Ron Rash’s new novel, Serena, “in which a lumber baron and his new bride arrive in the North Carolina mountains of 1929 and kill or vanquish anyone who comes in the way of their ruthless ambition,” forthcoming from Ecco. The sale was announced today in Publisher’s Weekly. Rash is the author of a slew of beautiful books of fiction and poetry, including the novels The World Made Straight and One Foot in Eden. He also happens to be a sweet soul, with this quiet voice that makes you lean forward every time he speaks. Can’t wait to get my hands on the new book.