WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR
of What Happened in Beulah
Title: What Happened in Beulah: A Novel
What Happened in Beulah
Author: Christy Scott Cashman
Book Summary
A teenage girl uncovers the dark secrets of her Smoky Mountain town while searching for a missing classmate in this gripping coming-of-age mystery perfect for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing.
Nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Beulah has always seemed steady—rooted in tradition, shaped by generations, and slow to change. But in 1986, the ground has shifted, and no one feels that more than fifteen-year-old Barrett Childress Owens. Between her parents’ unraveling marriage and a school full of kids she can’t connect with, she feels invisible in her own hometown.
When Lacy Gunderson, the captivating new girl everyone is curious about, suddenly vanishes, the town’s calm surface fractures. Search parties comb the woods. A police investigation begins. Rumors multiply. Families close ranks. And Barrett begins to sense how much the adults around her choose not to say. As Beulah clings to its usual rituals—including the annual Miss Kudzu pageant, which has shaped local girlhood for decades—Barrett is forced to navigate a community where loss lingers in the air and secrets are carefully kept. Her journey through the uncertainty reshapes her understanding of friendships, family, and the complex place she calls home.
A rich coming-of-age story with a pulse of mystery and a budding romance, What Happened in Beulah explores the fault lines of a small town and the courage it takes to face the truths people would rather bury.
She Writes Press (October 20, 2026)
Audiobook: B0HB7D3M2Z
ASIN: B0GPDC6LFN
ISBN-13: 979-8896364801
Print length: 288 pages
Purchase a copy of What Happened in Beulah
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Happened-Beulah-Christy-Scott-Cashman/dp/B0GPDC6LFN/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-happened-in-beulah-christy-scott-cashman/1149865398?ean=9798896364801
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You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list
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Author Guest Post: Writing from a 15-year-old’s POV
The challenges of writing from a 15-year-old girl’s POV haven’t been as difficult as it might seem, and I attribute it to my arrested development. I’m guessing that I have some PTSD from those years, and the silver lining of any trauma is that it’s really fulfilling to write from those feelings.
Teenagers are so incredibly interesting to me. I remember having the confidence that comes with stupidity. Thinking I understood everything about certain things and no one could tell me anything, while also feeling so self-conscious and alone.
For most of us, those teenage years are a mixture of our best memories and worst mistakes. It’s the time when we are introduced to the idea of jumping on the bandwagon because it’s easier, or choosing the harder, less-traveled path of thinking for yourself. It’s the time of constant conflict. It’s when we want to stand out and be invisible at the same time.
For my writing, I’ve always been drawn to that POV. I love making characters squirm with embarrassment just for walking down the street with their mom or dad. Or having to get through an entire day at school in an outfit someone made fun of the moment they walked into homeroom. When I remember the thoughts that littered my teenage mind and how they revolved around “fitting in” and being accepted, it makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time.
The effort to look a certain way, sound a certain way, walk the halls a certain way, wear certain jeans or sneakers is just so much. It’s a miracle we even get through those years. I was so focused on making my ponytail look like the girl who sat in front of me in algebra; it’s a miracle I could pass a test.
Writing from a teenager’s POV lets me remember those times, warts and all. If I can write with an authentic voice, sometimes it means focusing on the warts. And I find the challenge to be a gift.
About the Author, Christy Scott Cashman
Christy is the award-winning author of the bestselling debut novel The Truth About Horses (2023), which earned multiple literary awards and widespread acclaim for its emotionally resonant storytelling, unforgettable characters, and heartfelt exploration of resilience, family, and hope.
She is also the author of the children’s books The Not-So-Average Monkey of Kilkea Castle, Petri’s Next Things and The Cat Named Peanut Shrimp Cookie Fry Muffin Who Lives on Staniel Cay.
In addition to her literary career, Christy is an accomplished actress and producer who has appeared in more than twenty feature films, including American Hustle, Joy, The Women, Ted 2, and The Forger.
Committed to nurturing creativity, mentorship, and storytelling, Christy founded YouthINK, a nonprofit organization in the U.S. and Ireland that connects aspiring young creatives—including writers, filmmakers, actors, artists, musicians, and storytellers—with accomplished industry professionals who encourage, mentor, and inspire the next generation of creative voices. She is also the founder of YOUthink Creative Wellness and Writing Retreats, which offers immersive writing, creativity, and wellness experiences for adults while supporting YouthINK’s mission.
A passionate advocate for literacy and the arts, Christy serves on the Boards of The Associates of the Boston Public Library, the American Film Institute, and the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. She also proudly supports Raising A Reader, reflecting her longstanding commitment to fostering early reading.
The second-youngest of ten children, Christy was named after Catherine Marshall’s beloved novel Christy and grew up in North Carolina, where her lifelong love of horses began. Today, she divides her time between New York City, Martha’s Vineyard, and her farm in Pennsylvania, where she finds inspiration for many of her stories. She treasures time with her family, four horses, two dogs, and the moments that inspire her writing.
Website: https://christycashman.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashman.christy/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cashman.christy
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