Interview with Chick Lit Author Hilary Grossman

Today on the blog we have author Hilary Grossman, author of Plan Bea and Dangled Carat.

To start things off, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background as an author?

Hi!  Thank you so much for “inviting me” over.  As far back as I can remember I always loved to write and to read. Over the years I started writing many books but always ended up abandoning them.  Then six years ago I read Jen Lancaster’s book, Bitter is the New Black. I’m embarrassed to admit before reading it I didn’t know what a blog or a memoir was.  But the book motivated me to stop dreaming about writing and actually start writing. I launched my blog, Feeling Beachie, just days after finishing the book.  Then about six month’s later I started to write Dangled Carat.

What have you learned from the publishing process? Were any aspects easier than you thought? More challenging?

The biggest lesson I have learned from the publishing process is you have to develop a thick skin (something I don’t really have).  Not everyone will love your work. Some people will be downright mean about it, and there is a lot of rejection in the business.  But there is also a lot of love and support. I have been blown away by how much other authors are willing to help a newbie out. I have developed so many friendships with other authors, bloggers, and readers.

The biggest challenge I find is figuring out how to market your work to reach new readers. It is funny, writing the book is way easier then trying to sell it. The part that I found easiest is being social and “talking” to others on social media.

Plan Bea released in October 2015 and has been getting great reviews. What’s next for you? What are you working on now?

I am about halfway finished with the sequel of Plan Bea – Plan Cee.  This book is story of Anna’s best friend Cecelia.  Twenty years have passed since she last saw Keith, the love of her life.  She is now married with twin boys and she must decide if she should abandon her future for a second change with her past….

Your bio mentions that by day you work in the booze biz. Sounds fun! What can you tell us about that? How do you balance your day job with your writing career?

Unfortunately my day job sounds much more glamorous then it really is (although I do get to do some tasting at work). I am the CFO of a beverage alcohol importer and distributor. It is a very high pressure and high stress position.  I find my writing balances my two worlds and helps tame the stress.  But since I work very long hours I only am able to write early mornings or on the weekends.

One reviewer for Plan Bea wrote: It is a very real story with very identifiable characters that we all have known. How did you get the idea for Plan Bea? From where do you draw inspiration?

One of my neighbors, who I was very close with, passed away a few years ago.  Soon after her husband started to date another woman.  And pretty much immediately thereafter they got married. Initially it was hard for me to see him with another woman so soon, but the more time I spent with the couple the more I saw how happy they both were. I also saw a lot of positive changes in him.  It got me thinking how powerful love is and how a second chance romance can really change a person.

What is one thing you wish readers knew about you or your work?

I wish readers knew how much their comments mean to me.  Nothing makes me happier then reading a review where someone enjoyed one of my books. I also love to connect with readers and chat with them.  So many times the conversations move away from books towards real life. So many women have reached out to me after reading Dangled Carat to discuss their own commitment phobic men or ask for advice.

Just for fun — favorite spicy food? 🙂

Hard one! That is like asking a mother to pick her favorite child.  I had to go to India this fall for work and I was able to keep up with all the locals.  The colleagues I was working with loved watching me eat all the spicy foods.

But if I had to pick one I would go with linguine with shrimp in a fra diavlo sauce.

Where can readers find out more about you or your books? On which sites are you most active?

I am most active on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/HilaryGrossmanAuthor/?fref=ts) , Twitter (@feelingbeachie) and my blog (www.feelingbeachie.com

As evidenced by Dangled Carat, my real life chick lit story, I’m an open book 🙂 

Any parting words for our readers?

Thank you so much for reading this interview!   I’d love to connect…

Thank you so much for joining in on the Author Interview Series!!

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If you enjoyed this interview, check out some of the other interviews in the series!

J. Haney  |  Ella Miles  |  Jennifer L. Allen  |  J.C. Hannigan

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