The latest buzz on Alexandra Potter, plus a book giveaway

Introduction by Kathryn Hamilton

**Giveaway is now closed**

Please give a warm welcome to Alexandra Potter as she joins us from across the pond to celebrate her latest (and ninth) release, “Don’t You Forget About Me.” As soon as I saw Alexandra’s website (featuring animated blooming flowers and buzzing bees), I knew that this is an author who is personable, approachable, and incredibly likeable. She was born in Yorkshire, went to university in Liverpool, and moved to London when she was 23 to take a position as a puzzle magazine editor. On the side, she continued to write articles for other publications and found herself published in several well-known British magazines before moving to Australia to work for their version of Vogue and Cleo. In 1999, Alexandra took the big leap and decided to commit to writing novels. Her first novel, “What’s New, Pussycat?” was published in 2000 and the rest, as they say, is history. Well-deserved success continues to come her way as her novel “You’re The One That I Don’t Want” (released as “You’re (Not) The One” in the US) is currently being made into a movie! Congrats Alexandra! It’s unlikely that anyone will ever forget you!

Visit Alexandra at her website and on Facebook!

Thanks to Hodder and Stoughton, we have THREE copies of "Don't You Forget About Me" to share with some lucky readers anywhere in the world!

What is your advice to future writers?
Don't give up! I think the hardest part about writing a novel is that it takes so long! It takes me 18 months, from start to finish, and during that process I will encounter many times when I'm stuck, I can't think of anything funny, I don't know how to move the plot forward, I'm struggling with a scene… and it would be so easy to just give up. But you can't. You have to keep pushing through, keep sitting in that chair and staring at the screen of your laptop, keep turning the characters over and over in your head as you take the dog for a walk or running through that bit of dialogue as you're in the supermarket - and you will finally get there.

How did you decide to write chick lit?
I didn't set out to write 'chick lit,' in fact I'd never heard of the term when I first started writing. I just wanted to write about a girl like me, with characters and a storyline that was relevant to me and my life, and those of my friends. About the issues that I face, the dreams and hopes that I have, the disappointments and heartbreak I've experienced. And if that's 'chick lit' then so be it.

Describe your writing in three words.
Funny. Romantic. Hopeful.

Do you have a favorite character or one you most identify with?
My favourite character is Delilah, the heroine of my first novel, "What's New Pussycat?" I loved writing Delilah, as so much of me was her. I too moved from Yorkshire to Notting Hill in my twenties, and I got to share a lot of my experiences with Delilah as I took her on the same journey - only with slightly more hilarious consequences.

If one of your books could be made into a movie, which would you choose and who would you cast in the lead roles?
Oooh - now this is actually a very relevant question as I recently sold the film rights to "You're the One That I Don't Want" and it's currently being adapted into a screenplay. I've been having talks with the producers about who I would love to play Lucy and that has to be Emily Blunt. For Magda, I would choose Bette Midler. I'm still working on the male roles...

If you could take us on a tour of the town where you live, where would we go first?
I'm in London right now, so I'd have to take you down to Hyde Park where we could watch the Olympics by the Serpentine, then to a favourte little cafe of mine in Kensington for lunch, take a walk through Holland Park and end up at a great pub in Notting Hill for a pint of guiness and the most delicious fish stew.

What is your favorite way to escape?
Travel. I adore travelling and love exploring different parts of the world, getting ideas for new books and characters. It is a wonderful way to escape.

What is the strangest or craziest date you have ever been on?
I once went on a date to a torture museum in Northern Italy...we walked around looking at scary devices from the middle ages - not exactly the most romantic of venues! Suffice to say, there wasn't a second date.

Special thanks to Alexandra for a fun escape and to Hodder and Stoughton for sharing "Don't You Forget About Me" with our readers.

How to win "Don't You Forget About Me":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: Since the title of this book reminds us of "The Breakfast Club," what is your favorite movie theme song?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Giveaway ends August 21st at midnight EST.