VETERAN JOURNALIST TURNED NOVELIST: Hafner is a highly respected New York Times journalist and memoirist who has written about mental health and solitude; in this exciting debut she turns her narrative skills to fiction. CONNECTED AUTHOR: Through her years of reporting, Hafner has a wide network of friends in the media she will draw upon to help us publicize the book; she is married to Bob Wachter, guest host of the podcast In the Bubble, who has a big social media following and will help promote the book. PODCAST: Hafner is launching her own podcast on the Smithsonian’s platform about forgotten female scientists (timing TK). POST-PANDEMIC NOVEL: Hafner wrote this novel during the pandemic—it may be the first novel about the effects of Covid on our mental health. This provides a strong non-fiction angle to promote the book with. TIGHTWIRE ACT:The second half of the book introduces a surprise that will shock, thrill, and awe the reader. It begins as a traditional family novel; it ends as a brilliant tour de force.