Jane Porter's Blog, page 29

Favorite Fall Reading: Kelly O’Connor McNees

I’m in Bellevue, Washington for the weekend for the Emerald City Writer’s Conference and so I’ve asked the talented Kelly O’Connor McNees to be my featured author this week on my blog.

Kelly is an amazing writer.   As most of you know, I love historical settings, especially in the US.  Having majored in American Studies at UCLA, I fell in love with Kelly’s debut novel, The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott, and couldn’t wait to get my hands on her newest, In Need of a Good Wife.  I was so excited about Kelly’s October 2nd release that I begged my Penguin publicist to help me get an advanced copy so I could read it early, and she obliged.   I’m thrilled she did.  Kelly’s stories capture my imagination and sweep me away.

Here’s the back cover blurb from her new novel:

For Clara Bixby, brokering mail-order brides is a golden business opportunity—and a desperately needed chance to start again. If she can help New York women find husbands in a far-off Nebraska town, she can build an independent new life away from her own loss and grief. 

Clara’s ambitions are shared by two other women, who are also willing to take any risk. Quiet immigrant Elsa hopes to escape her life of servitude and at last shape her own destiny. And Rowena, the willful, impoverished heiress, jumps at the chance to marry a humble stranger and repay a heartbreaking debt. All three struggle to find their true place in the world, leaving behind who they were in order to lay claim to the person they want to be. Along the way, each must face unexpected obstacles and dangerous choices, but they also help to forge a nation unlike any that came before.

I loved it!!   So now, without further delay, help me welcome Kelly O’Connor McNees to the JaneBlog!

*Kelly, let’s talk writing.  I’m fascinated by a writer’s process and would love to know more about yours.  Do you consider yourself a pantser (go with the flow writer), or do you prefer to outline and plot extensively before you sit down to write?

I used to be a pantser, but now I am a dedicated outliner. I think a lot about what I want to write before I start, make lots of notes on the characters, and think about where I want each one to end up. The outline is loose–many times I end up deviating from my plan–but it really helps to have an idea of where I want to go when I sit down each day to write.

*Do you have a writing schedule or any writing rituals to help you achieve your daily writing quota?

I used to have a wonderful schedule that worked very well for me: Writing first thing in the morning with a big cup of coffee, staring out the window when I needed to, drifting through my day. And then I had a baby! So now my ritual looks more like a crazy person running back and forth between her desk and the crib, jotting things down while she plays on the floor, doing the dishes in an exhausted stupor and coming up with an idea, lying down in bed at night and drifting off before I can read a page… writing moms know what I’m talking about!

*What’s your take on writing in this genre as far as ebooks are concerned?  Have you taken to reading books on an eReader or do you mostly still prefer print books?

I have a Nook and I really like reading on it, especially when I am traveling. That said, I do love to hold a book in my hands and be able to flip back and forth easily among the pages. I think (hope) there will be a place for both formats going forward!

*Name five items sitting on your desk right now.

A stack of books about 19th century northern Michigan, my dictionary, my computer, a half-empty cup of coffee, and a box of cheez-its. I have a problem.

*What was your first job?

When I was 14 I worked in a bakery/candy store and learned how to make all sorts of delicious baked goods, how to work with chocolate, how to make eclairs. I think I made $3.35 per hour. But knowing how to make good custard is a serious life skill.

*Can you tell us the title of the last book you absolutely loved, loved, loved?

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

~~~

Thank you, Kelly, for talking to us today and I really appreciate your time as I know how busy you are!

Readers, you can learn more about Kelly at her website – www.kellyoconnormcnees.com and more great news, you have a chance to win Kelly’s brand new novel, In Need of a Good Wife, by commenting below.  Because I love this time of year and want to spoil one of you, along with Kelly’s novel, the winner shall also receive a signed copy of The Good Woman, a really cute apron, yummy Fall baking treats, some kitchen baking utensils, a Starbucks gift card and more, more, more!  For a chance to win, share with me in the comment section your Halloween plans and you’re entered.  Contest runs through Oct 31st and I’ll announce the winner of Thursday, Nov 1st.  Please check back to see if you won as two of my winners from my last contest never claimed their prize and I’d hate for you to win and not get something fun!!

Have a wonderful weekend and I’ll be back soon!

 

Original article: Favorite Fall Reading: Kelly O’Connor McNees

©2012 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

I Heart Caitlin Crews

A lot of you may know Megan Crane is a very close friend of mine but you may not know Megan also writes as Caitlin Crews and I just love her, and her books, and one of the best parts of moving to Orange County is that now I get to see more of her!  A couple weeks ago I convinced Megan she would enjoy a road trip to my hometown, and she was the most delightful date for the Tulare Library Foundation Auction fundraiser in Tulare, California, and then allowed me to give her the grand tour of my town, Visalia, which included a trip down Main Street, a drive past Dance-Arts, the library, and Taylor’s Hotdog stand (a very important place in my childhood…I could get a chili dog and small strawberry soda for .35 in the mid 70′s.)

Then, this past weekend when I had the chance to fill in as a speaker for the Orange County Chapter of RWA, I suggested that Megan join me for the workshop, Bestselling Fiction:  It’s All About the Emotion, and we hammered out a new workshop while we were both on the road traveling, and then after a nearly all night drive from SF to LA, (husband drove, thank you, Ty), Megan swung by out hotel in Burbank where we’d crashed, scooped me up, drove me to the Embassy Suites in Brea for the event, and then down to San Clemente to bring me home after.

Megan and I at the OCC RWA Birthday Bash meeting

For those of you new to my blog, and not familiar with Megan, we met in the Fall of 2005 (I think it was ’05…) at the launch party for Grand Central Publishing’s new 5 Spot line.  We were both to be part of the line and we were invited to dinner afterwards with our editor–we shared the same editor.  I was a little intimidated by her.  Megan is East Coast, highly educated, articulate, witty, and smart.  Did I mention smart?  She is, so much so that I felt like a light-weight next to her, and very West Coast.  I might as well have been a human avocado.  Fortunately, Megan must like avocados because we became friends, and many years later, we’re again writing for the same editor, this time at the Harlequin London office, as my editor has just gone on maternity leave and I’ll be now writing for her Harlequin editor.

I love that Megan and I both met writing women’s fiction/chick lit, and I love that we both now write sizzling, passionate Harlequin Presents, although at Harlequin she is known as Caitlin Crews, and she’s already such a star.  Hitting the USA Today repeatedly with her Presents, she’s a genius with her heroes and heroines and her love scenes are scorching hot.

Because I heart Megan/Caitlin so much, I’m doing a three day contest with prizes for three of you.  The prize includes Harlequins by both Caitlin and me, a $10 Starbucks gift card, chocolates, goodies, treats galore.  I think you should enter this contest because you’ll love all the fun stuff!

How to enter?  Just talk to me.  Tell me what’s going on, and if you feel like it, tell me about a friend you adore.   The contest runs from now until Friday night midnight PST and I’ll announce the 3 winners in a comment at the bottom of this blog post.  Please, please come back and check to see if you won.  You’ll have 1 week to claim your prize before I give it away to someone else as a mystery gift!

And for those of you looking for a great, sexy, smart read, Caitlin’s got a brand new Harlequin Presents out now, Heiress Behind the Headlines.  Order it, download it, or pick up a copy now.  I love Larissa Whitney and tycoon Jack Sutton’s story!

Original article: I Heart Caitlin Crews

©2012 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

I heart Caitlin Crews

A lot of you may know Megan Crane is a very close friend of mine but you may not know Megan also writes as Caitlin Crews and I just love her, and her books, and one of the best parts of moving to Orange County is that now I get to see more of her!  A couple weeks ago I convinced Megan she would enjoy a road trip to my hometown, and she was the most delightful date for the Tulare Library Foundation Auction fundraiser in Tulare, California, and then allowed me to give her the grand tour of my town, Visalia, which included a trip down Main Street, a drive past Dance-Arts, the library, and Taylor’s Hotdog stand (a very important place in my childhood…I could get a chili dog and small strawberry soda for .35 in the mid 70′s.)

Then, this past weekend when I had the chance to fill in as a speaker for the Orange County Chapter of RWA, I suggested that Megan join me for the workshop, Bestselling Fiction:  It’s All About the Emotion, and we hammered out a new workshop while we were both on the road traveling, and then after a nearly all night drive from SF to LA, (husband drove, thank you, Ty), Megan swung by out hotel in Burbank where we’d crashed, scooped me up, drove me to the Embassy Suites in Brea for the event, and then down to San Clemente to bring me home after.

Megan and I at the OCC RWA Birthday Bash meeting

For those of you new to my blog, and not familiar with Megan, we met in the Fall of 2005 (I think it was ’05…) at the launch party for Grand Central Publishing’s new 5 Spot line.  We were both to be part of the line and we were invited to dinner afterwards with our editor–we shared the same editor.  I was a little intimidated by her.  Megan is East Coast, Ivy League educated, articulate, witty, and smart.  I felt like a light-weight next to her, and very West Coast.  I might as well have been a human avocado.  Fortunately, Megan must like avocados because we became friends, and many years later, we’re again writing for the same editor, this time at the Harlequin London office, as my editor has just gone on maternity leave and I’ll be now writing for her Harlequin editor.

I love that Megan and I both met writing women’s fiction/chick lit, and I love that we both now write sizzling, passionate Harlequin Presents, although at Harlequin she is known as Caitlin Crews, and she’s already such a star.  Hitting the USA Today repeatedly with her Presents, she’s a genius with her heroes and heroines and her love scenes are scorching hot.

Because I heart Megan/Caitlin so much, I’m doing a three day contest with prizes for three of you.  The prize includes Harlequins by both Caitlin and me, a $10 Starbucks gift card, chocolates, goodies, treats galore.  I think you should enter this contest because you’ll love all the fun stuff!

How to enter?  Just talk to me.  Tell me what’s going on, and if you feel like it, tell me about a friend you adore.   The contest runs from now until Friday night midnight PST and I’ll announce the 3 winners in a comment at the bottom of this blog post.  Please, please come back and check to see if you won.  You’ll have 1 week to claim your prize before I give it away to someone else as a mystery gift!

And for those of you looking for a great, sexy, smart read, Caitlin’s got a brand new Harlequin Presents out now, Heiress Behind the Headlines.  Order it, download it, or pick up a copy now.  I love Larissa Whitney and tycoon Jack Sutton’s story!

Original article: I heart Caitlin Crews

©2012 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Good Woman, Good Times, Good Fun

The past few events on my book tour have been so much fun, I’m blessed to have wonderful friends and readers who have gathered to enjoy the release of  The Good Woman with me.  Thank you so much for all your support, friendship and good times!

I’ve been catching up on work since last week and trying to get some writing done.  It’s good to be back home but before I dive into some intense writing days, I’m unplugging from my book events and the writing for four days to take my gorgeous surfer guy to Cabo for his 40th birthday.  With all the juggling we do and the travelling, it’ll be great to spend some uninterrupted quality time together.

I also want to thank all my readers who have taken the time to write a review online for The Good Woman.  Each and every one of you is so awesome and I truly love you.  I do!  And those of you who are still reading the book, if you feel inclined, please post a review online.  It would mean so much to me.

Keep checking my events page as we’re continuously adding new events and you’ll soon find info on some more fun stuff coming up, including the Festive Holiday Teas in Texas on December 1st and 2nd and my tour to the East Coast in February, plus some great Midwest events that we’re working to schedule for February and April.  If I’m coming to your area, I’d love to see you at one of these gatherings!

That reminds me, a number of prizes have gone unclaimed in the last few weeks on my blog.  Please remember it’s your responsibility to check my blog to see if you’ve won so do that soon!  I would love to mail your prize to you so look through past posts to see if you’re a winner and let me know via email ( jane at janeporter dot com) ASAP so I can get these goodies in the mail to you!!

Sending lots of love to all and hoping to see some of my readers and friends in San Jose next Thursday, October 11th at the De Anza Hotel for my Good Woman book party!  It’s going to be a fun Girls Night Out so bring your girlfriends too.  Everyone who attends will be eligible to enter in my Amazing Autumn Gift Basket Give-Away.  It’s full of Jane Porter swag, rich dark chocolates, fresh ground west coast coffee, a soft snugly blanket, signature “Good Woman” wine bottle opener, READ tote, & autumn baking scented candle. To ensure a cozy fall day to curl up and read, one of my books is included inside!   More details about the evening are up on my Events page so check it out!

Original article: Good Woman, Good Times, Good Fun

©2012 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Perfect Fall Reading: Sarah Jio

Sarah Jio is the author of The Violets of March (a Library Journal Best Book of 2011), The Bungalow, and Blackberry Winter (out on 9/25) and is a sensational author that has been creating a buzz with booksellers, critics, and readers alike.  It wasn’t until I’d left Seattle that I finally realized Sarah had been in my own backyard and I’d missed an incredible opportunity to get to know her while I was there.  Fortunately, Sarah is as lovely as she is talented, and she’s agreed to be featured here on my JaneBlog for my first Perfect Fall Reading feature, a feature I’m kicking off this weekend to celebrate great Fall releases, since so many of you loved my Summer Reading feature on my blog.

Now back to Sarah!

Sarah’s books are published by Penguin, Plume, and have been sold for publication in 17 countries. Her fourth novel will be out in May 2013, and its not surprising that she’s considered a master craftsman as she began her career as a journalist, writing for magazines including Glamour, Real Simple, O, The Oprah Magazine, Redbook and many other publications. Sarah lives in Seattle with her husband and three young sons, and her third novel, Blackberry Winter, debuts from Penguin (Plume) just days from now on September 25, 2012.

In Blackberry Winter –taking its title from a late-season, cold-weather phenomenon–Jio continues her rich exploration of the ways personal connections can transcend the boundaries of time.

Seattle, 1933. Single mother Vera Ray kisses her three-year-old son, Daniel, goodnight and departs to work the night-shift at a local hotel. She emerges to discover that a May-Day snow has blanketed the city, and that her son has vanished. Outside, she finds his beloved teddy bear lying face-down on an icy street, the snow covering up any trace of his tracks, or the perpetrator’s.

Seattle, 2010. Seattle Herald reporter Claire Aldridge, assigned to cover the May 1 “blackberry winter” storm and its twin, learns of the unsolved abduction and vows to unearth the truth. In the process, she finds that she and Vera may be linked in unexpected ways…

And now over to Sarah!

Why I’m Writing My Next Novel on a Houseboat in Seattle

Hello, lovely Jane Porter readers! I’m so delighted to be guest blogging here today. Jane asked me to share a post (on any topic! So generous.), and I thought I’d write a little about a big leap I took this month, well, a big splurge. Where to begin? OK, let me start by asking you a question: Have you ever done something a little out of the ordinary, a little outrageous? Maybe you always dreamed of quitting your job and moving to Hawaii? Or maybe you decided to take sky-diving lessons or even go belly dancing? OK, here’s what I did recently: I rented a houseboat as my new writing office!

I fell in love with houseboats after seeing “Sleepless in Seattle” so many years ago, and after I got married in 2001, my husband and I settled in Seattle. We thought about buying a houseboat, but for one reason or another, it never worked out, and we ended up purchasing a traditional home (i.e., one with a foundation). But, years later—and now with three boys under the age of six—I never gave up on the houseboat dream, even if it still seemed a tad impractical and out of reach. When compiling ideas for my fifth novel, which I recently sold to my editor at Penguin, I knew exactly where I wanted the book to be set. Any guesses? Yes, on a Seattle houseboat.

For research, I figured I’d interview houseboat residents, read up on the lifestyle, and if I was lucky, maybe rent one for a night. But then, my husband made a very generous suggestion. He said, “Why don’t you rent a houseboat for a few months as your office?” At first I refused. It seemed like a crazy-extravagant expense, especially when I’d hardly be able to sneak out everyday to write (remember, the kids)! But, I began to think about it, and he had a point: What better way for me to really soak up the houseboat lifestyle than to have one all to myself–to be able to pop over during the weekend and write a chapter, or stay up late and edit while stealing glances at the sparkling water with the moon shining above. I caved and said yes.

We ended up finding the most charming little houseboat on the east side of Lake Union, and signed a four-month lease (which means I’ll be able to see three seasons on the houseboat: summer, fall and winter, since we have through New Year’s). It has a loft bedroom with a porthole window (accessed by the quaint ship’s ladder), a charming little kitchen stocked with all the essentials, a rooftop deck with a breathtaking view of the city and the Space Needle, a pair of kayaks, and, two resident mallard ducks who waddle past my deck every day.

I wrote the first two chapters of this new novel recently, and I already feel such a connection to the characters and the setting. As I type this on my laptop, I’m sitting on the sofa that looks out at the lake. A gentle wake from a boat is lapping up against the side of the houseboat, and the sunset is a golden-purple hue. It’s about as good as it gets!

Stay tuned for details about the new novel, (including the title!), in months to come. For now, I can say that it will debut most likely in the late fall or winter of 2013.

What unexpected risks or splurges have you made in your life in the name of happiness and “you only live once”? I’d love to hear!

Learn more about Sarah at www.sarahjio.com or via Facebook: www.facebook.com/sarahjioauthor

~~~~~~~~~

Sarah, thanks so much for joining us today!  I’m so happy you were able to join us here on my JaneBlog and can’t wait to read your new book.  I’ve pre-ordered a copy as I love your writing and am delighted to celebrate the release of Blackberry Winter with a contest for my readers.

There will be two winners, and each winner will receive a copy of Sarah Jio’s The Bungalow, a signed copy of Flirting with Forty (share it with someone you love if you already have a copy!), Starbucks drink cards, and JP swag.  How to win?   Tell me about your September so far, and if you’ve read anything special this month.  You know I’m always looking for recommendations and books to add to my shopping list!

Happy reading everyone, and here’s to a Fall filled with wonderful authors and books!

 

Original article: Perfect Fall Reading: Sarah Jio

©2012 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Amazing You!

I’ve had an incredible couple of weeks.  After two years without a big book out…after eighteen months without a lot of promo and book events, touring or book club appearances, it’s so good to be back out in the public world, meeting readers, seeing friends, talking about the publishing industry, the changes in the book community, the inspiration behind the Brennan Sisters trilogy.  I am honestly on a high.  I sometimes find it exhausting traveling so much, but then I have a night like last night in Kirkland, WA where 65 readers and friends came to celebrate the launch of The Good Woman with me, and then I’m recharged and blessed.

Do you have any idea how lucky I feel to have you in my life?  Do you know that being a storyteller is important to me, but even more important is knowing that I get to be part of a community with you? That I have a relationship with you?  That through books, I now know you? Forgive me for being so mushy and gushy, but this month the sense of community and support has just dazzled me.  I’m overwhelmed, and touched, and grateful.

Thank you to those of you who have taken time to come see me.

Thank you to those of you who’ve bought the new book and posted reviews.

Thank you to those of you who are hoping to read it soon.  Do read it soon!  I get so excited everytime I hear from you about the book…whether its good or bad, passionate or frustrated.  Writing and reading is how I form connections and bonds, and sharing books and stories with you helps me feel closer to you…connected to you.  I’m serious when I say that you really do matter.  I wouldn’t be here–published–if it weren’t for you.   I’m in print because of you and it wouldn’t be half as fun, or joyous, or inspiring, to write if I didn’t get to have you in my life, talking books, talking about life, sharing dreams, sharing heartbreak.

I’ve had a couple really hard days this week due to a personal situation (a parenting crisis), and I’d enter my hotel room and stand there reeling in shock, wondering what I’m doing on the road, what I’m doing juggling writing and parenthood, but then I’d walk into one of my events– Third Place Books on Monday, or the party last night in Kirkland, and see a room full of people—there for me–and it moved me to tears.  Good tears.  Happy tears.  You see, I honestly couldn’t do this without you.  I couldn’t.  And this is why I want to give back to you, and other women, love, support, connection, community.  We’re not alone.  Not ever.  All we have to do is look out, reach out, care.

Tonight I make an appearance at Warwick Books in La Jolla, in San Diego County.  The wonderful, talented, and generous Anita Hughes (author of the very successful Monarch Beach) is joining me and we will both be discussing our novels, and how we write, and what we’re working on next.  Anita has become a good friend as well as my neighbor, as she’s just a few miles from me in Dana Point.  All the details for tonight’s event are up on my website event page, or you can find details on Facebook, too.

So fill me in on what’s going on.  I have a special Good Woman giveaway for you, and the prize includes a signed copy of The Good Woman, a signed copy of Anita’s amazing debut novel, Monarch Beach, a Starbucks drink card, a California mug, and tons of JP swag.   This is a prize bursting out of the box and I’d love for you to win.  How?  Just chat with me by posting a comment below between now and Sunday night, Sept 23rd at midnight, and I’ll announce the winner Monday morning,  Good luck, and remember, you are amazing…a gift, a joy, and a VIP to me.

xoxox

 

Original article: Amazing You!

©2012 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

The Good Woman Book Tour so far…

I kicked off the book tour for The Good Woman last week and it has been a huge success so far.  I’m awed and humbled by the response from my readers and family and friends.  Going home to Visalia over the weekend and reconnecting with so many old friends and new was such a wonderful experience, I feel truly blessed.  The luncheon was fabulous and I was so thrilled by the number of people who came to see me.  Thank you, Visalia and Fresno!  You’ve made me feel so loved!

We packed in a lot of events and it has been a little tiring with hours and hours of driving but every minute has been totally worth it.  What’s made the whole experience even more fun is that I’ve had my beautiful sister, Kathy, with me every step of the way.  It just feels so right to have her with me, especially given that this Brennan trilogy is really about sisters and their interaction and bonds with each other and here I am, getting a chance to spend so much time with mine.  It makes me happy.  I love it!  Our relationship reminds me of how the sisters, Meg and Kit are always there for each other with lots of love and advice, a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on.  That’s like my relationship with Kathy.

Now I’m home for a few days, trying to catch up with all the mail in my inbox, spend some quality time with my guys and prepare for tomorrow’s Orange County event.  It’s going to be a fun Girls Night Out launch party for The Good Woman on Thursday, September 13th at 7pm at Tequila’s Mexican Grill.  Then on the 17th and 18th of September, I head up to Seattle for a couple of events before coming back to California for a booksigning on the 19th at Warwick’s in La Jolla, CA.  If you live close to San Clemente or San Diego or if you plan to be in the Seattle/Bellevue area around these dates, come join me for some fun.  My events page has all the details  so check it out.  I’d love to see you!

I’ve also got a couple of mystery prizes here to share with you so talk to me.  Tell me what you’ve been up to this week or share something about your sister(s) and what you love so much about your relationship.  Contest runs through Tuesday next week and I’ll announce winners on Wednesday.

Now I’m off, taking my youngest to karate.  Hope you’re all having a gorgeous, wonderful day!

Original article: The Good Woman Book Tour so far…

©2012 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

The Good Woman Book Tour Heads to Pasadena!

My two events in San Franciso were very successful and lots of fun. Last night’s event was a wonderful time and I met so many lovely people at the Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco.  Thank you to my friends, family and readers who took time to come see me.

Jane speaking at the Irish Cultural Center about what inspired her to write The Good Woman.

Tonight is also going to be a lot of fun as I head to Pasadena for a book signing at Vroman’s Bookstore.  I thought it would be nice to have drinks and appetizers before the event at El Portal Restaurant which is across the street from the bookstore.  This will give me a chance to chat with readers before the event.  So if you are going to be in the area and would like to join me for a relaxing happy hour before the event starts, that would make my day!

Here are all the details for tonight:

5:45pm Join me for drinks and appetizers before the signing at El Portal Restaurant

695 East Green Street, across the street from Vroman’s

7:00pm

Booksigning

Vroman’s Bookstore

695 E. Colorado Blvd

Pasadena, CA 91101

 

 

Original article: The Good Woman Book Tour Heads to Pasadena!

©2012 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

First Stop… San Francisco!

Well, today is the day! The Good Woman released today and the reviews so far have been wonderful and I feel so happy and grateful for all the love and support from my readers. It’s been so fun to watch all the good wishes come in from Facebook, Twitter and the countless emails.  I am so blessed!

The next two weeks will be very busy as I leave on my Good Woman book tour to sign books and meet readers.  My first stop is San Francisco!

Tonight I will be at Books Inc. in the Marina at 7pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then on Wednesday the 5th, I will be at the United Irish Cultural Center at 6pm for beer, wine, Irish appetizers and more! I will be chatting about my research and why I chose San Francisco as the setting and introducing some of the SF Irish-American firefighters that inspired the Brennan family. It should be a really fun night and I would love to meet you there!

For information on the two San Francisco events and all the upcoming events, please visit my website events page or RSVP on my Facebook events page. If you know someone in any of the areas of the events, please feel free to invite them and pass on the information.  I love meeting new readers and friends!

Now for more fun stuff and book giveaways!  I have been writing quite a few articles lately for some of my favorite blogs, two of which you can read by following the links below, and they are also giving away copies of The Good Woman if you want to enter to win!

Chick Lit Central: The Blog  ”Jane Porter’s latest achievement… plus a giveaway“
Chick Lit is Not Dead  ”Jane Porter’s 5 Things I’d Tell the Teen Me“

Well, now you know what I’ll be doing for the next two weeks. What are you up to?  How is back-to-school treating you? I love hearing from YOU!

Original article: First Stop… San Francisco!

©2012 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Summer Reading: Karen White

Good morning, everyone!  I can’t believe this is it for summer.  Many kids are back in school already, and my three start brand new schools this next week.  I LOVE it here on the California coast–can’t believe we really live here—and hope that soon we’ll be out of boxes and have furniture in all room.  Happily, my library/media room was finished yesterday and is scheduled to be stained next week so fingers crossed I’ll soon have all my books out and available to me!

Speaking of books….we are wrapping up my Summer Reading feature on my blog with NY Times bestselling author, Karen White, who has an amazing, loyal following, and wonderful, complex stories.  Karen and I share the same editor—Cindy Hwang–and I’m a huge fan of Karen’s writing, work ethic, and success.  Please help me welcome, the lovely Karen White!

The Price of Fame

By now I’m sure everybody’s seen the nude Las Vegas photos of Prince Harry.  My 20-year-old daughter was horrified (as she has planned on being Mrs. Prince Harry since she was about 13), and then severely disappointed that a person with such a public profile would so easily allow himself to become tabloid media fodder.

Granted, I’m not anywhere nearly as recognizable or as well-known as Prince Harry, or Justin Bieber or even Kim Kardashian.  Still, I’ve become more and more aware in recent years that I might not be as invisible as I had thought.

About a year ago, I was waiting for a dressing room at Anthropologie when a woman came up to me and asked if I was Karen White, the author.  Thankfully, my hair was washed and I was wearing makeup and—even better—my daughter (who is barely aware that I do anything besides her laundry) was with me as a witness.

I was thrilled beyond belief.  And a little appalled.  Here’s a little known fact:  writing is not a glamorous occupation.  We aren’t paid to work out with personal trainers, nor do we have a staff of stylists on hand to make sure we always look red-carpet worthy.  When I’m at home working, I look like a homeless woman: holey sweats, an old t-shirt, fluffy slippers, no makeup, and my hair in a blob on top of my head.  I’m always afraid that the UPS man will call the authorities about the squatter he thinks is living in my house.

I’ve been recognized as “Karen White the Author” at a Boy Scout meeting, the grocery store, and nail salon, and once at the vets, I was asked to sign the back of a magazine.

So what does this have to do with Prince Harry?  Well, it’s too bad he wasn’t raised by a Southern Mama.  I was taught from the cradle that one always keeps a tube of lipstick handy and one always behaves in public because one never knows who’s looking.  Or taking pictures.  Yes, I might look like I belong on the cover of National Geographic when I’m at home working, but I have learned that I need to at least wear clothes and put on lipstick when crawling out of my writing cave.  I also always keep in mind what I’ve taught my almost-adult children:  never do anything you don’t want photographed and freely distributed in the cybersphere.

My young nephew recently asked me if I was famous.  “Well, no,” I replied.  I’m not sure at what point one become famous, but I’m pretty sure I’m not there.  It probably involves more than being on the bestseller lists or being recognized at the local Kroger.

“How will you know?” he persisted. I’m not really sure, but I would bet it doesn’t require playing strip billiards or being photographed getting out of a limo without proper undergarments.  I’d like to think that being famous means being on the top of my game,  writing the best books that I can, and being recognized for being a writer who tells compelling stories about people readers care about.

I’m currently working on my summer 2013 book—my first hardcover release.  After my last two novels made the top 20 of the New York Times bestseller list, my publisher determined that it was time.  They will be putting a lot of effort into making it a successful release, and I’m busy making it the best book I’ve ever written.  Will it make me famous like JK Rowling or Stephenie Meyer?  Maybe.  Maybe not.

Regardless, I’m pretty sure I won’t be having a $20 million wedding and then getting divorced a month or two later.  No, I’ll probably just stick an extra tube of lipstick in my pocket and be prepared to be recognized in a few more places.  And then I’ll get busy writing the next book.  Because that’s what I do, regardless of how many people know who I am.

~~~~~~~~~

Karen, thanks so much for joining us today!  I’m thrilled you were able to join us here on my JaneBlog and am so excited to read your next book.  I know it will be incredibly successful and I’ll be one of the first in line to buy it!

Readers and friends, to learn more about Karen, visit her at http://www.karen-white.com and for a chance to win two Karen White novels, along with a fun beach tote of goodies, including a Ty Gurney Surf School water bottle, and Starbucks card, please leave a comment below and tell me about your summer, and/or what you are doing this weekend, Labor Day weekend.  That’s right.  Just chat with me and you’re entered!

The Karen White Contest runs through Friday night, Sept 7th, and the winner will be announced on Saturday Sept 8th in the comment section below, too!  So be sure to check back to see if you won and contact me with your details since I don’t hunt you down.  It’s the winner’s job to follow up with me.  Mean of me, but true.  Now get back out in the sunshine and enjoy your day!

xoxooxx

PS  The Good Woman is apparenty shipping from Barnes & Noble so fingers crossed you will be getting your copy soon!  I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Original article: Summer Reading: Karen White

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