MEDIA KIT FOR WENDY BYARD

 The Setting: The pristine, shifting sands of Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes are breathtaking by day—but they hide haunting secrets by night.

The Hook: Six years ago, Cadie’s parents were murdered in a tragedy that shook the community. Now, she’s gone missing. In the psychological thriller Devil in the Dunes, former educator turned author  and columnist Wendy Byard pulls back the curtain on the thin line between a coastal paradise and a criminal nightmare.

• A Haunting Atmosphere: Explore the "Great Lakes Noir" subgenre through a story that leverages the haunting, isolated beauty of Michigan’s most iconic landscapes.
• The Unsolved Past: A gripping mystery that examines how unresolved trauma follows victims long after the initial tragedy.
• Local Heart, Global Appeal: While rooted in the specific, evocative geography of Frankfort (Harbor Cove), Empire, Leland, Traverse City and the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Mackinac Island, the story explores universal themes of loss, resilience, and the relentless quest for truth.

• Title: Devil in the Dunes: A Great Lakes Mystery
• Author: Wendy Byard
• Publication Date: February 6, 2025
• Format: Hard Cover, Paperback, Ebook
• Price: $16.95
• ISBN: 9798218605513
• Page Count: 260
• Genre: Psychological Thriller / Mystery

Wendy Byard is a Michigan-based author, Lapeer County Press columnist, and former educator with 25 years of experience. A master of the psychological suspense genre, her work is heavily influenced by the rugged, beautiful terrain of Northern Michigan. She is a frequent contributor to regional literary events.

• Media Inquiries/Review Copies: wendybyardauthor@gmail.com
• Website: wendybyard.com
• Social Media: Wendy Byard on Instagram; Devil in the Dunes on FB; Devil in the Dune on Tiktok.
• Available at: Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Walmart.com, IngramSpark, and other online retailers and local independent bookstores.

Interview Questions

• "The Dunes are a place of immense beauty and peace for thousands of tourists every summer. What drew you to make them the backdrop for a story so steeped in darkness?"
• "In Devil in the Dunes, the landscape feels like a character itself. How do you research or capture that specific 'Great Lakes Noir' atmosphere?"
• "You explore the lasting shadow of a six-year-old tragedy. Why is it important to you, as a writer, to focus on the 'aftermath' of a mystery rather than just the crime itself?"
• "You have 25 years of experience as an educator. How has your background working with students shaped the way you build tension and character development in your novels?"
• "As a columnist and a novelist, you spend a lot of time observing your community. How much of the 'real' Michigan ends up on the page in your thrillers?"
• "Between your work with the Lapeer County Press and your upcoming events at landmarks like the Point Betsie Lighthouse, you are constantly connecting with readers. What is the most surprising reaction you’ve had from a fan about Devil in the Dunes?"
• "If readers can only take one feeling away from Devil in the Dunes, what do you hope it is?"