Helen Simonson » FAQ

A word on Book Club Skype/Call etiquette

admin — Wed, 18 May 2011 16:53:25 +0000

Dear me, I never thought of myself as a ‘Miss Manners’ but as I have now enjoyed many lovely visits with book clubs, by Skype video or phone call, I thought it might be useful to share a few tips on how to most comfortably set up a contact with a writer who might be willing to talk to your group: Check the writer’s website to see if they offer contact. Make a polite email (not phone) request. Give at least three weeks notice (but no more than two months) and preferably offer more than one day/time. Be prepared to reconfirm by email the day prior with Skype contact and emergency phone number, but please don’t ask the writer to do test runs. Understand if the writer already has too many requests and can not accommodate. Please don’t demand a multi-hour, in-person visit just because the writer lives in your state. Book Club visits are mostly to answer your questions in an informal way, so don’t look for a reading or presentation. I’ve had only lovely group visits, but other writers have laughingly told me of being ambushed by hostile questions. Please remind your group that “I hated all your characters” is not a polite way to treat a guest in your home! I find that book club visits typically last thirty minutes and that it is useful to begin at least 15 minutes after your guests arrive. Finally, do take note of time zones. I’d love to visit your group but not at midnight my time! Thanks and here’s to meeting many more fun book groups.

All Things Considered – three novels of manners

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:26:26 +0000

Listen here to my recommendation of three novels of manners that were not written by Jane Austen. While Jane is the true master, the novel of manners, in the hands of other authors, continues to show up the world for what it is. Small domestic squabbles mirror the largest of world issues and we don’t seem to get any better at being kind, do we? I was very grateful to be invited onto NPR’s famous All Things Considered, to read this piece.

Listen to an interview on Leonard Lopate, WNYC

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:50:22 +0000

I recently returned to New York to be interviewed on the Leonard Lopate show, on local NPR affiliate, WNYC. Leonard knows how to grill a writer and get straight to the heart of a book. Great fun and a dream fulfilled for an NPR fan from Brooklyn. Listen here.

It’s official…Major Pettigrew a NY Times bestseller!

admin — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:01:01 +0000

Major Pettigrew has obviously been on a campaign to win hearts and minds and has achieved his mission in an unexpected record time. Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand has just made it onto the NY Times Bestseller list at #14 (tied with #13). In addition, Indiebound, which represents the nation’s independent bookstores, has him at #3 on their bestseller list. The Washington Post debuted him at #9 and he is popping up on other lists as we speak. I am overwhelmed at the response to what was supposed to be a small literary debut. Thank you to all who have written to me to say how much you’ve enjoyed the book.

No regrets, no sequels…a Bookbrowse interview

admin — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:02:10 +0000

Read an interview with me at Bookbrowse where this week, Major Pettigrew is an Editor’s Choice.

A question of reading guides

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:37:38 +0000

Hello, Just starting to read your new novel that I picked for my book club to read in May. Will you be putting together a question guide for book clubs in the very near future? If so how would I find it online? Thank you very much and looking forward to reading your book. I read only wonderful reviews on it. Best of luck to you, P.

Thanks for emailing me with your question. I have to confess I’m not a huge fan of reading guides, which remind me too much of school and homework. However, I’ve had to lead book club discussions myself and I know it’s a big responsibility to put together good notes. I always found first person interviews with the author were useful (there are a couple posted here). Also, just for you, I tried to think about what themes interested me enough to include them. I came up with inheritance (an endless source of both comedy and tragedy), parents and their adult children (King Lear having the ultimate in bad offspring), defining community by exclusion of the ‘other,’ and of course, that comment your neighbor made last week that you didn’t realize, until half an hour later, was a complete insult. These themes and some good salty snacks should keep the conversation going. If all else fails, discuss whether love is ageless. Thank you so much for picking Major Pettigrew for your book club.

Diane Rehm interviews me on her NPR show

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:54:30 +0000

Diane Rehm invited me onto her very popular NPR show to discuss my debut novel. Any nervousness on my part was quickly dispelled. Diane is such a professional and so used to putting guests at their ease. I had a fabulous time and the hour flew by as if it were no more than a few minutes. Listen to a free iTunes podcast.

Read about my writing process

admin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:51:19 +0000

Author Tim Hallinan asked me to write a guest blog for his series on creative writing process. Tim maintains a website full of useful advice for those of us struggling through the novel writing process. Check out his great advice about how to pile up pages.

Author Interview on Bookbrowse

admin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:48:11 +0000

Bookbrowse asked to interview me about Major Pettigrew. Check out the interview and their wonderfully rich book-centered website.

How long did it take to write the novel?

admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:10:10 +0000

It took me about five years. I was a busy mother and very much a part-time writer. It felt like a long struggle, but there are so many writers who have taken ten or fifteen years to craft a single novel. I am astonished, when I go into a bookstore, by the amount of time and craft represented in the books on a single table.