New Fiction and Upcoming Appearances!

Hello friends,

New fiction and Upcoming Appearances!

Apologies on the delay of this post, I update my social media (Twitter / Instagram / BlueSky) a lot more than the blog. But this year has been crazed, often difficult, with stints of taking care of loved ones in the hospital and more, all while on some of the more intense deadlines of my life.

I also carved out a month to perform in a full, professional theatrical production, the world premiere of Let's Misbehave, where I originated the role of The Countess, a delightfully zany character. It won't be the last you'll see of us. Check out the Let's Misbehave Instagram account to keep updates and check out my Instagram feed for some wonderful pictures and celebration of the show.

New fiction!

BLACKTHORN AND AMBERFIRE is book 1 of a Fantasy Romance novella duology exclusively in digital and audiobook (with me narrating!) via Everand, an amazing new fiction site where I have a host of novellas available, like my sequel to The Spectral City series, called THE SPIRIT SUITOR! 

About BLACKTHORN AND AMBERFIRE:

The Three Courts of Allforth have lived peacefully for generations, but they all keep a deadly secret that is about to break free…

Blackthorn, the Silvervale Court executioner, has not questioned his duties, he knows he sends the condemned to The Great Dreaming peacefully. He is an Evergreen; one of the rare people able to wield magic past childhood. But when a young boy on his execution table insists that something terrible is going on in their kingdom, Blackthorn secretly spares the boy’s life, asking for proof.

When a beautiful healer from the land of Amberfire, Roseleigh, is brought in to be executed next, Blackthorn hesitates, drawn to her. His death spell rebounds on him and only her healing light can spare him. He leaves the castle for recuperation and learns more about a world in which he was kept ignorant.

BURNINGWOOD AND DEVILSBANE, novella 2, releases 9/24 via Everand!

UPCOMING APPEARANCES:

KENNEBUNK, MAINE: 9/21: 11-4pm

Thrilled to return as a featured guest at the 10th annual Southern Maine Steampunk Fair! - I'll be giving a talk on The Eternal Importance of Ghost Stories in the main lecture-hall area and signing books! Tickets available here. 

FAIRHAVEN, MA: 10/5

Saturday, October 5th, I'll be part of Sam Baltrusis' MassParaCon! I'll be part of the Women in the Paranormal panel and also discussing A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America's Ghosts! Tickets available here. 

SALEM, MA: 10/6 - 4-5pm

Meet and Greet at Wicked Good Books! - I'll be signing copies of A Haunted History of Invisible Women in-store and answering spectral questions! 

KING MANOR FALL FESTIVAL - QUEENS, NEW YORK:  10/26 - 1-3pm - Free event!

At this incredible historic house museum's Fall Festival, I'll be giving a talk on the importance of Victorian Spiritualism as it relates to the fight for Women's rights and suffrage, discussing Victorian Seance culture and the significance of ghost lore as cultural touchstone. More about King Manor, directions and more, visit here. More about the Fall Festival here. 

Happy Haunting! 

Happy Release Day to A HAUNTED HISTORY OF INVISIBLE WOMEN: TRUE STORIES OF AMERICA'S GHOSTS!

The day is finally here!

A HAUNTED HISTORY OF INVISIBLE WOMEN: TRUE STORIES OF AMERICA'S GHOSTS, co-authored with Andrea Janes of Boroughs of the Dead is now out in the world! Available in digital, audiobook and trade paperback, wherever books are sold! 

"Deliciously eerie.” —Leslie Rule, Bestselling Author

From the notorious Lizzie Borden to the innumerable, haunted rooms of Sarah Winchester's mysterious mansion this offbeat, insightful, first-ever book of its kind explores the history behind America’s female ghosts, the stereotypes, myths, and paranormal tales that swirl around them, what their stories reveal about us—and why they haunt us . . .

Here's a little excerpt from my "Existential Questions" Introduction, explaining why I do what I do!

Please pick up your copy today! We'd love to continue writing about this intersection of women's history and ghost stories and we can only to that with your support! Cheers, thank you and Happy Haunting! 

A HAUNTED HISTORY OF INVISIBLE WOMEN: TRUE STORIES OF AMERICA'S GHOSTS National Tour!

Join us for A HAUNTED HISTORY OF INVISIBLE WOMEN: TRUE STORIES OF AMERICA'S GHOSTS National Book Tour!

 New York! Denver! St. Louis! Salem! Online!

Sept. 27th Brooklyn 6-9pm

SPIRITED AWAY Launch Party!

Barrows Intense Tasting Room

In-Person Author Talk & Signing!

RSVP: http://Tinyurl.com/spirited927 

 

Oct. 4, Sleepy Hollow, NY 7pm EST

Washington Irving Memorial Chapel

at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

In-person Author Talk and signing!

 

Oct. 5, 6pm EST

Village Preservation Force

Broadcast of Leanna & Andrea’s

Book Talk at the Salmagundi Club!

https://villagepreservation.force.com

 

Oct. 6, 6PM EST

Savoy Bookshop, Westerly, RI

Virtual Event with the authors

http://MysticBooksInc.com

 

Oct. 11, 6PM MT

Goldspot Brewing Company, Denver, CO

Beer Tasting and Book Event

Book Sales by Tattered Cover Books!

http://Goldspotbrewing.com

 

Oct. 13, 6:30PM CDT

Buder Library, St. Louis, MO

In-Person Author Talk +

Book Signing with Leanna!

 

Oct. 17, 8PM EST

Swamp Fox Books, Des Moines, IA

Virtual Event with the Authors

http://Swampfoxbookstore.com

 

Oct. 19, 7PM EST

Bookwoman Books, Austin, TX

Virtual Event with the authors

BookWoman 

Oct. 20, 7PM EST

Monmouth County Library, New Jersey

Virtual Author talk

http://Monmouthcountylib.org

 

Oct. 25, 7PM EST

WORD Bookstore, Brooklyn

In-Person Author Event

In-Person Signing!

RSVP: http://Tinyurl.com/hauntedword

Oct. 26, 7PM EST

92Y Virtual Author Event

https://www.92ny.org

 

Oct. 28, 1PM EST

East Meadow Public Library, NY

Virtual Author Talk

https://eastmeadow.info

 

Oct. 28 7PM EST

Mystery to Me Books, Madison, WI

Virtual Event with the Authors

http://Mysterytomebooks.com

 

Nov. 7, 7PM EST

Morbid Anatomy Museum

Virtual Book Talk

http://Morbidanatomy.org

 

Nov. 10, 7PM EST

Harvard Bookstore, Boston, MA

In-Person Author Event with Andrea & Leanna

Moderated by Sebastian Crane

http://Harvard.com 

Nov. 12-13, Salem MA

Salem ParaConn at Salem State University

Leanna is a Guest of Honor!

Book Talk & Signing

http://TheShamanAndTheShowman.Com

 

About the book:

From the notorious Lizzie Borden to the innumerable, haunted rooms of Sarah Winchester's mysterious mansion, this offbeat, insightful, first-ever book of its kind explores the history behind America’s female ghosts, the stereotypes, myths, and paranormal tales that swirl around them, what their stories reveal about us—and why they haunt us…

Sorrowful widows, vengeful jezebels, innocent maidens, wronged lovers, even the occasional axe-murderess—America’s female ghosts differ widely in background, class, and circumstance. Yet one thing unites them: their ability to instill fascination and fear, long after their deaths. Here are the full stories behind some of the best-known among them, as well as the lesser-known—though no less powerful.

Tales whispered in darkness often divulge more about the teller than the subject. America’s most famous female ghosts, from from ‘Mrs. Spencer’ who haunted Joan Rivers’ New York apartment to Bridget Bishop, the first person executed during the Salem witchcraft trials, mirror each era’s fears and prejudices. Yet through urban legends and campfire stories, even ghosts like the nameless hard-working women lost in the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire —achieve a measure of power and agency in death, in ways unavailable to them as living women.

Riveting for skeptics and believers alike, with humor, curiosity, and expertise, A Haunted History of Invisible Women offers a unique lens on the significant role these ghostly legends play both within the spook-seeking corners of our minds and in the consciousness of a nation.

Pre-Order Wherever Books are Sold! http://linktr.ee/AHauntedHistory

A HAUNTED HISTORY OF INVISIBLE WOMEN: TRUE STORIES OF AMERICA'S GHOSTS is available for Pre-Order wherever books are sold!

Dear Ghost and History Enthusiasts!

A HAUNTED HISTORY OF INVISIBLE WOMEN: TRUE STORIES OF AMERICA'S GHOSTS is available for Pre-Order wherever books are sold! Written by your truly & Andrea Janes (Founder of Boroughs of the Dead), with a powerful Afterword by Linda D. Addison, this book explores haunted house and ghost stories where women's narratives are centered. The book breaks down stereotypes, tropes, power dynamics and more as we examine how we talk about women and their stories, alive or dead. 

Click here for a Linktree list of pre-order links from every available bookseller / retailer! The book releases this fall and we really hope it does well as we'd love to follow up with a second edition full of more stories. 

Thanks for your support! Happy Haunting! 

A SANCTUARY OF SPIRITS on NPR, CRIMINAL ELEMENT and more! High Praise for the latest Spectral City novel!

Darlings! It's been a whirlwind release month full of high-praise for A SANCTUARY OF SPIRITS! Come join in the celebration!

It's been featured on NPR! Check out what the wonderful and talented

Maya Rodale has to say: 

"For a spookier romance, look no further than A Sanctuary of Spirits by Leanna Renee Hieber. It's 1899 in New York City and Eve Whitby, fearless leader of the NYPD Ghost Precinct — think lady ghostbusters — is confronted with a gruesome case involving the ghosts of children, a missing mortician and an especially creepy mesmerist. Fortunately she has the help of an assortment of spirits, mediums and the dashing Detective Jacob Horowitz who not a ghost and very much a man. He and Eve are courting — is it for the sake of appearances, or are real feelings developing? Eve fears losing her independence and ability to work if she marries, but her feelings for Jacob are becoming too real to ignore.

Readers may want to start with the first book in the series (this is the second), though starting here doesn't get in the way of enjoying this otherworldly mystery, gorgeous writing and slow burn of a romance with a man who truly understands a woman, ghosts and all." - Maya Rodale, Bestselling author, latest release: Some Like it Scandalous, for NPR - Read the full NPR article here!

-A SANCTUARY OF SPIRITS has been featured on Criminal Element! I LOVE this personal and heartfelt review from Megan Schuler that celebrates the atmosphere and immersive nature of the book, read her feature here! 

-See what THE GOTHIC LIBRARY has to say, Julia does an amazing job of examining my work and lifting up meaningful aspects that are so important to me. Hear her thoughts on The Good Death and more here!

-Avalinah's Books has SPECTACULAR feature on the Spectral City series, highlighting the diverse representation, especially in regards to disability and various physical aspects the characters deal with as they fight to be taken seriously. Check out the adorable illustrations created to go with this post, my heart melts!

If you haven't gotten your copy of A SANCTUARY OF SPIRITS yet, what are you waiting for?! Please support your local independent or brick and mortar bookstore today! 

IndieBound (Just type in your zipcode to find a local treasure near you! Stores always willing to ship!)

Powell's 

Barnes and Noble

WORD Brooklyn (For signed, personalized copies!) For personalization requests, please note who you would like the book signed to in the Limited number of 5x7 art prints by Kelley Hensing illustrating a scene from the novel will be included as a thank-you gift with purchase!

Amazon  

Cheers and Happy Haunting!

Leanna

http://leannareneehieber.com

Announcing Leanna's new one-woman show BY THE LIGHT OF TIFFANY: A Meeting with Clara Driscoll

As many of you dear readers know, I’ve an extensive background in classical theatre, including adaptation of 19^th century literature for the professional stage which manifested into one-woman shows. I’m thrilled that providence has brought me back around to favorite subject matters and old friends. My many Gaslamp Fantasy novels channel bold, dynamic Victorian women as they struggle to make their way in a restrictive world and now I’ll be doing the channeling more directly: portraying a historical visionary I admire very much.

I’m presently developing By the Light of Tiffany: A Meeting with Clara Driscoll, a one-woman show about a pioneering female designer at the core of the decorative arts movement in Gilded Age America. An award-winning artist, Clara was responsible for designing Tiffany Studios’ most iconic glass lamps and managed the Womens’ Glass Cutting Department- the “Tiffany Girls”- at Tiffany’s New York studios at the end of the 19^th century and into the early 20th Century. This hour long celebration of visionary women, passion, determination and the transcendent beauty of art will be adapted and interpreted from the wonderful wealth of Clara Pierce Wolcott Driscoll’s letters, historical records and inspiring aspects of her unique story.  

Clara Pierce Wolcott Driscoll

The show premieres September 7th in mine and Clara’s home state of Ohio, just down the street from one of the only stained glass companies left in North America, BeauVerre Riordan Glass in Middletown. (Premiere Details here)

After the premiere the show will travel to historic homes, museums and artistic institutions around the country. This is a truly wonderful confluence of my artistic interests and talents. Performances will fold seamlessly into my writing life as I continue writing novels set in the late 19^th century that highlight the importance of women leaders and the transcendent power of art and atmosphere. (Yes, Clara Driscoll appears as a featured character in one of my current novels-in-progress!)

Further Details about the show:

By the Light of Tiffany: A Meeting with Clara Driscoll

Award-winning author, playwright and classically trained actress Leanna Renee Hieber channels the talented artist Clara Wolcott Driscoll, designer of iconic Tiffany lamps and the manager of the Women’s Glass Cutting department of Tiffany Studios. Infused with passion and dedication, By the Light of Tiffany is a one hour celebration of art and vision, a one-woman show adapted from Driscoll’s personal letters, historical record and inspiring insights, showcasing the vitality, innovation and importance of women in the decorative arts movement.

A native of Tallmadge, Ohio, Driscoll was encouraged by a loving, tight-knit family to pursue higher education and after studying first at the Cleveland Institute of Art and then the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, she was hired by Louis Comfort Tiffany to work in his Tiffany Studios and soon was given managerial responsibilities. Driscoll oversaw the “Tiffany Girls”, the Women’s Glass Cutting Department of the Studio and designed many of Tiffany’s most iconic lamps, including the Dragonfly, Wisteria, and Daffodil lamps. Driscoll won first place for her Dragonfly Lamp design at the Paris Exposition in 1900 and was noted as one of the highest paid women of the Gilded Age ($10,000 per year), at a time when women made 60% less than men. She oversaw over 50 women at the department’s height and was an active artist her entire life.

Leanna Renee Hieber grew up in Hamilton, Ohio and graduated from Miami University with a BFA in theatre performance and a focus in the 19^th Century. A member of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s first Young Company, she went on to work in regional theatres around the country doing Shakespeare, classical theatre and adapting 19^th century literature for the professional stage. An award-winning, critically acclaimed author of over 10 Historical Fantasy novels such as the Strangely Beautiful saga, considered a foundation work of Gaslamp Fantasy, the Magic Most Foul saga and the new Eterna Files trilogy with Tor Books. Her work has been featured in notable anthologies and several of her books have been included national book club editions and translated into languages such as Polish, Complex Chinese and German. A New York City resident for twelve years, she is a licensed New York City tour guide, a member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA and has been featured in film and television on shows like Boardwalk Empire and Mysteries at the Museum.

By the Light of Tiffany debuts Sept 7^th as a part of the First Fridays Concert and Artist Series in Middletown, OH, thanks to many Ohio arts council groups:

http://www.myfumc.net/first-fridays-concert-series/

Would you like to bring Clara into your institution? For future booking arrangements, please note Leanna’s Appearance schedule thus far and use the contact form on the Appearances page of her website to inquire about rates and details.

Blessings of color and light!