09/17/08

New Novel by Joyce Hinnefeld Takes Flight

More than 60 listeners crowded the Moravian Book Shop, Thursday, September 11, to hear Joyce Hinnefeld, associate professor of English, read from In Hovering Flight, her first published novel. At least ten other speaking engagements throughout the region and beyond are planned to promote the book throughout the coming months.

"In Hovering Flight is a novel about enduring love," said Joyce, before reading the first of several passages, "...the love between the central characters, Addie and Tom; their love for their daughter Scarlet; for Addie's good friends Cora and Lou; and love for the land and the natural world--which drives Addie and Tom to produce their life's great work."

The novel already has garnered critical accolades. Published by Unbridled Books, In Hovering Flight was chosen by IndieBound, the American Association of Independent Booksellers, as its top pick nationwide for September. Publisher’s Weekly called it “provocative and page-turning,” and a Philadelphia Magazine reviewer commented that it " …is deep and believable, largely because Hinnefeld seems to know (and love) that of which she writes.”

"I knew, very early on, that I wanted bird song to figure prominently in the novel, for the simple reason that for as long as I can remember, the sound of a singing bird never failed to soothe me." —Joyce Hinnefeld

Local readers will recognize familar landscapes, such as the Delaware River, Hawk Mountain, and Jersey shore. The fictional "Burnham College includes elements of both Moravian and Hanover College, my alma mater," added Joyce.

Joyce Hinnefeld's previous book of short stories, Tell Me Everything (University Press of New England, 1998) received the 1997 Bread Loaf Writers Conference Bakeless Prize in Fiction. Dr. Hinnefeld also serves as director of the Writing Center.

For details about upcoming speaking engagements and book signings, and for more information about In Hovering Flight, visit www.inhoveringflight.com