Tuesday, March 22, 2016

The Bookseller by Cynthia Swanson (Guest Post/Spotlight/Giveaway)


About the Book

Genre: Women's Fiction
Publisher: Harper
Release Date: March 22, 2016
Format: Paperback



Synopsis from Goodreads...

A provocative and hauntingly powerful debut novel reminiscent of Sliding Doors, The Bookseller follows a woman in the 1960s who must reconcile her reality with the tantalizing alternate world of her dreams.

Nothing is as permanent as it appears . . .

Denver, 1962: Kitty Miller has come to terms with her unconventional single life. She loves the bookshop she runs with her best friend, Frieda, and enjoys complete control over her day-to-day existence. She can come and go as she pleases, answering to no one. There was a man once, a doctor named Kevin, but it didn’t quite work out the way Kitty had hoped.

Then the dreams begin.

Denver, 1963: Katharyn Andersson is married to Lars, the love of her life. They have beautiful children, an elegant home, and good friends. It’s everything Kitty Miller once believed she wanted—but it only exists when she sleeps.

Convinced that these dreams are simply due to her overactive imagination, Kitty enjoys her nighttime forays into this alternate world. But with each visit, the more irresistibly real Katharyn’s life becomes. Can she choose which life she wants? If so, what is the cost of staying Kitty, or becoming Katharyn?

As the lines between her worlds begin to blur, Kitty must figure out what is real and what is imagined. And how do we know where that boundary lies in our own lives?

Author Guest Post


Inviting an Author to Your Book Club

By Cynthia Swanson, author of The Bookseller: A Novel

I remember my first time.

Just before the release of The Bookseller, a member of my own book club said she’d mentioned me to another friend. It went something like this: “I told her my friend has a novel called The Bookseller coming out and I might have, maybe sorta, said you would meet with her book club.”

I was happy to oblige. That first book club meeting has led to dozens more in the past year. Some are friends’ clubs, or friends of friends. Some I’ve met at readings and events. Others find me via my website or Facebook author page. Each club is different, and each is a treasure. I love talking about The Bookseller and my writing process. I like talking inspiration and ideas. It’s fun to compare favorite authors.

If you’re thinking of inviting an author to your book club, my first piece of advice is: Do It! You might not get J.K. Rowling or Jojo Moyes, but many authors will be thrilled to meet with your club.

A few things to keep in mind:

·        Look for local authors and “rising stars.” Some authors meet with clubs via Skype or FaceTime; others prefer to meet only in person. You’re more likely to get a “yes” from local and/or lesser-known authors than celebrity authors. Contact authors via their websites or social media.
·        Ask club members to buy the author’s book. Few of us can afford to purchase every book we read. Authors are readers, too, and they understand this. But if an author is going to make an appearance at your club, she’ll truly appreciate it if you buy her book. (Most authors are just as happy if you purchase an e-book as a hard copy.) Authors are generally happy to sign hard copies at the meeting, too.
·        Socialize before the author arrives. Virtually all book clubs enjoy socializing and catching up among members. To allow time for this, ask the author to arrive a bit later (thirty minutes after the start time often works well).
·        Introduce yourselves. The author wants to know you. Talk about how the group got started. Have members go around the room providing their names and a bit about themselves.
·        Ask the author “deep” questions. This is your chance! As readers, we often speculate about what was meant by a particular passage, how the author developed a character, what inspired her to include some aspect of the story. Authors love answering such questions. Many readers also want to know about the author’s path to publication, and authors generally are happy to talk about that.
·        Limit side conversations. Especially if you’re meeting virtually, this can be challenging. On- screen, the author cannot ensure she’s making eye contact. Not wanting to be impolite, she may hesitate to rein in the conversation. You might want to designate a moderator to help with this.
·        Have fun! Share personal stories. Talk about what you enjoyed in the book. You’ll make a new friend - and learn a bit about writing and publishing along the way.

Book clubs are lifeblood for authors - and readers, too. We wouldn’t give up our afternoons or evenings - not to mention the time we spend reading - if we didn’t love talking books. Enjoy!

------
Cynthia Swanson is an author and a designer. She has published short fiction in numerous journals and has been a Pushcart Prize nominee. Her debut novel, The Bookseller (HarperCollins), was published in March 2015, releases in paperback on March 22, 2016, and is being translated into 11 languages. The Bookseller was an Indie Next selection, a 2015 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Historical Fiction, and is a nominee for the MPIBA Reading the West 2015 Award. Learn more about Cynthia and The Bookseller at www.integritymodern.com.


BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!!

Thanks to the author and the publisher I have two trade paperbacks of The Bookseller by Cynthia Swanson to giveaway to two lucky winners.

Just a few simple rules...

1) You must fill out the rafflecopter form below.

2) Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old

3) US Residents Only

4)  For one extra entry: Leave a comment telling us about authors who have visited your book club - or the authors you'd love to have visit.

No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited.

The giveaway begins on March 22nd (midnight est) and ends on March 29th (midnight est).

The winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter. The winner will be notified by email and has 48 hours to respond, otherwise a new winner will be chosen. I will announce the winner here on my blog.

Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

61 comments:

  1. Your story about your friend who sort of might have said you'd visit another book club resonates and made me smile. I often visit book clubs who read Cape Maybe or Peace by Piece, and usually I'm invited because of word of mouth.

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    1. It's fun, isn't it, Carol? Glad you enjoy meeting with clubs, too!

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  2. I agree that book clubs should take the plunge and ask authors to meet with them in some manner. I've moderated two library book clubs over the years and we've had several authors either visit us or do a 'call in' or the like. It's always been a fun experience. Back in the day, we talked with Louise Penny and several others when they were publishing their first books. So fun to think about now. I look forward to reading THE BOOKSELLER. It's been on my list for a while and I'll get to it soon, hopefully. :-)

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  3. Hi Cynthia! Our book club has had many authors come to the local book store here. Sophie Jordan and Kerrelyn Sparks are the two off the top of my head. We love reading the book and being able to discuss it with the author. It's been a long while since I've been back to book club due to personal commitments but it truly is a heady experience for us as readers to sit with the author. Sometimes, the local book store would arrange for our book club to be held off-site at a restaurant with the author where we could have dinner and chat up the book. I was hoping to make it to the RT Book Convention in Vegas this year, but unfortunately I had to tell Ms. Kathryn that I just can't make it. My son is my priority right now. Your book sounds wonderful and I would love to read it. Thank you for taking the time to blog today.

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    1. Thank you, Janet. Sounds like you've had great experiences with author visits. I hope your son is okay.

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  4. We have never had anyone come to the club I belonged to. There are so many great authors today it would be a hard choice to make

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    1. Charlotte, I hope you find (or start) a group, if you're interested. It's so satisfying talking books with others.

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  6. Kathryn seems to have a strong imagination.

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  7. O, I'm not in a book club currently, but if I were, some of my favorite authors like Suzanne Collins, JK Rowling...Julie Lessman, Karen Witemeyer, Jen Turano...etc.

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  8. Interesting sounding thriller.
    Thanks for the giveaway

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  9. It wasn't my book club but rather my local Barnes and Noble on a quiet Sunday afternoon. A woman asked if I liked to read, if I Iiked mysteries and it wasn't until after we had talked awhile that she said she was an author and had a new book out. It was Teresa Burrell who writes the Advocate series. I would love to have her speak at my book club because she was down to earth at the same time as being fascinating. Another author I would love to have visit is Connie Archer of the Soup Lover's Mysteries. I met her at Bouchercon. Another easy to talk to author that I would love to be part of our group.

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    1. Grandma Cootie, you should reach out to these authors. I'm sure they'd be thrilled!

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  10. I don't belong to a book club but our local library has guest authors come in. Amanda Flower and Burt Cole have attended these events. Shelley Costa is an author who I am sure would be interesting person to hear. Living in Ohio, her one series is centered around the islands along Lake Erie. Thanks for the giveaway. robeader53@yahoo.com

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  11. My book club disbanded and I've been missing it ever sense. We did phone interviews with authors and broadcast them on a local radio station.

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    1. Lesa, that sounds so fun. I hope your group gets back together or you find (or start) another one.

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  12. I miss being in a book club. We used to have fun talking about everything, not just books. Those ladies had great recommendations on books.

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    1. Laura, that's one of the best things about book clubs -- we learn about books we otherwise might not have explored on our own.

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  13. I've never had an author present at our book club meetings although I have had a few author's agree to do Skype interviews.

    Thanks a lot for the book club suggestions. This will be very helpful for future meetings.

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  14. I've never had an author present at our book club meetings although I have had a few author's agree to do Skype interviews.

    Thanks a lot for the book club suggestions. This will be very helpful for future meetings.

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  15. I don't belong to a book club, but online I enjoy many of the author events. If I had a book club, I would love to have my favorites join me: Cleo Coyle's, Laura Child's, Daryl Wood Gerber, Kathi Daley, Tonya Kappes... Sorry, I can't choose one. I would have to have a book "convention!"
    kat8762@aol.com

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    1. LOL, Kathleen -- I like that idea. I'd come to that convention!

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    1. Rita, I hope you find (or start) a book club if you're interested. It's so fun discussing books with a group of like-minded readers.

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  17. There is a new Author K.B.Bachelder I would love to visit. His book sounds amazing and looks like a great adventure.

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    1. Jennifer, I just looked up that author on Amazon. You're right -- that does sound fascinating. Adding to my (ever-growing) To Be Read list.

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  18. I enjoyed this book!

    As for book clubs, I'll never forget being invited to a couple of local book clubs, and how great it felt to answer questions, and listen to thoughts on my characters.

    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks, Laurel! It is fun meeting with clubs, isn't it?

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  19. I am not a member of a book club, but I would love to meet authors and find out more about them and their books!

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    1. Linda, I hope you join (or start) a book club if you're interested. It's great to have a group for discussing books.

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  20. I would invite Mary Doria Russell and Jacqueline Winspear to a talk. Two great authors.

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  21. Unfortunately I don't belong to a book club, it has never interested me but my daughter belongs to several.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. Wendy, it's not for everyone. Good luck with the giveaway!

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  22. The only "book clubs" I have time for a r e the literature circles with my junior high students....but I love to read in any spare time I have.

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    1. Cathy, I can see how teaching would limit one's time for pleasure reading. But how fun to talk literature with your students. Thank you for helping foster the next generation of readers!

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  23. I don't know if you consider Good Reads a book club; but I belong to that. I am an avid reader and would love to read your book for an honest review.

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    1. Donna, I love Goodreads. Feel free to friend and/or follow me there if you'd like.

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  24. I've never had an author come to a book club meeting, but I've gone to some book signings and love the stories they tell.

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    1. Thank you, Holdenj. Authors love readers that come to signings!

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  25. I belong to online book clubs. We read a great book called The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh ♡ I think it would be great to meet her. Thank you

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    1. Linda, that book has intrigued me for some time...would love to read it.

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  26. I'm not in a book club but some of my favorite authors are Kristan Higgins, Debbie Macomber and Katy Regnery.

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  27. What a dream it would be to have Anne Rice or Stephen King join us for TuesBookTalk (my online book club)! There's also an Indie author I'd like to have join us...Robert Stephen Parry. I love his books. He has offered too...if we ever read one of his as a group. :)

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  28. My book club is only several months old (I live in a new neighborhood, so we're just getting all kinds of clubs started), we've never had an author visit... But based on the club's reading preferences I think they'd love to have Mary Kubica and Liane Moriarty as guests. And you too, if you're ever in Chicago area! We're a fun group :) I look forward to reading your book!! :)

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    1. Thanks, Mariana! Those are great choices. I recently discovered Mary Kubica and have become a big fan. And I've been in awe of Liane Moriarty ever since reading What Alice Forgot.

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  29. I would LOVE this book. I'm putting it on my Goodreads want to read list. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

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