Our Authors
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 The bestselling author of four novels, Diane Hammond has met with more than 50 book clubs--most of them in person. A self-professed hussy when it comes to joining groups reading her books, she is known for fostering lively discussions leavened with irreverant comments and lots of laughter. "I love book clubs," she says, "for their honesty, their commitment to books, and the richness that their life experiences bring to the conversation."
Hammond lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, where, as usual, she is working on another novel. She attends book club meetings in person, via telephone, and via SKYPE.
Arrange a book club meeting with Diane.
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Read about
Seeing Stars |
Read about
Hannah's Dream |
Read about
Homesick Creek
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Read about
Going to Bend |
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 Kit Bakke came to writing late in life, after raising two daughters and working fulltime as a pediatric oncology nurse and a healthcare technology consultant. Librarians and booksellers disagree on where to put her book; you’ll find it shelved variously as fiction, nonfiction, memoir and biography.
“Book club people are cool,” Kit says. “It’s a privilege to listen to the discussions Miss Alcott’s E-Mail generates—so warm and intelligent— gives me hope for the human race.”
Kit’s latest book, Dot to Dot, a novel for good readers 10-13 years old, is now available. She’s now working on a couple of projects about the rowdier aspects of the 1960s antiwar movement.
She’d love to join you in person, on SKYPE, phone or email. When not traveling, she lives in a friendly Seattle neighborhood with her husband in a house they bought in 1982.
Arrange a book club meeting with Kit.
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Read about
Miss Alcott's Email |
Read about
Dot to Dot |
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 Anjali Banerjee was born in India and began writing stories as a young girl while growing up in a small town in Canda. After graduating from UC Berkley, she was a veterinary assistant, office manager, and a law student before rediscovering her childhood passion for writing. The author of 5 books for youngsters and 3 adult books, she is currently at work on her next novel, Enchanting Lily, which will be released early next year.
"My big secret: I love book groups mainly because I get to meet fascinating people who love to read. I'm deeply honored when a group discusses one of my novels -- there are so many books from which to choose! I hope my stories make readers chuckle and feel just a little hopeful in this crazy world."
Anjali shares a cottage in the woods in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and five rescued cats. She would love to meet with book groups in person, by phone, or via Skype.
Arrange a book club meeting with Anjali. |
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Read about
Haunting Jasmine |
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 Heather Barbieri is the author of two critically-acclaimed novels and IndieNext Picks, Snow in July and The Lace Makers of Glenmara, as well as award-winning short stories and articles.
She's honored to have the opportunity to meet with book groups. "It's such a gift to get together with readers," she says, "sharing opinions, laughter, and life experiences. I always learn something new and come away with an even greater appreciation for the written word, as well as the dedication of booklovers, near and far."
Heather lives in Seattle with her children, husband, and a cat who thinks she's a dog. She's currently working on her third novel. She enjoys visiting with book groups in person, by phone or SKYPE.
Arrange a book club meeting with Heather.
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Coming on
May 15, 2012 |
Read about
The Lace Makers of Glenmara |
Read about
Snow in July
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 Carol Cassella majored in English Literature at Duke University and went on to graduate from Baylor College of Medicine. Now a practicing anesthesiologist and author, Carol has successfully blended medicine and fiction in writing her two bestselling novels, “Oxygen” and “Healer”.
“I think I learn more from book groups than they learn from me. Novels are a collaborative art. A book doesn’t really find it’s voice until it sings in the imagination of the reader.”
Carol lives on Bainbridge Island, WA with her husband Steve and their two sets of twins. She enjoys hiking and cross country skiing in the North Cascades, and is currently working on her next novel. She is happy to meet with book clubs via phone, Skype, or in person.
Arrange a book club meeting with Carol. |
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Read about
Healer |
Read about
Oxygen |
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Selden Edwards began writing The Little Book as a young English teacher in 1974, and continued to layer and refine the manuscript until its completion in 2007. It is his first novel.
"Ever since my book came out, I have loved my appearances at book groups. It is a great pleasure to have in-depth discussions with people who have read your book, and the plot and character intricacies of The Little Book lend themselves well to such discussions. As a former English teacher, I find it an honor and a joy to have MY book being the one dissected and enjoyed."
Selden lives in Santa Barbara and is working on his second novel. He enjoys meeting book groups in person, via telephone, and via SKYPE.
Arrange a book club meeting with Selden. |
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Read about
The Little Book |
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Kennedy Foster
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 Kennedy Foster, whose first novel was the Whidbey Reads selection for 2010, teaches English at Walla Walla Community College. Fascinated by the scope and pace of cultural change in the Palouse Country, she actively seeks conversations with book club members as a way of grounding her fiction.
“Book club readers are remarkably sophisticated in their approach,” she says. “As much as tackling their thoughtful and wide-ranging questions, I enjoy their answers to my questions.”
Kennedy is currently at work on her second novel, a sequel to All Roads Lead Me Back to You. She is delighted to attend book club gatherings in person, by phone, and via Skype.
Arrange a book club meeting with Kennedy.
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Melissa Hart
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 The author of two memoirs and hundreds of articles and essays, Melissa Hart loves meeting with book clubs to discuss both the serious social issues and humorous anecdotes which inform her work. "My favorite clubs are those in which members cook some of the recipes from Gringa," she says, "and then invite me to come over and discuss the book . . . and eat."
Hart lives in Eugene, Oregon where she teaches journalism at the University of Oregon. She attends book club meetings in person, via telephone, and via SKYPE.
Arrange a book club meeting with Melissa.
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Scott Lasser
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 Scott Lasser is a former steel worker and Wall Street bond trader (how's that for life experience?) who's the author of three novels.' The most recent, the critically acclaimed The Year That Follows, is a finalist for the Colorado Book Awards. Lasser says there's nothing he likes better than to talk about books, particularly over food and drink. "That makes book groups my idea of heaven," he says.
Lasser lives in Aspen, Colorado (someone has to), but he travels often, especially to Denver and Los Angeles.' He's happy to attend book groups in person, via phone or SKYPE, or by any other reasonable means.
Arrange a book club meeting with Scott. |
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Read About Say Nice Things About Detroit |
Read About The
Year That Follows |
Read About
All I Could Get |
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Bob Mayo
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 Bob Mayo worked as a fire alarm salesman, college bookstore manager, tax auditor, park caretaker, bus driver, and a special education teacher before turning to writing fiction. His novel Tamara’s Child was named a finalist in the popular fiction category of the 2010 National Indie Excellence Book Awards. “There’s nothing more rewarding for an author than having the opportunity to exchange thoughts with readers about your work. That’s why I love meeting with book club members, each of whom brings a unique perspective to the reading and understanding of a book.”
Bob Mayo lives in rural southern Oregon, where he continues to indulge his passion for writing fiction. He is honored to attend book club meetings in person, via telephone, or via SKYPE.
Arrange a book club meeting with Bob. |
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Read About
Tamara's Child |
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Jean Reynolds Page
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Jean Reynolds Page worked as a dance critic for fifteen years before turning to fiction full time. She is the author of The Space Between Before and After, The Last Summer of Her Other Life, Accidental Happiness and A Blessed Event. Her new novel Leaving Before It's Over will arrive in bookstores on August 10.
"I can't think of anything better than chatting with a group of interesting people about the stories and characters that reside so vividly in my mind. You put a cup of coffee or a glass of wine in my hand and the time just flies. I get so many new insights into my own characters through the eyes of others."
Jean has just moved to the Madison, Wisconsin area and would love to visit personally with any book groups nearby. For others, she is delighted to "sit in" by phone or SKYPE.
Arrange a book club meeting with Jean.
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Maria Semple
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 Maria Semple is a recovering TV writer and author of "This One is Mine," a critically acclaimed novel. She reached millions of people writing for the shows Mad About You, Ellen and Arrested Development, but by far the most rewarding feedback she's received as a writer has been from her readers, especially at book groups.
"I love the raucous, revealing and heavy discussions I've had with readers at book groups. It's such an honor being invited into people's homes, whether in person or by phone, and answering questions, discussing books, and drinking way too much wine."
Maria Semple lives in Seattle, where she's currently at work on her second novel. She loves attending book groups in person, by phone or via SKYPE.
Arrange a book club meeting with Maria. |
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Read About
This One is Mine
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More great authors coming soon! |
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