Category: News

1. No matter how many copies of books in print and sold, authors still count and remember their rejection letters.
2. Even if their latest book debuts high up on the NYT list, best-selling authors still envy writers whom they think are (a) more talented than they are or (b) get more money and attention from their publishers.
3. Best-selling authors always talk about how during their childhood, they were the family mutant. Only when we succeed do our families look at us in a different light. (Usually to see if we used them as a character in the book, or if we’ve made enough money to spring for lunch.)
4. Best-selling authors always walk into the room looking a bit bewildered by everyone’s awe and reverance. Wait, that’s not true. Jackie Collins once paid a visit to OCC RWA and she made an entrance. Then again, Nora Roberts struts around RWA National like she doesn’t notice everyone staring at her so maybe it’s a guy versus girl thing.
   Moving on…
5. Most best-selling authors – actually I should say that the ones who are still good and aren’t paying other writers to write their stuff – never lose that sense of awe that they get paid to make stuff up.
6. No matter how many millions they’ve acquired (and that their publisher will fly them first-class and not put them up in a haunted hotel), best-selling authors still want us to feel sorry for them when they tell us how they struggled in the early years.

You’ve heard it before and now you’ll hear it again but dudes, I’m going nuts with the upcoming release of Switchcraft. Happily, the reviews have been very enthusiastic (yes, Erica, I know I shouldn’t be reading them but I couldn’t help it!).

So let’s talk about something else.

The chica lit panel in Phoenix was a blast!

Barb (aka Caridad Ferrer) almost made Alisa cry when she credited her for kicking the door down in the publishing industry so that a rush of chica lit writers could get their books in stores.

I made everyone laugh when I called my first screenwriting professor a dick for suggesting that I take out my Hispanic characters because there were no actors in Hollywood who would play those roles. He was right, because in 1994 we had yet to see America Ferrera, Salma Hayek, Eva Mendes, Eva Longoria and Rosario Dawson.

Alisa told everyone to stop lending their books to their friends, sisters, tias and co-workers or else, chica lit would become an endangered species.

We were asked how we balance our home lives to make time for our writing. Margo got big cheers when she said, “You have to do it and then make the people around you respect that. You make the time and then respect the time.”

Now for the nagging portion of our program:

Did you enter to win a copy of The Reincarnationist? Email me with “MJ Rose Contest” in the subject line. I’ll draw the name of the lucky winner on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007. Enter now!

Cheers,
Mary

During the Little Dude’s birthday party, Mom swiped a copy of Switchraft from my supply closet. Having reached the middle of the book, she called me the other night.

Mom: I’m at the part where Aggie goes to the baby class.

Me: What do you think?

Mom: By the way, are you going to have Aggie sleep with Nely’s husband?

Me (not sure how we went from the baby class to this): I can’t tell you. You’ll have to finish the book.

Mom (mutters something I can’t quite make out): So, were the moms from the baby class you went to as bad as the ones in the book?

Me: No. The ones at my class were worse. They tried to kill my son, remember?

Mom: That’s right, those pendejas!

Here’s the soundtrack Caridad Ferrer created for her new book, It’s Not About The Accent.

Other Side of the World- KT Tunstall
Downtown Train- Everything But The Girl
Peace of Me- Natasha Bedingfield
If Anybody Had a Heart – John Waite
Songbird- Eva Cassidy
Forgiven (Featuring Jonatha Brooke)- Chris Botti
Better (m)- Toby Lightman
Stumble- Natasha Bedingfield
More Than Words (English Version)- Frankie J
Don’t Dream It’s Over- Sixpence None the Richer
Look Where We Are Now- Teddy Geiger
Cry – Faith Hill
Missing You- Alison Krauss & John Waite
St. Teresa- Joan Osborne
One – Mary J. Blige & U2
Come September – Natalie Imbruglia
Do You Sleep- Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories
Everytime We Touch (Yanou’s Candlelight Mix)- Cascada
When Did You Fall (In Love With Me) [Groovin’ Version]- Chris Rice
Heal Over – KT Tunstall
Afterglow- INXS
Run to Me- Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs
Come On Home- Everything But The Girl

Read chapter one

Today I’m celebrating two birthdays. The Little Dude turned two and he woke up extra early this morning to begin the festivities!

And then my editor sent me PW’s review of Switchcraft. I conceived the story idea a week or two after I discovered that the Little Dude had taken up residence in my uterus. It’s amazing to have watched him grow into this feisty running, screaming and talking little person, and now, Switchcraft is findings its legs. This is enough to make a mama get a little misty.

So here’s the review:

Best friends Nely Mendoza and Aggie Portero share a life-changing switcheroo in Castillo’s spirited romantic comedy. Past 30, curvy wife and mom Nely and hot, no-carb spitfire shop owner Aggie are a little jealous of each other’s life. But after the two switch bodies during a “transcendental meditation ceremony,” they realize that the other’s grass isn’t necessarily greener. Aggie, who’s been yearning for marriage and a baby, experiences some reality checks while taking care of Nely’s toddler, and Simon, Nely’s cop husband, all the while handling Simon’s manipulative mother. Nely’s challenges as Aggie include rescuing her friend’s shop from financial meltdown, fending off a stalker and figuring out what’s up with Aggie’s playboy pal, chef Kevin Sanchez. Although the trading places idea isn’t a fresh concept, Castillo’s effervescent style and likable characters sweeten the deal.

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