Cindy Arora's Blog, page 4
October 22, 2015
MEET: Kay W. Smith, Author of LOTUS
The Book:
Newlywed Lotus Price has everything that she should have ever wanted: a great husband and a dream job as an executive of a prominent Chicago philanthropic foundation. Her life is going exactly as she planned—until she discovers she is pregnant and then unexpectedly encounters her first love. Despite his offer to be friends, Lotus wants to keep the past where it belongs. As the pregnancy begins to interrupt the dream that Lotus envisioned for her marriage, she is forced to rethink everything she thought she knew about her path to this point, including the single day that led her to her husband and away from the man she saw herself spending forever with. Now, as long-buried scars resurface, only time will tell what direction Lotus will take in the future—and who will be willing to give up what they have in order to get what they have always desired?
My Thoughts: Once I hunkered down and started reading LOTUS, I found myself fairly invested in the heroine of the novel – Lotus Price. What would she do? How is she handling this pregnancy? Why is her husband being detached? Why is the “love of her life” back in her life … NOW. I felt like I was watching a great episode of Grey’s Anatomy (the early years, naturally) and it was fun. When I finally got to the last page, I couldn’t help but wonder ”Is Lotus Price going to be OK?”
Ms. Smith had made me care about her heroine and that was a great feeling!
I enjoyed how connected I felt to the motley crew of characters that made Lotus a stand out for me. All of them were flawed, thoughtful and wonderfully grown-up.
There was no obvious “good guy versus the bad guy”, everyone was complex, layered and all had reasons for the choices that were made in the past — which, brought them to their somewhat messy present. A rich and refreshing read, I do have one question for Kay W. Smith, can I expect a sequel? I must know what happens to Lotus Price!
The Take Away: Life. It’s Complicated
.
Bio:
Kay W. Smith is a writer and blogger living in Chicago, Illinois with her husband and two sons. She worked in public policy for several years before pursuing her passion to write full-time. She is a graduate of Spelman College and the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.
Get in Touch:
Amazon Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Lotus-Kay-W-Smith/dp/1483434133
WEBSITE: HTTPS://WWW.KAYWSMITH.COM
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25911512-lotus#other_reviews
FACEBOOK: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/KAYWSMITHAUTHOR
TWITTER: HTTPS://TWITTER.COM/KAYWILLSMITH
INSTAGRAM: HTTPS://INSTAGRAM.COM/KAY.W.SMITH/
PINTEREST: HTTPS://WWW.PINTEREST.COM/KAYWSMITHAUTHOR/
October 1, 2015
A Chat with Amy E. Reichert: Milwaukee + Coconut Cake
A Chat with Amy E. Reichert: Milwaukee + Coconut Cake
This summer I was really, really excited to read the debut novel, THE COINCIDENCE OF COCONUT CAKE by Amy E. Reichert. I bought the paperback and ended up reading it as fast as I probably eat coconut cake and lemme tell you, it did not disappoint. It’s fun, romantic, sweet and you really end up falling in love with the city of Milwaukee and all of its wonderful spots to eat, explore and have a romance. The cast of characters are a delight to spend time with and you really root for love to win! Well, I did anyways.
if you haven’t had a chance to pick up this book, add it to your list, you will not regret it!
Amy was kind enough to visit us here at eat~write~love and answered a few questions on writing, Milwaukee’s dining scene and book #2!
Thank you Amy!
Can you share any of your writing tips with readers and writers interested in your creative process?
Creativity and writing don’t always go hand in hand. With deadlines looming, sometimes you have to find a way to get it done, even if your muses are silent. In other words, power through. The only way to finish writing, is to write. Keep writing, even if the words are utter drivel. That’s the beauty of revision, you can always fix it later.
Al was initially unimpressed by Milwaukee as a culinary hot spot, do you find this to be often true with people you meet who aren’t familiar with the city? Can you expand on this?
One of the reasons I wanted to write about Milwaukee is it’s often overlooked, especially with Chicago so close. But it is it’s own city with it’s own character. Where else will you find racing sausages, world class festivals, and deep-fried cheese curds? It’s a quirky city – with the benefits of a big city but the charm of somewhere much more welcoming.
What are some of your favorite places to eat, drink and have cake in Milwaukee and/or Wisconsin?
Obviously, I adore Northpoint Custard, though there are probably many other exceptional frozen custard stands that are worth visiting: Le Duc’s, Leons, Kopps, and Gilles to name a few. As for dining, my current favorites are La Merenda, Wolf Peach, and Morel – they all have a farm-to-table style menu that I really love. Bryant’s is a classic place for cocktails, they don’t offer a menu because their bartenders can make anything – instead the waitress asks what you like to drink than make suggestions. Lastly, the best ice cream in the city is at Purple Door Ice Cream – they have a Brandy Old-Fashioned flavor that is amazing!
Tell us a bit about your own culinary background? Just an avid eater? A lover of dining out or cooking?
I’ve spent a lot of time in restaurant kitchens. I started working in restaurants when I turned 14, and put myself through grad school as a waitress. Now, I do love to dine out, but I also love to cook. I’ve learned enough that there aren’t many recipes that intimidate me – though croissants are still beyond my skill level.
Do you find that a restaurant critique has the power that your main character Al has in ruining the reputation of a restaurant? Does a bad review sway you from checking out a spot?
Based on my research, an official restaurant review probably won’t tank a restaurant that is already doing well, but it can
make the difference to one that is on the cusp, like Luella’s is in the book. Losing just a few customers a day can make a huge difference to a bottom line. In today’s age of online review sites like Tripadvisor and Yelp, I do think negative reviews are harmful to businesses. I’m often swayed by reviews. However, I’ll give the benefit of the doubt to local places.
Can you share some of your favorite food fiction books you are reading now?
When I’m writing, I try not to read books too similar to what I’m writing. Right now, I’m reading Wonder by RJ Palacio and I just finished Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren. Some of my favorite food fiction I have read is How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donohue and When in Doubt, Add Butter by Beth Harbison.
What can you tell us about your next book?
Luck, Love & Lemon Pie will be out next summer. It’s about a frustrated housewife who hatches a scheme to reignite her marriage–and risks everything in a gamble she hopes is a sure bet.
Learn more about Amy at: http://AmyeReichert.com
A Chat with Amy E. Reichert: Milwaukee + Coconut Cake
This summer I was really, really excited to read the debut novel, THE COINCIDENCE OF COCONUT CAKE by Amy E. Reichert. I bought the paperback and ended up reading it as fast as I probably eat coconut cake and lemme tell you, it did not disappoint. It’s fun, romantic, sweet and you really end up falling in love with the city of Milwaukee and all of its wonderful spots to eat, explore and have a romance. The cast of characters are a delight to spend time with and you really root for love to win! Well, I did anyways.
if you haven’t had a chance to pick up this book, add it to your list, you will not regret it!
Amy was kind enough to visit us here at eat~write~love and answered a few questions on writing, Milwaukee’s dining scene and book #2!
Thank you Amy!
Can you share any of your writing tips with readers and writers interested in your creative process?
Creativity and writing don’t always go hand in hand. With deadlines looming, sometimes you have to find a way to get it done, even if your muses are silent. In other words, power through. The only way to finish writing, is to write. Keep writing, even if the words are utter drivel. That’s the beauty of revision, you can always fix it later.
Al was initially unimpressed by Milwaukee as a culinary hot spot, do you find this to be often true with people you meet who aren’t familiar with the city? Can you expand on this?
One of the reasons I wanted to write about Milwaukee is it’s often overlooked, especially with Chicago so close. But it is it’s own city with it’s own character. Where else will you find racing sausages, world class festivals, and deep-fried cheese curds? It’s a quirky city – with the benefits of a big city but the charm of somewhere much more welcoming.
What are some of your favorite places to eat, drink and have cake in Milwaukee and/or Wisconsin?
Obviously, I adore Northpoint Custard, though there are probably many other exceptional frozen custard stands that are worth visiting: Le Duc’s, Leons, Kopps, and Gilles to name a few. As for dining, my current favorites are La Merenda, Wolf Peach, and Morel – they all have a farm-to-table style menu that I really love. Bryant’s is a classic place for cocktails, they don’t offer a menu because their bartenders can make anything – instead the waitress asks what you like to drink than make suggestions. Lastly, the best ice cream in the city is at Purple Door Ice Cream – they have a Brandy Old-Fashioned flavor that is amazing!
Tell us a bit about your own culinary background? Just an avid eater? A lover of dining out or cooking?
I’ve spent a lot of time in restaurant kitchens. I started working in restaurants when I turned 14, and put myself through grad school as a waitress. Now, I do love to dine out, but I also love to cook. I’ve learned enough that there aren’t many recipes that intimidate me – though croissants are still beyond my skill level.
Do you find that a restaurant critique has the power that your main character Al has in ruining the reputation of a restaurant? Does a bad review sway you from checking out a spot?
Based on my research, an official restaurant review probably won’t tank a restaurant that is already doing well, but it can
make the difference to one that is on the cusp, like Luella’s is in the book. Losing just a few customers a day can make a huge difference to a bottom line. In today’s age of online review sites like Tripadvisor and Yelp, I do think negative reviews are harmful to businesses. I’m often swayed by reviews. However, I’ll give the benefit of the doubt to local places.
Can you share some of your favorite food fiction books you are reading now?
When I’m writing, I try not to read books too similar to what I’m writing. Right now, I’m reading Wonder by RJ Palacio and I just finished Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren. Some of my favorite food fiction I have read is How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donohue and When in Doubt, Add Butter by Beth Harbison.
What can you tell us about your next book?
Luck, Love & Lemon Pie will be out next summer. It’s about a frustrated housewife who hatches a scheme to reignite her marriage–and risks everything in a gamble she hopes is a sure bet.
Learn more about Amy at: http://AmyeReichert.com
August 20, 2015
Guest Post: How to Start A Book Club!
I had an ambitious “Summer Reading List” put together this year, plenty of fiction, some romance and a couple of biographies.
But the book that sat on the top of my reading pile was the new release CENTER OF GRAVITY by Laura McNeill, a suspense thriller that people had been calling “creepy” “intense” and “powerful”. I dived in and loved every minute of Laura’s fantastic read. It didn’t disappoint and I found myself up reading late at night flipping through the pages as fast as I could.
Laura was kind enough to share a guest post on one of her favorite topics: Reading! And how to have fun exploring new books with new friends. Thank you to Laura for stopping by!
How Start a Book Club in 5 Easy Steps
If you’re looking for a way to get together with friends and neighbors, a book club allows you to meet up, have interesting discussions, and share your favorite beach reads.
Whether you’re looking for mystery lovers, fans of the classics or just an excuse to share a glass of wine and chat about the latest romantic comedy, it’s easy to get a reading group together.
Here are five easy suggestions for starting a new book club in your area. Worried about doing it all yourself? Team up with a friend and do it together!
1. Decide on the book club’s focus
Are you a suspense lover? Adore only YA? Or do you have eclectic tastes that span all genres? Determine if you want to focus on one genre or mix it up every month. Will it be formal or relaxed? Dress up or down?
2. Invite friends
The perfect number for a book club group is between 5 and 12 people. That way, everyone can participate and have a chance to share their thoughts on the month’s book. Compile a list of e-mail addresses, start a group on Meet-Up, or post a flyer at your local indie bookstore or library.
3. Decide on a time, day, and place
For our book club, we determined that the first Tuesday of each month from 7:30 pm 9:30 pm was best for everyone to meet. For your group, send out an email asking the following:
• Time & Day – Poll everyone and ask them to choose among 3 days and times.
• Location – My book club takes turns hosting at each member’s home, with that person providing light refreshments and leading the discussion.
• A quiet coffee shop or restaurant works just as well.
4. Choose your books
For the first time the group meets, it’s okay for you to suggest the book title and prepare discussion questions. At the end of the first meeting, have everyone vote on the next 4-6 books to be read. You can always look to best-sellers list or recommendations from your local books store.
5. Email out the details
Before the first meeting, email or text members the following details:
• The name of the book
• When, where, and what time you will meet
• Let the group know of any special accommodations needed (kids’ bedtimes, pets in case anyone is allergic, etc.)
At the first meeting, assign someone (that month’s hostess?) to communicate with the group a few days before every meeting,
Though it’s not necessary, it’s been helpful for our group to have a private Facebook page. We post reminders about meetings, questions, and information for all of the members to check, and then post photos of the group after the meeting wraps up. We’ve also held-holiday themed parties, coordinating the snacks and drinks to the occasion.
Do you belong to a book club? Any other suggestions you can add?
About the Author
After six years behind the anchor desk at two CBS affiliates, Laura McNeill moved to the Alabama Gulf Coast to write full-time. Her novels, known for their endearingly flawed characters, illuminate the real life struggles that touch us all. A native of Upstate New York, she now lives in Mobile, Alabama, with her two growing boys. Twitter @LaurenClark_Bks
Website | Blog | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Instagram | Facebook |
Guest Post: How to Start A Book Club!
I had an ambitious “Summer Reading List” put together this year, plenty of fiction, some romance and a couple of biographies.
But the book that sat on the top of my reading pile was the new release CENTER OF GRAVITY by Laura McNeill, a suspense thriller that people had been calling “creepy” “intense” and “powerful”. I dived in and loved every minute of Laura’s fantastic read. It didn’t disappoint and I found myself up reading late at night flipping through the pages as fast as I could.
Laura was kind enough to share a guest post on one of her favorite topics: Reading! And how to have fun exploring new books with new friends. Thank you to Laura for stopping by!
How Start a Book Club in 5 Easy Steps
If you’re looking for a way to get together with friends and neighbors, a book club allows you to meet up, have interesting discussions, and share your favorite beach reads.
Whether you’re looking for mystery lovers, fans of the classics or just an excuse to share a glass of wine and chat about the latest romantic comedy, it’s easy to get a reading group together.
Here are five easy suggestions for starting a new book club in your area. Worried about doing it all yourself? Team up with a friend and do it together!
1. Decide on the book club’s focus
Are you a suspense lover? Adore only YA? Or do you have eclectic tastes that span all genres? Determine if you want to focus on one genre or mix it up every month. Will it be formal or relaxed? Dress up or down?
2. Invite friends
The perfect number for a book club group is between 5 and 12 people. That way, everyone can participate and have a chance to share their thoughts on the month’s book. Compile a list of e-mail addresses, start a group on Meet-Up, or post a flyer at your local indie bookstore or library.
3. Decide on a time, day, and place
For our book club, we determined that the first Tuesday of each month from 7:30 pm 9:30 pm was best for everyone to meet. For your group, send out an email asking the following:
• Time & Day – Poll everyone and ask them to choose among 3 days and times.
• Location – My book club takes turns hosting at each member’s home, with that person providing light refreshments and leading the discussion.
• A quiet coffee shop or restaurant works just as well.
4. Choose your books
For the first time the group meets, it’s okay for you to suggest the book title and prepare discussion questions. At the end of the first meeting, have everyone vote on the next 4-6 books to be read. You can always look to best-sellers list or recommendations from your local books store.
5. Email out the details
Before the first meeting, email or text members the following details:
• The name of the book
• When, where, and what time you will meet
• Let the group know of any special accommodations needed (kids’ bedtimes, pets in case anyone is allergic, etc.)
At the first meeting, assign someone (that month’s hostess?) to communicate with the group a few days before every meeting,
Though it’s not necessary, it’s been helpful for our group to have a private Facebook page. We post reminders about meetings, questions, and information for all of the members to check, and then post photos of the group after the meeting wraps up. We’ve also held-holiday themed parties, coordinating the snacks and drinks to the occasion.
Do you belong to a book club? Any other suggestions you can add?
About the Author
After six years behind the anchor desk at two CBS affiliates, Laura McNeill moved to the Alabama Gulf Coast to write full-time. Her novels, known for their endearingly flawed characters, illuminate the real life struggles that touch us all. A native of Upstate New York, she now lives in Mobile, Alabama, with her two growing boys. Twitter @LaurenClark_Bks
Website | Blog | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Instagram | Facebook |
June 19, 2015
Drinks by the Pool Edition: Cocktails at Le Carmen
To celebrate the release of the debut chick lit novel Cocktails at Le Carmen, by Isabelle Andover, my publisher Simon & Fig is hosting a virtual cocktail party today! Big congrats to Isabelle on her big day and if you are looking for a great book to add to your summer reading list, this is The One.
I’ve decided to celebrate cocktail hour in my favorite way: Poolside.
This weekend kicks of the summer season and if there’s one thing Los Angeles is really exceptional at it’ s the Poolside Cocktail Party. This is probably my favorite type of cocktail party, because it’s often OK to show up in shorts and flip-flops and it’s also acceptable to lay on an inflatable doughnut hole all day, while enjoying a pretty cocktail. Nothing better.
If you happen to be in Los Angeles this summer, check out this great post by Thrillist.com that goes over all the best hotels in the area where you can sit by the pool, enjoy a fun drink and read a good book!
For more information on Cocktails at Le Carmen, please visit: www.simonandfig.com
When job cuts at Chloe Saddler’s London communications firm result in an unexpected transfer to Paris, she finds herself leaving behind her friends, family, and boyfriend Scott to start a new life in the City of Light. Getting to grips with La Vie Parisienne and keeping a long-distance relationship afloat is not made any easier by the culture shock. Committing the odd French faux pas and inadvertently indulging in a few too many flirtations with her very sexy (and very taken) boss, Jean-Luc, is just the start of it. Factor in her bridezilla of a sister’s wedding (the hottest event of the year in the Saddler family’s social calendar), an unexpected session of hot, naked yoga, a slightly psychotic stalker, and one incredible kiss at an infamous Montmartre nightspot, and Chloe can say au revoir to her old, safe London life and bonjour to the romance, splendour, and glamour of Paris.
Drinks by the Pool Edition: Cocktails at Le Carmen
Drinks by the Pool Edition: Cocktails at Le Carmen
To celebrate the release of the debut chick lit novel Cocktails at Le Carmen, by Isabelle Andover, my publisher Simon & Fig is hosting a virtual cocktail party today! Big congrats to Isabelle on her big day and if you are looking for a great book to add to your summer reading list, this is The One.
I’ve decided to celebrate cocktail hour in my favorite way: Poolside.
This weekend kicks of the summer season and if there’s one thing Los Angeles is really exceptional at it’ s the Poolside Cocktail Party. This is probably my favorite type of cocktail party, because it’s often OK to show up in shorts and flip-flops and it’s also acceptable to lay on an inflatable doughnut hole all day, while enjoying a pretty cocktail. Nothing better.
If you happen to be in Los Angeles this summer, check out this great post by Thrillist.com that goes over all the best hotels in the area where you can sit by the pool, enjoy a fun drink and read a good book!
When job cuts at Chloe Saddler’s London communications firm result in an unexpected transfer to Paris, she finds herself leaving behind her friends, family, and boyfriend Scott to start a new life in the City of Light. Getting to grips with La Vie Parisienne and keeping a long-distance relationship afloat is not made any easier by the culture shock. Committing the odd French faux pas and inadvertently indulging in a few too many flirtations with her very sexy (and very taken) boss, Jean-Luc, is just the start of it. Factor in her bridezilla of a sister’s wedding (the hottest event of the year in the Saddler family’s social calendar), an unexpected session of hot, naked yoga, a slightly psychotic stalker, and one incredible kiss at an infamous Montmartre nightspot, and Chloe can say au revoir to her old, safe London life and bonjour to the romance, splendour, and glamour of Paris.
For more information on Cocktails at Le Carmen, please visit: www.simonandfig.com
May 20, 2015
CALL FOR READERS: Cocktails at Le Carmen #chicklit
Be a Part of the Blog Tour!
Simon & Fig is organizing a blog tour for Cocktails at Le Carmen!Kindle and ePub copies of Cocktails at Le Carmen are available for review internationally.
Paperback copies are available for shipping within the United States. The author, Isabelle Andover, is available for guest posts and interviews.
To participate in the Cocktails at Le Carmen blog tour, please contact smallplatemedia@gmail.com for additional information.
For more information on Cocktails at Le Carmen, please go to www.simonandfig.com
Cocktails at Le Carmen
When job cuts at Chloe Saddler’s London communications firm result in an unexpected transfer to Paris, she finds herself leaving behind her friends, family, and boyfriend Scott to start a new life in the City of Light. Getting to grips with La Vie Parisienne and keeping a long-distance relationship afloat is not made any easier by the culture shock. Committing the odd French faux pasand inadvertently indulging in a few too many flirtations with her very sexy (and very taken) boss, Jean-Luc, is just the start of it. Factor in her bridezilla of a sister’s wedding (the hottest event of the year in the Saddler family’s social calendar), an unexpected session of hot, naked yoga, a slightly psychotic stalker, and one incredible kiss at an infamous Montmartre nightspot, and Chloe can say au revoir to her old, safe London life and bonjour to the romance, splendour, and glamour of Paris.
A delightful debut that harks back to the early days of Chick Lit when heroines were flawed, funny, and forever battling for love and happiness. With quirky characters and classic comedic charm,
Cocktails at Le Carmen is pure fun from page one.
May 6, 2015
Meet: Muriel Vega, Food Writer + Pie Maker
Muriel Vega, a food + travel writer based out of Atlanta found herself baking pies as a way to sooth her chronic anxiety and the end result was a year-long personal challenge to bake 50 pies, that became known on Instagram as #muriels50pies. While the pie challenge did eventually end in December 2014, the experience inspired Muriel to create a darling pie zine with memories, recipes and photos all about … well, pie.
I have Muriel’s zine sitting on my desk at home and it’s one of my favorite ways to take a break and have some pie without actually having to have a slice!
Thanks to Muriel for joining us and for sharing her experience in creating: PIE: A Zine about Memories and Eating Pie
What is your experience with creating zines? Is this the first one you did?
It was really fun! I spent weeks collecting pieces from all of my social media channels and friends. It was my first zine, but several of my friends have done some so I was able to talk to them about it..We have a really neat non-profit organization here in Atlanta, Murmur Media, and they focus on promoting DIY and zine media culture in the city. One of my favorite coffee shops hosts the Atlanta Zine Library, where I spent many afternoons looking at zines for inspiration and Murmur also plans the annual Atlanta Zine Fest, where vendors from all over the city sell their homemade zine. 
How did you pick the stories and recipes to share?
Initially, I thought about just doing a zine about my pies, only by me. But as the challenge evolved, I kept getting more and more stories from people trying to make my pies and memories of them baking with their family members. It kind of went from there and I decided to make it about others, instead of just me. Originally, the zine was only going to be a few pages long, but I had such an incredible response from friends and fellow ladies around the country. At that point, I decided to do my best to fit as many as I could in the zine and it quickly grew to 30 pages! I’m eternally grateful for everyone who took the time to submit poems, illustrations, recipes and anecdotes. You guys really made my life!
How has the response to your pie zine been?
Amazing! I sold out within a week! I think people really connected with the subject matter and the nostalgia of it all. I worked really hard to put a good compilation together to culminate my 50-pie project and I’m glad everyone appreciated that. A few local boutiques and stores carried a few copies as well and in the end, I donated over $500 to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. This was around Christmas time too so I’m glad I was able to help people in need. I had a few people interview me about my project and zine as well (hi!) and one of my favorite writers, Ann Friedman, even contributed a pie chart for the zine. Let’s just say, I fan-girled so hard when she said yes to my request.
After eating and baking all that pie, are you still doing it to help your anxiety? Or have you moved onto to a new dessert? Shall we be excitedly looking forward to a doughnut zine? Ha! That’s an amazing idea. Donuts! I still bake pies here and there, but not as often anymore. After dedicating most of my time to them last year, my other goals kind of fell through the cracks so I’m trying to tackle a few other things this year instead. The challenge really helped me feel more centered and OK with life’s ever changing things. My anxiety is an all-time low (yay!) and I still work on it every day. I would love to do another zine. I’ve thought about maybe a pizza or taco zine? I wanted to do a trilogy of food zines about food that people are really obsessed with. This summer, I’ll be working on a podcast about snacks so look out for that!
Any advice to others who want to create a food zine?
Of course! Zines are unbelievably approachable and easy to make. My PIE zine was on the fancy side by choice, but most zines are black and white copies, stapled and only a few pages. Prices range between $2-5. It’s a great thing especially if you have only a few things to say, without having to write a whole book! Pick something you’re passionate about and make it happen. Stop procrastinating because you think it will take a long time, it really doesn’t. If you need inspiration, check out Pinterest (I promise they have more than mason jars and wedding things!) and Etsy. Or come to Atlanta and check out the Atlanta Zine Library at Hodgepodge Coffee!
Muriel currently lives in Atlanta, Ga. with her boyfriend/travel partner Alex and their three pets: cat, Pancakes + dogs, Jack and Alta. While they would love to quit their jobs and travel the world, it’s not in the cards for them, yet. But that doesn’t stop them from trying to seeing the world – all within their 10 vacation days from their 9-5 jobs.
Say hi to Muriel at her website: www.piesandtravel.com
May 1, 2015
Small Victory for a Small Press #internationalchicklitmonth
In the ever-evolving land of book publishing the small press and its indie authors can get lost in the shuffle, just ask Lucie Simone publisher of small indie press Simon & Fig.
The Southern California small press, (which, also published my debut novel Heartbreak Cake) has been around for 4.5 years and has published nine titles that specialize in Chick Lit, Women’s Fiction and Lad Lit.
We spoke recently with Lucie just after she received an email from Kirkus Reviews letting her know one of her authors Lisa Doyle and her new release “MILKED” made it to the print edition, which according to Kirkus is an honor that only goes to 10 percent of their Indie Reviews.
For Lucie and her company Simon & Fig, this was a victory. Perhaps a small one to a big press, but to a small company like her own — these are the kind of strides she hopes to continue to make as she pushes forward to introduce new and exciting voices to readers and also to remind the book industry that Chick Lit is alive, well and thriving.
We sat down and chatted with Lucie to get some perspective on the landscape for independent publishing houses and how she stays in the competitive game.
For a Small Press what does a Kirkus Review mean? For the press and for the author?
Discerning readers respect the opinions put forth by Kirkus. A positive Kirkus review lets readers know a book is worth their time. There are a lot of books out there, and readers want some assurance that buying a book by a debut author won’t turn out to be a disappointment. So, when a small press like Simon & Fig receives a great review from Kirkus, it serves as a terrific form of recognition for the work we’re doing, which is definitely a labor of love. And for the author, it can lead to many great opportunities as Kirkus Reviews is read and respected by industry professionals as well as those simply hoping to discover a great book to add to their shelf.
According to Kirkus only 10 percent of indie authors get this chance, what are your thoughts on that number and how did you separate yourself from other small presses to get the chance?
With the number of submissions Kirkus receives, it’s easy to imagine how hard it must be to select a handful to feature in their print edition. Simon & Fig prides itself on publishing high quality work, ensuring that everything from the editing to the cover art is to professional standards. We also have a narrow niche, which allows us to be really selective. And most importantly, we only publish what we love. We carefully consider what titles we wish to take on, and that often means that we only put out a few titles a year. This separates us from many small press and e-presses out there that are uploading books every week and doing so as cheaply as possible. We aren’t afraid to invest in our books and that translates to readers as quality reading. Readers can count on a Simon & Fig title being top notch because our own standards are really high.
What are the challenges for reviews and marketing for indie authors and small presses? How does one get noticed?
With the relative ease of eBook and Print-On-Demand publishing these days, the publishing industry has seen a huge increase in the development of small and micro presses. Add to that the multitude of authors self-publishing their works and it’s easy to see how quickly the online eBook market can become flooded with books. Amidst this sea of literature, it’s hard to stand out. A positive review from Kirkus lends a certain credibility to an author’s work and a publisher’s reputation.
What types of marketing (events, author fairs) do you participate in?
A staple in our marketing plan is blog tours. These are great for reaching a specific audience who wants to read what we publish. We’ve also had some good experiences with local book signings in the authors’ home towns. But we’re really excited about a big event we’re sponsoring in June, Celebrating Women’s Fiction, which brings together a panel of Women’s Fiction authors to discuss the impact Women’s Fiction has on the publishing industry, writers, and ultimately the readers. We’ve got an incredible line up of authors speaking at the event, such as Laura Dave, Liz Fenton, Anita Hughes, Juliette Sobanet and several others including Simon & Fig authors, Cindy Arora, Lisa Doyle, Anna Garner, Nancy Scrofano and Lucie Simone. It’s sure to be a great event!
Any advice for indie authors on getting any kind of notice out there?
First and foremost, write a great book. Make sure it is the best it can possibly be (and this may mean spending some money to hire an editor). If you’re self-publishing, don’t rush to publish. Take your time to make sure it meets the same level of quality that traditionally published books do. Basically, you’re launching a small business and that takes determination, direction, and knowing when to hire professionals to polish things up. And be a part of the community you’re writing for. If you’re a Chick Lit author, participate in associations or groups that support that genre, visit and interact with bloggers dedicated to the genre, and read and celebrate your fellow authors.
