Jessica Strawser inks deal with Lake Union for two new novels:
Read the scoop in Publishers Weekly. More soon on The Last Caretaker, coming November 2023.

The Next Thing You Know is new-in-paperback (March 2023)!

• People Magazine: The Next Thing You Know is a “People Pick” for Best New Books! (4/4 issue)
• Publishers Weekly raves about The Next Thing You Know: “Strawser spins a magical tale of love and loss in her wildly unpredictable latest. … A fraught and impossibly beautiful story.”
• E! News says “the twists keep coming!” in naming The Next Thing You Know to its Sweet “16 Books to Add to Your Reading List in March.”
• The Philadelphia Inquirer names The Next Thing You Know one of the best romantic reads of the summer.
• CityBeat marks the publication week with a lovely feature: “Cincinnati Author Jessica Strawser’s Fifth Novel The Next Thing You Know Deals With Death, Hope, and an Indie Musician”
• BookTrib names The Next Thing You Know one of its recommended Books for Troubled Times.
• The Next Thing You Know and A Million Reasons Why are both featured food & literature pairings at The Book Club Cookbook.
• The Dayton Daily News recommends The Next Thing You Know for its “tender surprises” in “Get These New Titles on Your Radar.”
• Jessica Strawser writes for Career Authors about creating characters whose unique professions drive the plot—with a special look at the end-of-life doula central to The Next Thing You Know. Then, go “Behind the Pages” in a Career Authors exclusive.
• The Borneo Bulletin spotlights The New Thing You Know in its new books roundup for the month: “Marching Through New Reads.”
• Macmillan Audio offers an exclusive excerpt of The Next Thing You Know audiobook here.
• The American Library Association’s Booklist praises The Next Thing You Know: “Heartbreaking from page one, suffused with tension… A natural read-alike for Jodi Picoult’s The Book of Two Ways and Jennifer Smith’s The Unsinkable Greta James.“
• BookTrib delves deep in “Jessica Strawser’s Latest Meditates on Compassion and Dignity at Life’s Inevitable End.”
• Listen to USA Today Bestseller Tif Marcelo chat with Jessica on the “Stories to Love” podcast about the inspiration behind The Next Thing You Know, death doulas, and stories with legs.
• The Next Thing You Know is a Lori & Julia Book Club Pick on MyTalk107.1 in Minneapolis & St. Paul! Stream Jessica’s heartfelt on-air interview with Lori & Julia now.
• Learn more about the “accidental” inspiration behind The Next Thing You Know on Writer Writer Pants on Fire, from award-winning YA author Mindy McGinnis.
• City Lifestyle Cincinnati & Loveland Lifestyle magazines profile Jessica Strawser as a “Local Gem.”
• The Providence Journal‘s Jon Land raves over the new paperback edition of A Million Reasons Why: “Jessica Strawser carves out a place for herself alongside the likes of Alice Hoffman, Jodi Picoult and Judith Guest… Wonderfully conceived and beautifully written.”
• The Florida Keys Weekly spotlights The Next Thing You Know as a “beautifully written, heartwarming” read among Books for National Suicide Awareness Month.
• BuzzFeed News names the new paperback edition of The Next Thing You Know a must-preorder book for March.

Buzz for A Million Reasons Why (now available!):

• The Associated Press reviews A Million Reasons Why in the nationwide news wire: “The intricacies of the character’s lives are fascinating, their secrets unpredictable, and the challenges they face infinitely complex.”
• The Los Angeles Daily News & Orange County Register spoke with Strawser about the real-life issues behind the novel: “How the Shock of an Unexpected DNA Match Sparks Family Drama of A Million Reasons Why.“
• Watch Jessica Strawser discuss A MillIon Reasons Why on the March 23 episode of Adriana Ink! with host Adriana Trigiani.
• Watch Jessica Strawser discuss A Million Reasons Why on Reading With Robin.
• She Reads names A Million Reasons Why 1 of “The 12 Most Anticipated Books of 2021” (alongside Kristin Hannah, Sally Hepworth, and more smash bestsellers).
• E News! picks A Million Reasons Why as 1 of “15 Books to Add to Your Reading List ASAP,” calling it “compelling story about the true bonds of family.”
• A Million Reasons Why makes Frolic‘s 10 Hot Reads for March.
• A Million Reasons Why tops the Bookish short list of “Women’s Fiction Getting Rave Reviews on NetGalley.”
• The American Library Association’s Booklist awarded A Million Reasons Why a Starred Review in the March 15, 2021 issue, calling it “a standout.”
• The March 2021 Library Journal issues a glowing “verdict” on A Million Reasons Why: “Intertwined secrets are revealed in swift plotting that will keep readers turning the pages. This emotional family and medical drama from Strawser (Not That I Could Tell) will appeal to fans of Jodi Picoult and Liane Moriarty.”
• Goodreads names A Million Reasons Why one of the Most Anticipated Mysteries of 2021.
• Recommended by USA Today bestseller Kristy Woodson Harvey via BookTrib‘s “2021 Women’s Fiction to Watch For.”
• First Chapter Fun features the opening of A Million Reasons Why on the March 18 episode, streaming live on FB and IG.
• Listen to Jessica Strawser discuss A Million Reasons Why on the Book It! Podcast—and hear the hosts gush about why they’re already calling it one of the year’s best books.
• Preview an excerpt of the Macmillan Audio production of the A Million Reasons Why audiobook.
• Hear bestsellers Patti Callahan Henry & Kristy Woodson Harvey chat with Jessica Strawser on the Friends & Fiction podcast.
• Tune in to hear bestselling author & host Amy Impellizzeri interview Jessica Strawser on Tall Poppy Writers’ “I Know How This (Book) Ends” via Apple or Spotify.
• Check out A Million Reasons Why and other great reading recommendations on BookTrib‘s roundups of “10 Books by Women to Read This Spring” & “Summer Thrillers to Keep You Glued to Your Beach Chair.”
• Listen as BookStorm podcast takes a deep dive into the themes of A Million Reasons Why, with Jessica along for the discussion.
• “What Happens When a DNA Test Reveals Shocking Secrets?” BookBub recommends A Million Reasons Why among the best novels on this fascinating theme.

Jessica Strawser recently completed a distinguished term as 2019 Writer-in-Residence for the Library Foundation of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Many of her offerings for readers and fellow writers through the program are still accessible online—including the “Inside the Writer’s Head” podcast, online articles, and more.

Forget You Know Me is NEW IN PAPERBACK (3/3/2020, with a bonus discussion guide inside)!

• New paperback featured in Writer’s Digest: “Why (& How) Books Sometimes Get New Covers”
• Starred Review in Publishers Weekly: “Masterful … Works equally well as an airtight thriller and a memorable depiction of an old friendship growing increasingly strained. Fans of well-written suspense are in for a treat.” (Dec. 24, 2018 issue)
• Reviewed in Booklist: “Strawser is a clear master of the craft … Will lure book clubs and lovers of emotionally complex fiction.” (Jan. 1, 2019 issue)
• Hotlisted by Goodreads: “The 36 Big Mysteries & Thrillers of 2019”
• Named to PopSugar’s Best New Books Coming Out This Winter
• BookBub’s Best New Books Coming Out Winter 2018-2019
• Featured in The Atlanta 100: Chill Out With the Perfect Winter Read
• Recommended in The Augusta Journal By the Book: Curl Up With a Literary Companion
• The Akron Beacon Journal / Ohio.Com: Local Books: Thriller Centers on Friendship
• Book Clubbish: 25 Books We’re Loving This February
• Read Jessica Strawser’s LitHub Essay: “The Plight of the Unwitting Witness”
• Listen to Jessica Strawser discuss FYKM on NPR affiliate WVXU “Around Cincinnati”
• Cincinnati CityBeat: “Local Author Jessica Strawser Releases Third Tale of Domestic Suspense”
• Pittsburgh City Paper: “Strawser Has Carved a Niche Through In-Depth Stories” 
• Jungle Red Writers: “Don’t Forget This”
• Chick Lit Central: “Jessica Strawser Is Unforgettable”
• AAR (All About Romance) “Desert Isle Keeper”: Forget You Know Me
• The Nerd Daily: Great February Fiction Releases
• Library Links: Author Spotlight
• The Parkersburg News and Sentinel: Friendship Frays in New Novels
• BookTrib New Suspense Review: Forget You Know Me Is “Deft and Flawless”
• BookReporter.com Review: “Read Forget You Know Me. You can’t go wrong.”

Not That I Could Tell is NOW AVAILABLE in a special Reading Group Gold paperback edition! (Jan. 8, 2019)

• A featured Book of the Month Club selection for March! See what the selection committee had to say about the book they dub a “page-turner à la Big Little Lies.”
• The Pittsburgh-Post Gazette praises Not That I Could Tell as “a deeply thoughtful book… a nuanced portrayal of domestic violence: how it begins, how it continues, and its devastating after-effects.”
• Featured Title in Modern Mrs. Darcy’s 2018 Summer Reading Guide
• A Barnes & Noble Best New Fiction Selection!
• Buzzfeed: “5 Suspenseful Thrillers for Fans of Ruth Ware”
• BookBub: “12 Book Club Books to Read This Spring”
• Goodreads Trend Alert: Exploring the “Moms in Danger” Thrillers
• Bustle: “9 New Book Covers Rocking Pantone’s Color of the Year”
• The Daily Beast: “What to Read in March”
• BookBub: “New Books for Jodi Picoult Fans Coming in 2018”
• PopSugar: “The Best New Books You Should Read This Spring”
• CityBeat profile: “A Close-to-Home Thriller From a Rising Local Writer”
• Publishers Weekly reviews Not That I Could Tell as an “engrossing, taut tale”
• Booklist raves, “Full of slow-burning intrigue, Strawser’s second novel will appeal to fans of Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies and Jennifer Kitses’ Small Hours.”
• Booktrib‘s “6 Best Thrillers of the Season”
• BookBub: 16 New Books We’d Call in Sick For
• The Providence Journal reviews Not That I Could Tell as “a psychological thriller of the highest order, as well written as it is structured”
• Named a Publishers Lunch & Netgalley “On Our Radar” noteworthy title
• Writer’s Digest “Most Anticipated Upcoming Books”
• The Parkersburg News & Sentinel: “A story that makes everyone question their motives, this one will leave you thinking after the pages are done.”
• All About Romance rates Not That I Could Tell a “Desert Isle Keeper”
• Read a free excerpt via Macmillan, Criminal Element or Vilma Iris.
• Released from Hodder Books in the UK April 5, 2018!
• Modern Mrs. Darcy: 12 Great Books That Celebrate the Power of Female Friendship

Buzz for Almost Missed You (now in paperback):

• Reading Group Gold guide included in all new paperback editions!
• One of Book Riot‘s 2018 “34 Suspenseful Page-Turners for Summer Reading”
• Named Among Great Thoughts’ Top Books of 2017
• Cincinnati Magazine: “A New Tumultuous Read Through the Queen City”
• CityBeat: “Notable Regional Books of 2017”
• BookReporter.com Summer Reading Feature Selection
• Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Pick (“Intense Novels” Category)
• Richmond Times-Dispatch review (“imaginative … leaves the reader breathless.”)
• Akron Beacon-Journal review (“the quality of Strawser’s writing will keep the pages turning”)
• BookBub: 17 Breakthrough Books of Spring 2017
• Complicated Love Stories to Read With Your Book Club (via BookBub)
• Almost Missed You on Barnes & Noble’s Best New Fiction shortlist for March
• Almost Missed You among PopSugar’s Best Spring Reads
• Brain, Child interview: “Don’t Miss Almost Missed You”
• The Cincinnati Enquirer profile: “Writer’s Digest Editor Pens Cincy-Set Novel”
• Dayton Daily News: “Writer’s Digest Editor Scores With Debut Novel”
• RT Book Reviews: “A book worth losing sleep over”
• USA Today: “Top Wistful Reads That Explore ‘What If?’ and ‘If Only…'”
• Flavorwire‘s “The Sweetest Debut”
• Caroline Leavittville: “Marriage, Secrets, Mystery & A Stunning Debut”
• Huffington Post: “An Interview With Jessica Strawser”
• Publishers Weekly’s Soapbox “Every Writer Needs an Editor …”
• Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: “Debut Novel Offers a Lot to Talk About”
• Coming in the UK August 9, 2018, from Hodder Books!

SIGNINGS & APPEARANCES

Events are regularly added; please see the Events + Workshops page.

FEATURED INTERVIEWS

OHIO Alumna Named 2019 Writer-in-Residence by Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County
Via my alma mater, the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University

Public Display of Imagination
A podcast “adventure” delving into Forget You Know Me.

WVXU “Around Cincinnati” Interview With Barbara Gray (2019)
On Forget You Know Me & being named the library’s 2019 Writer-in-Residence

Soapbox Cincinnati: Starring Cincinnati
A roundup of locally set novels and the people who wrote them.

WeGrowMedia: Dabblers vs. Doers
A podcast where the name says it all. (November 2018)

Now Appalachia
Regional podcast interview. (October 2018)

Writer’s Digest: Jessica Strawser Discusses the Journey From Editor to Author & Her New Book, Not That I Could Tell
An in-depth interview with the magazine I led for nearly a decade.

WVXU “Around Cincinnati” Interview With Barbara Gray (2018)
Stream our discussion about the interplay between the characters in Not That I Could Tell, and the inspiration behind them.

WYSO “Book Nook”
A chat with host Vick Mickunas via Yellow Springs, where Not That I Could Tell is set.

“3 Ways to Use ‘Accidental Research’ to Write More Authentic Fiction
Part essay, part how-to, this guest post on Women Writers, Women’s Books discusses the experiences that influenced Not That I Could Tell and offers advice for fellow scribes.

Cover to Cover: A Streaming Radio Discussion of Not That I Could Tell
With gratitude to emcee Mark Dewitt for hosting me.

30 Seconds of Writing Advice, Live with Jessica Strawser, via Writer’s Digest
A lightning round video from my writing room.

The Debutante Ball Interview
With The Queen of Hearts author Kimmery Martin on influences, favorite characters, and basing fiction on real people (or not).

The National Book Review: Jessica Strawser on Her Dazzling Debut
Feature interview with John Valeri.

Literary Mama Profile
“Jessica Strawser works literary magic from two distinct angles …”

Ohio Magazine: “3 Questions With Author Jessica Strawser”
On setting books in my home state, and more.

Cincinnati Public Library “Inside the Writer’s Head” Podcast
A look inside my writing life hosted by the library’s 2017 writer-in-residence, Kurt Dinan.

Interview with YouTube Host Tim Knox
On my new role as Writer’s Digest editor-at-large, fiction writing influences, and more.

Video Chat via Must Read Fiction
Discussing both novels and more.

Video Chat on the “Writing Fun” YouTube Channel
In real time from my writing room.

Featured in 2 Elizabeths: A Literary Magazine With a Heart for Community
On the continued influence of Writer’s Digest on my writing life, and much more.

“Joy on Paper” Syndicated Radio
Tune in for a live interview broadcast Thursday, June 8, 11 a.m. EST.

Littsburgh: 5 Questions With Jessica Strawser
Interview with the fine literary folks in my hometown of Pittsburgh, plus an excerpt of Almost Missed You.

’17 Scribes Interview With Jessica Strawser
A release day Q&A discussing Almost Missed You.

Around Cincinnati, WVXU (91.7 FM, Cincinnati)
Stream audio of my March 26 interview on my local NPR affiliate.

Tall Poppy Writers: Meet Jessica Strawser
On my favorite books, the perks of the writing gig, and happiness.

The DIYMFA Podcast, Episode 140
Host Gabriela Pereira steers this in-depth interview in which I delve into writing multiple POV suspense, building complicated characters, and more.

Kimmery Martin’s Book Blog
A book review and author interview, all rolled into one.

Wednesdays With Writers
Writer Leslie Lindsay reviews Almost Missed You and asks me all about soul mates, my best advice from my years at Writer’s Digest, and more.

The Sharing Your Book Blog: For Book Lovers, by Authors
A Q&A about Almost Missed You courtesy of fellow author Jill Hannah Anderson.

Alaska Radio: On Top of the World 
A discussion with host Chris Story (and possibly the closest I will ever get to setting foot in Alaska!).

Women and Adversity
A Q&A as part of this ongoing blog series.

Listen to me talk writing with bestselling author-host Steven James on “The Story Blender” via Suspense Radio (original air date: Feb. 12, 2016)

Get freelance writing tips from my guest spot on “Literary Speaking” (with host Crystal-Lee Quibell’s) via Blogtalk Radio, also available on iTunes (original air date: March 1, 2016)

On Reading With Robin, PopSugar‘s Brenda Janowitz discusses her best spring fiction picks, including Almost Missed You.