Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Christina George's shades of African Grey & a book to give away

 **Giveaway is now closed**

Introduction by Tracey Meyers

Even though I studied Public Relations in college and pursuing a career in publicity was always in the back of my mind, I never would have imagined I'd be doing book publicity - and enjoying it as much as I do.

As a twenty year veteran in the world of publishing, I bet Christina George would have some good tips for someone like me who is just getting their feet wet in this world.  After all, I can only imagine Christina has seen and done it all.  These experiences have inspired her debut novel, The Publicist.   In this book, readers get a front row seat to world of publishing through the eyes of Kate Mitchell, a publicist for a highly respected New York publishing house.  Christina admits that some of the stories in her book are true, but she's not saying which ones because mystery is good, right?!?

With a love for books, publishing and authors, Christina continues make a name for herself as a top-notch publicist, and is setting the stage for a successful author, too!

Please give a warm Chick Lit Central welcome to Christina George!

You can find Christina at her website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

Christina has FIVE e-books of The Publicist to share with some lucky readers anywhere in the world!

First off, tell us about your awesome book, The Publicist, and what inspired you to write it…
Well, I’ve been in publishing for a long time, as a publicist I’ve been a lot of authors and a lot of stories and I felt like there was a story to be told here. How a book comes to market (which isn’t always an exact science) how authors are sometimes overlooked and how some egos can really get out of control. But moreover it’s really about those of us who love the industry and battle for its integrity.

In one sentence, what was road to publishing like?
For the author it can often be harrowing, surprising and a bit frightening – for those of us in publishing it’s shifting sand (at least right now) because so much is changing.

How close does your story relate to what the publishing world is like in real life?
Very. In fact all but one of the stories actually happened to me during my career. Though the story of Mac and Kate is fictional, the life and stories that surround Kate are true.

What are your biggest motivations to write? What keeps you going?
My biggest motivation was the story, I wanted to tell this story and it’s funny, at some point when you’re writing fiction you fall in love with these characters and you are compelled to keep writing about them. In fact I just finished Book Two of The Publicist and was really sad to see Kate and Mac go….

Who is your favorite animal in any chick lit novel?
I loved the dog in Must Love Dogs, loved it because he became a conversation starter for the main character.

If you were to include an animal in your next novel, what kind would it be and what would you name it?
I loved the cat that Kathleen Turner had in Romancing the Stone – and I love that scene when she finishes her book and celebrates with her cat, Romeo. I’d love a beautiful white cat named Charlotte for the spider in Charlotte’s Web (which I loved as a kid)

What is the funniest thing you've ever seen an animal do?
We used to have an African Grey parrot when I was growing up and he was *very* animated, often yelling obscenities at the TV when people would start arguing. One time, we had guests over who stayed a bit long and the bird started saying “Bye, bye now” over and over, our guests finally got the hint. :)

What is your favorite rare or exotic animal?
African Grey! They are such smart birds, I love them!

Special thanks to Christina for chatting with us and sharing her book with our readers!

How to win The Publicist:
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.) 

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: What is your favorite rare or exotic animal?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

5. Follow us on Twitter and/or Pinterest.
6. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.


Giveaway ends January 20th at midnight EST

20 comments:

Ananda said...

I agree, African Grey is such a smart bird! And my fav exotic animal would be Cockatoo, no matter the color (though the white ones are so gorgeous).

Thank you so much for this great giveaway! I can't believe I'm actually the first to comment YAY!:)
I follow via GFC and twitter.

love2slim(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Ann Summerville said...

Looking forward to reading this. My son came home with a tarantula one day. He said he was conquering his fears. I wasn't interested in conquering mine - so it had to go.
Ann
cozyintexas[at]yahoo[dot]com

Unknown said...

Thanks so much! And good luck with the giveaway! Tarantula? I don't know if I could have put my big girl pants on for that one :)

Marthalynn said...

Her childhood parrot sounds so hilarious! I want one now!! My favorite odd pet is a Silkie chicken. I've been wanting chickens for a while now and they are so cute and I hear they're pretty friendly too.

I follow!

marthalynn16 at gmail

Na said...

I find peacocks so beautiful and colorful. They are stunning.

GFC: Na
Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

Book Mama said...

My favorite exotic animal has to be a tiger. I just think that their stripes are beautiful!

mengel2(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

bn100 said...

I like giraffes.

I follow the blog.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kristina Springer said...

New follower and tweeted about the contest!

Book sounds great!

Kristina.Springer (at) gmail (dot) com

Linda Kish said...

My favorite would be the orangutan

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Lauren McCormick said...

I love white harp seals. I have a collection of stuffed animals and miniature statues of them.
I am a follower of the blog.
itzhunicAThotmailDOTcom
Thank You for a chance at this giveaway!! I always appreciate the generosity of authors!!

Cher B said...

I love animals and firmly believe wild animals belong in the wild. As to rare, why not go for super-rare (perhaps imaginary?) and name the unicorn as my fave?!
Thanks for the chance to win, looking forward to reading The Publicist!

-FB fan
-CLC blog follower

cherbasonATgmailDOTcom

Videoclimber said...

Favorite exotic animal: white tiger

I follow on GFC as Tia

videoclimber(at)yahoo(dot)com

DD said...

Are sea turtles considered exotic? I live in land-locked Kansas, so that seams pretty exotic to me!

dawndennis66611 at yahoo dot com

Mary Preston said...

I'm rather partial to the White Tiger. They are magnificent.

GFC & FB: Mary Preston

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Unknown said...

I don't think they're considered exotic, but I love elephants. They are mostly found in Africa (where I got to see some on a safari!) and Asia, so that seems exotic to me!

I follow the blog
I'm a member of CLC on Facebook
I follow on twitter

bjoneill@hotmail.com

EFC Chrissy said...

I don't know that I have a favorite rare or exotic animal. I do like manatees.

I follow the blog, twitter, facebook, pinterest!

everyfreechance@gmail.com

Bookaholic said...

love the title..would love to read.
**pigsrcute1@yahoo.com

Carla E.

eclairre said...

i like flamingos; so pretty.

Nova said...

sparkle40175@hotmail.com
I love flamingos. And my sister raises bearded dragons :they are so interesting.
I follow CLC on GFC.
I follow CLC by email.
I am a fan on facebook.
I follow CLC on pinterest.