Several years ago, I attended a writing conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I don’t remember much about anyone I met that day. If you’ve been to a writing conference, you understand that, on some level, they’re Beauty Pageants of Words. One spends insane amounts of time wondering whether her metaphorical butt is dangling from the back of her bathing suit during the critique session, I mean, swimsuit competition. She knows her cleavage isn’t as perky as the next gal’s. Will she fall down the stairs in her stilettos because she can’t look straight ahead and walk at the same time?
Still, I remember author Hank Phillippi Ryan. I remember her because she was the most authentic person I met there. I attended her talk about getting into writing. Her unvarnished opinions and advice were invaluable to me as I embarked upon my own journey.
At the time, she was promoting her Charlotte McNally thriller series, which is absolutely worth a read. (You can buy it here: Prime Time, Face Time, Air Time, and Drive Time). Her novel The Wrong Girl just won an Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel. (You can buy it and its companion here: The Wrong Girl, The Other Woman). Hank’s writing is fresh and fast-paced and absolutely does not disappoint.
But that’s not why I mention her today. She is the kind of person I hope to someday be. Even though she doesn’t remember me, she agreed to host me on her Femmes Fatales blog yesterday. What’s great about that act of kindness is this: It is well-nigh impossible for an unknown author to get established writers to take note of them and their work. Hank will continue to win awards and acclaim because she’s a gifted writer, but she will soar because she is a beautiful, giving person. I hope I’m in a position to give that loveliness to others someday, and I will always be grateful to Hank for her example to me.
Buy Hank’s books. The good people really do deserve to succeed.
To read Hank’s interview with me, you can check out her Femme Fatales blog here: Andra Watkins Femmes Fatales. To find out more about Hank and her books, you can visit her website here: Hank Phillippi Ryan.
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In case you’re new here, my novel To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis sounds bizarre and weird and totally like something you wouldn’t want to read. And yet, pretty much EVERYONE who reads it LOVES IT. So, why not give it a try? You can purchase it in any format by following the links below.
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I really, really covet Hank’s hair. And no one wears leather quite like she does. Photo from Hank Phillippi Ryan’s website.
41 Comments
Andra, when I saw the title of this, I couldn’t wait to read it. I live in New England and Hank Phillippi Ryan is on the local newscasts doing consumer watch segments. I had no idea she was an author, and a big-hearted one at that. Given that she is a strong advocate for consumers, I can see that she would have that same characteristic in other ways (like giving a hand to upcoming writers). Thanks for writing this post!
I hope you’ll check out her writing, and I’m glad I’m the one who let you know about it.
Very nice. Good interview and a nice site. Cool that she made such an impression on you.
I’m always happy to come away from an event like that with a good impression.
That was very giving of her, +
It was.
Ooo! I commented on that interview post! So glad she did that. Oh Andra! I’m so glad for you!
I saw your comment, Linda. I feel like the Little Engine That Could right now.
She (based on the photo) is very glamorous! The interview on her blog is really good. And so kind of her to host you there and help raise up a newly published writer.
Some people are so generous — which makes a wonderful contrast to those who are mean and spiteful. There is balance in the universe.
As you’ve noted before, many people lent a hand, ear, shoulder, tip and connection to help you become a published author. Not all those connections were as beneficial as one hoped, but still, readers of this blog have been incredibly supportive throughout your entire journey!
Readers of this blog have been my very best advocates. Absolutely. I will never, ever forget that.
Off I go to check out the interview, Andra, with a bit of smile on my face for knowing that there really are good people “out there”, you amongst them. Book is on my radar.
I hope you have recovered from the fawn, Penny. I’ve thought about it a lot today.
Oh, this is SO awesome, Andra. Gonna head over to read the interview now. And, by the way, I don’t know why I didn’t get your message. I fear it may have gotten misplaced during my two weeks without internet and subsequent travel to the US. But Sara and I would LOVE to have you and MTM here. You tell us the dates, and we will make it happen. We are in the process of looking for a colonial house in the historic part of town–which we will surely have by the time you all arrive. I know that will interest MTM, as it does Sara. The center of our city is an UNESCO World Heritage site for its preserved Spanish colonial architecture.
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
It’s so hard to keep track of everything when we’re moving around. I did an abominable job on my recent trip. NZ charged for internet by the megabyte, so I had to be super-efficient when I was online. I may’ve hit send, but it didn’t go through.
I’ll keep you posted on our plans. We’re still not sure we will go to SP. One of the main reasons to do it would be to get to you and Sara.
That’s a very nice surge of good visibility. It should bolster momentum. Heck, it made me want to read the book again, which is probably a good sign.
MTM read the book again on the trip. I just can’t do it. I even asked him to pick out passages for a reading next week.
She’s a neat lady – I saw her speak at Sleuthfest in Florida this year. Very accessible and friendly. I’ll meander over to Femmes Fatales!
She’s really a great teacher, isn’t she? So many sessions at those things can feel rushed or unprepared, but hers never do.
The good people really do deserve to succeed. Yourself included.
xoxo nancy
As my husband says regularly……I already have succeeded. I wrote a good book. If it’s a commercial success or failure, that doesn’t increase or diminish that fact. There are many frustrations embedded in that statement, so I’m glad he says it to me multiple times a day. 🙂
What a terrific opportunity–definitely checking out the interview. 🙂
Hank Phillippi Ryan is a lovely person. She came to Schaumburg (near Chicago) last year and did a one-day writers’ workshop for us (Sisters in Crime) at the district library. She was very accessible and friendly, and everyone loved the chance to learn from her.
She gets around, doesn’t she? I’m glad to hear from yet another person who benefited from her tutelage.
It is so cool that you’ve met wonderful people and writers such as Hank along your journey as a writer. Thanks for making me aware of this gifted writer, Andra. I will most definitely check out her works.
I hope you enjoy them, Mary.
Hey, this is coolness. Your hard work is paying off big time. I adore seeing likable people like you succeed. And now, I’m off to read the interview.
Nothing worth having comes easy. 🙂
fantastic, we have to support each other and i’m a full believer in that. also, i loved your description of the writer’s conference, andra )
It really does feel that way, Beth. In general, I can’t stand going to them. People like Hank make them fun.
although you didn’t explicitly say it I’m wondering if you meant for this to be a #WCW type of post…
As I said earlier today, nothing wrong with #WCW.
Oh, my goodness. I am in TEARS. This is so lovely, and so generous..and well, okay. Just keep talking, pretend I’m not here listening to EVERY WORD.
(And thank you CBSmithem, but that is just good lighting…xoox)
As you can see from some of the comments, you make impressions everywhere you go. 🙂
And come find me at http://www.HankPhllippiRyan.com, okay? Thank you, dear Andra!
Trying that again… http://www.HankPhillippiRyan.com (See, my eyes are so misty, I can’t even spell my own name..)
I have no doubt that you will be that kind of author, Andra! Heck, you already are 🙂
I try. Very hard.
The journey continues to find all sorts of amazing consequences.
And here I am still amazed that I finished it………. 🙂
MTM is right, you know; you wrote a great book, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The books that follow — and there surely will be many more of them over time — will be much work, certainly, but they will be additional frosting on your cake comparatively speaking.
We reap what we sow, Andra, and the benefits that have flowed from your long labors are myriad, not least among them the opportunity to meet kindred spirits, such as this one, who are equally as loving and giving of themselves as you.
I, too, must admit I did not know Hank’s name, but I do now, and based on some minimal search work, I think she’s an author whose books are right up my alley. I’m excited to get my hands on one to see if that’s the case. Her review was terrific!
It takes a beautiful, giving person to know one.
Must cheek Hank out – thanks!
I should like to be so lucky some day; congratulations, Andra. 🙂
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