Amy Sue Nathan is the author of Left to Chance, The Glass Wives, and The Good Neighbor, published between 2013 and 2017 by St. Martin’s Press.
Amy has been blogging since 2006, and launched the Women’s Fiction Writers blog in March 2011.She teaches writing workshops and freelances as a fiction editor and writing coach and is trained in the Story Genius method.
Her stories and essays have appeared in print and online in over two dozen publications such as The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Parent, Writer’s Digest, Huffington Post, and online in New York Times and Washington Post blogs.
Amy was born and raised in Philadelphia and is a graduate of Temple University with a Bachelor’s in Journalism. She moved back there after twenty-six years away, and is the proud mom of two grown children and a willing servant to one rescued grey cat named Riggins aka Good Boy. In addition to being a writer and book coach, she is a former-vegetarian, not-so-secret crafter, chocolate enthusiast, and lipstick collector. (Bio adapted from Amy's website.)
Visit Amy online:
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A former beauty queen faces the secrets of her past—for herself and the sake of her family’s future—in a heartfelt novel about fate, choices, and second chances.
Everything seemed possible in the summer of 1951. Back then Betty Stern was an eighteen-year-old knockout working at her grandparents’ lakeside resort. The “Catskills of the Midwest” was the perfect place for Betty to prepare for bigger things. She’d head to college in New York City. Her career as a fashion editor would flourish. But first, she’d enjoy a wondrous last summer at the beach falling deeply in love with an irresistible college boy and competing in the annual Miss South Haven pageant. On the precipice of a well-planned life, Betty’s future was limitless.
Decades later, the choices of that long-ago season still reverberate for Betty, now known as Boop. Especially when her granddaughter comes to her with a dilemma that echoes Boop’s memories of first love, broken hearts, and faraway dreams. It’s time to finally face the past—for the sake of her family and her own happiness. Maybe in reconciling the life she once imagined with the life she’s lived, Boop will discover it’s never too late for a second chance. (Courtesy of Amazon.)
What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
My favorite compliments are always when a reader says she wishes she could be friends with the characters in the novel or meet them for coffee.
What inspired you to take a historical angle with The Last Bathing Beauty, when your previous novels have been more contemporary?
I learned about the history of South Haven and was compelled to bring it to life on the page. The Catskills of the Midwest. (Picture Dirty Dancing + The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Lake Michigan) How could I not?
How is Betty similar to or different from you?
This is my first novel not extracted at all from any corner of my life, so Betty isn’t like me—unless you want to count the fact that she likes lipstick and so do I.
What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
I watched the WWII documentary The Ghost Army, which includes my great-uncle – my grandmother’s younger brother—who just passed away three weeks shy of his one hundredth birthday.
What is one of your self-care habits?
Every morning I jot down five things I’m grateful for. Sometimes (rarely) it’s deep, mostly it’s right to the point and simple with things like hot coffee, a sweet cat, and cable TV.
What is your favorite hobby or sport?
Does listening to audiobooks count? Even though reading is part of my jobs as an author and writing coach, listening to an audiobook or podcast is a favorite pastime. I used to be crazy for crafts, but after downsizing 3 1/2 years ago, I don't have the space.
Regarding sports--I don't play any at all and I'm not a sports enthusiast unless the Eagles, Phillies, 76ers, or Flyers are playing for a national championship--and then I buy all the gear. When my kids were young I was rampant supporter of their teams of course, and now that they are working professionals (they are 28 and 24) I'm still their biggest fan.
Thanks to Amy for visiting with us and for sharing her book with our readers.
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15 comments:
My maternal grandmother was a ballerina, then a gym teacher, before getting married, which was uncommon in those times.
My paternal grandmother was a milliner and an accomplished cook and baker. She was a widow of 35 with 6 children to take care of.
The only one I met was my maternal grandmother. We left Finland and moved to Australia when i was five and I never saw her again. She was very warm and loving.
My maternal grandmother was the 'natural born' daughter of an English lord.
Both of my grandmothers enjoyed making things with their hands in various crafts. I enjoy doing the same. It is nice to know we shared common interests!
My maternal grandmother was a an infant when she came to America from Poland.
My grandfather was raised by a single father as his mother passed when he was 4.
My maternal grandmother came to America from Hungary.
is a good cook
My maternal great grandfather was a member of the Fabian society.
Some children were thrown out of their homes after the Great Depression because their families couldn't care for them. Despite my paternal grandfather having a large family of his own, he took in some young people that had no place to go.
My grandfather played baseball.
My paternal grandmother was a librarian. Unusual in those days. 1900s she was children's librarian. Curious George was her favorite to read to kids.
My grandfather was in the Army
My grandmother was a nurse
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