Interview with Rowan Coleman and book giveaway!

**Giveaway is now closed**

Rowan Coleman is the bestselling author of "The Accidental Mother," along with its sequel, "The Accidental Family" and several other books about motherhood. Ever since Melissa P. and I both read "The Accidental Mother," we've been hooked! We have to rush out and get her latest book immediately when it hits the shelves. My favorite (so far) is "Mommy by Mistake." I love all the camaraderie between the friends in that story. It also had a realistic view of being a new mother. Melissa P's favorite is "The Accidental Mother" because she can relate to Sophie in a lot of ways and felt very connected to her.

We have been connected with Rowan on Facebook and were thrilled when she agreed to do an interview with us for Chick Lit Central. She has been running a short story contest that was only open to people on her side of the Atlantic. However, she also has weekly status short story challenges. Melissa P. won one of those challenges and I've been chosen as a runner up a couple of times. We both see it as an honor that she takes notice of and likes our writing skills. We enjoyed learning more about her and hope you will too. Her publisher, Ayelet Gruenspecht, at Simon and Schuster has offered to give away two copies of "The Home for Broken Hearts" to some lucky readers in the US and Canada.

Before we go on with the interview, there are two other things I would like to share:
*Today is Rowan Coleman's wedding day!!! Congrats to Rowan and her (now) husband!

*A while ago, I had asked Rowan (on Facebook) why the title of her latest book had changed for the US. Here was her reply:
"I'm published slightly differently in the US, more women's literary fiction - and so the title and cover - which I love, are a little more serious. In the Uk an upbeat chirpy cover is still the way to go here - we have a much narrower market. Literary or Commercial fiction - and I fall into the commercial section!"

Without any further ado, here is our interview:

MP: Where and when do you like to get most of your writing done?
RC: Most of my writing is done in my study, its lovely with Victorian wall paper and a real chaise longue. But if I'm really stuck I take my laptop to a cafe, the noise seems to help me concentrate.

MP: Do you have any plans to tour in the U.S.?
RC: I'd love to tour in the U.S. I've visited a few times and yours is such a diverse and fascinating country I'd love to see more or it - but so far no. Perhaps if my publishers get enough requests from readers....? (hint, hint)

MP: You recently held a short story competition and the winners receive free mentoring from you as well as other prizes, which is very generous of you. What inspired you to hold the competition for aspiring writers?
RC: Unfortunately in life talent alone isn't always enough to get you where you deserve to be, you need someone to be on your side. I want to be on some one's side and help them as much as I've been helped in the past.

MP: What was your first experience in the journey to publishing like for you? Did you face any challenges?
RC: Ironically my path to publication for my first novel was pretty smooth. I won a short story competition in a national magazine which opened a lot of doors for me. However since then I've had plenty of ups and downs. A writers life is a tough one, you need to be able to take rejection and get back up again!

MP: If you were not a writer, what would you see yourself doing?
RC: I get ask this question a lot and I find it really hard to answer - I did use to think I'd be a wedding planner, but I've recently been planning my own wedding and am in a state of near constant hysteria.

MA: Do you have any other sequels planned?
RC: Not at the moment, never say never though.

MA: If you could have any of your books made into a movie, which would you choose and who would you want to be the main stars?
RC: I would love to see "The Accidental Mother" made into a film. I'd cast Cameron Diaz as Sophie, I think she'd be great!

MA: I know you have a one year-old son. What made you decide to write about motherhood before you became a mother?
RC: Oh, well I have a nine year old daughter too. I actually only started writing about motherhood after she was born.

MA: What did you do for your hen night?
RC: We went for very posh afternoon tea and a top London hotel, the karaoke at a bowling alley, then dancing, then cocktails, then the next day I had my wedding make-up practice which was lucky as I looked terrible.

MA: What has been your favorite thing about motherhood so far?
RC: The love given and returned, it's beautiful.

Special thanks to Rowan for taking the time out of her wedding planning schedule to answer our questions, to Ayelet Gruenspecht for providing books for the giveaway and Melissa P. for sharing my love of Rowan's books and helping so much with this interview!


How to win "The Home for Broken Hearts":
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted.)

For additional entries (each as a separate comment including your e-mail address, as well):
1. Please tell us: If you are a mother, what is your favorite thing about motherhood? If you are not a mother, what is your favorite experience involving somebody else's kids?
OR
2. Please tell us: What is the strangest thing you've ever done to make money?
3. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
4. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
5. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

US/Canada residents only. Giveaway ends Monday, September 6th, at 6 pm EST.