Tag Archives: newengland

THE BOARD is launched!

Leave a reply

What a week! After months (actually years!) of waiting, THE BOARD was released by Blackstone Publishing on Tuesday September 9th and is available at all places books are sold!

First, I treated myself to a pub day latte at the beloved Red Hen Bakery, in Middlesex, Vermont. That was a LOT of revision, I deserved it.

That afternoon I swung by the beautiful Bridgeside Books in Waterbury, Vermont to sign their stack of books on a gorgeous Vermont fall day.

The official Book Launch Party was Thursday night at Camp Meade in Middlesex, Vermont. After some cake drama, friends, neighbors, community members and colleagues gathered for conversation and tasty treats, then a reading of chapter one and a lively Q and A, then look at this cake (thank you Shaws!).

We had coffee in mugs like Liv drinks throughout THE BOARD, and beautiful fall flower bouquets from Dog River Farm. Jane Knight from Bear Pond Books was on hand to sell freshly published books. I signed many of them, especially for my former students!

I made these character donuts and hid them all over the gallery space. The one who found Till won a book!

We also gave away a fall photography print from Kurt Budliger Photography, whose gallery is around the corner.

We even made the front page of the local newspaper, the Times Argus!

It was an incredible night. I am deeply grateful for everyone who showed up, cheered me on, ready early drafts and supported me in numerous ways. Publishing a book is a community effort!

The Board signed pre-orders open (from Bear Pond Books!)

After a long day of teaching and hosting 120 kids on campus, I opened this box of Advanced Reader Copies and THE BOARD became real. Calm is my middle name, obviously.

(cross posted on my Substack newsletter, Draft and Drift)

Okay, as you can see, I’m super chill about getting the Advanced Reader Copies of my new thriller, THE BOARD, out with Blackstone Publishing on September 9th, 2025. This is my debut fiction for adults, and it feels like a fever dream that it is even real. (Here is the moment I opened the box— I fear I screeched).

I wrote this book in the early AM hours, on my couch, while slugging coffee, before heading in to teach fifth graders during the pandemic. My nerves were shot. My eyes were red and barely open. But the world of small town school politics, board takeovers, and narcissistic leaders, took shape in my mind. And the story, well, it is eerily familiar to what many communities (and dare I say, the country) are facing right now, with book banning, funding being pulled for teaching accurate history and practicing inclusion, though taken to the extreme. THE BOARD, over many early mornings and cups of coffee, was born.

THE BOARD is now open for SIGNED pre-orders from my brave, steady, and super informed local bookstore, Bear Pond Books. For these pre-orders I will go down to Bear Pond, happily sit there, and sign them before they ship. In fact, I am super excited to do so. I LOVE this bookstore and effort to support them while also sharing this story with you. And, you’ll get the first signed copies of THE BOARD, delivered to you on the pub day of September 9th!

Here is a blurb about the book (for which I am so grateful):

“Katy Farber writes with verve about the Machiavellian politics of small towns, and the dark secrets they hide. Clever and propulsive, this taut mystery will keep you turning pages until the end.” —Thomas Christopher Greene, bestselling author of The Headmaster’s Wife

Thank you for considering, for reading, and for supporting your local indie bookstore!