Gail Godwin Books

Publishing is a personal story of a writer's hunger to be published, the pursuit of that goal, and then the long haul--for Gail Godwin, forty-five years of being a published writer and all that goes with it. A student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1958, Godwin met with Knopf scouts who came to campus every spring in search of new talent. Though her five pages of Windy Peaks were turned down and the novel never completed, she would go on to publish two story collections and fourteen novels, three of which were National Book Award finalists, five of which were New York Times bestsellers. Publishing reflects on the influence of her mother's writing hopes and accomplishments, and recalls Godwin's experiences with teachers Kurt Vonnegut and Robert Coover at the Iowa Writers' Workshop; with John Hawkins, her literary agent for five decades; with John Irving and other luminaries; and with her editors and publishers. Recollecting her long and storied career, Godwin maps the publishing industry over the last fifty years, a time of great upheaval and ingenuity. Her eloquent memoir is illuminated by Frances Halsband's evocative black-and-white line drawings throughout. There have been memoirs about writing and memoirs about being an editor, but there is no other book quite like Publishing for aspiring writers and book lovers everywhere.

Story of an artist who flees scandal and despair as he journeys from his family home in a small Southern town to the capitals of prewar Europe.

The narrative centers on a young girl's deep devotion to her father, a rector in a small Virginia church. It explores themes of hope, dreams, and love as they navigate the challenges of betrayal and family tragedy. Celebrated for its emotional depth and beautifully crafted prose, this poignant story highlights the enduring bond between father and daughter, making it one of Gail Godwin's most acclaimed works. The novel stands out in contemporary literature, reflecting Godwin's status among notable Southern authors.

Ten-year-old Helen and her summer guardian, Flora, are isolated together in Helen's dilapidated family home while her father is doing secret war work during the final months of the Second World War. At three Helen lost her mother and the beloved grandmother who raised her has just died. A fiercely imaginative child, Helen is desperate to keep her house intact with all its ghosts and stories. Flora, her late mother's twenty-two-year old first cousin, who cries at the drop of a hat, is ardently determined to do her best for Helen. Their relationship and its fallout, played against the backdrop of a lost America, will haunt Helen for the rest of her life.

Set in a small Smoky Mountain town, the narrative explores the profound impact of community on a woman's life. Through rich character development, the story delves into the complexities of human experience, revealing themes of success and struggle, disappointment and joy. Gail Godwin's emotional precision illuminates the everyday existence of her characters, capturing the essence of their lives and the transformative power of connection.

"After his mother's death, eleven-year-old Marcus is sent to live on a small South Carolina island with his great aunt, a reclusive painter with a haunted past. Aunt Charlotte, otherwise a woman of few words, points out a ruined cottage, telling Marcus she had visited it regularly after she'd moved there thirty years ago because it matched the ruin of her own life. Eventually she was inspired to take up painting so she could capture its utter desolation. The islanders call it "Grief Cottage," because a boy and his parents disappeared from it during a hurricane fifty years before. Their bodies were never found and the cottage has stood empty ever since. During his lonely hours while Aunt Charlotte is in her studio painting and keeping her demons at bay, Marcus visits the cottage daily, building up his courage by coming ever closer, even after the ghost of the boy who died seems to reveal himself. Full of curiosity and open to the unfamiliar and uncanny given the recent upending of his life, he courts the ghost boy, never certain whether the ghost is friendly or follows some sinister agenda. Grief Cottage is the best sort of ghost story, but it is far more than that--an investigation of grief, remorse, and the memories that haunt us. The power and beauty of this artful novel wash over the reader like the waves on a South Carolina beach."--Back cover

Gail Godwin's novels are celebrated for their evocative storytelling and beautifully crafted prose, featuring endearing and unforgettable characters. Her work has garnered critical acclaim, positioning her alongside literary giants like Eudora Welty and Carson McCullers. As a prominent Southern novelist, Godwin's fiction resonates deeply, marking her as a significant voice in contemporary literature.

Violet Clay's aspirations in the New York City art scene unravel as she faces the harsh realities of her life, marked by failed relationships and excessive drinking. After losing her job as a freelance illustrator, the situation worsens when she learns of her Uncle Ambrose's tragic suicide. This pivotal moment forces Violet to confront her past and reassess her future, setting the stage for a journey of self-discovery and redemption amidst personal and professional turmoil.