Friday, November 5, 2010

Q&A & Giveaway With Janet Skeslien Charles, author of "Moonlight in Odessa"

Please join me in welcoming Janet Skeslien Charles, author of Moonlight in Odessa (my review) to The Book Chick today! Janet has kindly agreed to answer a few of my burning questions.

The Book Chick: I enjoyed Moonlight in Odessa so much, and the ending leaves room for a potential sequel. Do you have any plans to write one?

Janet Skeslien Charles: So glad to hear that you enjoyed the novel! I am working on a parallel story about Jane, one of the characters in Moonlight in Odessa.

TBC: Are you working on anything new at the moment?

JSC: I have been working on a few personal essays and just started a new job as the Programs Manager at the American Library in Paris, which has been great.

TBC: When you're working on a book, what is a typical day like for you?

JSC: I write in the morning because that is the time I can concentrate the best. Then in the afternoon, I edit and respond to correspondence. I am always trying to resolve the mysteries of plot and character, so even when I am in the shower or on my way to work, I am still working on my writing...
 
TBC: What was your journey to publication like?

JSC: It started out bumpy. When the leader of my writing group read the first chapter of my novel and said, 'I don't see this going anywhere,' I knew it was time for a change and found another group. It is important to surround yourself with supportive people.

Every other week, we writers each submitted a chapter and gave feedback. While I was working on the book, I also polished the query letter and researched agents. I met my agent at the Geneva Writers' Conference, an inexpensive weekend conference that was only three hours away. She gave me comments and I worked on improving the manuscript. She sent the book out and had two offers very quickly. I felt very lucky.
 
TBC: What books are on your nightstand right now?

JSC: Julian Corkle is a Filthy Liar by D.J. Connell and The Whispers by Orlando Figes.

Thank you for taking the time to interview me!

And thank-you for taking the time to stop by! Moonlight in Odessa is available for purchase in all major bookstores and online now.

But wait! Don't leave yet! Janet Skeslien Charles has kindly offered a copy of Moonlight in Odessa to one of my lucky readers! To enter:

1. *Mandatory Entry* Tell me- are you a bit of an armchair traveller? Do you like to escape to other places through books, or do your prefer to read books set at home? Please leave me your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win. No e-mail= no entry!

2. *Bonus Entry* Become a follower of this blog through Google Friend Connect and let me know in a separate comment that you now follow. Current followers are eligible for this bonus entry as well, just let me know that you already follow.

3. *Bonus Entry* Spread the word about this contest in any way that you choose. Blog about it, add it to your sidebar, Facebook it or Tweet it. Just let me know in a separate comment what you did.

It's that simple- 3 easy ways to win! This contest is open to Canadian and US addresses only Janet Skeslien Charles has generously opened this giveaway to international participants. Anyone with a reliable mailing address can enter! It ends on November 26, 2010. Winners will be notified by e-mail after this date. Good luck!

55 comments:

  1. It sounds like she is a busy woman! I can just imagine a book would stay in your head as you're writing it. Great interview!

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  2. Great interview. I hope you enjoyed "talking" with her as much as I did. :)

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  3. i'm definately an 'armchair traveler'...thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  4. I just posted this for you on win a book....no need to enter me!

    http://winabook.westofmars.com/2010/11/06/moonlight-in-odessa-by-janet-skelsien-charles/

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  5. I just love books in general :) But if I had to pick, i'm an armchair traveler! Thanks for entering me into this giveaway!

    unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail.com

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  6. Definately an armchair traveler..I love all the places I can go in my mind through a skilled author!

    jacque
    twinmomx5@gmail.com

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  7. I definitely like to read books about travel, but I also like to travel in real life! Some of my favorite books are memoirs set in other cultures.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

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  8. current blog follower via GFC
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

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  9. I like to travel in books,thx for contest..
    thehighflyer3(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  10. I love being an armchair traveler --- especially if the "travels" come with descriptions of local cuisine.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

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  11. I guess I am what you would call a 'local traveller'.. I am trying to read books set across Canada (I am currently in BC).
    I have been hearing great things about this book, so it was fun to read in interview, thank you!

    teagirl1 at telus dot net

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  12. I now follow via google friend connect!

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  13. Tweet!
    http://twitter.com/bcteagirl/status/1323708748668928

    teagirl1 at telus dot net

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  14. I'm an armchair traveler, although less by choice and more by circumstance these days. My finances are not so good these days (I know I'm not the only one), so reading about lives in other parts of the country/world is especially meaningful now. I'd love to be entered in your giveaway--thanks!

    shanaelyse@gmail.com

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  15. I love reading all kinds of books. I like the adventure and places i have never been.

    billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com

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  16. I am an armchair traveller since it brings me so much pleasure and introduces me to many places. thanks for this giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. I enjoy travel books and travel as well. This one sounds captivating. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  18. Moonlight in Odessa sounds wonderful! I loved your review. I confess that I am a bit of an armchair traveler and enjoy books that take me to other places such as "Under the Tuscan Sun" by Frances Mayes.

    Thank you for a great giveaway!

    ~ Amy
    Aimala127 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  19. I am a GFC follower of your blog!

    Aimala127 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  20. I am now a follower of your blog. Thanks.

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  21. I am certainly an armchair traveler. Calgon take me away!! Books are like a good bubble bath--relaxing and enjoyable.

    jillhagemeier@yahoo.com

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  22. I posted a comment about your contest on my facebook wall. Thanks for the contest!

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  23. Oh, I've wanted to read this book for months! Thanks for the chance to win a copy. Nice interview, too!

    I am definitely an armchair traveler - otherwise, I'd never get to go anywhere!

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

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  24. I follow with GFC.

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

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  25. I am an armchair traveler but I do like real travel as well!

    littleone AT shaw DoT ca

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  26. I follow on GFC.

    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

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  27. I love to travel & have been doing some now that the kids are grown, but still like to read & dream.

    ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

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  28. I am an armchair traveler. I love to be transported to a new place by a novel. It's part of the magic of reading.

    Thanks for sharing this interview. I love to hear how writers work.

    lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

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  29. I'm a follower through Google Friend Connect.

    lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

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  30. I tweeted the giveaway.

    http://twitter.com/#!/LostLibraryGirl/status/2771346228514816

    lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

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  31. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  32. Great Interview! Thanks for the chance to win this! I would love to read it. I love to read both.... I travel through novels as I HATE to fly!! I love books about at home/life stuff too

    schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

    sorry.. forgot to put email in last comment!

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  33. I am a follower!
    schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

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  34. I put this on the side bar of my blog.
    http://acozyreaderscorner.blogspot.com

    Thanks!
    schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

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  35. The book Moonlight In Odessa sounds interesting to me. I am a bit of a writer myself. I guess you could say I am an armchair traveler. on my blog Writer's Corner I wrote an entry about what I did and where I travelled through books. I visited Nantucket alot and the most interesting place was going to Swedon. I will have my next installment next month. I will also share on my blog and mention in my book blogging group.

    Thanks,
    Jencey

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  36. I absolutely love armchair traveling books! I'm happy with books either set at home or in an interesting place. I'd love to be entered, thanks for the giveaway!

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  37. I definitely love visiting other times and places through books! I think I even said something to that effect when I originally commented on your review! Thanks for the interview and for the chance to win!

    Julie @ Knitting and Sundries
    knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

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  38. Well I am an armchair traveller I love to visit new places through books, even travelling back in time is exciting. I follow this blog on Twitter and am a follower on google friend and I posted a link on facebook. Can you tell I really want to win !!!
    Thanks for the oppourtunity.
    Debbiburnie@yahoo.ca

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  39. I'm an armchair traveler. I like to escape to other places through books.

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

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  40. I'm a follower.

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

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  41. I tweeted:

    http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/6184049068478464

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

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  42. I prefer books set at home but also enjoy being an armchair traveller when the mood strikes

    dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

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  43. i follow with GFC

    dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

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  44. I am definitely an armchair traveler! So glad I found your blog during my internet travels! Truly enjoyed the interview!

    I made a mention on facebook with a link to this post and am also following your blog on my homepage now via google.

    Smallb@gmail.com

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  45. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  46. Armchair traveller? Oh, yes!! I visit all over the world, different cultures, even different Times! Love history! Then I get to visit the worlds inside author's minds in fantasy novels and go beyond places that actually exict or just slightly different. Love all the possibilities!

    I even have my trust-y companion along most of the time. Lady may be a cat in the here-and-now, but she knows when a good book is at hand by the lack of movement in the lap she is sleeping in...

    vickykerr at sbglobal.net

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  47. I am a GFC follower (Victoria CK)

    vickykerr at sbcglobal.net

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  48. I tweeted this giveaway:

    http://twitter.com/#!/superauntvicky/status/6625573459730433

    vickykerr at sbcglobal.net

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  49. I'm an arm chair traveler, I love reading about different places.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  50. I am both a traveler and a homebody when it comes to books ;-) aitmama {{at}} gmail {{tod}} com

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  51. Follower aitmama {{at}} gmail {{tod}} com

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  52. http://twitter.com/aitmama/status/7202153944846336

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  53. Yes, I am an armchair traveler. I love to read about places that I know I will never have the chance to visit.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  54. I am a follower.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  55. Thanks to everyone who entered, and congratulations to traveler, the winner! This contest is now closed.

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