Archive for October 7th, 2010

Chick Lit Classics is a regular feature on Chick Lit Reviews where we highlight the books we feel are classics of the chick lit genre. Feel free to discuss our choices in the comments section!

This week I’ve chosen the 2007 release The Motherhood Walk of Fame by Shari Low. I read this book a couple of years ago, and it really is laugh out loud funny which is fab, not many books make me laugh out loud! It’s about a housewife, Carly Cooper who finds herself in Hollywood with her young family unexpectedly. It’s a great romp through Hollywood, and of a British housewife trying to fit in in a whole new world to her. Low’s writing is really quick and witty, and if you love light-hearted and funny books, make sure you pick up a copy of The Motherhood Walk of Fame!

“Carly Cooper, harassed mother and disillusioned writer, has often been tempted to head for the hills. She just never imagined they’d be the Hollywood ones! A hilarious romantic comedy for anyone who’s ever had their head in the clouds! Carly’s living the dream. Almost. She has the kids, the husband, the lethargic sex life, and who cares if her novels aren’t exactly bestsellers — pole-vaulting her ironing pile is excitement enough. Just when she’s resigned to domestic mediocrity, a phone call from Hollywood changes everything. Carly is off to Tinseltown! As she arrives in LA, Carly knows life will be transformed!but she doesn’t count on marital disaster, a career roller-coaster and an A-list movie star who wants to offer her more than just a friendly welcome. Carly Cooper is strutting along the Hollywood Walk of Fame but can she get to the end without falling flat on her face?”

Samantha Carbon’s debut novel All That Glitters was released in June and Samantha has written us an Author Article on why she decided to go down the self-publishing route rather than going through the usual channels of waiting for an official publisher to put in an offer. It’s a great insight into the world of self-publishing, enjoy!

I decided to go down the self publishing route to avoid being rejected. By self publishing I was self helping. At the start of writing All That Glitters it felt like the beginning of a counselling session. I knew I would have to commit., but the excitement at the beginning took over me. My head was full of ideas and scenarios, but I didn’t know how to explore and put them onto paper. As I began to write, my thoughts were becoming less heavy and the words began to flow and it was half way through writing the manuscript I decided there is no way, I will send my work to a literary agency for it to be potentially rejected. I had read all the horror stories, writers not hearing back from publishers, writers being charged to read their manuscripts. The thought of an office junior reading my manuscript, judging me made my decision to self publish easy.

The amount of time and effort I invested in writing All That Glitters was too precious. The knowledge my manuscript would potentially collect dust in a room with other unread manuscripts would keep me awake at night. I wasn’t going to let this happen.

I allocated some cash and worked towards All That Glitters going into print in time for my 40th birthday. I have had no regrets. The communication between myself and Authorhouse has been at all times professional. Words cant describe the feeling I felt, when I held my book in print the first time.

I couldn’t believe how professional my book looked. It was well worth the investment. Some may say, why not take the chance in sending off to literary agents, to save me the bother of having to self promote. I did my research on the internet and realised there are loads of writers out there trying to be the next J K Rowling. I am totally in control of how well my book performs. The feedback has been positive. For me, my personal achievement was getting my book out there. The words on the paper are worth reading.

Working with a lot of smart people, many have said they would like to write a book. I’m not sure what is stopping them. Time, discipline and patience were key factors. I had a lot of time back in 2004 when I began All That Glitters and I procrastinated along with every other writer. If writing is something one enjoys doing, then one finds the time. As previous mentioned, I was at the start of a long therapy session, my session is now complete. So, to all you buddy writers, take the self publishing route, I did and I’m totally healed.