This image is the cover for the book Seamstress of Hollywood Boulevard

Seamstress of Hollywood Boulevard

A Kansas seamstress reinvents herself in Los Angeles, but the past comes back to haunt her, in this “superb, surprising” historical novel (The Seattle Times).

At age seventeen, Nell Plat is an unhappily married woman, quick with her needle and wit, but ill-suited to wifely duties like cooking, mothering, and tending to her boorish husband. Unable to shake her dreams of glamour and excitement, she abandons her family and quiet life in Kansas for the hustle, bustle, and glittering lights of Los Angeles.

Among the wannabes and celebrities of the silver screen, Nell reinvents herself as Madame Annelle, seamstress to the stars. But just as she begins stitching her way to success, her past shows up on her doorstep, threatening to unravel her carefully crafted ruse.

“Meticulously researched” (The A.V. Club) and “vibrant with historical accuracy” (SFGate)—based on the true story of the author’s grandmother—The Seamstress of Hollywood Boulevard is a fascinating look at old Hollywood glamour, gender roles, and the ever-evolving American dream.

Erin McGraw

Erin McGraw is the author of four previous books, including The Good Life and Lies of the Saints, a New York Times Notable Book. She has published stories and essays in the Atlantic Monthly, Story, and other publications. McGraw is married to the poet Andrew Hudgins and is a professor of creative writing at Ohio State University.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (www.hmhco.com)