In a quiet, energetic series of emails, Five Rivers reached an agreement with new Canadian author, Alicia Hendley, to publish her debut novel, A Subtle Thing.

Slated for release in the fall of 2010 in both print and digital formats, A Subtle Thing is a raw, honest and relentless novel, written with authority, that follows Beth’s heart-breaking and uplifting battle with clinical depression. You will cheer for her. You will want to shake her. But most of all you find yourself irresistibly drawn into this dark story of hope.

Author Alicia Hendley was born in 1970, grew up in Waterloo, Ontario with her mother (a librarian), her father (a philosophy professor), and her two older twin brothers. Through her mother’s influence, Alicia developed a love of books and was encouraged to use her imagination to enrich her life. Through her father’s influence, Alicia developed a love of ideas and was encouraged to ask questions and to express opinions openly without fear of sounding foolish. Since early childhood, Alicia has been an avid writer and has attempted to make sense of the world around her through stories and poems.

It was her desire to try and better understand the inner lives of people that led her to the field of psychology as a university student. Alicia competed a B.A. in psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1994. While still an undergraduate, Alicia married her first husband. Together they moved to Windsor, but separated a few years later. During her six years in Windsor, Alicia completed an M.A. and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Windsor. Alicia’s research throughout graduate school focused upon eating disorders, an area in which she has remained professionally interested. While a graduate student, Alicia had her first two children (a son and a daughter).

Following graduation, Alicia returned with her children to Waterloo and worked as a psychologist in a variety of settings, conducting assessments and psychotherapy with both young and older clients. Alicia is currently employed as a psychologist in the counselling centre at the University of Waterloo, where she works primarily with young adults.

In 2007, Alicia married Joel Rubinoff (a journalist for The Record–a local newspaper), a long-time bachelor for 47 years with no children. Together they had a son in 2008. Alicia and her happily blended family now live in Guelph, Ontario. Alicia is expecting her fourth (and final!) child in January.

Alicia wrote the initial version of “A Subtle Thing” while on maternity leave with her third child, using stolen moments to write and create while her baby napped nearby. Alicia has found that the busier and more chaotic life has become, the more vital her writing. Whenever possible, wherever possible, and however possible, she writes.

We at Five Rivers are pleased to give this new Canadian author an audience. Watch for A Subtle Thing, by Alicia Hendley in the fall of 2010 through major online book and digital retailers, and keep up to date with breaking news through this blog, the website, Twitter and Facebook.