Book Expo America. That special time, once a year, when publishers from across North America gather in New York to talk shop. They roll out the banners and the swag, and pass out their upcoming titles to booksellers, librarians, and media. For attendees, it’s a chance to get a sneak peek at what’s up in the publishing world, what trends are around the corner and what books publishers are going to push hard in the months to come. But with best selling authors and celebrities all over the place, it’s easy for some titles to get lost in the shuffle.
It’s even easier for books written by women to get lost. Even if a publisher is promoting a book by a female author at Book Expo America (BEA) it’s far from being a sure thing. After all, books by female authors receive less review coverage than those by their male colleagues.
This year big name, male authors will be appearing at BEA—Jonathan Franzen will be promoting his upcoming book, Purity, Lee Child will be chatting about his latest Jack Reacher novel, and James Patterson…well there’s always a new book with this name on it, isn’t there? Authors like these are almost certainly guaranteed best sellers. Their names alone will bring in sales and ensure prime placement in media and bookstores.
Which is not to say there aren’t some bankable female authors making an appearance. Judy Bloom, Candace Bushnell, and Gloria Steinem all have new books coming out. But for those who aren’t already a household name? Competition is fierce.
So if you’re heading to Book Expo America this week, here are ten books by female authors I think you should watch out fof. And if you’re not attending, then mark your calendars. These women have some fabulous stories to tell.
The Blue Between Sky and Water by Susan Abulhawa (Bloomsbury)
A powerful novel about a multi-generational family living in a refugee camp in modern day Gaza. September 1, 2015.
Everything, Everything by Nicola Moon (Random House)
A young girl who is literally allergic to the world outside begins a complicated romance with the boy next door. September 1, 2015.
The Girl from the Garden by Parnaz Foroutan (Ecco)
A debut novel about the downfall of a family of Persian Jews in early twentieth century Iran. August 18 2015.
A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston (Disney)
Through the power of magic and storytelling, a girl tries to save her sister from their mad desert king. October 6 2015.
Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
A fictionalized account of the little known, true story of one of America’s first female deputy sheriffs. September 1, 2015.
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy (Balzer + Bray)
A novel about a big girl in a small town beauty pageant, determined to prove she belongs there and win the guy. September 15, 2015.
A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan (Simon & Schuster)
Written by the former editor of Glamour, comes the story of Alice Pearse, a wife and mother of three who tries to have it all—even if she’s not sure what “it all” is. August 25, 2015.
Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman (HMH Books for Young Readers)
A young adult Western about a girl, who disguises herself as a boy, in order to seek revenge for the murder of her father. September 1, 2015.
Everybody Rise by Stephanie Clifford (St. Martin’s Press)
Evelyn Beegan, 26, finds herself in the heart of the Manhattan elite, determined to prove that despite her “new money” she has every right to be there. A smart, savvy novel about money and class, that’s been described as a “Bonfire of Vanities for the 21st Century.” August 18, 2015.
The Lighting Queen by Laura Resau (Scholastic)
In the remote mountains of 1950s Mexico, an unlikely friendship develops between two marginalized cultures, the Rom and the Mixtec Indians. October 27, 2015.
