To mark the tenth anniversary of The Secret Life Bees, Penguin is bringing out a special, keepsake edition on November 23, 2011. Packaged in an elegant envelope cover, the edition features a first-time Introduction by Sue, in which she reflects on conceiving and writing the novel, the movie adaptation, and the effect the book and its vast community of readers has had on her life. Read more about BEES and it’s remarkable milestones over the last decade and about the new edition.

Sue is at work on a new novel, titled The Invention of Wings. Set in the early part of the nineteenth century, during the ferment of abolition and the dawn of women’s rights, the book-in-progress follows the lives and sisterhood of three women from Charleston, SC and their struggle for freedom, belonging, and a voice of their own. Follow Sue (@suemonkkidd) on Twitter for periodic progress reports on The Invention of Wings.

Sue will forge a new connection with readers in the coming weeks by launching her official Twitter account, @suemonkkidd. Follow Sue for thoughts on her work, writing, and creativity, as well as for book recommendations, quotes, appearances, updates, reader/author Q & A’s, and other relevant news. Coming soon: a series of tweets about The Secret Life of Bees to mark it’s upcoming 10th anniversary.

Terry Helwig’s exceptional memoir, Moonlight on Linoleum will be published October 4, 2011. Sue wrote the foreword for the book, which can be read at www.terryhelwig.com, along with other info about the book and the author.

Each year the South Carolina Academy of Authors recognizes the state’s distinguished writers by selecting new inductees for inclusion in the South Carolina Literary Hall of Fame. Inductees are chosen whose work has been judged culturally important and/or has earned notable scholarly attention. In a March 18 ceremony at the University of South Carolina – Aiken, Sue joined past Academy inductees, Pat Conroy, John Jakes, and others.

On September 24, Sue was presented with the Homecoming Award by the Oklahoma Center for Poets and Writers at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa. The award honors writers originally from the South and Southwest who have distinguished the region through their writing. Past winners include Pat Conroy, Maya Angelou and Jim Lehrer. The award was bestowed during a ceremony held at “The Celebration of Books,” where Sue gave a keynote address. Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours, was also honored with an award during the ceremony.

On October 3, 2010, Traveling with Pomegranates reached the #3 spot on the New York Times best seller list for paperback non-Fiction

Referring to Traveling with Pomegranates as “powerful, uplifting – a mother-daughter Eat Pray Love,” Barnes & Noble has chosen the paperback as its September Pick for “Barnes & Noble Recommends.” Click here to view.

Sue, and her daughter, Ann’s best selling memoir, Traveling with Pomegranates, debuts in paperback September 7, 2010, with a new cover. The co-authors will talk about their book and sign copies during a Fall book tour.

Sue hosted one of ten anniversary parties held around the country to celebrate Penguin’s 75th anniversary. She arrived at Blue Bicycle Books in Charleston, SC in the ‘Penguin Mobile’ — an orange and black Mini Cooper, the dashboard of which has been autographed by Penguin authors. The car will soon be auctioned off for charity. Amid penguin cupcakes and Champagne, Sue spoke about her experiences as an Penguin author, which began with the publication of The Secret Life of Bees in 2002.