{{Short description|American novelist}} {{Infobox | title = Patti Callahan Henry | image = File:PattiHenryPortrait.jpg | label2 = Occupation | data2 = Novelist | label3 = Alma Mater | data3 = Auburn University<br>Georgia State University | label4 = Genre | data4 = Fiction, historic fiction | label5 = | data5 = | label6 = | data6 = | header20 = Website | belowstyle = | below = https://patticallahanhenry.com }}
'''Patti Callahan Henry''' is a New York Times,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hardcover Fiction Books - Best Sellers - Books - May 21, 2023 - The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2023/05/21/hardcover-fiction/ |access-date=2024-08-30 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Globe and Mail,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-19 |title=The Globe and Mail Bestsellers for the week of May 20, 2023 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books/bestsellers/article-the-globe-and-mail-bestsellers-for-the-week-of-may-20-2023/ |access-date=2024-08-30 |work=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA}}</ref> and USA Today<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Secret Book of Flora Lea |url=https://www.usatoday.com/booklist/books/the-secret-book-of-flora-lea/9781668011843/2024-04-10 |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> bestselling author of eighteen novels, including her most recent, ''The Secret Book of Flora Lea''. She is also a podcast host and public speaker. Her novels often explore themes of love, loss, personal transformation, and the power of storytelling.
== Early life and education == Henry attended Auburn University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distinguished Lecture Series presenting Patti Callahan Henry |url=https://ocm.auburn.edu/newsroom/campus_notices/2022/02/241003-distinguished-lecture-series.php |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Office of Communications and Marketing |language=en}}</ref> and later obtained a Master of Science in Nursing from Georgia State University. She worked as a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist before becoming a full-time writer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About {{!}} Patti Callahan Henry {{!}} New York Times Bestselling Author |url=https://www.patticallahanhenry.com/about |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=Patticallahanhenry |language=en}}</ref>
== Career == Henry's writing career began with her debut novel ''Losing the Moon'', which marked the start of her career in fiction. She has since authored eighteen additional novels, including ''The Secret Book of Flora Lea'' (2023), ''Surviving Savannah'' (2021), and ''Becoming Mrs. Lewis'' (2018). Her books have also been translated into numerous languages.
Henry's work in historical fiction is notable for its in-depth exploration of lesser-known stories and figures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeVito |first=Shannon |date=May 3, 2023 |title=Barnes & Noble Presents The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry as Their May 2023 National Book Club Selection |url=https://barnesandnobleinc.com/press-release/barnes-noble-presents-secret-book-flora-lea-patti-callahan-henry-may-2023-national-book-club-selection/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=Barnes & Noble}}</ref> For example, ''Surviving Savannah'' is based on the true story of the Steamship Pulaski, often referred to as "The Titanic of the South."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan: 9781984803771 {{!}} PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/602269/surviving-savannah-by-patti-callahan/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=PenguinRandomhouse.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Her novel ''Becoming Mrs. Lewis'' explores the love story between C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman, offering a fictionalized account of their relationship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davidson |first=Denise |date=2020-03-30 |title='Becoming Mrs. Lewis' explores the turbulent life of the woman C. S. Lewis called 'my whole world' |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2020/03/30/becoming-mrs-lewis-explores-the-turbulent-life-of-the-woman-c-s-lewis-called-my-whole-world/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>
In addition to her fiction, Henry has contributed essays and short stories to various anthologies and publications, including Southern Living, PINK,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet Patti Callahan Henry |url=https://itsallpink.com/features/item/meet-patti-callahan-henry |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=itsallpink.com}}</ref> Writer's Digest,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Column |first=Guest |date=2013-04-15 |title=Writing the "True Novel" |url=https://www.writersdigest.com/june-13/writing-the-true-novel |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=Writer's Digest |language=en}}</ref> and Garden and Gun.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kraft |first=Chris |date=2019-09-17 |title=Remembering Two Icons of the Literary South |url=https://gardenandgun.com/articles/remembering-two-icons-literary-south/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=Garden & Gun |language=en-US}}</ref> She has also written an Audible Original, ''Wild Swan'', which is a novella about Florence Nightingale, narrated by Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Swan {{!}} Patti Callahan {{!}} The Story of Florence Nightingale |url=https://www.patticallahanhenry.com/wild-swan |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=Patticallahanhenry |language=en}}</ref>
== Podcasting and public speaking == Patti Callahan Henry is the co-host and co-creator of the weekly online show and podcast ''Friends and Fiction'',<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://friendsandfiction.com/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=Friends & Fiction |language=en-US}}</ref> which features New York Times bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristy Woodson Harvey, and Kristin Harmel. The show, which airs live every Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM EST, provides insights into the world of writing and publishing and has featured numerous guest authors such as Amor Towles,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FXrydSOLC0&pp=ygUgZnJpZW5kcyBhbmQgZmljZ3Rpb24gYW1vciB0b3dsZXM= |title=Amor Towles {{!}} Friends & Fiction #109 |date=2022-01-26 |last=Friends & Fiction |access-date=2024-09-06 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Kristin Hannah,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwsuoxlZwzE&pp=ygUjZnJpZW5kcyBhbmQgZmljZ3Rpb24ga3Jpc3RpbiBoYW5uYWg= |title=Kristin Hannah {{!}} Friends & Fiction #200 January 17, 2024 |date=2024-01-17 |last=Friends & Fiction |access-date=2024-09-06 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Jodi Picoult,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8nN4raDeEo&t=1s&pp=ygUhZnJpZW5kcyBhbmQgZmljZ3Rpb24gam9kaSBwaWNvdWx0 |title=Jodi Picoult {{!}} Friends & Fiction #62 {{!}} 1 Year Anniversary |date=2021-04-15 |last=Friends & Fiction |access-date=2024-09-06 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Elin Hilderbrand<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpwiKyHmzwI&pp=ygUlZnJpZW5kcyBhbmQgZmljZ3Rpb24gZWxpbiBoaWxkZXJicmFuZA== |title=Elin Hilderbrand {{!}} Friends & Fiction #179 July 26, 2023 |date=2023-07-26 |last=Friends & Fiction |access-date=2024-09-06 |via=YouTube}}</ref> and William Kent Krueger.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMSct6YfhWg&pp=ygUpZnJpZW5kcyBhbmQgZmljZ3Rpb24gd2lsbGlhbSBrZW50IGtydWVnZXI= |title=William Kent Krueger {{!}} Friends & Fiction Episode #46 |date=2021-01-14 |last=Friends & Fiction |access-date=2024-09-06 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://friendsandfiction.com |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Friends & Fiction |language=en-US}}</ref>
Henry has also hosted podcast series that complement her novels, such as "The Untold Story Behind Surviving Savannah"<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Untold Story Behind Surviving Savannah |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-untold-story-behind-surviving-savannah/id1560875802 |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-US}}</ref> and "Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis,"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis |url=https://open.spotify.com/show/508qu2KBdBqxT9dJAj9mzx |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Spotify |language=en}}</ref> where she explores the real-life stories and research behind her books.
== Awards and recognition == Henry has received several awards for her contributions to literature, including:
* The Christy Award for Book of the Year (2019)<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Christy Award™ Archives |url=https://christianbookexpo.com/bookawards/christy/ |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=christianbookexpo.com}}</ref> * The Alabama Library Association Book of the Year (2019)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stuart |first=Shauna |date=2020-01-31 |title=Alabama Library Association Award recipients include director of the Magic City Poetry Festival |url=https://www.al.com/life/2020/01/alabama-library-association-awards-recipients-include-organizer-of-the-magic-city-poetry-festival.html |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=al |language=en}}</ref> * The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year (2020)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haskins |first=Shelly |date=2020-01-19 |title=Mountain Brook author wins 2020 Harper Lee Award |url=https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2020/01/mountain-brook-author-wins-2020-harper-lee-award.html |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=al |language=en}}</ref>
== Bibliography ==
# ''Losing the Moon'' (2004) {{ISBN|9780451211958}} # ''Where the River Runs'' (2005) {{ISBN|9780451215055}} # ''When Light Breaks'' (2006) {{ISBN|9780451218346}} # ''Between the Tides'' (2007) {{ISBN|9780451221148}} # ''The Art of Keeping Secrets'' (2008) # ''Driftwood Summer'' (2009) # ''Coming Up for Air'' (2011) # ''And Then I Found You'' (2013) # ''The Stories We Tell'' (2014) # ''The Idea of Love'' (2015) # ''The Bookshop at Water's End'' (2017) # ''Becoming Mrs. Lewis'' (2018) # ''The Favorite Daughter'' (2019) # ''The Perfect Love Song: A Christmas Story'' (2019) # ''Wild Swan'' (2020) # ''Surviving Savannah'' (2021) # ''Once Upon a Wardrobe'' (2021) # ''The Secret Book of Flora Lea'' (2023) # ''The Story She Left Behind'' (2025)
== References == <references responsive="1"></references>
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry, Patti Callahan}} Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:21st-century American women novelists Category:21st-century American novelists Category:Auburn University alumni Category:Georgia State University alumni Category:American historical fiction writers {{Improve categories|date=September 2024}}