News & Events

UPCOMING EVENTS

friday march 1 — 9 a.m. pacific time — via zoom

I’ll be reading my favorite scene (well, one of them!) from Shaken Loose in a group reading for the podcast Strong Women Strange Worlds. Six women writers of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror — each of us reading an eight-minute selection — join us via Zoom while you sip your morning coffee (on the West Coast), eat your lunch (on the East Coast), or enjoy a relaxing break in any other time zone. All within one hour! The Zoom is free but register in advance to get the link: click here to register.

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ThursDAY MARCH 28 — 7 p.m. — SAN FRANCISCO

Cocktails and words—this will be fun! I’ll be joining several other Bay Area writers at Literary Speakeasy, a monthly reading series held at Martuni’s piano bar in the Mission District. The address is 4 Valencia Street, at the corner of Market. Event is free but buying a drink will help you quench the fires of Hell!

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PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEWS SHAKEN LOOSE

“Not a word is wasted in DeBare’s intense and challenging existential horror debut,” Publishers Weekly began in its review of Shaken Loose on May 11. “DeBare leavens this fast-paced and often brutal tale with subtle wit and thought-provoking existential dilemmas. In its examination of divine justice and personal growth, this reads like a gorier, more visceral, and more introspective sibling to the TV series The Good Place.” Read the whole review here.

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IN THE MEDIA

KALW-FM New Arrivals: Two minute reading from Shaken Loose! So short you can listen on a bathroom break. Guess what song they used for the background…. This was broadcast on December 7, 2023.

The Thinking Atheist podcast: Video interview about Shaken Loose with host Seth Andrews (18 minutes). Posted on October 6, 2023. Really fun conversation about religion and morality, Hell as a character in the book, Satan’s existential depression, and how to describe a horrible place without driving readers away. I also loved Seth’s deep, resonant voice reading some selections.

San Francisco Chronicle: “With Shaken Loose, debut novelist wonders, ‘What if we’re all going to Hell?’” June 28, 2023.

Electric Literature: “Am I Too Old for This?” Essay by Ilana on publishing a debut novel at age 65. July 20, 2023.

East Bay Times: “Author DeBare to discuss hell of a book, Shaken Loose. Rockridge writer’s new work spins yarn about cast of characters in an afterlife most people hope to avoid.” July 6, 2023.

J, the Jewish News of Northern California: “Q&A: All Jews go to hell in Oakland writer’s ‘irreligious’ novel.” July 7, 2023.

Local News Matters - Bay Area: “Shaken Loose and other new books from Bay Are authors.” July 10, 2023.

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PAST EVENTS

THURSDAY OCTOBER 26 — 7 P.M. — SACRAMENTO

I’m excited to re-launch the author event series at Beer’s Books, now that they’ve opened their new and expanded store! I’ll read from Shaken Loose and join in conversation with my old Sacramento Bee colleague, the Rev. Jim Richardson, author of The Abolitionist's Journal: The Memories of an American Antislavery Family. At 712 R Street.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16 — 3 to 5 P.M. — SAN FRANCISCO

How They Do It: Panel of five Bay Area women novelists on the writing life, a benefit for Lit Camp’s new co-working space in Berkeley. Ilana will be joined by writers Rita Chang-Eppig, Cristina Garcia, Yael Goldstein-Love, and Hannah Michell. Tickets are $25. Venue is Page Street SF, at 297 Page Street.

Wednesday, July 12 — 7 p.m. — San Francisco, CA

Watch the video of my San Francisco book launch for Shaken Loose! Green Apple Books on the Park has posted it on their YouTube channel. I was joined in conversation by former S.F. Chronicle columnist Leah Garchik. Watch for Leah’s surprise singalong at the beginning, and check out the Hellish cuffs of her pants. This was at Green Apple Books in the Inner Sunset, 1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco.

Thursday, july 13 — 7 p.m. — oakland, ca

Book Launch! Join Ilana in conversation with writer Monica Wesoloswka to celebrate the publication of Shaken Loose. Also a slide show on artistic depictions of Hell and devilish refreshments. At Montclair Presbyterian Church, 5701 Thornhill Drive, Oakland. Sponsored by A Great Good Place for Books.