One Week Until One of Us Knows!

Catching up, coming events, and a bonus cover reveal!

Hi! Maybe you forgot that you were subscribed to this newsletter since it’s been almost three years since I last sent one out. A lot has happened in that time, but I guess the biggest recent thing is I moved from Martinique to mainland France. I now live in Bourgogne, where the wine and mustard flow freely.

Moving across the world again, this time with multiple pets, was daunting but went way more smoothly than I thought it would! I had no idea what to expect, as neither me nor Mr. Cole were familiar with the region, but I’m loving it so far. I’m way more active, I’ve been able to get ADHD meds after years of frustrating struggle, having four seasons again is amazing, and overall I’m just in a much better headspace, though there are many things I miss about Martinique, including our chickens.

To add a dash of “Alyssa’s Emo Journal” here: being a professional creative can really mess you up. I’ve been see-sawing between burnout and hyper-perfectionism for a while, but now consciously breaking that unhealthy cycle. I’m being much kinder to myself these days, and consciously reconnecting with my love of reading and writing (not publishing). I feel like so many of us, no matter our jobs, have spent years grinding ourselves to a fine dust and then being upset that a pile of dust isn’t capable of doing the same work as our whole, unground selves. If you’re feeling similarly, I hope you’ll try to be kind to yourself, too.

As for this newsletter, I have plans to get back to sharing lots of fun stuff like I did before, including the return of Romancing the Globe, but this one will mostly be book news.

ONE OF US KNOWS

ONE OF US KNOWS will be out next week! Pre-order links here!

I’ve already said that this book is probably the most ambitious thing I’ve ever written: a multi-POV, multi-layered, double locked room mystery. All of the POVs share the same body and brain because they’re part of a Dissociative Identity Disorder system, but not the same memories—or the same secrets.

They’re hired as winter caretaker of a historical castle on an island in the Hudson River, but no one is quite clear on how they got the position, and everything—from the haunted castle, the island tradition of “surviving until morning,” the hot grumpy groundskeeper lady, the nor’easter rolling in, and the sketchy conservation trust who own the place—is setting off warning sirens.

The main protagonist is Ken, prickly, resentful, and not at all cool with being dragged out of a six-year dormancy to deal with her headmates and whatever mess they’ve gotten themselves into. As multiple issues threaten Bad Day System even where they should be safest, they’ll have to learn to trust one another if they want to survive the night.

Praise for One of Us Knows

“Cole presents a master class in characterization and narrative structure as Ken's headmates "front" in response to the world outside while fighting an internal battle. The mystery of Della's disappearance coincides with the mystery of the castle in surprising ways that will keep readers on their toes in this brilliant, adroit novel.” —BOOKLIST *Starred Review

“The unusual premise works well in Cole’s capable hands, and she writes about DID with human nuance. One of Us Knows will certainly keep your heart beating while you’re relaxing by the shore.” – Harper’s Bazaar

“Cole mixes a spooky, isolated setting with a hint of the gothic and a storyline that isn’t afraid to tackle tough social issues and creates a book that is both entertaining and insightful.” — LIBRARY JOURNAL *Starred Review

And the one that made me actually cry: Nalini Freaking Singh!!

[Text: "A brilliant thriller with a protagonist unlike any other. An incredible read! I couldn't put it down!"]

Audiobook

The narration for this book is being performed by Susan Dalian, the amazing actress who gave an Audie-winning turn as Sydney in When No One Is Watching! So thrilled to be able to work with her again!

In-person events

I’ll be doing some East Coast events soon! My lovely friend Kellye Garrett and I will be celebrating the release of her next thriller, MISSING WHITE WOMAN (out April 30th), and ONE OF US KNOWS!

Tuesday, April 30th - Word Bookstores - Jersey City

moderated by Jordan Hernandez (@_completelybooked)

Wednesday, May 1st- Uncle Bobbie’s - Philadelphia

Thursday, May 2nd - Loyalty Bookstores - Washington DC

moderated by L.S. Stratton

Runaway Royals Trade Paperback Release!

HOW TO CATCH A QUEEN and HOW TO FIND A PRINCESS are being released in Trade Paperback with new covers ahead of book 3, which we’ll call “Multitool Ever After” for now.

I’ve already shared the beautiful cover for the HOW TO CATCH A QUEEN trade paperback, which will be out on August 13th, 2024 (preorder here):

And now I can also share the super cute aquatic-themed cover for HOW TO FIND A PRINCESS (preorder here)!! If you look closely enough, you may or may not spot a sea slug…

Covers designed by the fabulous Emily Wittig Designs!