Luc-Olivier Merson, A Soldier of Marathon (Pheidippides giving word of victory at the Battle of Marathon; 1869, Private Collection)
Dispatch #1: Valeri in the “News” –
My Favourite Impresario:
My long-time friend Jamie Zawinski (Impresario of DNA Lounge) has been so kind as to post a mini-review of Letters from the Dead. Jamie was a rare light of friendship during a very dark time for me and so his note is almost a coming-full-circle moment for my debut novel. I keep this card with me at all times just in case I might find myself on Eleventh Street some night. IYKYK.
A Highly-Coveted “Starred Review”:
I was wonderfully surprised to see Letters from the Dead earn a “starred review” from Publisher’s Weekly. Apparently, starred reviews are reserved for superlative books (“…titles of exceptional merit.”). I’m honoured.
An Interview:
I was very pleased to do a wonderful blog interview with Shylock Holmes in which we touched on subjects as varied as the role of the “aristocracy” in the post-modern world, the Royalists versus the Revolutionaries in 18th Century France, what “old money” really means, and, of course, Letters from the Dead. Do check out An Interview with Isabella Valeri on his Substack.
A Q&A Session:
I was equally thrilled to do a question and answer session with Bianca Vandenbos of Book Notions. If you want to delve into the dual-universe that the characters in Letters from the Dead exist in, the role of long-form writing in a dopamine-hit addicted age, the sequels to Letters from the Dead and much more click on through to a Q&A With Isabella Valeri.