Sarah P. Blanchard
Sarah P. Blanchard writes about conflicted people making difficult decisions in impossible situations, sometimes with good outcomes.
Her highly acclaimed 2023 short story collection, Playing Chess with Bulls, features many such narratives. The title story was a finalist for the 2021 Doris Betts Fiction Prize.
Her new novel, Drawn from Life, introduces a young woman who must confront a powerful antagonist as she seeks the truth of the tragic accident that has branded her an accidental killer.
Praise for Drawn from Life:
"Holds you captive not just with its clever, dark plot, but with characters so riveting, real, and relatable that it’s impossible to put the book down...A superb blend of psychological thriller and literary fiction."
5/5 stars —Viga Boland, Readers' Favorite
"An expertly plotted thriller powered by twisty suspense and memorable characters." —BookLife
"Must read. A psychological thriller worthy of placement alongside Stephen King, James Patterson, Lee Child, Gillian Flynn..." 5/5 stars—Lorraine Cobcroft, Reedsy Discovery
"Brilliantly written with strong, imperfect characters." —Manhattan Book Review
"An accomplished debut...A winner." —The Prairies Book Review
"A gripping narrative of redemption, fortitude, and bravery." 5/5 stars —BookView Reviews
"Blanchard delivers a skillfully executed story of suspense with compellingly complex characters….A well-crafted thriller about memories regained." —Kirkus Reviews
DRAWN from LIFE
Released April 1, 2024
Read the first two chapters from Drawn from Life:
CHAPTER ONE Thursday, November 18, 2015 - 2:00 a.m.
“Really, Em. You’re being such a drama queen, all that moaning and groaning. It’s not like you’re dying. You saw the X-rays, it’s just a little crack.” Lucy risked a glance away from the wet road to frown at her cousin, huddled beneath a blanket in the passenger seat.
“And your shirt’s buttoned crooked,” she added. “You look like a sad-ass refugee.”
A gust of wind rocked the car...
[Continue reading: Click here to view/download the PDF of chapters One and Two.]
Sarah Blanchard’s Playing Chess with Bulls is a surprising and eclectic collection of well-executed literary fiction....Highly recommend. — five stars
"Surprising and eclectic" Amazon
Reviews: Playing Chess with Bulls story collection (December 2023)
Had me roped in from the first sentence, and then I couldn't turn pages fast enough. As a poet, love Blanchard's language, as a reader, smitten by the vivid images. — five stars
"Masterful storytelling" Amazon
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"The Bus Driver" is a terrific story from start to finish. I saw it, felt it, loved everything about it. The voice is spot on."
Reader at Sixfold
Upcoming Appearances
April 18, 2024 6:30 pm - Reading -Transylvania Arts Council, 349 S. Caldwell St, Brevard, NC
May 18, 2024 12:00-1:00 pm - Meet the Author - Book Sales & Signing at Sassafras on Sutton, Black Mountain, NC
May 18, 2024 2:00-3:00 pm - Meet the Author - Book Sales & Signing at Blue Ridge Books, Waynesville, NC