So glad to have "met" Rowan Coleman...plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to welcome Rowan Coleman back to CLC to feature her latest novel (before her new one comes out in the UK next month). The Day We Met was first released in the UK last year as The Memory Book, which was on Becky's 2014 favorites list (see her review). Rowan somehow manages to produce amazing, heart-wrenching novels while raising FIVE kids, including twin toddlers. You may not know that she is dyslexic, is learning how to bake, and has no time for ironing. (Does she know about Downy Wrinkle Releaser?) Inspired by her previous novel, Dearest Rose (a.k.a. The Runaway Wife), she has become an active supporter of  the domestic abuse charity Refuge, donating 100% of royalties from the e-book publication of her novella, Woman Walks Into a Bar, to the charity. You can find Rowan at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks to Penguin Random House, we have THREE copies of The Day We Met for some lucky readers in the US and/or Canada! For an additional chance to win, visit Goodreads by April 14th (US only).

How does reading influence your writing? 
I love to read so much, but I wouldn't say that reading influences my writing especially that much. I think there are books I've read in the past that I set as a very high bench mark that I am always trying to reach, but other than that I think its important to try and stay true to what you want to write about, in the way you want to write it.

You're preparing a brunch for a group of authors, Who's on the guest list?
Oh now, do the authors have to be alive? Lets assume they do, I would invite my dear friends Julie Cohen, Kate Harrison, CL Taylor, Miranda Dickenson and top children's Tamsyn Murray. I would also like to invite my heroes, Anne Tyler, Marian Keyes, Jenny Colgan, Jennifer Weiner, and I think we would have a pretty fun time too.

There is a quote that says, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” What is one thing that is outside your comfort zone that you’ve always wanted to try, but never did? Why haven’t you attempted it?
I can let you into a secret and make you the first to know that my next writing project is out of my comfort zone. I can't tell you anymore than that, because I would have to kill you. But I am excited and nervous about it!

What other styles of writing would you like to try someday? 
Hmm I don't think so much as writing in terms of style. I think a writer has a voice, and they can turn that voice to pretty much any genre. I would like to write a really fast paced thriller one day.

What is the one thing about your life that you can’t believe the most?
Apart from my unexpected twins? I think the most amazing and unexpected thing I have experienced over the last year is how well The Day We Met has been received all around the world. Its my most translated book ever, and I love getting editions in Bosnia, Dutch, Brazilian, French and more. I am especially delighted that it is published in the states, readers there are so passionate.

In the US there is a great debate as to whether carbonated drinks such as Coca Cola and Pepsi are called pop or soda, what do you call such beverages?
I had no idea about the pop debate! in the UK we call fizzy drinks pop, always. Soda is one specific kind of drink. So its pop all the way for me!

Thanks to Rowan for visiting with us and to Penguin Random House for sharing her book with our readers.

~Interview by Tracey Meyers

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


US/Canada only. Giveaway ends April 7th at midnight EST.