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Author News & Interviews

Interview: Susan Crawford, author of The Pocket Wife

Mar 20, 2015

Susan Crawford is a debut author who, in addition to teaching and writing, is involved in many impressive literary extracurricular activities --- including participating in two critique groups. THE POCKET WIFE is her first full-length novel, and it’s about Dana Catrell, a bipolar woman in the throes of mania, who must piece together the shards of her broken memory in order to figure out who killed her neighbor. In this interview with The Book Report Network's Norah Piehl, Crawford talks about why she decided to write a psychological thriller, the challenges of matching her writing to Dana’s state(s) of mind, and why there’s no such thing, really, as a reliable narrator. She also recommends some great books for anyone interested in further exploring bipolar disorder.

Interview: Marisa de los Santos, author of The Precious One

Mar 20, 2015

Marisa de los Santos is the New York Times bestselling author of three adult novels, including LOVE WALKED IN and BELONG TO ME, as well as the co-author of SAVING LUCAS BIGGS, a middle grade book she wrote with her husband, David Teague. Her latest novel, THE PRECIOUS ONE, is the heartfelt story of Taisy and Willow Cleary --- two daughters of the same man, one abandoned and one “precious” --- as each navigates new and old loves in her life. In this interview with The Book Report Network's Bronwyn Miller, Marisa discusses her fascination with second chances and the beauty and danger of holding another person too dear. She also talks about getting to know her own characters, the pros of collaborative writing, and the one surefire sign that you are --- as she so artfully put it --- a “homesick sap.”

Author Talk: George Hodgman, author of Bettyville: A Memoir

Mar 12, 2015

George Hodgman is a veteran magazine and book editor who has worked at Simon & Schuster, Vanity Fair and Talk magazine. His recent memoir, BETTYVILLE, is about moving back to Paris, Missouri --- after years spent building his career in Manhattan --- to care for his aging mother, Betty, a woman of wit and will. As these two unforgettable characters try to bring their different worlds together, Hodgman reveals the obstacles of Betty’s life and his own struggle for self-respect. In this interview, Hodgman opens up about caring for a family member with dementia, including the challenges he faces daily and the unexpected ways it enriches his life. He also discusses how he wrestled with his own sexual identity, and the role his memoir played in putting his feelings into perspective.

Interview: Susan Mallery, author of The Girls of Mischief Bay

Feb 27, 2015

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery --- whose work has been called "luscious and provocative" --- is back with a brand new series. THE GIRLS OF MISCHIEF BAY is the first book, and introduces us to three women at different stages in life who come together in the beautiful seaside town of Mischief Bay, California, to provide solace and support for one another. In this interview with Bookreporter.com’s Bronwyn Miller, Mallery talks about creating Mischief Bay (which is so well-conceived that it seems like a real place!) and why she chose to feature three distinctly different women. She also shares how she manages to be so prolific and where you can find more of her delicious recipes.

Author Talk: Allison Pataki, author of The Accidental Empress

Feb 19, 2015

Allison Pataki is the author of the New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed historical novel, THE TRAITOR'S WIFE. No slouch when it comes to history, Pataki was inspired to write her second work of fiction, THE ACCIDENTAL EMPRESS --- about how Empress “Sisi” Elisabeth of Bavaria accidentally won the heart, and court, of Emperor Franz Joseph --- by her family’s deep roots in the former Habsburg empire of Austria-Hungary. In this interview, Pataki reveals how she was able to whittle all of her fascinating historical source material down to an elegantly cohesive story, as well as the liberties that writing fiction allowed her to take. She also talks about how thoroughly she researched THE ACCIDENTAL EMPRESS --- of course, it's no surprise that traveling was a highlight!