Jessica Brody

Karma in Action: How Deepak Chopra Appeared in My Book Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:50:00 +0000

The book trailer for The Karma Club launched only yesterday and already the question I've been asked several times over is: "How did you get Deepak Chopra to cameo in your book trailer?"

I had a feeling this question might come up. So I thought I'd do a quick blog about it.

I'll start by saying, I don't believe in accidents. Nor do I believe in coincidences. I believe the universe lines up exactly the way it's supposed to and this story is more proof of that than I'll ever need.

When I wrote The Karma Club a few years back, I created a character in the novel named Rajiv--a wise, kindhearted Indian man with a rich, melodic accent and a playful sense of humor. Rajiv's purpose was to offer guidance to my broken-hearted teen character and inherently influence her journey throughout the book. Of course, he was inspired by one of my favorite spiritual teachers, Deepak Chopra.

Two years later, I was on a flight from New York to LA, somewhere high above the middle of the country, on my laptop, checking Twitter (thanks to Virgin America's Wi-Fi enabled flights!) Deepak's latest tweet happened to be on my screen at the time and the man sitting next to me noticed, tapped me on the shoulder and said, "That's my dad."

It turned out I was sitting right next to Deepak Chopra's son! And if it hadn't been for GoGo's Inflight Internet service, I never would have known. Gotham Chopra (also a writer) and I started chatting, exchanged contact information and a few weeks later I asked him if he thought his dad would be interested in making a cameo appearance in my newest book trailer, playing the character that he inspired. He said, "Possibly," and the next thing I knew, I got a call from Deepak himself saying that he'd love to participate! It was, for lack of a better word, unbelievable.

So I, along with my lead actress and a small crew of five people, traveled down to the Chopra Center in Carlsbad, CA to shoot our big scene. Deepak was a pro. So generous with his time and just an overall joy to be around. We were in and out in a matter of a few hours and I think it's safe to say, we all left feeling just a little bit...well, inspired.

Now if that isn't a story of universal alignment, I don't know what is! Maybe I should just chalk it up to Karma. :)

To view the book trailer with Deepak's cameo, click here.

THE KARMA CLUB BOOK TRAILER IS HERE!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:18:00 +0000

After three months of pre-production, production, post-production, blood, sweat and a lot of tears, The Karma Club book trailer is FINALLY finished and ready to show to the world!

So without any further ado, here is the official book trailer for The Karma Club, with a special cameo appearance by Deepak Chopra!

The Karma Club - UK Cover!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:38:00 +0000

Hello friends!

Sorry for being so quiet lately. The past few weeks since the holidays have been a total blur. I've been working night and day to get the Karma Club trailer ready for its big debut next month! It's coming along SO well and can't wait to share it with everyone!

AND I've been trying to wrap up my new book. I'm SO nearly there!

Well, enough excuses, on to the fun stuff...

The Karma Club - UK Release!

I've just heard from my fabulous YA publishers across the pond, Tick Tock Books, and they've designed the cutest cover for The Karma Club, which will be out there in June of 2010! You ready? Are you sure? Okay, here it is...

Tada!

Isn't it gorgeous!? I'm supposed to get a galley this week. I can't wait!

Okay, back to work. It was fun to come up for some air though and chat for a while. But now it's back to my writer's cave.

See you soon!

Jessica

Photos from The Karma Club Trailer Shoot!!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:05:00 +0000

Sorry it took me so long to post these. Been a busy bee with production work, Christmas shopping and trying to get some actual writing in. But here are a few behind the scenes stills from our Karma Club Trailer production! Aren't they gorgeous!?

All photo credit goes to the fabulous Holly Karrol Clark of C Level Photography. She is THE master!

Maddy (Madison Hill) walks through the Loft party, looking for her boyfriend.

The Karma Club Girls (from left to right), Jade (Megan Yelaney), Maddy (Madison Hill), and Angie (Gina Cecutti), scheming in Maddy's room about Karmic retribution.

Flashback scene when Jade (Megan Yelaney) finds evidence that her boyfriend Seth (Nico Nevolo) cheated on her.

The queen bee of Colonial High, Heather Campbell. Played by actress/model Leah Clark.

The Karma Club girls set up their revenge on Jade's ex boyfriend, Seth.

Watching to see if their revenge scheme on Maddy's ex-boyfriend is working.

Maddy (Madison Hill) contemplates the meaning of Karma.

Me and my Director of Photography, Jason Fitzpatrick set up an outdoor lunch scene shot.

Angie, played by Gina Cecutti, calls Maddy with bad news.

Maddy (played by Madison Hill) recreates the book cover image with our awesome Karma Club notebook prop!

Me and my Karma Club girls in the wardrobe room! I miss them already!

Click here for more info on The Karma Club (available April 27!)...including an exclusive excerpt from the book!

Happy Holidays everyone! See you next year!!!

Reviews, Freebies and More!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:53:00 +0000

Hi everyone!

Just got done with an exhausting, but totally exhilarating two-day shoot for The Karma Club book trailer! My feet are sore, my legs feel like jello but my spirits are sky high. It was probably one of the best experiences of my life. And I simply cannot WAIT to edit it all together and share it with all of you! Plus we've got some special surprises in store that I'll be able to talk in the new year.

I'll be posting pictures from the shoot VERY soon so watch this space. But in the meantime, check out this other cool stuff:

Love Under Cover just received an amazing review from Kristin Contino at Examiner.com who called the book "humorous and heartfelt." Read the full review here.

Also, there are two national giveaways going on right now. The first is in the National Examiner magazine. They're giving away copies of both Love Under Cover and Fidelity Files. And Complete Woman magazine is also giving away some copies of Love Under Cover in their current issue. So check out both the magazines for more info!

More exciting news, updates and photos coming soon!

Have a great week!
Jessica

Email Issues Resolved!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:45:00 +0000

Hi Everyone!

Many, MANY apologies if any of you have been trying to email me through my website at: email@jessicabrody.com and the email got bounced back. I've been having technical difficulties with my email addresses lately and I'm happy to say they're all resolved! So you can now use that address to send me email. I look forward to reading them!

Two more days until we shoot the Karma Club Book Trailer. I can hardly contain the excitement!

XO-
Jessica

Denver Post Bestseller, Reviews and Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:06:00 +0000

So much to report. Sorry it's been so long. Let's play some catch up!

Just got back from the LOVE UNDER COVER book tour and let me just say it was AWESOME! Thanks to everyone who came out to listen to me read and get some signed books! It was so fantastic to meet some of my readers!

And a special HUGE thanks goes out to everyone in Denver who showed up at the Tattered Cover and bought my book out there. Your support was so overwhelming! And so amazing that we made it to NUMBER FOUR on the Denver Post Bestseller list! Hoorah!!! THANK YOU!!!!!

Check out the list here.

And here's some fun pics from my NY signing last week.

Also, we've had some great new reviews for the book. Here are a few:

"Brody's follow-up to The Fidelity Files is another fast-moving, titillating read centered around our favorite 'fidelity inspector.'... At its core, this novel has great sensitivity, humor, and heart."
Romantic Times BOOKReviews, 4 Stars

"This book is written with great affection and humour and I thorougly enjoyed it."
Bookshipper

"If you are looking for a fun, well written read that will hook you from the very first page you've found it here! Pick it up for the winter holidays, cuddle up, read and enjoy!"

Library Lounge Lizard

"A unique book about undercover fidelity inspectors. I highly recommend this novel...a fun read."
Juiciliciousss Reviews

So thank you for those!

If you haven't picked up your copy of LOVE UNDER COVER, you can order it from Amazon.com by clicking here!

I hope everyone has a fabulous Thanksgiving!

XO
Jessica

Big News and Tattered Cover!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:37:00 +0000

We'll I've been promising you big news...and here's the big news!

Just yesterday it was announced in Publisher's Marketplace that I sold my fifth book to my young adult publisher, Farrar, Straus, Giroux!!!!

The book is called 52 REASON TO HATE MY FATHER and it's about...well, I'll just let the announcement speak for itself. :)

Jessica Brody's 52 REASONS TO HATE MY FATHER, in which a teen heiress, famous for her partygirl antics and tabloid headlines, is forced by her ever-absent mogul father to take on a different low-wage job every week for a year of life

-- and love -- lessons if she wants any hope of receiving her trust fund, to Janine O'Malley at Farrar, Straus Children's, for publication in Spring 2012, by Bill Contardi at Brandt & Hochman (World English).

I'm so thrilled to be able to work on another book with my fantastic editor, Janine O'Malley! So thanks, FSG for believing in me and buying my next book!

Thanks to everyone who came out to my LA book signing and release party last night. It was such a blast! Check out the pictures below!

My friend Leslie and me at the signing.

Reading from the book...

The fantastic Love Under Cover cake! Courtesy of the brilliant and creative people at Cake and Art. If you haven't heard of them, be sure to check them out! www.cakeandart.com

Tonight I'm in Denver at the famous Tattered Cover Bookstore on Colfax. Be sure to come by at 7:00 pm to hear me read a passage from the book and get a signed copy!

All the info can be found by clicking here!

And if you haven't picked up your copy of LOVE UNDER COVER, do it now!

You can order it on Amazon by clicking here. I mean, seriously, how easy is that?

Hope everyone is having a fabulous day.

Love,
Jessica

Release Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:49:00 +0000

It's finally here! The release of my second novel, LOVE UNDER COVER, is TODAY!

Check out some of the awesome things the reviewers have had to say about it:

"With a complicated, sympathetic protagonist, worthy stakes and a clever twist on the standard chick lit narrative, Brody will pull readers in from the first page."

-Publisher's Weekly

"Those who enjoyed Brody's debut will be eager to catch up with Jennifer, but newcomers will be intrigued, too...an honest, witty portrayal of modern love."
-Booklist

With her usual smart, deft, and witty prose, Brody delves deep into the psychology of a woman who tests the fidelity of strangers for a living but struggles with commitment in her own life."
-Joanne Rendell, author of Crossing Washington Square and The Professors' Wives' Club

And take a look at this amazing window display that the Barnes and Noble in Santa Monica did for the book!

So if you haven't already pre-ordered a copy, be sure to pick one up at your local bookstore, or order one online by clicking on one of the following links:

Order Love Under Cover on Amazon

Order Love Under Cover on BN.com

And I'll be reading and signing books in LA, Denver and New York. If you live in one of those cities, I hope to see you at an event. Click here for all the info.

Thanks everyone for your support!

Love,
Jessica

Free Exclusive Short Story Available!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:53:00 +0000

Can't wait for Love Under Cover to be released in 13 days? (I know I can't!)

Then here's a little something to tide you over until then!

St. Martin's Press (my awesome publisher) is giving away a free short story by yours truly. All you have to do to receive it is click on the e-card below...or click here!

I'll give you a TINY hint about its contents...the short story is written from the perspective of one of the other fidelity inspectors that works for The Hawthorne Agency (the company Jennifer Hunter runs in the second book). It was a blast to write about this subject matter in another character's POV and I hope you enjoy it!

Denver Post Write-Up

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:43:00 +0000

Thanks, Denver (and Bill Husted!) for such an awesome write-up in the Denver Post this morning (Sunday, October 25)

Colorado-ites, check the A&E section of your paper.

Everyone else, check the online version here:

http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_13635663

Colorado rocks! I can't wait to go back on November 11 for my signing at the Tattered Cover. More tour dates can be found here.

Karma Club Galleys and Title for Book 4!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:24:00 +0000

So I've been a bit mum lately about my fourth novel (another young adult book) which releases in Spring of 2011 from FSG for two reasons 1) Spring 2011 still feels like eons away and more importantly, 2) the book hasn't had a title.

Well, until now.

Thanks to my fabulous friend (and comedian) Michael Bachmann, the book is now titled!

And it will be....drum roll please...

MY LIFE UNDECIDED

Tada!!

And here is the one-liner elevator pitch (longer synosis to follow shortly...stay tuned!):

When notorious screw-up, fifteen-year-old Brooklyn Pierce, finally realizes that her decision-making abilities are epically flawed, she enlists the help of the world's blog-reading population, by posting every decision she comes across in an online poll, vowing to adhere to whatever the outcome might be.

More news about book 4 to follow. But in the meantime, check out these beautiful galleys for THE KARMA CLUB (releases in April!) which I just received in the mail this week. Keep a look out for some giveaways featuring a few of these over the next few months...

Happy Friday!
Jessica

Free books, book samplers and 20% off designer labels at ShopLAStyle.com!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:49:00 +0000

Hey everyone!

Some very exciting (and fashionable) news to report! To celebrate the release of LOVE UNDER COVER on November 10, I've teamed up with the fantastic people at ShopLA Style.com, an awesome online clothing retailer that sells some of the coolest clothes around (the kind of clothes that Ashlyn, my main character would definitely wear!)

Not only are they giving away five autographed copies of the novel on October 31 (click here to enter on their blog), if you order anything on their site between now and the release day, you'll get a free Love Under Cover book sampler included in your shipped order. How cool is that?! I got a look at the book samplers the other day, and they are SOOOO awesome!

AND...as if that wasn't enough, Shop LA Style is offering a special coupon code in association with the book. Just enter the code, "UNDERCOVER" at checkout and receive 20% off all full price items! And all of their orders include FREE ground shipping! It doesn't get much better than that!

So shop (and read) away!

Jessica

TV Option Renewed!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:02:00 +0000

I promised to keep you updated on all the exciting news as the fabulous folks at Curious Pictures work to turn THE FIDELITY FILES and LOVE UNDER COVER into a TV show!

Well, the latest is that they've renewed their option on the books! Very awesome!

Basically this means that they still have hopes of getting the TV show made.
Options are always made with a set amount of time that the producers have
to get the project done. Usually 3 months, 6 months or a year. Then at the end of that time, the producers have the opportunity to "re-option" the project if they want to keep working at it. Or they can "let the option expire" or "lapse" which means they've done all they can with it and are moving on to other projects. So the good news here is that they've signed on for another six months!

They've kept me very involved in the process (for which I'm grateful) and things are really starting to move now so I hope to have some more exciting news shortly!

In the meantime, don't forget to check out the LOVE UNDER COVER book trailer here! And vote for it for "Most Intriguing Trailer" here! (entry 4)

More "love" for Love Under Cover

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:33:00 +0000

Thank you to Joanne Rendell, the fabulous author of Crossing Washington Square and The Professors' Wives' Club for her beautiful endorsement of LOVE UNDER COVER.

"Love Under Cover is a thoughtful and compelling follow-up to The Fidelity Files. With her usual smart, deft, and witty prose, Brody delves deep into the psychology of a woman who tests the fidelity of strangers for a living but struggles with commitment in her own life."

And don't forget to vote for LOVE UNDER COVER to win the "Most Intriguing Trailer" award here! (It's entry #4)

XO
Jessica

UK Release Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:53:00 +0000

It's official, THE GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO BAD MEN released in the UK yesterday!

Don't forget to pick up your copy! It's available online, in bookstores and I'm told there's LOADS of copies being delivered to WHSmith Travel shops across the UK. So buy one for your next train ride!

Just a reminder, THE GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE is the EXACT same book as LOVE UNDER COVER (in the US) just with a different title and a different cover. But the story is exactly the same...well, apart from a few "favorites" being changed to "favourites" and "specializes" turned into "specialises"...God, I love those Brits!

And check out these awesome words from the queens of chicklit themselves, The Chick Lit Review.

"The Good Girl's Guide to Bad Men carried on perfectly from The Fidelity Files...well worth a read."

Have a fabulous weekend!

XO
Jess

Vote for Love Under Cover!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:31:00 +0000

LOVE UNDER COVER is up for "Most Intriguing Trailer" Award!

But we need your help to snag the official title.

Just think of it as the "People's Choice Award" for book trailers...

:)

Please vote here!

http://thenewcoveytrailerawards.blogspot.com/

It's entry #4.

Thanks!!!

Guest Star: Hank Phillippi Ryan

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:38:00 +0000

My Guest Star author this week is Hank Phillippi Ryan, author of the Charlotte McNally Mystery series, Prime Time, Air Time, and Face Time.

About AIR TIME, the latest in the series:

Star reporter Charlotte (Charlie) McNally enters the glamorous and high-stakes world of high fashion ...and soon discovers when the purses are fake, the danger is real.

To break her latest big-money blockbuster, Charlotte must go undercover--but what if the bad guys recognize her? This savvy TV journalist must face more than her fear of flying when her inside scoop on designer duplicates suddenly turns deadly.

Carrying a hidden camera and dressing to deceive, Charlie finds she's not the only one disguising her identity. Nothing--and no one--is what they seem. And that means nothing--and no one--can be trusted. In her high-risk job and in her suddenly steamy love life, how can she tell the real thing?

Charlie is forced to make some life-changing--and life and death--decisions. With only a split-second to act and with her own life in the balance, Charlie knows if she chooses wrong it will be the last decision she ever makes.

Real-life investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan devises a scheme so timely and innovative you'll wonder why someone hasn't tried it. AIR TIME takes you behind the scenes of TV news--and reveals what can happen when a savvy, sexy journalist turns from hard-working reporter into becoming a killer's target.

And here's an awesome interview with Hank!

1. Charlotte (Charlie) McNally is an investigative TV reporter, and so are you! What qualities do you share with Charlie, and how are you different?

When my husband talks about Charlie, he calls her "you." As in--when "you" are held at gunpoint, when you track down the bad guys, when you solve the mystery . . . and I have to remind him, "Sweetheart, it's fiction. It didn't really happen."

But a couple of things: I've been a TV reporter for more than 30 years. (Yes, really.) And so it would be silly, in writing a mystery about TV, not to use my own experiences. Think about it--as a TV reporter, you can never be wrong! Never be one minute late. Never choose the wrong word or miscalculate. You can never have a bad hair day, because it'll be seen by millions of people! It's high-stakes and high-stress--literally, people's lives at stake--and I really wanted to convey that in the books.

And everything that TV people do and say in the books is authentic and genuine. (Of course, Charlie can say things I can't say, and reveal things I can't reveal.) We're both devoted journalists, and over-focused on our jobs.

But Charlotte McNally is different, too. She's single--I'm happily married. She's ten years younger than I am, and so is facing different choices and dilemmas. She's braver than I am, certainly. Funnier. And a much better driver.

2. Charlie has some exciting adventures in your mystery series--going undercover, confronting some really bad guys. Tell us about some of your adventures as an investigative reporter.

There's a huge been-there-done-that element to the books--I've wired myself with hidden cameras, confronted corrupt politicians, chased down criminals . . . been in disguise, been stalked, and threatened and had many a door slammed in my face. I've had people confess to murder, and others, from prison, insist they were innocent. So when that happens to Charlie, it's fair to imagine me. Although the plots are completely from my imagination, those are real-life experiences.

3. Your job sounds very demanding. How (and when) do you find the time to write? Do you ever take a vacation, and, if so, what do you do with your time off?

Short answer--no. I don't take vacations anymore. We used to! We love Nevis, a tiny island n the Caribbean with empty white beaches and nothing to do. We love to go to western Massachusetts, to Tanglewood, to go to plays and the symphony and museums. We love to go to Cape Cod, to Truro, to sit on the beach with pals and read, then go out to wonderful dinners. All in the past. Now, I write. And Jonathan lounges in the back yard. Luckily, we have a lovely yard, with a pool and beautiful gardens.

4. Charlie is afraid of flying, and the airlines are constantly losing her luggage. When you write in Charlie's voice about these dilemmas, you sound like you're writing from experience. Is this true?

Sigh. Yes. I am a luggage-loss magnet. If they can lose my bags, they will. It's almost funny. Almost. As for fear of flying, yes, I am afraid. (Although not as much has I used to be. I've worked very hard and tried a lot of things to get over it.) I was once covering a very bad plane crash, in a major airport, and was in a room with a lot of the bleeding and upset survivors of the crash. I often wonder if that bad energy someone affected me.

5. Even though Charlie has a love interest, basically she's married to her job. You are married to a very successful criminal defense and civil rights attorney. Is it difficult to maintain a balance between the demands of your careers and your relationship, or do your exciting careers help "keep the fire going."

Fire? Well, hey. We both really respect each other, and we each think the other is really attractive and funny. We each understand when the other is immersed in work--in a story, or a writing a book, or handling a big case. We think each other's work is fascinating. Jonathan is incredibly patient. An endlessly interesting. It's wonderful for me to have in-house counsel to make sure my books are authentic when it comes to legal issues--and it's fun for him to have a writer-wife who had advised him on his dramatic closing arguments.

Click here to order Air Time on Amazon!

Visit Hank online at: www.HankPhillippiRyan.com

Everyone Loves Free Lingerie!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:19:00 +0000

Jennifer Hunter, the main character of my two novels and fidelity inspector extraordinaire, has quite a selection of uber sexy lingerie...especially given her line of work.

That's why to celebrate the UK release of my second novel The Good Girl's Guide to Bad Men (Titled: Love Under Cover in the US, my UK publisher and I have teamed up with Figleaves.com (a popular lingerie online retailer) to offer one lucky winner a £500 shopping spree at Figleaves.com. And the best part is...the giveaway IS available for US residents too! Just visit www.figleaves.com/goodgirl to find out how you could win.

AND...that's not all! In conjunction with the book release, between now and October 14, EVERY shopper can get 10% off their next Figleaves.com order plus FREE shipping to both US and UK residents. Just enter GOODGIRLS when you get to the checkout for your exclusive discount.*

*Offer valid until October 14th, 2009

Make sure to head on over there and check it out!

Also, if you live in the UK, don't forget to order your copy of The Good Girl's Guide to Bad Men by clicking here. It releases on October 2. (Don't worry US

Booklist loves LOVE UNDER COVER!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:38:00 +0000

This is always the most nerve wracking part of the publishing process, watching all the early reviews start rolling in. I'm so grateful to have received another awesome one...this time from Booklist.

Here's what they have to say:

"Those who enjoyed Brody's debut will be eager to catch up with Jennifer, but newcomers will be intrigued, too...an honest, witty portrayal of modern love."

Thanks Booklist!!!

Guest Star: Joanne Rendell

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:31:00 +0000

Our Guest Star author this week is Joanne Rendell, author of the new novel, Crossing Washington Square, which I had the pleasure to read an advanced copy of earlier this year. And so I can say with authority that it's a fabulous read!

And if you head over to Free Book Friday before Thursday night, you can enter to win a free autographed copy!

Here's what the book is about:

A story of two strong-willed and passionate women who are compelled to unite their senses and sensibilities, from the author of The Professors' Wives' Club.

Professor Diana Monroe is a highly respected scholar of Sylvia Plath. Serious and aloof, she steadfastly keeps her mind on track. Professor Rachel Grey is young and impulsive, with a penchant for teaching relevant contemporary women's stories like Bridget Jones' Diary and The Devil Wears Prada, and for wearing her heart on her sleeve.

The two conflicting personalities meet head-to-heart when Carson McEvoy, a handsome and brilliant professor visiting from Harvard, sets his eyes on both women and creates even more tension between them. Now Diana and Rachel are slated to accompany an undergraduate trip to London, where an almost life-threatening experience with a student celebrity will force them to change their minds and heal their hearts...together.

And here's my interview with the author!

1. Any fan/fan mail stories you care to share?

My first novel was The Professors' Wives' Club. A couple of months after its release, a woman contacted me and said she'd read and enjoyed the book. She told me she was a professor's wife and after a few emails, she revealed that she was the wife of a very distinguished professor of cultural studies whose work I'd read, who I'd seen giving keynotes talks at conferences, and whose work greatly influenced the writing of Crossing Washington Square. Not really a "rock star" moment, but still exciting to know the wives of influential professors (professors I really dig!) read my book.

2. Where do you write?

I write at my desk at the front of our apartment. We live on a very busy street in Manhattan so my writing is "lulled" by taxis honking, firetrucks hooting, and jackhammers pounding. With all this practice, I could probably keep writing through a asteroid shower!

3. What was your inspiration behind your latest novel?

The idea for Crossing Washington Square evolved over a few years. As someone who has lived the academic life (I have a PhD in literature and now I'm married to a professor at NYU), I've always loved books about the university - novels like Michael Chabon's Wonder Boys, Richard Russo's The Straight Man, Zadie Smith's On Beauty, and Francine Prose's Blue Angel. But what I noticed about such campus fiction was the lack of female professors in leading roles. Even the female authors like Francine Prose and Zadie Smith's novels focus on male professors. Furthermore, most of these male professors are disillusioned drunks who quite often sleep with their students! I wanted to write a novel with women professors taking the lead and I wanted these women to be strong and smart and interesting – instead of drunk, despondent, and preoccupied with questionable sexual liaisons!

4. What line or section of your novel are you most proud of?

Rachel Grey and Diana Monroe are both literature professors in the old boys club of Manhattan University. While this should create a kinship between them, they are very much at odds. Rachel is young, emotional, and impulsive. She wrote a book about women's book groups which got her a slot on Oprah and she uses "chick lit" in her classes. Diana is aloof, icy, and controlled. She's also a scholar of Sylvia Plath who thinks "beach" fiction is an easy ride for students. My favorite scene is where these two women face-off in a department meeting. Neither of the professors is a shrinking violet and thus sparks really fly! The scene was such fun to write.

5. If you were in charge of casting the movie adaptation of your book, who gets the call?

Crossing Washington Square loosely echoes Austen's Sense and Sensibilty - with one professor being led by her sense, the other by her sensibility. I love the Ang Lee adaptation of Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet playing the two very different Dashwood sisters. I'd love Emma and Kate to play my professors too!

Praise for Crossing Washington Square:

"Joanne Rendell has done it again! Crossing Washington Square is a book that will stay with you long after you turn that final page. Curl up on a park bench somewhere, watch the leaves fall, and spend some much beloved time with Rachel and Diana."
-Jessica Brody, bestselling author of The Fidelity Files and Love Under Cover

"For every reader who has ever wondered why nineteenth century novels about women are called ‘the canon’, but contemporary novels about women are called 'chick-lit' comes a charming, witty and cerebral novel about Rachel Grey, an Austen-worth heroine fighting for love and respect in the academic shark tank."
-Nicola Kraus, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Nanny Diaries

Click here to order Crossing Washington Square on Amazon!

About the Author:

Joanne Rendell was born and raised in the UK. After completing her PhD in English Literature, she moved to the States to be with her husband, a professor at NYU. She now lives in faculty housing in New York City with her family. Visit Joanne's website at: JoanneRendell.com

I heart Publisher's Weekly!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:26:00 +0000

So here I am on a lazy Monday Labor Day morning, just scrolling through my meaningless junk emails when I stumble across a Google Alert that appropriately "alerts" me to the fact that LOVE UNDER COVER has just been reviewed in Publisher's Weekly. Imagine my surprise when I didn't even KNOW they were reviewing it!

So with shaky hands, I clicked to read the review and two minutes later I was promptly hopping about the room like Tigger on steroids.

Here's the clincher:

"With a complicated, sympathetic protagonist, worthy stakes and a clever twist on the standard chick lit narrative, Brody will pull readers in from the first page."

Yay! This was a HUGE relief given that this book was SO difficult for me to write (they call it the second book curse!), keeping me up nights, causing me to pull my hair out on several occasions and many, MANY gallons of frustrated tears. It's just so great to know that at least all the pain was worth it!

If you want to read the full review, you can do so by clicking here. (There are many books reviewed on this page, make sure you scroll down until you find "Love Under Cover")

Thanks, PW. You are my new best friend!

The Karma Club - Release Date!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:47:00 +0000

Hey everyone! This just in from my young adult publisher. The Karma Club has finally been given a release date. The book will hit stores in May 2010. Yippee!!! Everyone mark your calendars!

"Awesome" New Review of The Fidelity Files

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:05:00 +0000

If you book lovers haven't yet discovered the blog, Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf, then you MUST head over immediately. She does some great stuff over there. And she's now my new best friend after giving Fidelity Files an A+ rating (it's been a few years since I've been in school, but if memory serves, it doesn't get any higher than that right?) and a kick-ass review!

Here's my favorite part:

Adding to the awesome main character, the plot was also intense and provided for several twists and turns you didn't see coming. Also, I enjoyed how it has a light side too it because of funny secondary characters...Overall, The Fidelity Files is definitely a book filled with awesomeness, I truly look forward to reading Love Under Cover.

Thanks Lauren!

Click here to read the full review on her blog!

I'm holed up in my office right now, putting the finishing touches on my second YA book, still untitled, and counting down the days until I turn it in and then leave for vacation!

Hope everyone's having an "awesome" day!

Jess

In Memory of Blake Snyder and John Hughes

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Brody) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 06:24:00 +0000

What a sad, sad week.

I know most of you know who John Hughes is. He pretty much shaped my pre-adolescent years with films like Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Sixteen Candles (my personal favorite--oh, Jake Ryan) and The Breakfast Club, but less of you might know who Blake Snyder is.

He happens to be a hero of mine. A screenwriter/teacher/story guru who wrote a marvelous book called Save the Cat which incorporates a tool that no novelist, screenwriter or storyteller should live without. It's called the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet (or the BS2, to those of us die hard fans!) And it's a 15-point format that can pretty much be applied to ANY Hollywood blockbuster. I use it to outline all of my books and screenplays. Check out my For Writers page to read more about my Blake Snyder Obsession.

Well, both Blake Snyder and John Hughes passed away this week from a cardiac arrest, leaving behind legacies that will be remembered for generations. Every time I outline a new book I will remember Blake and what he has done for me and writers everywhere.