How Jules Moulin stays cool...plus a book giveaway

We're happy to celebrate the publication of Jules Moulin's debut novel, Ally Hughes has Sex Sometimes. Even though it is her first novel, Jules is no stranger to writing as she has a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University and spent her twenties writing the Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning series Party of Five (a favorite of Becky and Melissa A's) and The West Wing. She left Hollywood five years ago in order to work as a full-time mom and splits her time between New York City and Pasadena, California.

Thanks to Dutton, we have TWO copies of Ally Hughes has Sex Sometimes for some lucky US readers!

Visit Jules on Facebook and Twitter.

What was it like to transition from writing for TV series to writing a novel?
Writing for TV is a much more collaborative process. Novel writing is much more solo, until the editing begins -- but even then, it was just the book’s editor and myself working together. We didn’t have other writers, producers, a director, the studio, network executives and the cast getting to add his and her two cents to our story. It was me and my publishers at Dutton, and that felt wonderful.

What was your inspiration for writing Ally Hughes Has Sex Sometimes?
Honestly, my main inspiration: bills. I wish I could say I had the overwhelming need to impart some kind of profound wisdom to the world, but no. It was really about the electricity bill, because I live in California where it’s hot all year and our AC is pretty much always cranking…

As a newly published author, what are you doing to celebrate?
Someone sent me a bottle of champagne when I sold the book -- that was almost a year ago, and it’s still sitting on the bottom shelf of the fridge. Honestly, I’ll probably just send gifts to my agents and the amazing people at Dutton who made the book really happen after I made it sort of happen.

If you could cast your novel for the big screen, who would play the lead roles?
Thank you! My favorite question ever! One of my best friends is a casting director, Mary Margaret Kunze. We should ask her. But here are my two cents: Tina Fey as Ally, Josh Hutcherson as Jake, Blake Lively as Lizzie. Or…Reese Witherspoon as Ally, Ian Somerhalder as Jake, Dakota Fanning as Lizzie. Or... Julia Roberts as Ally, Rupert Grint as Jake, Jennifer Lawrence as Lizzie.


What was the last book you read that you would recommend?
Gilead: A Novel by Marilynne Robinson. It won the Pulitzer.

Which character from Party of Five was your favorite to write scenes for?
I liked writing scenes for Matthew Fox’s character, Charlie Salinger. Matthew is such an amazing and passionate actor. It was always a thrill to watch him bring a scene to life.

Thanks to Jules for a lovely interview and to Dutton for sharing her book with our readers.

~Interview by Melissa Amster

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 only. Giveaway ends August 31st at midnight EST.