WRITING & PUBLISHING
The Incredible Journey of ‘What Comes After’
From meditative thesis novel to Book of the Month
Dear Subscribers: This is a story from my Medium archives that I thought might interest you — since this incredible novel is just out in paperback. Thanks so much for reading!
When you teach creative writing, few joys can compare with the publication of a student’s first book. When that book is a grand success, pride and awe add to the ride. JoAnne Tompkins’s debut novel, ‘What Comes After’, is enjoying just such a launch. Even before its publication, it received rave advance reviews. The New York Times called it a “nail-biting wallop of a debut.” The Washington Post described it as a “gritty meditation on loss and redemption, drenched in stillness and grief.” Oprah listed it as one of the most anticipated books of 2021. And the Book of the Month Club selected it as an April read. As one of Tompkins’s MFA advisers, I am beyond thrilled for her.
What makes this acclaim all the more delicious is Tompkins’s personal humility, which defies much of the conventional advice in publishing today. This emerging author is…
