Thursday, September 2, 2010

Interview with Rowan Coleman and book giveaway!



**Giveaway is now closed**

Rowan Coleman is the bestselling author of "The Accidental Mother," along with its sequel, "The Accidental Family" and several other books about motherhood. Ever since Melissa P. and I both read "The Accidental Mother," we've been hooked! We have to rush out and get her latest book immediately when it hits the shelves. My favorite (so far) is "Mommy by Mistake." I love all the camaraderie between the friends in that story. It also had a realistic view of being a new mother. Melissa P's favorite is "The Accidental Mother" because she can relate to Sophie in a lot of ways and felt very connected to her.

We have been connected with Rowan on Facebook and were thrilled when she agreed to do an interview with us for Chick Lit Central. She has been running a short story contest that was only open to people on her side of the Atlantic. However, she also has weekly status short story challenges. Melissa P. won one of those challenges and I've been chosen as a runner up a couple of times. We both see it as an honor that she takes notice of and likes our writing skills. We enjoyed learning more about her and hope you will too. Her publisher, Ayelet Gruenspecht, at Simon and Schuster has offered to give away two copies of "The Home for Broken Hearts" to some lucky readers in the US and Canada.

Before we go on with the interview, there are two other things I would like to share:
*Today is Rowan Coleman's wedding day!!! Congrats to Rowan and her (now) husband!

*A while ago, I had asked Rowan (on Facebook) why the title of her latest book had changed for the US. Here was her reply:
"I'm published slightly differently in the US, more women's literary fiction - and so the title and cover - which I love, are a little more serious. In the Uk an upbeat chirpy cover is still the way to go here - we have a much narrower market. Literary or Commercial fiction - and I fall into the commercial section!"

Without any further ado, here is our interview:

MP: Where and when do you like to get most of your writing done?
RC: Most of my writing is done in my study, its lovely with Victorian wall paper and a real chaise longue. But if I'm really stuck I take my laptop to a cafe, the noise seems to help me concentrate.

MP: Do you have any plans to tour in the U.S.?
RC: I'd love to tour in the U.S. I've visited a few times and yours is such a diverse and fascinating country I'd love to see more or it - but so far no. Perhaps if my publishers get enough requests from readers....? (hint, hint)

MP: You recently held a short story competition and the winners receive free mentoring from you as well as other prizes, which is very generous of you. What inspired you to hold the competition for aspiring writers?
RC: Unfortunately in life talent alone isn't always enough to get you where you deserve to be, you need someone to be on your side. I want to be on some one's side and help them as much as I've been helped in the past.

MP: What was your first experience in the journey to publishing like for you? Did you face any challenges?
RC: Ironically my path to publication for my first novel was pretty smooth. I won a short story competition in a national magazine which opened a lot of doors for me. However since then I've had plenty of ups and downs. A writers life is a tough one, you need to be able to take rejection and get back up again!

MP: If you were not a writer, what would you see yourself doing?
RC: I get ask this question a lot and I find it really hard to answer - I did use to think I'd be a wedding planner, but I've recently been planning my own wedding and am in a state of near constant hysteria.

MA: Do you have any other sequels planned?
RC: Not at the moment, never say never though.

MA: If you could have any of your books made into a movie, which would you choose and who would you want to be the main stars?
RC: I would love to see "The Accidental Mother" made into a film. I'd cast Cameron Diaz as Sophie, I think she'd be great!

MA: I know you have a one year-old son. What made you decide to write about motherhood before you became a mother?
RC: Oh, well I have a nine year old daughter too. I actually only started writing about motherhood after she was born.

MA: What did you do for your hen night?
RC: We went for very posh afternoon tea and a top London hotel, the karaoke at a bowling alley, then dancing, then cocktails, then the next day I had my wedding make-up practice which was lucky as I looked terrible.

MA: What has been your favorite thing about motherhood so far?
RC: The love given and returned, it's beautiful.

Special thanks to Rowan for taking the time out of her wedding planning schedule to answer our questions, to Ayelet Gruenspecht for providing books for the giveaway and Melissa P. for sharing my love of Rowan's books and helping so much with this interview!


How to win "The Home for Broken Hearts":
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted.)

For additional entries (each as a separate comment including your e-mail address, as well):
1. Please tell us: If you are a mother, what is your favorite thing about motherhood? If you are not a mother, what is your favorite experience involving somebody else's kids?
OR
2. Please tell us: What is the strangest thing you've ever done to make money?
3. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
4. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
5. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

US/Canada residents only. Giveaway ends Monday, September 6th, at 6 pm EST.

53 comments:

Ruthie said...

I would love to read this book. Please enter me, thanks.

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Ruthie said...

The best part of my life was meeting my husband & becoming a mother. My children are grown now but I can't wait to be a grandmother.(I would be awesome...so I tell them!)

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Ruthie said...

FB fan

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Kat said...

I think it's wonderful that you are introducing UK writers to North America.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Kat said...

I am not a mother (yet). My favourite experience is all the work that I've done with kids... making that connection with them and being someone consistent who they know they can talk to... and having them confide in me... Although it's part of my job, it's definitely the most rewarding part.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Kat said...

The weirdest thing for me that I've done to make money was approaching people in the mall to sign up/apply for a credit card. I hated it; in-your-face sales is not my thing.. and I lasted 3 days before I quit.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Kat said...

I am a follower on Google and FB

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Kat said...

Posting this to FB

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Colleen Turner said...

This book sounds wonderful! Would love to win it.
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am indeed a mother to a five year old boy, and there are so many things I love about it it is hard to pick just one! If I had to, I would pick the unconditional love they give. There is nothing better than waking up to my son staring at me and, once he realized I am awake, he always says "wake up,mommy, I love you!". Who can beat that?
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a GFC follower.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a Facebook fan.
candc320@gmail.com

ChristyJan said...

This sounds like a wonderful book ~ please enter me

hawkes(at)citlink.net

ChristyJan said...

My favorite thing about motherhood: grandchildren ;)

hawkes(at)citlink.net

ChristyJan said...

The strangest (and the funnest) thing I've ever done to make money was being an extra on Touched By An Angel

hawkes(at)citlink.net

ChristyJan said...

I follow your blog

hawkes(at)citlink.net

ChristyJan said...

I'm a facebook member

hawkes(at)citlink.net

Anonymous said...

I really would love to read this book.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I am a GFC follwer.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am a FB fan.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

My son has grown up and married by now but one thing I loved the most was sitting down with him and reading a stack of books to him. He is a big book lover now.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

No need to enter me, darling. I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

Margie said...

Thanks for the giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

We have two grown children. The best part of being a mother is to be a part of their lives as they grow up.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

follower via GFC
mtakala1 AT^ yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Facebook fan
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

Happy Wedding Day Rowan! The book looks fantastic. Send it my way!

bsyb100 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower.

bsyb100 at gmail dot com

Laura Rachel Fox said...

I've been dying to read this novel. Thanks for the great interview. Rowan Coleman seems like such a down-to-earth person. Learning of her experiences makes me believe that anyone can become a published writer.

lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

Laura Rachel Fox said...

My favorite thing about motherhood is seeing the world as new again. Every time my 10-year-old experiences something for the first time, it's as if I get to do it all again through him. Now with another due in February, we can't wait to show the new baby all our favorite things.

lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

Laura Rachel Fox said...

I'm a follower.

lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

Laura Rachel Fox said...

I posted a link on facebook.

lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

Laura Rachel Fox said...

I'm a follower of Chick Lit Central on facebook.

lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

karenk said...

i always enjoy 'babysitting' kids

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

JHS said...

The best part of being a mother is the small, unexpected moment when one of them sneaks up on me, gives me a big hug, and says he loves me. Boys are like cats. They don't come when they are called. They don't give affection on command. They are not easy to herd. You have to wait for them, but the reward is worth it.

JHS
Colloquium

jhsmail at comcast dot net

Anonymous said...

I am a follower on fb and the blog. The wierdest thing I ever did for money was put up posters for the county fair.

I will post contest on facebook.

Ree said...

This books sounds awesome, I'd love to read it. :)

Anonymous said...

I love The Accidental Mother! I retweeted the contest on Twitter - I'm @denise_louise. =)

denise_louise at yahoo dot com

Denise said...

I don't have kids of my own, but I have been teaching for twelve years. I love getting kids hooked on reading. Really there's nothing like witnessing a kid figure something out that they've been struggling with, seeing it click and the light bulb go on - pure joy! (I cried the first time I realized one of my second-graders had truly learned how to read.)

Denise U.
denise_louise at yahoo dot com

Denise said...

The strangest thing I've done for money is wait tables. I know, that's not "strange", but the context is! I had never done it before (or since!), but the little pizza shop across from my college apartment needed help for a concert at the college stadium. (72,000 Eagles fans!) This place held probably 50, maybe 100 people, so they were all over the front lawn, on the sidewalk, everywhere. Forget having an assigned section like a real restaurant, it was more like, "Serve whoever you can!" It was chaos. And then there were so many people that we couldn't get around to everyone, so the people outside would just leave. Luckily I think I had only one party skip on me. Like I said, never again!!!

Denise U.
denise_louise at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I am not a mother yet, but the best part is the experience that my husband and I are going through together as we plan for our future family.

I am posting this twitter.

Brittany Roshelle said...

Count me in!!

askbrittanyroshelle at gmail dot com

Brittany Roshelle said...

Since no one in my immediate family has had children yet, my cousins children are the closest I've ever come to having nephews! But thanks to our great friendship with their mom (my cousin), I've known this since birth. The best experience for me is seeing how much they've grown in such a short time and watching their personalties grow and change as they do!

askbrittanyroshelle at gmail dot com

Brittany Roshelle said...

Sing. As a teenager, I worked at Cold Stone Creamery (ice cream shop) and to earn tips, you had to sing.

askbrittanyroshelle at gmail dot com

Brittany Roshelle said...

I posted it on Twitter!

askbrittanyroshelle at gmail dot com

Brittany Roshelle said...

I'm a member!

askbrittanyroshelle at gmail dot com

Heather said...

I am a follower.
ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

Heather said...

I am a member of Chick Lit Central.
ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

Heather said...

Posted to facebook.
ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

Heather said...

I am not a mother yet, but love children! I love hanging out with all the kids in my extended family!
ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

Jenna said...

Id love to win this book :)

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Jenna said...

I am a GFC follower

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Jenna said...

I am not a mother, but I am a teacher... not the same thing, but I am called 'mom' a LOT by my students. :)
The most rewarding part of my job is the kids. I love reaching them and connecting to them- making them feel loved and safe. Teaching adolescents who have severe psychological disorders is hard work, but it is the most rewarding work I have ever done... and it has also taught me the most, about life and about myself.

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com