Awards and Praise for Chained Birds

CHAINED BIRDS by Carla Conti has earned many book awards since its November 2024 launch, including: 2 1st Place True Crime awards, a 1st Place Nellie Bly Journalism award, and a 1st Place Debut Author award.

Best Thrillers Magazine calls CHAINED BIRDS "An emotional, eye-popping, personal expose of the American prison system ... ONE OF THE YEAR'S BEST THRILLERS."Independent Book Review calls CHAINED BIRDS "A captivating true crime story ... and engrossing memoir of a journalist making a difference ... ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS WE READ IN 2024."Manhattan Book Reviews says CHAINED BIRDS is "Gripping ... from frustration to sadness and even awe at the events that transpired ... DESTINED TO BE A TRUE CRIME CLASSIC."Order CHAINED BIRDS in Hardcover, Paperback, eBook and Audiobook from AmazonCarla Conti is the author and narrator of CHAINED BIRDS' audiobook. Her performance is praised for bringing "a passion in a way an outside reader simply couldn't ... her performance is exceptional."

Carla Conti is the author and narrator of CHAINED BIRDS' audiobook. Her performance is praised for her captivating style. "The dialogue was rich and authentic, allowing the listener to become fully immersed ..."

Order the CHAINED BIRDS author-narrated Audiobook from Amazon or Audible
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The latest blog posts

Philip Zozzaro of Manhattan Book Review hails Chained Birds as a "future true crime classic" in new 5-star review

Chained Birds hailed as “future true crime classic” in new 5-star review

My upcoming book, Chained Birds: A True Crime Memoir, received a five-star review this week from the Manhattan Book Review, which launched squeals and gasps in my household (okay, this was just me; my husband is more measured). The reviewer, Philip Zozzaro, called my debut “a future true crime classic,” and I would like to send him a bouquet of flowers, or a

Author Carla Conti Q-A hints at two upcoming book subjects

Author Carla Conti Q-A hints at two upcoming books

Anyone curious about two upcoming book projects of mine (Spoiler! They both involve true crime!) can check out my first Author Interview on a book blog hosted by author and book promoter Vinny O’Hare. I discovered Vinny in my Goodreads Mysteries & Thrillers group, where he helps promote new authors writing in the genre. As a new author myself on

What I've learned about getting "Social Proof" for my new book Chained Birds

What I’m learning about “Social Proof” for my upcoming book Chained Birds

It’s been a steep learning curve since I signed a book contract with WildBlue Press last December. This year, I completed the manuscript (the book was sold on proposal) and collaborated with my wonderful editor, Rowena Carenen, who helped shape Chained Birds: A True Crime Memoir into the breakout debut we all hope it will be. (Publication day is 11/12/24.)

David Gwyn, host of Thriller 101 podcast, calls Chained Birds a fresh true crime thriller that breaks the mold

Debut book Chained Birds mixes genres and breaks the true crime mold

I’m especially fond of this review blurb that landed in my inbox this week because it mentions the genre-bending aspect of Chained Birds: A True Crime Memoir. I’ve been asked on numerous forms and submissions to check the genre box(s) that most apply to this debut book of mine, and the answer is—sometimes there weren’t enough boxes. I’ll begin with

Chained Birds Book Sample Now Available to Read on BookFunnel

Early Access: Chained Birds book sample now available to read online

I’m excited to share an early access link where curious readers can sample the first dozen pages of Chained Birds: A True Crime Memoir. In partnership with BookFunnel, a secure delivery service for advanced reader copies (ARCs)—and so much more!—readers can view pre-release content that includes the book description, i.e., what will appear on the back cover, the preface, the

Historic Lewisburg Prison is featured in Carla Conti's true crime memoir Chained Birds. Lewisburg Penitentiary was once nicknamed "Mafia Row" for its list of jailed mobsters including Al Capone, a.k.a. Scarface, Whitey Bulger, Jimmy Hoffa, John Gotti and Henry Hill.

Chapter 5 “The Big House” — historic Lewisburg Prison a.k.a. “Mafia Row”

It’s no spoiler to reveal that my true crime memoir Chained Birds is also part exposé of the horrific experimental prison program that operated at Pennsylvania’s Lewisburg Prison from 2009-2018. One of the book’s main characters, federal inmate Kevin Sanders, was my inside source who helped me chronicle the cruelty and bloodshed inside Lewisburg as he was swept up in

Chained Birds continues to get more early praise from editorial reviews including BestThrillers, US Review of Books, and Independent Book Review

Chained Birds gets more early praise from editorial reviewers

More early praise continues to roll in for my debut, Chained Birds: A True Crime Memoir, launching November 12, 2024, with WildBlue Press. Is it okay to stop pinching myself now? As I mentioned in my post about getting my first “highly recommended” and 5-star editorial review from Readers’ Favorite, I am slowly recovering from the impostor syndrome that afflicts many

Chained Birds’ exposé focus is historic Lewisburg Prison

It’s no spoiler to reveal that my true crime memoir Chained Birds is also part exposé of the horrific experimental prison program that operated at Pennsylvania’s Lewisburg Prison from 2009-2018. One of the book’s main characters, federal inmate Kevin Sanders, was my inside source who helped me chronicle the cruelty and bloodshed inside Lewisburg as he was swept up in

Chained Birds: A True Crime Memoir nabs 5-star editorial review ahead of November 2024 publication

Chained Birds nabs 5-star editorial review ahead of November release

Imagine my euphoria after opening my inbox and seeing this 5-star review from Readers’ Favorite this week. And the fact this is my first editorial critique makes it all the more special. As a debut author trying to navigate the publishing world amid a wee bit of imposter syndrome, this review by Carol Thompson validated everything I set out to

First look at Chained Birds: A True Crime Memoir's Original Artwork that inspired the book title and cover design

First look at original artwork for Chained Birds: A True Crime Memoir

Prison artist sketch inspires book title and cover design (cover reveal coming soon!) The November 12, 2024 launch date of Chained Birds: A True Crime Memoir is just around the corner! Manuscript editing is complete. My publisher, WildBlue Press, has begun its marketing efforts. And soon, I’ll be revealing the cover design that will incorporate my most cherished piece of

Carla Conti's Debut True Crime Memoir, Chained Birds, to be Published by WildBlue Press in Fall 2024

Chained Birds: A True Crime Memoir to be Published by WildBlue Press November 12, 2024

I’m thrilled to announce my debut true crime memoir, Chained Birds, has found a home with WildBlue Press and will be published this November! I signed with WildBlue Press at the end of 2023 following two weeks of dialogue with press co-founder (and author) Steve Jackson. Steve and I dove deep into my book’s details to ensure it would meet

Spellbinding film 'Subject' examines ethics and fallout in documentary storytelling and features The Staircase documentary about Kathleen and Michael Peterson

Spellbinding film ‘Subject’ examines ethics and fallout in true crime and documentary storytelling

For purveyors and consumers of true crime and other documentaries, the film Subject is a gripping, must-see examination of everyone’s role in this burgeoning infotainment landscape. An award-winning 2022 film just released on Amazon this month, Subject features participants from a handful of nonfiction films and their wide variety of personal fallout. The outcomes range from devastating to exonerating and

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