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Author News & Interviews

Author Talk: Philippa Gregory, author of The Taming of the Queen

Aug 28, 2015

For fans of historical fiction, Philippa Gregory needs no introduction; THE TAMING OF THE QUEEN is the latest in a long list of bestselling novels. It tells the fascinating story of Kateryn Parr --- King Henry VIII’s sixth and final wife --- a brilliant scholar and deeply religious woman who would outlive her husband and triumph over his domestic reign of terror. In this interview, Gregory reveals how she captures historical figures and events with such precision and immediacy, and why she thinks historians haven’t given Kateryn her due. She also discusses the queen’s love of language and publishing --- a love the author herself shares --- and why it’s important to write about women who were not inactive victims of male power.

Interview: Stephanie Clifford, author of Everybody Rise

Aug 28, 2015

EVERYBODY RISE is award-winning New York Times reporter Stephanie Clifford’s excellent debut and a surefire end-of-summer must-read. It’s the keenly observed story of the rise of society wannabe Evelyn Beegan --- and her inevitable fall. Clifford reported on the fallout from the 2008 financial crisis, so it’s no surprise that the novel is set in the years leading up to it. In this interview with Bookreporter.com’s Jamie Layton, Clifford discusses what makes those years so fascinating and how the excesses of the mega-rich led to a country’s financial collapse. She also talks about having sympathy for flawed characters, why children work so hard for their parents’ approval, and how Evelyn’s ambition is a universal experience --- just kicked up a notch or 10.

Author Talk: Elisabeth Egan, author of A Window Opens

Aug 27, 2015

Elisabeth Egan is the books editor at Glamour, and her essays and book reviews have appeared in an impressive array of publications. In her debut novel, A WINDOW OPENS, Egan tells the story of Alice Pearse, a mostly satisfied wife and mother of three, who decides to make a radical career change and learns that “happily ever after” is not as easy as it seems. In this interview, Egan talks about some of the traits she shares with her protagonist (book preferences, for one) and which books and authors have inspired her through the years. As an industry insider, she also weighs in on the merits of digital readers versus traditional books, as well as the important role women’s magazines play in contemporary book culture.

Author Talk: Jesse Kornbluth, author of Married Sex: A Love Story

Aug 25, 2015

Not only is Jesse Kornbluth the founder of HeadButler.com, a cultural concierge site, he also co-founded The Book Report Network. His debut novel, MARRIED SEX, is more interesting than its title would suggest: It’s the story of divorce lawyer David Greenfield, who --- when propositioned by a seductive photographer to be her lover for six weeks --- reasons that “it’s not cheating if your wife’s there,” and invites his wife to join. What harm could come of fulfilling his longtime sexual fantasy? In this frank interview, Jesse addresses speculation that MARRIED SEX is autobiographical, why writing (accurately) about sex is not as easy as it seems, and whether or not he’s ever actually been in a threesome.

Interview: Jonathan Kellerman, author of The Murderer's Daughter

Aug 21, 2015

Jonathan Kellerman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than three dozen crime novels, including the Alex Delaware series, as well as a frequent collaborator with his wife Faye and son Jesse. His latest, THE MURDERER’S DAUGHTER, is a stand-alone thriller about Grace Blades, who overcame early trauma to become a brilliant psychologist. When her past and present converge, Grace’s harrowing childhood returns with a vengeance. In this interview with Bookreporter.com’s Joe Hartlaub, Kellerman reveals the reason he was compelled to give Grace --- who originally appeared in the Alex Delaware universe --- her own story. He also talks about the roles that nature and nurture play in personality development, how he would reform the foster care system if given the opportunity, and the secret to successfully collaborating with family members (hint: lots of emails!).