Thursday, June 21, 2012

AUTHORPALOOZA INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY - MEAGAN BRIDGES

This giveaway is now CLOSED!  Congratulations to Tobi Helton, the winner of Meagan Bridges' e-book, REJECTION.  And thanks to everyone for participating!


Today, I'd like to welcome debut novelist Meagan Bridges to Books by Banister!  Her Chick Lit novel, REJECTION, was recently released on both Amazon and Smashwords.  Read on for more info about this author and her work . . .

Meagan has generously offered to give away one Kindle copy of her e-book REJECTION.  So, be sure to leave a comment, including your e-mail address, below to be entered for a chance to win.  This giveaway is open to US residents only!  

1) Can you give us a brief overview of REJECTION?

It’s the story of a dorky documentary researcher, Maggie McKenzie. Anxiety ridden, unsure and heartbroken by the end of her relationship with the first man she ever loved, Maggie decides to figure herself out. Her adventurous mother with the 28 year old Italian boyfriend inspires her. Her overly sharing and incompetent coworker scares her. And her best friends do what they can to support her. It’s about turning anxiety into adventure and the small changes that transform us.

2) What's your favorite quality about your hero/heroine?

Maggie is sweet, funny and awkward, but what I admire most is that she always overcomes her nerves.  No matter how much she wants to run she pushes herself forward.

3) What made you want to write this book?

This is my first novel, it had long been something I had toyed around with and then one morning in the shower, I came up with the concept. I thought it would be great to combine two things I really enjoy - random facts and funny, self-deprecating stories together. Excitedly I started working and two years later I’m really happy with the end result.

4) What are you working on now?

Ideas are still percolating for my second novel.

5) What comes first for you -- character idea, plot idea?

What came to me first was really the basic arc of the plot, but figuring out how they get from point A to point B was really all character based.

6) How do you think of titles?

My first idea for the title was REJECTION IN THE PURSUIT OF LOVE AND ALL KINDS OF RANDOMNESS, but the overwhelming consensus was that it was way too long. I think REJECTION really sums up what Maggie most fears and what is coming at her from ever angle.

7) What are your thoughts on love scenes in books?  Do you prefer to read/write sweet/romantic encounters between your hero and heroine or spicy ones?

Definitely sweet and romantic, I prefer to giggle rather than blush.

8) Who are the authors who inspire you?

I think its almost cliché to say at this point, but the incomparable Jane Austen. I read and reread her novels constantly. My copy of PERSUASION is actually worn out from over reading. I’m also a massive fan of Bill Bryson especially his books AT HOME and A SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING. They are entertaining, mind expanding and awesome.

9) What genres do you like to read?  Do you stick to one or are you eclectic in your reading tastes?

I’m usually all over the place, but always have at least one or two on the go.

10) What was the last book you read that really WOWed you?

THEN WE CAME TO THE END by Joshua Ferris. I thought it was hilarious and really captured the tortures of office politics and how the drudgery of cubicle life slowly makes people lose their minds.

11) Do you prefer a series or stand alone novels?

No preference really, although it can be agonizing waiting for the next novel in a series to come out.  

12) If you could be plopped down in the middle of any book, which one would it be?

FLIGHT OF PASSAGE by Rinker Buck, it's all adventure and aviation.

13) If you could invite any five people (living or dead) over for a dinner party, who would they be and why?

Steven Moffat and Graham Linehan because they are brilliant.
Carol Burnett because she is hilarious.
Julia Child, she is just amazing, although I would probably regret it because there is no way I could impress her with my cooking.
And my best friend Iz because I’d want to know someone.


Fast and Flirty 

Favorite scent?  Rosemary
Favorite color?  Purple
Favorite food?  Fish and Chips
Favorite word?  Ninnyhammer
Dream vacation spot?  
Prague   
Favorite time period in history?  1920s
Favorite girl's night out drink?  Pear Martini
Favorite date night activity?  Pinball
Coffee or tea or soda?  Soda, I’m addicted!
Strong but lean or built and burly?  No real preference, as long as he’s got a good laugh.
Scruffy or clean-shaven?  Clean-shaven
Dark-haired or blond?  Dark
Celebrity hottie on your laminated list?  Nathan Fillion
Novel hero crush?  Captain Wentworth 

Thanks so much for being a part of Authorpalooza, Meagan! Best of luck with REJECTION!

Leave a comment below telling me something positive that happened to you as a result of a rejection and you'll be entered to win a Kindle copy of REVENGE.  Don't forget to leave your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win!  Contest is open to US residents ONLY!  Drawing will take place on Thursday, June 28th, so get your comments in by midnight on Wednesday, June 27th.


Purchase REJECTION at:



Visit Meagan Bridges at:


5 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your book!!!! I can't wait to read it on my iPad :)

    Maggie is an awesome character too.

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  2. Oh so many great writer-ish ideas come in the shower. Your book sounds great!

    Rejection that was good in the end? Being denied the ability to study abroad one semester and forced to another one. In the end the semester I was able to go gave me the opportunity to travel more (learning while doing, as opposed to sitting in class). And some surprise leftover scholarship money was found and sent my way. That was a pretty sweet rejection. Pretty sure that wouldn't have happened had things gone according to plan earlier in the year.

    -Savannah Page
    info@[at]savannahpage[.]com

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  3. Sounds like a book right up my alley! I like self deprecating humor too!

    Hmmmm.....rejection turned positive.....Well I was talking to a guy a few months before I met hubs and he just quit talking to me.We were talking every day etc....if not for his rejection I may not have been open when I met hubs! Thank goodness ran into the guy a couple years back and he had this wife that was very quiet and kind of like she wouldn't stand up for herself etc.... (ran into them in sister's church) But if that's what he wanted it wasn't me! LMBO

    Thanks for the giveaway! <3 Tobi
    tobihelton at gmail dot com

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  4. I ended up getting a great job.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  5. When we were in the adoption process, we were chosen by a birth mom, but she changed her mind about giving her baby up for adoption. I was devastated, but it turned out for the best, because we were chosen a few months later, and we now have our beautiful daughter!

    bjoneill@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete