SOLD ON A MONDAY, by KRISTINA MCMORRIS

From New York Times bestselling author Kristina McMorris comes another unforgettable novel inspired by a stunning piece of history.  
SOLD ON A MONDAY debuts August 28th!

2 CHILDREN FOR SALE

The sign is a last resort. It sits on a farmhouse porch in 1931 but could be found anywhere in an era of breadlines, bank runs, and broken dreams. It could have been written by any mother facing impossible choices.

For struggling reporter Ellis Reed, the gut-wrenching scene evokes memories of his family’s dark past. He snaps a photograph of the children, not meant for publication. But when it leads to his big break, the consequences are more devastating than he ever imagined.

At the paper, Lillian Palmer is haunted by her role in all that happened. She is far too familiar with the heartbreak of children deemed unwanted. As the bonds of motherhood are tested, she and Ellis must decide how much they are willing to risk to mend a fractured family.

Inspired by an actual newspaper photograph that stunned the nation, Sold on a Monday is a powerful novel of love, redemption, and the unexpected paths that bring us home.

Reviews ~

“Kristina McMorris does what few writers can—transport me right into the middle of the story.” 

—Sara Gruen, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Water for Elephants

“The sale of two young children leads to devastating consequences in this historical tearjerker from McMorris...A tender love story enriches a complex plot, giving readers a story with grit, substance, and rich historical detail.” 

—Publishers Weekly

“A masterpiece that poignantly echoes universal themes of loss and redemption, Sold on a Monday is both heartfelt and heartbreaking.”

—Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan’s Tale

Be sure to click on the book trailer (here) to learn more about Kristina's research for the book (great photos included!) book trailer:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwAHWG2zdmo

Some Q & A with Kristina:

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Well, I’m a married mom of two fantastic boys, ages 12 and 14 (both going on 40), and a native of Portland, Oregon—proven by my webbed feet and principled lack of an umbrella. Before delving into the book world, I was a weekly TV-show host starting with a fun kids’ program when I was nine (which I somehow landed by falling off a chair at the audition—yes, really), then a PR Director of an international conglomerate, as well as the owner of a wedding- and event-planning company until I’d reached my max of drunken YMCA and chicken dances. As for my heritage, I’m of Irish and Japanese descent, a pretty confusing mix that should explain a lot about me.

How did you start writing?

I usually call myself the “accidental author,” since I’d never planned to become a writer. But then a handful of years ago, I was interviewing my grandmother for the biographical section of a homemade cookbook to be given out as Christmas gifts for the family. That’s when she shared how she and my late grandfather had dated only twice during WWII, fell in love through letters, and were married until he passed away fifty years later. Then she pulled out of the closet her whole collection of courtship letters, all written by a 19-year-old sailor who didn’t know if he’d ever be coming home.

When I left her house, I started to wonder how well two people could truly know each other through letters alone. What if the words on those pages weren’t entirely truthful? Before long, I decided to sit down and try my hand at writing what eventually became my debut novel, Letters from Home.

Where do you get your ideas?

For all of my stories since my first novel, I happened to stumble upon a fascinating piece of history that made me think, How did I not know about this before? Other people should know about this! For instance, the startling fact that more than two hundred non-Japanese spouses actually lived in the WWII internment camps voluntarily formed the basis of my second novel, Bridge of Scarlet Leaves. The idea for The Pieces We Keep came to me when I discovered a declassified account about German saboteurs who were dropped off by U-Boat on the East Coast of America in 1942. And when I learned that the children of prison staff used to live on Alcatraz Island, next door to the likes of Al Capone and “Machine Gun” Kelly, I knew I had the premise of The Edge of Lost.

In short, I like to joke that my novels are essentially literary Advil, in that readers get the sugarcoating of a story on the outside and likely don’t realize how much good stuff (i.e. history) they’re also getting until they finish the book.

Is there a particular author or book that influenced or inspired your writing or decision to write?

When I sold my debut novel, I had a second book on the contract. Writing about WWII took such an incredible amount of research that I was seriously considering switching to a present-day setting for the next novel. But then I read Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, and I realized that, even though I enjoy reading other genres, none of them allow me to completely lose myself in a story like historicals. So, I knew that’s definitely what I needed to keep writing.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

You mean, how many letters do I have in my big ol’ rejection file? Uh… a lot. As in, at least sixty. Partly, of course, because I was still learning how to tell a story that pulled a reader in. I was also learning how to write an effective query letter. But the most common response from agents that I can now laugh at was: Sorry, but there’s just no market for WWII.

Just goes to show you: write the story that you’re most passionate about, the one you’d most want to read. Not the one that simply chases a trend.

Is anything in your latest book, Sold on a Monday, based on real-life experiences?

While the story is fictional, the inspiration for it came from a newspaper photo first published in 1948. Next to a small group of young children huddled on a stoop was a sign that read: 4 CHILDREN FOR SALE – INQUIRE WITHIN. And in the background stood a mother, shielding her face from the camera. As a mom myself, the picture grabbed hold of my heart and continued to haunt me for months. Eventually, I did some research, and in a follow-up article about the photographed kids, I read a startling sentence that completely changed how I viewed the photo. And that’s when the premise of Sold on a Monday really took shape.

Do you have any more advice for aspiring writers?

I’d say, when it comes to constructive criticism, lower your defenses and listen with open ears, but treat feedback like a cafeteria line: pick and choose what works for you. I think every writer, when coming from a place of truth, has a distinct voice, a way they see the world. So, don't let anyone edit out what is uniquely yours. 

Favorite band or music?  Favorite book and/or movie?

I like almost all kinds of music, but among my favorites are songs from the 1940s and ‘50s, and I’m currently obsessed with the Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen soundtracks, two of the best Broadway shows I’ve ever seen.

For my favorite book, I’d have to go with The Book Thief and for a movie… it’s a tie between Gladiator and Shawshank Redemption.

Is there anything you’d like to say to your readers and fans?

Just that I really hope they enjoy Sold on a Monday! Also, my fall tour includes about fifty events in a dozen states (yes, I’m clearly insane), so if I have an event near them, I’d absolutely love to meet in person! To find out where I’ll be, they can check out my schedule at www.bit.ly/Sold-Tour

The photo that inspired Kristina to write SOLD ON A MONDAY ~ 

To connect with Kristina:

Website: www.KristinaMcMorris.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KristinaMcMorrisAuthor

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KrisMcmorris

GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/KristinaMcMorris

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kristina.mcmorris

WFWA (Women's Fiction Writers Assn.) Star Award finalists

WFWA ~Three Debut Star Award Contest Finalists

By Anne Pisacano

I'm honored to be the chair this year for the Star Award Contest for Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA). The contest began three years ago and is intended to recognize excellence in Women’s Fiction. The first round judges were instructed to rank the novels from 1-10 based on the organization's definition of women's fiction, which is "layered stories in which the plot is driven by the main character’s emotional journey".

We recently announced the finalists for the Debut Category. The subgenres of these three novels are a Murder Mystery, Young Adult, and Literary Fiction.

These books will now go out for final judging, and the winner will be announced at our annual retreat in Albuquerque on September 29th. Here are our finalists (in no particular order):

Debut Category:

Kathleen Barber – Are You Sleeping

Published by Simon & Schuster Gallery Books

Serial meets Ruth Ware’s In A Dark, Dark Wood in this inventive and twisty psychological thriller about a megahit podcast that reopens a murder case—and threatens to unravel the carefully constructed life of the victim’s daughter.

The only thing more dangerous than a lie…is the truth.

Josie Buhrman has spent the last ten years trying to escape her family and with good reason. After her father’s murder thirteen years prior, her mother ran away to join a cult and her twin sister Lanie, once Josie’s closest friend and confidant, betrayed her in an unimaginable way. Now, Josie has finally put down roots in New York, settling into domestic life with her partner Caleb, and that’s where she intends to stay.

The only problem is that she has lied to Caleb about every detail of her past—starting with her last name.

When investigative reporter Poppy Parnell sets off a media firestorm with a megahit podcast that reopens the long-closed case of Josie’s father’s murder, Josie’s world begins to unravel. Meanwhile, the unexpected death of Josie’s long-absent mother forces her to return to her Midwestern hometown where she must confront the demons from her past—and the lies on which she has staked her future.

Lori Henriksen - The Winter Loon

Published by Cougar Creek Books

In the shadow of the Great Depression, long before historical changes leading toward LGBTQ advocacy and equality, unpretentious eighteen-year-old Ruth Thompson defies expectations to marry her sweetheart, Duke. Impulsively deciding to join a rodeo circuit with her cousin in order to earn money for college, Ruth comes of age in the rough and tumble male-dominated culture of rodeo competition.

Ruth returns home to Minnesota a prize-winning competitor and resumes her familiar relationship with Duke. Once at college she grows increasingly restless in her role as a sorority girl with Duke as her escort for all social occasions. Her safe existence is upended when she meets confident and free-spirited Gisela and then further unravels when the two women fall in love.

The lives of Gisela and Duke entwine over the years as Ruth embarks on a journey of self-discovery, struggling with deep-rooted societal dogma fraught with the risk of dangerous repercussions and the possibility of losing everyone and everything dear to her. After the U.S. enters WWII, each faces a test of their own fortitude as all three must come to grips with redemption, forgiveness, the meaning of family and how to honor their authentic truth during this perilous time in history.

Both heart wrenching and uplifting, The Winter Loon honors the strength and spirit of all those who grapple with social persecution because of who they love and how they define family whether it is one's own flesh and blood kinfolk and/or those nearest and dearest to their heart.

Orly Konig Lopez -  The Distance Home

Published by Macmillan Forge Books

Sixteen years ago, a tragic accident cost Emma Metz her two best friends—one human and one equine. Now, following her father’s death, Emma has reluctantly returned to the Maryland hometown she’d left under a cloud of guilt.

Sorting through her father’s affairs, Emma uncovers a history of lies tying her broken family to the one place she thought she could never return—her girlhood sanctuary, Jumping Frog Farm.

Emma finds herself drawn back to the stable after all these years. It’s easy to win forgiveness from a horse, but less so from her former friend Jillian, their once strong bond destroyed by secrets and betrayals. But despite Jillian’s cold reception, for the first time in years, Emma feels at home. 

To exorcise the past, Emma will have to release her guilt, embrace an uncertain future, and trust again in the healing power of horses.

Orly Konig's The Distance Home is a powerful and sparkling women's fiction debut novel of second chances, friendship, and healing.

EVERY SINGLE SECRET by author, EMILY CARPENTER

Emotionally guarded Daphne Amos always believed she’d found a kindred spirit in her fiancé, Heath. Both very private people, they’ve kept their pasts hidden from the world, and each other, until Heath’s escalating nightmares begin to put an undeniable strain on their relationship. Determined to give their impending marriage the best chance of succeeding, Heath insists that Daphne join him on a seven-day retreat with Dr. Matthew Cerny, a psychologist celebrated for getting to the root of repressed memories. Daphne reluctantly agrees—even though the past is the last place she wants to go.

The retreat’s isolated and forbidding location increases her unease, as do the doctor’s rules: they must relinquish their keys and phones, they’ll be monitored at all hours by hidden cameras, and they’re never to socialize with the other guests.

One sleepless night, Daphne decides to leave her room…and only then does she realize that the institute is not at all what it seems—and that whatever’s crying out from Heath’s past isn’t meant to be heard. It’s meant to be silenced.

“Every Single Secret takes you on a journey into a dark, surreal world…A true psychological thriller that will leave you breathless.” —Wendy Walker, bestselling author of All Is Not Forgottenand Emma in the Night

“Creepy, twisty, and masterfully crafted. Emily Carpenter nailed the dark and disturbing characters that make up this rich and provocative gothic thriller. Every Single Secret is one of my favorite reads so far this year. I can’t recommend it enough.” —Kerry Lonsdale, Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Everything Series

“Emily Carpenter begins Every Single Secret on a creepy premise: couples therapy in a remote mountain resort, where every room has eyes—hidden cameras watching every move. Buckle up because this is one hell of a ride, a rocket-paced, edge-of-your-seat story you’ll want to devour in one sitting. A knockout, easily one of my favorite books of the year.” —Kimberly Belle, bestselling author of The Marriage Lie

“A complex, riveting novel of psychological suspense that holds a mirror to the darkest human impulses. A must-read.” —A. J. Banner, USA Today bestselling author of The Twilight Wife

“Emily Carpenter has once again crafted a story full of complicated characters who will keep you guessing until the last page. Every Single Secret deftly explores the risks of hiding from our pasts and the desperation—and danger—of falling blindly into love. A wild, tense ride.” —Victoria Helen Stone, #1 Amazon bestselling author of Evelyn, After

Q & A with Emily ~ 

What are some things you enjoy when not writing?

I’m an avid TV watcher—I think some of the best writing is being done on TV right now, and I feel like watching TV has become a learning experience in addition to entertainment these days. Recently, I’ve been inhaling SHETLAND, based on Ann Cleeves’ books. Each episode is a complex mystery set in a location that feels really fresh and exotic. Plus, there’s a cute detective. Jimmy Perez, hey!

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

The main challenge for me was being resolute and relentless in revising the book (BURYING THE HONEYSUCKLE GIRLS), while keeping myself from giving up. That book really went through many stages and transformations—from a magical realism-based story to something more realistic and grounded, and my agent was incredibly instrumental in guiding it and encouraging me to explore new options. She also kept the faith in such a way that I never lost mine, for which I will forever be indebted to her.

  

How do you market your work?

Marketing is the hardest part of my job, I’ll be honest. It just feels awkward sometimes. I’ve seen lots of people do it in ways I’m not all that excited about. For me, I like the personal approach, and I really try to connect with readers in authentic ways. I love book clubs because they provide a face-to-face real-time way to interact—and have fun—with readers. Social media can sometimes feel icky when you’re promoting your book 24/7, and I’d rather just interact with people about real things, funny things I observe about life or whatever, instead of shouting about my books. On Facebook, I always end up talking about other authors I love or books I’m interested in reading, and that’s really important to me.

What are you working on now?

My next book, which is a bit of a departure from the previous ones. It’s less of a Southern Gothic slow-burn and more of a balls-to-the-wall adventure thriller. (Can I say that?) It’s about a mother and teenage daughter who realize someone has sabotaged the financial app the mother created, and they have to use their smarts and the technology to find their way back to each other. I’ve actually loved writing it. It’s got more action than anything I’ve written yet, not to mention two female characters who are smart, resourceful and super-badass.

Is anything in your book based on real-life experiences?

Not one bit! That’s the best part of writing. You can invent whole new worlds.

Do you have a favorite chapter or scene?

In EVERY SINGLE SECRET, I really loved writing about Daphne’s experiences in the group home, at the girls' ranch. I was so entranced by the girls she got thrown in to live with—the Super Tramps. Every time I would wrap up a section about them, I couldn’t wait to revisit their story. Omega, especially, was a character I ended up really loving—and also wondering about. She was fascinating and also tragic, and her backstory was so interesting to me, although I didn’t explore it in the book.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Get good advice from people who will be real with you. How do you need to improve? What should you be doing differently in your writing? It’s sometimes tough to swallow—but steel yourself and ask really wise, experienced people what your writing lacks. In the end, you’ll be humbled, but glad you listened.

What are the downfalls of your writing career? The best parts?

There are no bad parts, truly. It’s just such fun to write books that people read and enjoy.

Place you’d like to travel?

I’m planning a trip to the UK to visit the homeplaces and haunts of all my literary heroes. It’s literally the nerdiest trip anyone has ever planned. Stay tuned.  

Is there anything you’d like to say to your readers and fans?

Thank you. It’s because of you that I can write books. It really touches me that you are willing to join me in the lives of these characters. I wish I could hug you all!

To connect with Emily:

website. https://emilycarpenterauthor.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/ecarpenterauthor

Twitter: @EmilyDCarpenter

More BOOK PROMOTERS featured for you book lovers!

I've been doing this blog for three years now, featuring authors and their books, hoping to spread some book love to readers who ask me for recommendations of books I think they'd enjoy. And while I will continue to promote other authors and books, there is a group of people who rarely get the recognition they deserve: 

BOOK PROMOTERS!!!

Periodically, I will be featuring groups of people who do everything but shout from the rooftops (and really, who does that?) about books. ~ This is the second one so if you missed the first, scroll back to the May 6th post.

Obviously, you love books or you wouldn't be at this site! Make sure to check out these book promoters social media links and follow them. You'll learn about great books, and sometimes, even get in on book giveaways!
Who doesn't like those? :)

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Baer Books (Barbara Khan)
"I started my blog January 15, 2014, and started a Facebook group a few months later. We now have more than 1,100 Baer Cubs as our members are known. Baer was my mom’s maiden name and she is the reason I am such an avid reader. On the blog, I focus on the genres I read the most, mystery, psych-thriller, historical fiction, women’s fiction, literary fiction and some non-fiction. About the only thing I don’t read is sci-fi, horror, or anything overtly romance. Even though I work full time as a travel advisor, I still managed to read about 80 books last year. One of the features I like to do on the blog is called “Pack Your Bag”, where I ask authors all about their travel (vacations and for research), what are their “must haves” in their suitcase, and favorite or worst trip ever. 

I am in the top 1% of reviewers on Goodreads which was like winning an Oscar to me, when I found out! I love how social media has brought authors and readers together. Back in the old days it seemed the author was behind this terribly, impenetrable wall, put there by the publishers. If you liked a book or author, you would have to send a letter c/o the publisher. Now I often find myself sending a Facebook message or posting on the author’s page to tell them how much I enjoyed their books. It just feels like we are one big book community."
Links to connect with Baer Books~

https://baerbooks.blogspot.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/899272610122986/ 

My Twitter and Instagram handle is @leftyonkey (I'm not as active there.)

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Good Book Fairy: (Lauren Margolin)

"For years, people would ask me what to read with certain specifications such as, “I want to get my mom a book for Mother’s Day that my dad will enjoy reading as well.” or “I need a book with nothing sad or too suspenseful in it.” I always had an answer at the tip of my tongue so I started a blog in 2012 to share my suggestions, reviews and all things bookish. 

I pride myself on reviewing books with a keen eye for pacing, plot, use of language, execution and story. I praise and critique. Unlike a lot of bloggers, I give 5 stars sparingly and do not summarize the plot. Because of this, I always remind my readers that anything rated a 3.5 or above is absolutely worth reading! 

My byline is Because Life’s Too Short To Read Bad Books. I want my followers to trust me and know why I liked, loved or adored a novel. That gives them the opportunity to make an educated decision as to whether they should read a particular book. 

I love what I do. I love talking with other bloggers, authors, publishers and editors. We all share the same passion!  My monthly newsletter contains my monthly reviews, events and other fun info. You can sign up on my website."

Links to connect with Good Book Fairy:

www.goodbookfairy.com

https://www.facebook.com/goodbookfairy/

https://twitter.com/goodbookfairy

https://www.instagram.com/goodbookfairy/

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Kate Rock Lit Chick (Kate Rock)

"Always an avid reader who escaped in books since early childhood I retired at age 45 due to Lupus and Chronic illness from a long career in Nursing and Surgery Center Administration. I found the book tribe community to be very supportive and I was able to turn my passion into my current bliss of reading, reviewing, promoting authors and now some writing. 

I love recommending books and seeing readers find new authors they love. I feel blessed to be part of the reader/writer community."

Kate Rock ~ Inspired writer • Author Assistant • PR for Books and authors • Avid Reader and book reviewer.
Links to connect with KateRockLitChick:

 https://linktr.ee/katerocklitchick
Www.facebook.com/katerock.litchick
Www.instagram.com/katerocklitchik
Www.twitter.com/katerocklitchik 

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TRAVELING WITH T (Tamara Welch)
Tamara's motto is "Reading my way through life- one juicy book at a time."

She loves Instagram, crab cakes, moscato & binge watching old episodes of Designing Women. Perfect day: Reading by the pool with a glass of sweet iced tea.

Links to connect with Traveling With T:

Blog: www.travelingwitht.com,
FB: www.facebook.com/TravelingWithT,
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rockstar1023,
Twitter: www.twitter.com/rockstar1023,
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/rockstar1023

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Books & Wine are Lovely (Bethany Clark)
Bethany Clark hosts “Books and Wine are Lovely” Blog and “One Book At A Time” Facebook page, which is home to over 1,100 bookish friends (page followers who love all things book related!)

"I have many types of posts on my blogs – author written pieces, giveaways, page or link shares I have seen on other pages I believe my followers with love and reviews I personally write. 

Anyone who knows me, knows I have an undying passion for all things books – from the books themselves, bookish items I buy to decorate with, meeting new book friends and besties, just to name a few!"

Links to connect with Bethany's social media:

https://www.facebook.com/BooksandWineAreLovely/ 

http://booksandwinearelovely.blogspot.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/blclark513 

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17646888-bethany-clark

THE WAY OF BEAUTY by author, CAMILLE DI MAIO

Hearts and dreams evolve in the shadow of the once-magnificent Penn Station.

Vera Keller, the daughter of German immigrants in turn-of-the-century New York City, finds her life upended when the man she loves becomes engaged to another woman. But Angelo Bellavia has also inadvertently opened up Vera’s life to unexpected possibilities. Angelo’s new wife, Pearl, the wealthy daughter of a clothing manufacturer, has defied her family’s expectations by devoting herself to the suffrage movement. 

In Pearl, Vera finds an unexpected dear friend…and a stirring new cause of her own. But when Pearl’s selfless work pulls her farther from Angelo and their son, the life Vera craved is suddenly within her reach—if her conscience will allow her to take it.

Her choice will define not only her future but also that of her daughter, Alice.

Vera and Alice—a generation and a world apart—are bound by the same passionate drive to fulfill their dreams. As first mother and then daughter come of age in a city that is changing as rapidly as its skyline, they’ll each discover that love is the only constant.

“The Way of Beauty is a charming multi-generational love story, but it is more than that: it is a story of family, love lost, and love found…A loving tribute to the workers who risked their lives and health in building iconic structures in New York City…” —Historical Novel Society

“Fans of historical women’s fiction and light romance will enjoy this pleasant work of historical fiction.” —Booklist

Some Q & A with Camille ~ 

1.               Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you started writing.

I’ve lived all over – Denver, rural Pennsylvania, Washington DC, San Francisco, San Antonio, and now in southern Virginia. I’ve traveled extensively and have been to most of the states as well as four continents. Reading all the time and traveling a lot, I absorbed words and experiences until I had the inspiration to write what became my first book, The Memory of Us. All those years as the misfit girl in grade school with recesses spent in the library paid off! I’ve been married for almost twenty-one years and have four kids, a dog, and a cat.

2.               What are some things you enjoy when not writing?

Travel is my big addiction, and if I’m not on a trip, I’m planning the next one. I love to read, of course, and I’m a big movie buff. We watch several movies a week as a family, taking turns as to who gets to pick. So we get quite an eclectic mix! I’m pushing the classics right now. Our last family movie was Casablanca.

3.               Do you have a “day job” as well?

I recently left my long-term real estate career to write full time. However, I also homeschool my children, so that’s definitely a day job! My first is off to college, and I still have a 17yo, 13yo, and 9yo.

4.               Where do you get your ideas?

It’s so eclectic. The Memory of Us was inspired by listening to the song Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles. Before the Rain Falls was inspired by a documentary I found while channel surfing. The Way of Beauty came from an image in my head of a soldier kissing his girlfriend in a train station. Just life, travel, and observation. I keep a notebook of ideas for future books and I think about each of them for a few years before seeing which ones pop up for further exploration.

5.               Is there a particular author or book that influenced or inspired your writing or decision to write?

One of my favorite books is Olivia and Jai by Rebecca Ryman and I dreamed of writing something half as good. I love Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and anything by Kate Morton. All of those books really have the ability to suck me into their worlds.

6.               Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

Yes! My lack of knowledge about the process was a big road block. I finished the first draft for what became The Memory of Us in just six weeks, and thought, “I’ve written a book!” I learned about the querying process and, not surprisingly, got a bunch of rejections. Actually, agents loved the premise,  but the writing was nowhere near ready.

I spent about four years writing new drafts, attending conferences, and getting it closer to being ready to go. I learned in the process to give agents exactly what they want as far as a synopsis, number of pages, etc. And to be specific about why you chose THEM to query. Referencing comp books that they have represented and mentioning something from their bio that you connected with is a good way to go. It worked for me! I loved getting “the call” from my agent, Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

7.               If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you’d change?

In general, no, as the process is really part of the education. However, I do wish I’d been less naïve about the manuscripts readiness so that I could have turned in something more polished from the get-go. It is not enough to get to “the end”. Agents really want something that is in ready-to-publish quality.

8.               How do you market your work?

Though I’ve held sales jobs, I am not a salesperson by nature. I love to connect with people and be authentic. So my own marketing contributions are mostly through social media. I’m most active on Instagram and Facebook, and I’ve made a lot of friends through there. When people get to me and my work, they become an awesome megaphone when I have a new release, and I am so grateful for that. I like to give back in the ways that I can, so I also support other authors. I’ve recently added a You Tube channel in which I do book reviews. It’s all about community and sincerity.

9.               What are you working on now?

I just sent my fourth book off to my agent for review before we send it to my editor next week. I’m sure there will be many months of editing ahead. In the meantime, I’m playing with a few ideas that I want to pitch to them later in the summer.

10. Is there anything in your book based on real-life experiences?

In general, no. None of the events are based on anything in my own life. I have been to New York more times than I can count, so the observations I’ve absorbed certainly made their way into The Way of Beauty. The one real-life thing I added was this: my son and I like to pick up rocks at various places we go together and write on them when we get home the date and place we got it. I have a tidbit at the beginning of the book about that.

11.            Do you have a favorite chapter or scene?

I have one scene in the book that is lightly romantic (I’m a PG-rated kind of girl). It takes place in a home darkroom as one character shows the other how to develop photographs. I thought about that scene for about a year before I wrote the book and always knew it would be in there. One scene that I didn’t plan but ended up loving is a scene in the lost luggage room of Penn Station and all the items the characters discover there.

12.            Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

I do not have my degree in English or an MFA or anything like that. But I am a voracious reader. Read lots and lots and lots of books that are similar to what you write and you will naturally develop a sense of pace, tempo, dialog, language, story, setting, etc. I have gotten many compliments from other writers on my pacing, and I honestly didn’t know that was a thing! I just have a sense of what works in a story because I’ve read so very many.

13.            What are the downfalls of your writing career? The best parts?

Even when I’m not actively writing, my head is almost always in the story. I’ve learned that I have difficulty being present with my family because there are characters and plotlines competing for brain space. I’m not sure how to turn that off, but I’m sure my husband and kiddos would tell you that it’s a downfall. The best part is the community of authors I’ve acquired. I absolutely love being friends with people I would have fangirled over. Reading their books, promoting them, suggesting them to friends, and then they do the same. I did not have a lot of friends growing up – the Coke-bottle glasses and stringy hair and lack of athleticism insured that! So I love having an abundant number of friends now.

14.            Favorite bands or music? Favorite book and/or movie?

I grew up loving British 80s music – Depeche Mode, OMD, Erasure. My 17yo daughter is a gifted connoisseur of music, so I’ve learned about so many bands from her and we’ve had a lot of fun at concerts together. Our favorites are Walk the Moon and Andrew McMahon. Just this week, we drove nearly three hours to see Banners in a tiny venue with 150 people. That guy is going to be big – just watch. My favorite book is Olivia and Jai, and my favorite movie is Elf. We repeat soooo many lines from that in our family.

15.            Places you’d like to travel?

Oh, so many! I have a huge bucket list. But if I had to go somewhere tomorrow, I’d love to go to Thailand. The beaches, the animals, the rice fields. I want to see it all.

16.            Is there anything you’d like to say to your readers and fans?

Just a giant THANK YOU! Your comments, reviews, shares, messages, and enthusiasm are the fuel that I need to push through frequent writer’s block and also the sense of self-doubt that plagues writers. You help me keep going and I appreciate you more than you know.

To connect with Camille ~ 

Visit my Amazon Author Page:  amazon.com/author/camilledimaio

personal youtube channel with book trailers & talk about craft of writing: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu9Gmzq8NP6Jf77TzpWlkvg?view_as=subscriber

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