Dear Friends,
It’s time! After years and years of work, I can tell you about the exclusive People Magazine COVER REVEAL for my April 20th, 2027 novel — Heart of the Wild.
I am obsessed with this cover, with the hawk that plays a pivotal role in the novel, and the sky that flows down like a waterfall to carry us into the story. The title is a callback to a book that follows my main character, Emma throughout the novel — The Call of the Wild by Jack London.
I never thought I’d write a novel about being lost in the woods. But the subconscious is a wild thing. You see, thirteen years ago, I was hiking alone in the mountains of the Cumberland Plateau of Sewanee, TN when I had a terrible hiking accident. I never wanted to think about it again — but seems I’ve always been thinking about it and today, I am thrilled to announce that People Magazine is revealing the cover of a novel whose seeds were planted as I sat alone on the forest floor, the October day fading and cold, and thought, “Well, Patti, you’ve really done it this time. You’re in deep trouble now.”
This novel was born from the “what ifs” of that terrifying evening.
Heart of the Wild is not about me, but about two young women in the Nantahala National Forest.
Join me in the wilds of North Carolina as we meet Emma, her mother, Jenny, and Becky, as well as the town of Silverveil, and its residents, some of whom hold terrible secrets.
New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan Henry’s riveting new novel, Heart of the Wild, takes readers deep into the woods where the lives of two teenage girls—one lost and one hiding—will forever change.
The summer Emma McKinney turns fifteen, hope feels fragile. Her father is missing in action in Vietnam, and her mother—seeking escape as much as stability—accepts a teaching job in a remote mountain town. Emma, sensitive and intelligent, senses her mother has other reasons for their stay in Silverveil. Before she can press for answers, Emma is sent away to a youth group retreat with only her father’s worn copy of Call of the Wild for comfort. On the last day of the retreat, Emma strays from the trail and becomes hopelessly lost. With no clear path back to camp, she relies on instinct, animal signs, and the vast, unyielding wild for guidance. As days go by and exhaustion, hunger, and fear begin to hollow her out, Emma’s fate feels uncertain. But she is not alone. Deep in the woods, another teenage girl is keeping watch—resourceful and determined to remain unseen. As they move through the same wilderness, their stories begin to collide, forcing them to discover their strength and will to survive.
Aching and gritty, Heart of the Wild is an atmospheric journey not only of perseverance, but of self-discovery and secrets whose roots run much deeper than just the forest floor.
And you know what else? You can PREORDER NOW! All the buy links can be found HERE.
There are more resources on my website, including a letter from me.
Be sure to tell all your friends!
With Love,
Patti
We’ve had some amazing guests this month! We already welcomed Annabel Monaghan, Ann Patchett, and Lisa See, in June. And coming up next week we are having Lisa Jewell. Join us each Wednesday on Facebook & YouTube. Stay tuned for our July-September guest line-up which is coming together as we speak!
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Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Globe and Mail bestselling author of seventeen novels and a podcast host. Patti is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly web show, podcast, and online community, Friends & Fiction.
She lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama with her husband. Her newest novel, The Story She Left Behind was released on March 18th, 2025. And her next will be out in April of 2027 — more news forthcoming!
Be sure to follow Patti on social media and visit her website for the latest updates & announcements and appearances!
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