Congratulations to Meg Mitchell Moore on writing such an engaging and relatable DEBUT novel about the power of family. We can’t say enough good things about The Arrrivals…or its author and that’s why we chose her as our latest Lit: It Girl. So, forgive us, but we demand that you to buy it- and then start reading it-stat! And then start reading her list of answers to our Q’s about how she made it in the publishing biz. It’s an inspiring story for all of you aspiring authors out there or those just curious about the literary world. It can happen! But first, here’s a taste of what The Arrivals is about…
It’s early summer when Ginny and William’s peaceful life in Vermont comes to an abrupt halt.
First, their daughter Lillian arrives, with her two children in tow, to escape her crumbling marriage. Next, their son Stephen and his pregnant wife Jane show up for a weekend visit, which extends indefinitely when Jane ends up on bed rest. When their youngest daughter Rachel appears, fleeing her difficult life in New York, Ginny and William find themselves consumed again by the chaos of parenthood – only this time around, their children are facing adult problems.
By summer’s end, the family gains new ideas of loyalty and responsibility, exposing the challenges of surviving the modern family – and the old adage, once a parent, always a parent, has never rung so true
And if you leave a comment, you’ll be entered to win one of five copies of The Arrivals. We’ll randomly select the winners after 6pm EST on Sunday, August 7th.
CHICK LIT IS NOT DEAD PRESENTS…LIT IT GIRL: DEBUT AUTHOR: MEG MITCHELL MOORE
Photo credit: Courtney Trembler of Soul Focus Photography
How many agents did you query before you found “the one”?
I don’t know the exact answer to this question. Just for fun, I took a peek at my old “query” folder on my desktop and I quickly found 25 rejections. I know there were more that came through the mail, but don’t know how many, and there may have been emails I deleted. So I’m guessing somewhere between 30 and 40. I’m sure there were some I sent out that never answered at all. I got every kind of rejection possible: the polite form rejection, the personalized but immediate rejection, the “I’d love to see the first chapter” followed by rejection, the “I’d love to see the whole manuscript” followed by rejection. Now that I understand how much agents do each day for their clients I am amazed anyone is able to write a personal response at all.
What was your rock bottom moment during the process? There was a time, about two months before I found my fabulous agent, when I had a few “almosts” in a row–each time, I thought I was going to get an agent, and each time it didn’t work out. At that point I thought maybe this was not the right book to try to start off with. I remember going for a walk with my husband and telling him I was thinking of giving up the querying. He encouraged me to keep going.
How long did it take to write your book? First draft: about six months. Time to find an agent: another six months. Revising with agent after: six months. Time to sell once it went out to publishers: a little over a week.
What did you do to celebrate your book deal? I bought a beautiful Nespresso machine I’d had my eye on for some time. When I sold the book my husband was doing a program at Harvard Business School where he lived on the campus six out of seven days a week for two months. I was home with the three kids, and teetering on the edge of sanity. (Did I mention the littlest one was going through toilet training?) The book sale (and the Nespresso machine) helped my outlook tremendously.
Knowing what you know now about publishing your first novel, what would you have done differently? Let’s see. I think I would have started earlier (I mean years earlier) making sure I had a manuscript that was ready to find an agent. I worked for a long time as a freelance writer and while I always had confidence in my writing ability it took me a while to gain confidence in my fiction writing ability.
Who is your writer crush? This doesn’t have to be a male, right? I love Elin Hilderbrand. I was lucky enough to have her blurb THE ARRIVALS and have had some communication with her since then. I would love to have a drink with her at one of those glamorous Nantucket locations she’s always writing about and pick her brain. I have a list of questions ready to go in case that ever happens.
What’s your biggest distraction or vice while writing? This is so lame and boring, but it’s hard for me to write when there’s a mess around me (and with three kids, there is always a little bit of a mess). I have to stop putting things away and make myself sit down. An unorganized drawer is like a siren call to me–if I know it’s there, I’m drawn to it.
GNO drink of choice? Winter: cabernet sauvignon Summer: gin & ginger
Favorite trashy TV show? I have occasionally been known to tune into Real Housewives.
What celeb would you love to have a Twitter war with? I would not like to have a Twitter war. I am a pretty private person and I’d feel embarrassed. Not saying that’s normal, but there you are!
To find out more about the fabulous Meg Mitchell Moore, visit her website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Also, The Arrivals was just announced as the latest SheKnows book club pick! Click here for details!
Thanks, Meg!
xoxo,
Liz & Lisa
Hooray another new author! Thanks for all the chances to win!
love it! This is another one of the books I have on my wishlist to buy. I really don’t think I have enough hours in the day to read all the great books out there! lol.
Laura Kay
http://www.anovelreview.blogspot.com
Wow! This book sounds great! Just reading the above, I could feel the emotions. I can’t wait to read the book. I love these books that make me laugh, cry, and everything in between :)
This book sounds so good! I have had my eye on this for awhile.I am always impressed with authors who have such busy lives but also find the time to write….super people! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
As an inspiring fiction writer with four children, Meg, you are my hero! I love reading about mom writers who make it! Can’t wait to read the book – family novels are up my alley.
this book looks great and i love her tidbit about the nespresso machine! that is the kind of purchase i dream of making someday!
Ooops – I meant to say “aspiring” – sorry – blame my mommy brain! Well, I do hope to be “inspiring” as well!
I am so excited to read the book! It sounds
Great!
I love when you share new reads… I can’t tell you how many times I have fallen in love with new authors thanks to your recommendations. This looks like another new author that I will absolutely enjoy! I love books that involve a lot of emotion.. it definitely keeps me interested and makes a book just about impossible to put down. :) :) Adding this to the must read list as we speak! :) :)
This sounds like a great book – I think we sometimes forget that parents will always be parents no matter how old the child is. I know my siblings and I have gone back to our parents when we have faced difficult life decisions and situations. I can’t wait to read this!
This book s0unds great and I plan to buy it.Thanks!
The summary of the book sounds like my siblings and I at one time or another!
I just read one of Elin’s books and I too now have a crush on her. Would love to win this one.
So enjoyed reading about Meg! As an aspiring writer, also with three kids and also with one going through potty training as I was writing my first draft, I can relate to her distractions! I just bought THE ARRIVALS (love that title, by the way) on my NOOK, but I’d love to add it to my shelf! Congratulations, Meg, on the success of your debut!
Congratulations! It’s always interesting to hear author’s stories of getting published. Happy to hear successful stories. I’m excited to read her book.
I want to start reading this book asap! Sounds like an awesome read!!
I’m so excited. This sounds like a great story and a super author!
I am working on my own ebook now. So, I love the interview. Very encouraging!
I’ve always heard how difficult it is to get a book deal, but actually seeing the numbers makes me realize how hard it really is—and appreciate authors who keep trying so we can read their stuff! Can’t wait to check this book out!
I’ve been so wanting to read this and after reading the interview, even more so!
What a gorgeous cover for this debut novel!!
Can’t wait to read this!!
Sounds like an amazing book! I have 4 siblings and 7 nieces and nephews, so I can imagine the craziness of a full house! Can’t wait to read it!
I can’t wait to read this book:)
I can’t wait to read the book!
The cover is beautiful!
Can’t wait to read it!! Sounds great!
I can’t wait to read your debut book! I’m currently working on one myself and reading interviews with authors such as you gives me inspiration and that push I need to keep going. Thank you!!
It’s always a bit reassuring to see that others get rejected, too!
Sounds like a great book!! Can’t wait to read it!
Sounds like a great book!! Can’t wait to read it!
Thanks to all of your for your comments and interest, and much gratitude to Liz & Lisa for having me here today. I’m ecstatic to be in the company of the other authors you’ve featured. Good luck to all of the aspiring (and inspiring!) authors out there, especially those who are juggling childrearing and writing. Hats off to you.
I can’t wait to read it!
Always looking for new authors to check out. Thanks for keeping them in front of us.
This sounds like another great read…can’t wait to check it out!
I read about this book recently and put it on my to-buy list. Reading this interview just makes me want it even more :)
Sounds like a book women of a certain age (like me) would love!
This is already on my to-read list. Count me in!
Would love to win this
Count me in. This is a book I really want to read
Congratulations Meg! Sounds like a great book and definitely one I will read, if I win or not. I can’t imagine, if it was my husband and me, out in a peaceful area, somewhere, just him and I, no distractions. Then our 3 children “bombard” our vaca, but with real life troubling matters. They are your babies, even if they are adults. Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks for the great giveaway
I LOVE debut authors! I find new favorites all the time! I will be reading this one! Thanks for the chance to win.
Sounds like a great debut novel. I love reading an authors first book and I truly enjoy reading about family dynamics. Thanks for entering me in the contest.
Since finding this site, I have been introduced to so many new authors! Thank you! And thanks for all the chances to win!
This has been on my list to read for a while! I’d love to read it!
Margaret
[email protected]
A girl after my own heart! Trash TV of choice: Real Housewives!!!
I have to say the cover art for this is fabulous!!! I want to pick it up right this instance it’s so beautiful!! I love that you purchased a Nepresso machine right before falling off into the insanity deep end! Bravo!
Her Q & A was really informative.
Carie
I really like the idea behind this new book. Sounds very enjoyable…
Sounds like a good book! Love the cover!!
Sounds like a book I’d enjoy!
Can’t wait to read this one!
I so want to read this book! Hope I win! Thank you CLIND!!!
would love to read this novel…thanks for the chance :)
I think I am in love!!! The book sounds awesome, her answers are amazing and she has a great name:-). Definitely going to read this one!
If I’m randomly selected, do not choose me. I just wanted to say I read this a month ago and loved it.
sounds great!
She sounds so sweet!!!! The book sounds great too
kyfaithw at aol dot com
This sounds like a great book! Please count me in!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Sounds like a good book. I’d like to read it.
definitely sounds like a fab read – when all is said and done we all need family! would love to win a copy of this book :)
definitely going to have to check this one out.
Thanks for the intro, The Arrivals looks great!
This sounds gret, I would love to win :)
This sounds great, I would love to win :)
The Arrivals has been on my to-read list since before it was published! As a busy mom with three kids and lots of mess, I am totally in awe of Meg Mitchell Moore. I barely manage to write my blog posts and grocery lists. Sounds like a fantastic novel and I would love to win!
Congrats to [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]! They’ve each won a copy of THE ARRIVALS!