightingale, narrated by Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo.
Podcasting and Public Speaking
[edit]Patti Callahan Henry is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly online show and podcast Friends and Fiction, which features New York Times bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristy Woodson Harvey, and Kristin Harmel. The show, which airs live every Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM EST, provides insights into the world of writing and publishing and has featured numerous guest authors such as Amor Towles, Kristin Hannah, Jodi Picoult, Elin Hilderbrand and William Kent Krueger.[4]
Henry has also hosted podcast series that complement her novels, such as "The Untold Story Behind Surviving Savannah" and "Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis," where she explores the real-life stories and research behind her books.
Personal Life
[edit]Patti Callahan Henry resides in Mountain Brook, Alabama, with her husband, Pat Henry. She is a mother of three and a grandmother of two. When she is not writing or podcasting, she enjoys spending time with her family and engaging in activities that inspire her storytelling.
Awards and Recognition
[edit]Henry has received several awards for her contributions to literature, including:
- The Christy Award for Book of the Year (2019)[5]
- The Alabama Library Association Book of the Year (2019)[6]
- The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year (2020)[7]
Bibliography
[edit]- Losing the Moon (2004)
- Where the River Runs (2005)
- When Light Breaks (2006)
- Between the Tides (2007)
- The Art of Keeping Secrets (2008)
- Driftwood Summer (2009)
- Coming Up for Air (2011)
- And Then I Found You (2013)
- The Stories We Tell (2014)
- The Idea of Love (2015)
- The Bookshop at Water’s End (2017)
- Becoming Mrs. Lewis (2018)
- The Favorite Daughter (2019)
- The Perfect Love Song: A Christmas Story (2019)
- Wild Swan (2020)
- Surviving Savannah (2021)
- Once Upon a Wardrobe (2021)
- The Secret Book of Flora Lea (2023)
- The Story She Left Behind (Coming March 5, 2025)[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Hardcover Fiction Books - Best Sellers - Books - May 21, 2023 - The New York Times". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ "The Globe and Mail Bestsellers for the week of May 20, 2023". The Globe and Mail. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ "About | Patti Callahan Henry | New York Times Bestselling Author". Patticallahanhenry. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ "Home". Friends & Fiction. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ "The Christy Award™ Archives". christianbookexpo.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ sstuart@al.com, Shauna Stuart | (2020-01-31). "Alabama Library Association Award recipients include director of the Magic City Poetry Festival". al. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ shaskins@al.com, Shelly Haskins | (2020-01-19). "Mountain Brook author wins 2020 Harper Lee Award". al. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ "The Story She Left Behind | by Patti Callahan Henry". Patticallahanhenry. Retrieved 2024-08-30.