I Got My First Book Review... I Cried... And A Giveaway!
When you hand your writing to a tough critic and brace yourself for impact.
You know that friend who’s brutally honest with you no matter what? The one you keep around specifically because they’ll always tell you the truth—even if it stings? Well, I handed that friend a copy of my new book, The Herd, fully expecting a harsh critique or maybe even a verbal beatdown.
About a week later, I get this message.
I held my breath as my stomach twisted like a pretzel. I braced myself for comments on flat characters or a weak plot. But then…
The praise just kept coming. I couldn’t have paid for a better first review. We ended up diving deep into the characters and plot, and The Herd really came to life.
Even though I’ve written and published plenty of nonfiction—columns, news reports, you name it—I was nervous about venturing into fiction. But I felt called to write The Herd, like all my experiences as a journalist and diplomat led me right here.
So, what is The Herd about?
I like to think of dystopian fiction as a kind of warning. Yes, it’s fun, edgy, adventurous, and sometimes dark, but underneath all that, it’s usually a big red flag about where we might be headed. Some dystopias warn about authoritarian governments (think 1984), others warn about climate change, and The Herd warns about the future of information.
It’s set in 2065, in a fractured Washington, D.C., where the United States has lost the information war and society has splintered into tribal factions. The main character, an editor, fights to uncover the truth in a world where everyone’s lying for power. She works for a massive media empire—supposedly the last trustworthy source out there—only to discover she can’t trust it at all. Along the way, she unearths shocking family secrets and even falls in love.
If you like a strong female lead who kicks ass, if you enjoy a post-apocalyptic setting that grapples with propaganda and how disinformation dismantles democracy, then this is the book for you. It’s action-packed, fun, romantic, and comes with a hidden warning about our own future.
Giveaway!
I’m giving away a two advanced copies of my book to some amazing subscribers of this newsletter! To keep it fair, I’ll be selecting recipients at random.
If you’d like a free signed copy, make sure you’re subscribed and like this post and comment “Book” below. I’ll add your name to the list, randomly pick two winners, and mail out the copies!
I’ll keep you posted on updates! The Herd comes out mid-March. Be sure to preorder and share if it sounds like your kind of read—every bit of support helps. Stay tuned for more!
Kindle eBook
Pre-Order Live
Release Date: March 9, 2025
🔗 View on Amazon
Paperback
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Hardcover
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Audiobook
Release Date: TBD
Book! :)
book!