Guest Post with Susan Schneider, author of The Wedding Writer & Giveaway

Hey everyone, I hope you’ll help me to welcome Susan Schneider, author of The Wedding Writer, to Peeking Between the Pages today. I reviewed Susan’s novel yesterday (my review) and I really enjoyed it! It’s chick lit with a bit more and I breezed through it in a day and a half so that tells how much I liked it. Today, Susan is here to talk about The Wedding Writer: The Sequel…

Yes, I’m being brave (gulp): I am writing a sequel, as yet title-less, to my first novel, “The Wedding Writer.” Why is this scary? Well, because I’m banking on the first novel not bombing. If “The Wedding Writer” does bomb, why would anyone want to read a sequel? This is a sticky problem. But I felt like writing a sequel and my editor gave me the go-ahead. It made sense somehow because I’m still caught up in the world of weddings and the women who toil in its tulle-lined corridors. Maybe it’s because I worked in the bridal industry for so long—a good ten years—and I can’t quite shake it.

In the untitled sequel I’m coming at bridal from a different angle; instead of magazines and fashion, I’m going to wrap my characters up in the world of fine paper: invitations, save-the-dates, thank you notes and so on. Why this angle? At bridal market in New York last year, I chatted with a woman from Peoria, Illinois (hello, Rachel Kress!) who just happens to be launching her own bridal boutique (http://www.cloudninepeoria.com) on this August 27. Rachel will offer Midwestern women not only fashion but fine paper products, too. I’d been thinking about the world of beautiful paper products and how many women have entered the field, whether working from home or in chic urban ateliers. After meeting Rachel, who so fervently believes in the power of beautiful things in women’s lives, I knew where to go next. Et, voila—The Sequel.

So now I’ve barreled about 100 pages into The Sequel. I’ve brought some of the characters from The Wedding Writer along for the ride. And it’s a bumpy one, I promise you, as it always is for young women on their own, with lots of ambition and a driving need for a paycheck. Hint: Lucky, my main character from “The Wedding Writer,” who is one tough cookie, melts a little. Meltdown? I won’t give it away. Her sweet subordinate, Vicki St Marie, must stop being so…sweet, if she’s to save the day. And single mom Morgan must find a way to survive and thrive and raise her daughter in the non-child-friendly city of Manhattan. A lovely wedding planner I know, who has his own TV show, is the inspiration for my brand-new character, Harve Fierro, who comes straight out of Brooklyn to rock the wedding world big-time.

Tune in! And wish us luck—me and Lucky, Harve and Vicki, and Morgan too. We’re all in it for the long haul—and I’m glad.
__________

Thanks for the great guest post Susan! I will most definitely be first in line to read a sequel to The Wedding Writer and I can’t wait to see what everyone will be up to next!
__________

About the Book (from Amazon.com)

Four talented women, one glossy wedding magazine: life should be as perfect as a bridal catwalk… right?

Lucky Quinn writes up weddings for one of the hottest bridal magazines. And it wasn’t easy to get there. From humble beginnings, she outsmarted her way into the center of New York’s glamorous magazine industry – making up for her background with a sharp mind, whip-thin physique, and ceaseless ambition.

Then, in one day, her life is utterly transformed; two of the magazine’s major competitors fold, and Lucky is named Editor-in-Chief, replacing the formidable, but aging Grace Ralston, who had been at the magazine’s helm from day one. Grace taught Lucky everything she knows, but now it seems that she taught her too well…

As the ripples of Lucky’s promotion spread, the intricate lives of four women begin to unfold. Felice, Your Wedding’s elegant and unshakeable Art Director is now being shaken for the first time by troubles at home. Sara, the Fashion Director, is famed for her eagle eye for fashion trends and exquisite hair. But, for all her know-how, “the Angel of Bridal” has never come close to starring in a wedding herself – she’s picked the dress, but where’s the groom? Grace, recovering in the wake of her sudden, humiliating fall from power, must learn to accept herself – and love – after a life dedicated to fulfilling other women’s dreams. And, through it all, Lucky begins to discover just how lonely the top really is.

Read an excerpt
Buy The Wedding Writer on Amazon.com or Amazon.ca

About the Author (from Susan’s website)

Susan Schneider has over 10 years of experience as a bridal magazine editor; formerly she was executive editor at Bridal Guide Magazine, a national consumer magazine for engaged women, and she was also executive editor at Conde Nast’s Modern Bride and at Elegant Bride. She covers everything wedding, from fashion to flowers to food to stationery, etiquette, registry and honeymoons. She especially enjoys writing true-life wedding stories. Her first novel, The Wedding Writer, draws on her expertise as a wedding writer and from her day-to-day contribution to the business of bridal.

Susan’s website
Susan’s blog
Find Susan on Facebook
Find Susan on Twitter

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of The Wedding Writer by Susan Schneider to share with my readers. To enter…

• For 1 entry, leave me a comment with an email address to contact you should you win.
• For 2 entries, follow my blog. If you already do, thank you, and please let me know in your comment so I can pass on the extra entry to you as well.
• For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word!

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, July 30/11. Good luck to you all!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Share this post!