Writers at the Wrecking Bar Presents Rachel Taff in conversation with Sarah Edmondson - Paper Cut
A page-turning suspense debut about a woman infamous for escaping a cult as a teenager, who finds her future threatened when dangerous secrets come back to haunt her—perfect for fans of Jessica Knoll and "The Girls."
At the February edition of Writers at the Wrecking Bar, A Cappella Books welcomes debut author Rachel Taff to celebrate the release of her new novel, “Paper Cut.” The author will appear in conversation with Sarah Edmondson, author of "Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult that Bound My Life" and host of the podcast, "A Little Bit Culty."
This event is free and open to the public; copies of the book will be available for purchase.
If you are unable to attend this event, you may pre-order a signed copy below.
About the Book
Everybody knows the story. Nobody knows the truth…
Lucy Golden is a true-crime icon, infamous for the murder she committed while escaping a California cult twenty years ago. But as everyone in Los Angeles knows, fame is fleeting, and Lucy and her story are always just one news cycle away from obscurity. Not to mention, she’s fending off a stalker and moderating an icy feud between her acclaimed photographer mother and her scandalous rock star sister. Worst of all, online trolls are asking increasingly threatening questions about the legendary crime. Questions that could tear her life apart.
So when a hotshot documentarian makes her case the subject of his next film, Lucy sees a chance to silence any doubters once and for all. But as filming begins, she must return to the California desert and come face-to-face with a cast of players from her torrid history. Of course, the past is never what it seems, and long-buried secrets soon collide with present-day threats. Can Lucy stop her critics from digging up the truth before it’s too late? And how far will she go to protect the story she’s been telling—and selling—all along?
Told in a narrative split between the present day and Lucy’s hit memoir about her fated summer in the cult, “Paper Cut” combines psychological suspense with coming-of-age Californian cult noir and a sharp examination of the true-crime phenomenon. As incisive as it is propulsive, this mesmerizing debut will keep readers hooked until the last page.
About the Author
Rachel Taff is an author and television producer. Most recently, Rachel was the Director of Development at Dynamic Television, known for “Ginny and Georgia,” where she sold projects to Amazon and Hallmark. Previously, Rachel worked for Emmy-winning director Thomas Schlamme’s Shoe Money Productions, where she developed projects for FX and managed a production slate including “Snowfall” and “The Plot Against America.” Additional credits include “SMILF,” “American Dad,” and “Fresh Off the Boat.” Rachel earned a Media Arts & Entertainment degree at Elon University. After a decade in Los Angeles, she now lives in Atlanta with her husband and their Portuguese water dog. “Paper Cut” is her first novel.
About the Conversation Partner
Sarah Edmondson is a Canadian actress and voice-over artist who has starred in multiple TV series and more than a dozen films. Her whistleblower story following her departure from personal and professional development company NXIVM is told in her memoir, "Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult that Bound My Life," the CBC podcast “Uncover: Escaping NXIVM,” and critically acclaimed HBO documentary series on NXIVM, "The Vow."
Co-hosted by her husband and fellow NXIVM whistleblower Anthony “Nippy” Ames, her podcast, “A Little Bit Culty,” explores the fads, beliefs, and trends that blur the line between devotion and dysfunction to help people understand, heal from, and avoid abusive situations. Besides her work as an actor and podcaster, Sarah attends conferences and events as a speaker, host, and cult-recovery advocate.
About Writers at the Wrecking Bar
A Cappella Books presents Writers at the Wrecking Bar, a series of live author interview events showcasing some of the country’s freshest voices in literary and contemporary fiction. Each program includes writers in conversation with an arbiter of Atlanta’s book scene, giving the audience a chance to experience and participate in the Q&A and get a signed copy of the book. Held upstairs in the Marianna Room of the Wrecking Bar Brewpub, Writers at the Wrecking Bar hosts a cash bar, starting at 7 PM.
