MENUMENU
  • Home
  • Books
    • Home of the American Circus
    • The People We Keep
    • Allie Larkin
  • TrueHearts Collective
  • Events
  • Writer Resources
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Book Clubs
    • Press

Allison Larkin

MENUMENU
  • Home
  • Books
    • Home of the American Circus
    • The People We Keep
    • Allie Larkin
  • TrueHearts Collective
  • Events
  • Writer Resources
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Book Clubs
    • Press

Meet Whatshername…(No, really, what should we name her?)

October 13, 2021 Filed Under: dogs

Yes, we did adopt a new friend! I had thought it was too soon after losing Stella — that maybe I needed to take some time to figure out who I am without a dog. But in these past few months, what I’ve figured out is that I’m a person who finds great joy in sharing my life with a dog. I’m a better me all around when I can be the best person to my dog. And this dog — oh, this dog is magnificent. She’s only six or seven months old. 25lbs and not likely to get that much bigger. The best guess is she’s an Australian Cattle Dog/Jack Russell mix, and that certainly tracks with her markings … [Read more...]

Leave a Comment

Book of the Year nomination for THE PEOPLE WE KEEP!

September 18, 2021 Filed Under: TPWK

Oh, friends!!! I am completely thrilled by this news: The People We Keep is a nominee for @bookofthemonth’s Book of the Year Award! (Fun fact: the award is called The Lolly, after Lolly Willowes, which was the very first BOTM selection in 1926!) Thank you so much, @rachelbilson for choosing TPWK for BOTM and making this possible! After all the time I spent fighting for this book — for April — to be exactly what my heart told me to write, I’m just so amazed and thankful to be on this list! I’m still overwhelmed by all the love you’ve all shared with me since The People We Keep came out through … [Read more...]

1 Comment

Livermore, CA – Coffee & Conversation with Allison Larkin – Tuesday Sep. 14, 2021 11:00am – 12:00pm

September 5, 2021 Filed Under: Book Tour, TPWK

  Join us at Towne Center Books in Livermore for a morning of coffee and book talk! Tuesday Sep 14 2021 11:00am - 12:00pm Details here.  … [Read more...]

Leave a Comment

3 More Ws – Katharine Clark Gray

August 17, 2021 Filed Under: 3 More Ws, 3Ws

I went to Ithaca College with Katharine Clark Gray. Even back then, her sharp intelligence and pure talent were clear and refined. I still remember sitting the dark theatre freshman year, completely astounded by her luminous performance as The Bride in Blood Wedding. One of the best things about being a creative person and growing up around creative people is getting to see how their work grows and evolves, and how they navigate the world with that creative spirit. It's a great joy to watch Katie bring her keen perspective and theatrical sensibilities to all of her creative endeavors, … [Read more...]

Leave a Comment

3 More Ws – Elizabeth Rosner

August 9, 2021 Filed Under: 3 More Ws, 3Ws, writing

I've been a huge fan of Elizabeth Rosner's work since we read The Speed of Light for the Titles Over Tea book club at the Greece Barnes & Noble when I lived in Rochester. We had such a great book discussion about the complex relationships and the legacy of trauma, and it's one of my favorite book memories. When we moved to the Bay Area, I got to see Elizabeth Rosner read from her novel, Electric City, at Book Passage. She talked about the way she collects ideas for her book and it helped me refine my own writing process.  In addition to writing achingly beautiful novels, Elizabeth also … [Read more...]

Leave a Comment

3 More Ws – Stacey Ballis

August 3, 2021 Filed Under: 3 More Ws, 3Ws, author interviews

Stacey Ballis is so cool. She's the author of TEN foodie novels that are all packed with humor, heart, and the kind of food descriptions that will not only make you hungry, but convince you that you've suddenly acquired mad skills and can pop into the kitchen to whip up everything you've read about. And maybe you have acquired these skills. I learn something new from every one of her novels. And Stacey will give you the recipes. She's even written a cookbook!  I'm so happy to have Stacey Ballis back for 3 More Ws. You can read her original interview here.  Thank you, … [Read more...]

Leave a Comment

3 More Ws – Glen Phillips

July 28, 2021 Filed Under: 3 More Ws, 3Ws, music

I made it a goal to write really nice things about all the returning 3Ws interviewees, but I'm already stumped. I have written and rewritten this intro many times, and am not sure I'm any closer to matching words and feelings accurately. I'm not sure it's possible. To say I'm a Glen Phillips fan is a ridiculous understatement. As a teenager in turmoil, Toad the Wet Sprocket gave me context for my feelings. I escaped into those songs and felt like they saved me. Through Toad, a dozen solo albums, and side projects like Mutual Admiration Society, Remote Tree Children, and Works Progress … [Read more...]

Leave a Comment

ONE WEEK UNTIL PUB DAY! New Giveaway!

July 28, 2021 Filed Under: giveaways, TPWK

When I changed the number on this giveaway graphic over to a ONE today, I got the most fluttery bunch of butterflies I've ever had in my whole life. Next Tuesday -- NEXT TUESDAY -- this book I've been carrying in my heart for almost fifteen years will be on-sale wherever books are sold. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, to everyone who has pre-ordered this book or is planning to buy it or told a friend about it or offered me encouraging words. I'm so excited and deeply honored to get to share this work that means so much to me.Here's one last pre-order giveaway before the big day. This one … [Read more...]

Leave a Comment

VIRTUAL Book Tour for The People We Keep!

July 26, 2021 Filed Under: Book Tour, TPWK

VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR DATES: It will be a new experience to do a virtual book tour, and while I’m sad to miss seeing some of you in person, I’m excited to get to share this experience with so many of you who live far and wide. And I cannot wait to talk with @justjuliawhelan, @juliaclaibornej, and @thereseannefowler. I have missed them all so much. 💗 Hope you’ll tune in to one — or even all three. 8/3 - 5PM PST - Rakestraw Books "Live at Home!" with Allison Larkin in Conversation with Julia Whelan (narrator of The People We Keep)  Julia Whelan is an actor, writer, and narrator of over … [Read more...]

Leave a Comment

3 More Ws – Mark Erelli

July 19, 2021 Filed Under: 3 More Ws, 3Ws, music

Photo of Mark Erelli

I'm so excited to bring back the 3Ws interview series on this blog! Getting to ask creative people about their creativity is one of my great joys. So, in addition to bringing new artists into the mix with the original three questions, I thought it would be fun to check in with past interviewees and ask three more. I believe when music is truly thoughtful and hits the right place in our soul, it shapes our perspective. Back in 2000, I ordered Mark Erelli's self-titled album from a Signature Sounds catalog (doesn't that seem so quaint now?) and had the pleasure of attending a live show when … [Read more...]

Leave a Comment

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 39
  • Next Page »
  • Home
  • Allie Larkin
  • Book Clubs
  • Contact
  • Writer Resources
Allison Larkin

allielarkinwrites

Internationally bestselling author of three novels as Allie Larkin and THE PEOPLE WE KEEP. Look for HOME OF THE AMERICAN CIRCUS @gallerybooks May 2025

“Larkin abandons the typical story arc in favor “Larkin abandons the typical story arc in favor of a more naturally flowing up-and-down journey that basks in beautiful moments like a slice-of-life story. Whether it’s banter at the bar Freya’s working or a leaking roof that is simply one more thing than she can possibly handle right now, the characters and their experiences are so real and pure that their joys and sorrows are amplified tenfold.” 

So honored by this AP review of Home of the American Circus! 

https://apnews.com/article/home-american-circus-allison-larkin-book-review-79ea3d1fdb69ef16232a8dfb7d148ad6

#homeoftheamericancircus #booksbooksbooks
I’ve seen a bunch of references to Home of the A I’ve seen a bunch of references to Home of the American Circus as my second novel. It’s actually my 5th! Before The People We Keep, under the name Allie Larkin, I wrote three books: Stay, Why Can’t I Be You, and Swimming for Sunlight. Here they are in their various editions with some of their translations! (And @justjuliawhelan also narrated Stay and Why Can’t I Be You, if you’d like to listen!)

Fun fact: That gorgeous dog on the hardcover of Stay was actually our dog Argo, and I took that photo of him when @duttonbooks couldn’t find the perfect photo of a black German Shepherd. #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram
Pub Day Part One. The thing is, it’s really hard Pub Day Part One. The thing is, it’s really hard to be a creative person in the world, and the blessing, the salvation, the joy of it is the community around art: the writers who will call an emergency novel Zoom meeting when you’re stuck on a draft, the ones who roll up their sleeves and make sure your words are saying what you intend to say, the one who writes an interview to promote your book in the local paper, the reader who captures pictures of the event and makes a reel, the bookstore saints who plan a meal based on the story and serve blue and yellow cupcakes and sing happy birthday to your book on launch day, the readers who show up and get books signed and ask great questions and tell stories about their lives. That’s book magic. And thanks to @townecenterbks (especially Judy and Stacey although I know there are bookstore saints behind the scenes too) and @reneewritesnovels and @woolfmania and @cassandra.a.dunn and @lindalattelessons @aneedleinmybookstack and everyone who showed up to Read it and Eat, I will never ever forget the pub day for Home of the American Circus. You all made it so special. Thank you! I love you. I’m so grateful to be part of the community of writers and readers. ❤️🐘
@deborahblakeauthor RIGHT BACK AT YOU! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I will be back on Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I will be back on the grid tomorrow! I love you all so much and I’m so grateful for your support! 😘😘😘 #homeoftheamericancircus
Well, here we are on the eve of Pub Day for Home o Well, here we are on the eve of Pub Day for Home of the American Circus! 

You know that classic bit of writing advice about how you’re supposed to write the book that scares you? Well, for a long time the thought of actually writing and sharing Home of the American Circus scared the heck out of me. I spent many many years collecting ideas for this book, terrified by the thought of how deep I’d have to dig to tell this story the right way. The book is firmly fiction, and the characters are all my imaginary friends, but the setting and themes are literally and figuratively close to home for me. Freya’s story isn’t mine, we have different life events and demographics, but I understand her sense of grief and loss and floundering and hope on a cellular level. And of all the characters I’ve ever written, the way her mind works is the closest to how I think and feel. It takes place in the town where I grew up. And I think when you read this book, you won’t know my life story, but you will know the tenor of my heart. I grew up as a kid with undiagnosed ADHD in a place where I didn’t fit, frantically trying to look normal, believing it was the only way anyone would love me. Always falling short, terrified of failure. And then in my early twenties, I dropped out of college and worked at a biker bar and made such a huge mess of my life that I was forced to build myself up again brick by brick—this time knowing that failure isn’t the worst thing that can happen to a person. That as long as you can find the strength to try again in one way or another, falling flat on your face is not the end of the world. And I learned that the only way to truly feel loved is to be yourself and see who’s up for loving you in your natural form. The people I keep taught me that. And even though it scared me, this was a book I needed to write, it’s the work I’m most proud of, with characters I love the most. So sharing it doesn’t feel like the end of the world at all. Just the end of the world where I have not shared this novel set in ny hometown with a character who has a heart like mine. #misheardlyrics #rem #homeoftheamericancircus #awkwardguitar #itstheendoftheworldasweknowitandifeelfine
Load More... Follow on Instagram

© Allison Larkin | Site by Little Leaf Design | Photos by Helenna Santos