Carole Matthews

[Michelle]

Carole Matthews
www.carolematthews.com
www.myspace.com/carolematthews


What better genre to choose for Feburary than romantic comedy, and what better author to have join us than Carole Matthews? :smile2:

Carole is an international bestselling author, with a warm sense of humour that shines out of her books. Her most recent publication is Welcome to the Real World, and The Chocolate Lovers Club goes on sale in the UK in just a few days.

My interview with Carol will follow very shortly, and Carole will also monitor this thread, and answer any questions you may have.

Interview (http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3424)
Reviews:
The Chocolate Lovers' Club (http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2695)
A Whiff of Scandal (http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2598)

Thank you Carole...

[Michelle]

The interview will be up on the main site soon, but in the meantime, I shall post it here for you...

I can’t think of a better place to start than chocolate! Tell us a little more about your latest book, The Chocolate Lover’s Club, which is due out in February in the UK, and August in the US.

This is the story of Lucy Lombard and her three fellow chocolate addicts - Autumn, Nadia and Chantal. Together they form a select group known as The Chocolate Lovers' Club. Whenever there's a crisis, they meet in their sanctuary, a cafe called Chocolate Heaven, and with a cheating boyfriend who promises he'll change, a flirtatious boss, a gambling husband and a loveless marriage, there's always plenty for them to discuss!

Is chocolate one of your personal addictions?

Do you know, when I started this book, I had just a passing interest in chocolate. I like to eat it – certainly! – but I wasn’t that concerned about where it came from or how it got to me. Now I’m a complete chocolate anorak! I’ve developed a taste for fine, dark chocolate – the richer the better. I have a little bit of Lindt 70% cocoa every day after my lunch. Yum.

Your current book, Welcome to the Real World, is set around the world of opera and tv talent shows. Do you watch any of the tv talent shows that are on, or do you avoid them?

I adore them. I'm completely addicted to The X-Factor, which I think the US has as American Idol. I love the fact that you only have to watch five minutes and you're completely hooked. I thought it would be a fun thing to base a book on - lots of opportunity for tears and laughter. I contrasted that with the world of opera where it can take eight years to train your voice to get a job in the chorus! People want instant fame now and, sometimes, it just can't happen like that.

What can we expect next from you?

I haven’t done a series before, but I’m writing a sequel to The Chocolate Lovers’ Club – called The Chocolate Lovers’ Diet. I had such fun with this subject and the characters of my book that I couldn’t let it end there! Maybe there’ll even be a third instalment.

Where do you get inspiration for all your storylines.. do they often come from your own experiences?

Far too many of my storylines are from my own experience! I wish they weren’t! I’ve had a varied and full love life – which has given me plenty of material.

How about your characters, are they based on people you know, or do they live purely in your imagination?

You know, you have to know your characters so much more than you know real human beings. Sometimes I borrow little characteristics, but I’ve never used a whole person. I do a detailed background history for all of my characters – I never use it in the books, but it helps me to get into them.

Some of your books have different titles when published in the US. Is this something you decide on, or the publishers, and can you tell us some of the reasons for the changes?

The publishers do that and I hate it! I know my readers don’t like it either – it’s very confusing. Particularly when sometimes Amazon sells two different titles as a special offer that are the same book! Drives me mad. Sometimes though, the publishers feel that the titles won’t work in the USA. They thought A Whiff of Scandal was too nasty and changed it to The Scent of Scandal. A Compromising Position they hated and changed to Bare Necessity. I think I’ve managed to hang onto the rest of my titles.

You’re a very successful author, with many published books.. do you have a favourite?

I do have favourites! Should an author do that? It’s like saying that you like one of your children better than the others! My favourite books are A Minor Indiscretion – this was the book that I felt I really found my voice. With or Without You – every now and again in an author’s life a book just writes itself, this was one of them. Welcome To The Real World – this also wrote itself. I love Let’s Meet on Platform 8 because that was my first book. And, of course, The Chocolate Lovers’ Club – I think this is my best, so far.

Congratulations on selling the film rights to two of your books. How is that progressing, and who would you like to see in the leading roles?

I’ve sold the rights to For Better, For Worse and A Minor Indiscretion. They aren’t progressing at all! They’ve entered that big, black hole called development hell and I have no idea if they’ll emerge unscathed at the end. Hugh Grant and Johnny Depp would be perfect as any of my heroes! I wouldn’t say no to Keiffer Sutherland either. My leading lady would have to be Julia Roberts, simply because of the amount of bums she puts on seats.

Do you get time to read yourself, and if so, who are your favourite authors?

I adore reading – always have! My favourite authors are Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella, Sarah Mlynowski (great teen books). I love Harlan Coben’s thrillers and always dash out and buy the new Philippa Gregory historical in hardback. But I have very eclectic taste and, frankly, read anything.

When you’re not writing, what else do you enjoy doing.. what are your other passions in life?

My partner, Lovely Kev, and I enjoy travelling and we’re lucky enough to have been all over the world in the last few years – China, Nepal, Cuba, Italy, The Galapagos Islands. All over the place. Hopefully, we’ll continue to do that. We both love walking and cycling. I do yoga and aerobics. I like to cook, though I’m not great at it. That’s about it!

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Guys

I thought I'd try to introduce myself early and check out whether my technology skills were up to scratch! Looking forward to questions about my books or writing in general. I also know more about chocolate than is healthy after doing the research for The Chocolate Lovers' Club, if that's something that you want to ask about. Best Carole xx

[Michelle]

always dash out and buy the new Philippa Gregory historical in hardback.

She's a popular author with many of the members here.. do you have a favourite?

[Purple Poppy]

Welcome Carole. I'm sure I will come up with some more questions later, but I was wondering how you organise your research. Do you have a system, on the computer, or manual?

Pp

[Louiseog]

Hi Guys
I also know more about chocolate than is healthy after doing the research for The Chocolate Lovers' Club, if that's something that you want to ask about. Best Carole xx
Do you need any help!? ;)

[buzzybee]

I love Carole Matthews and have read most of her books cant wait to read her new one.

[Kell]

Hi Carole & :welcome: to the forum.

I was wondering how you got into writing and what drew you to writing romantic comedy?

[buzzybee]

Sorry Carole I forgot to ask you any questions!

Which are your favourite authors and did any of them inspire you to write?

[KW]

Welcome, Carole!

KW

[Carole Matthews]

I've read nearly all of Phillipa Gregory's books - only one or two missing. And I also followed her career when she was writing chicklitty books and the odd psychological thriller. But it's her historicals I love best. The Virgin's Lover and The Queens Fool plus The Other Boleyn Girl are top of my list. I think her new one is just about out - so I must get that! Carole xx

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Purple Poppy. My organisation for my research is fairly basic. I keep one massive brown folder on my desk with all my clips, info and scribblings in it. How hi-tech is that?? When I visit somewhere for research I'll also take hundreds (and I mean hundreds!) of digital photos and usually some video too. I keep all that in a filing cabinet ad infinitum - you never know when it might come in handy! Carole

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Kell - I think that coming from near Liverpool, I'm genetically programmed to have a skewed sense of humour. I don't think I could write without humour if I tried - I always seem to find the funny side in things. I'll be the one at the back of a funeral in fits of giggles - most inappropriate! But I hope that I bring that sense of fun and the ridiculous to my books!

[Carole Matthews]

Hi BuzzyBee! Glad to hear you like my books. Favourite authors include Harlan Coben, Phillipa Gregory (as I've mentioned). Also like - in my own genre - Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella. In the USA I like Sarah Mlynowski and Robyn Harding (although I think she's actually Canadian. I recently read a book by Kelly Braffet called Fabulous Things which was wonderful - will be looking out for her next one. I was inspired to write by a lovely lady called Norma Curtis. Years ago she wrote a book called Living It Up, Living It Down. It was the first book I'd read about normal things and normal people and it was set partly in Hemel Hempstead - where Iwas living at the time. That inspired me because I thought - I could do that too! Carole

[princessponti]

Hi Carole, Welcome to the site, thanks for joining us!

..I was just wondering if you had a system for your writing, do you plough through in one stream of consciousness and edit/re-write afterwards or do you plan and write to a predefined structure? Do you know the endings before the beginnings?

Thanks!

[Purple Poppy]

Good question Princessponti, I would be interested to know that too, as most of the authors I've read about in interviews say just keep going and edit later.
Pp

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Princessponti. I do quite a lot of planning. I spend about two weeks setting up my characters - I write complete histories for them (that I never use) and I even cut pictures out of magazines so that I can imagine what they look like. When I start to write it means that I know my characters inside and out. I also do a basic outline of where I think I need to go with the story. My books are, generally, around 100,000 words and I like to have some idea of the twists and turns required to get to the end. However, once I start writing, it very rarely ends up like that! With The Sweetest Taboo - I didn't know the ending right up to the last paragraph. I think when you set out your characters so well, then they sometimes dictate the story, rather than you having to 'shoehorn' them into situations. I start each day's writing by editing what I've done the day before to get me back into the flow and then I edit once again when I get to the end. That's it. I think if you over-edit, then you can take the life out of the books. I'd rather have it a big scraggier, but faster paced! Best Carole xx

[princessponti]

Thanks Carole! xx

[Michelle]

What a great idea to put together www.thechocolateloversclub.com - did you enjoy your research.. and more importantly, did you try out all those recipies?! :mrgreen:

[princessponti]

It's a beautiful website!!

[Michelle]

Is The Chocolate Lover's Club the first time you've focused equally on a group of characters, rather than just one main one? And what made you decide on a sequel, was it becuase they still all have stories to tell?

[Purple Poppy]

Hi Carole. Thanks for answering my previous question. I had not thought about pictures, but now I think about it, its a very sensible idea.
I have just finished reading 'Lets Meet On Platform 8' which I thoroughly enjoyed, not least because right until the end I wasn't entirely sure which way Jamie would go. Was this story from personal experience...and I don't mean you, (I wouldn't be that rude)I mean people or friends' experience...watching the pain and the doubt? It seemed to explore the moral issues very clearly, and the awful dilemma that results in an unexpected and unplanned relationship.

[Blossom]

Hi Carole

Nice to 'meet' you.

I have two questions for you, one from as a reader, and one as a writer:

Firstly, when you write your books, do you ever find your storylines going off on a tangent that you had never considered when you started the book?

Secondly, have you ever had to be your own publicist? My first book is due out soon - I'm very shy and finding it hard to promote myself. I'm interested in a successful author's experience of book promotion.

Thanks in advance, and please keep writing!

Take care,
Kerri (writing as Holly A Harvey)

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Michelle - yes all the recipes on The Chocolate Lovers' Club website are my tried and tested favourites! I'm known among my friends for my choccy desserts... : ) How could I not enjoy researching chocolate??? I got to visit some lovely chocolate shops, eat loads of chocolate and call it work. Life doesn't get much better than that! Carole xx

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Michelle - Yes, this is the first time I've used four characters in a book. I love Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives and wanted to see if I could create the same sort of thing with my book. I love group dynamics. But now I've got so much material that I'm having to do a sequel to tie up all of the loose ends in their lives! That will be out in August - called The Chocolate Lovers' Diet. Carole xx

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Purple Poppy - Let's Meet on Platform 8 is very definitely based on my experience of commuting into London - but, unfortunately, I never did meet my own Jamie! Lots of my material is based on personal experience - I've been married twice, so I have a lot to go on! I also have a lot of friends with very complicated lives who are kind enough to shares their stories with me over a glass of wine! Carole xx

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Kerry - yes, my stories go off tangent all the time. I do work to a plot, but they never quite turn out as I envisage. I think it's a good thing to surprise yourself as a writer though - I hope that comes through for readers too.

As a new writer you absolutely must be your own publicist. My experience is that no one else will do it for you! I have a fantastic publicist now - but that's just about the first one in eleven years!!! Other than that, I'd had to do my own groundwork. I always tell my editor that it's 90% promotion and 10% writing - very rarely am I joking... Carole xx

[Michelle]

Carole, what made you join MySpace.. and do you think it's brought you any new readers?

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Michelle - I was trying to get back into work mode after the Christmas break and starting browsing myspace - a friend had recently set up a page and thought that it would be a good thing for me to do. I'm currently struggling a bit to pimp my site as it's at the outer limits of my technical ability! I don't know if I've gained many new readers yet, but I've certainly connected with a lot of people who seem to have been reading me for years - which was a very nice surprise. I think it's nice that readers can chat away with the authors of some of their favourite books. That's something that myspace has facilitated. It's also very time-wasting! I spend hours fiddling about on there when I should actually be writing... :) Carole xx

[JudyB]

Carole - my daughter is interested in writing (she's 17). What kind of things to do with writing did you do before you were ready to write your first novel? Do you have any advice for my daughter?

[Michelle]

Your page looks fine to me.. but if you have any problems, give me a shout. :)

I've just been watching you in a dress.. http://askmk.tv/community/ottakars.html - do you enjoy doing book signings, launches etc?

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Judy - I went out and lived a very colourful life before I become an author so I'd have lots of material! Just joking... :) I'd advise your daughter to start perhaps writing short stories - that's a good and less daunting way to start practising your craft. There are a lot of sites on the internet where teenagers can post their work. There's a good market for teen or YA books at the moment (Young Adult) - perhaps it would be fun to write about what issues concern her and her friends. Hope that helps. Carole xx

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Michelle - thanks for the offer of techy help. I'm trying to get a slideshow on there at the moment of all my book covers and am having to resize all the images we've got. Grrr...

Publishers these days don't do much in the way of book launches - cutbacks! But I thought I'd have a a blow-out to celebrate the launch of my tenth book which was Welcome To The Real World. A personal favourite from all of my own books (if authors are allowed to have favourites...) Our local tv station came along and filmed it. We had a lovely evening and, as the book is set partly in the world of opera (and partly in the world of tv talent shows) - we had a fabulous opera singer come along and blow us away! It was a really great evening and some of my readers came along too, so that was nice. Carole xx

[Michelle]

Well if you do plan another event, please make it near me, and send me an invite! :mrgreen:

[Carole Matthews]

Absolutely. I'm thinking we might have a bit of a bash when the sequel to The Chocolate Lovers' Club comes out in August - The Chocolate Lovers' Diet. Can't think of a theme just yet though...;) Carole xx

[Michelle]

Hopefully not diets! ;)

[JudyB]

Hi Judy - I went out and lived a very colourful life before I become an author so I'd have lots of material! Just joking... :)

LOL - maybe my 15 year old should consider writing instead! Thanks for the good advice. I've also suggested that she considers doing Creative Writing as part of her degree when she eventually goes to University. Funnily enough that was what I was going to do but ended up getting married instead of going to University and now am in absolute awe of anyone that can sustain a novel - the more I read the more I feel that.

Judy x

[Purple Poppy]

Hi Carole. I have just watched the book signing video of you at Mk. Its great to put a face and voice to your name. I hope you enjoy lots more nights like that in the future.

How long did it take you to get published? Some of the writing websites reckon it can take about ten years with literally hundreds of failed submissions. Its sounds as if you have to be very determined and tenacious.

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Purple Poppy - It's true. I was very lucky to be published quite quickly as I caught the whole Bridget Jones, chick-lit thing here (and then again in the States a few years later). But I do a lot of workshops and stuff and it takes most people around ten years to get published - I've even met people still knocking on doors after twenty years! That certainly takes determination and a bit of blind faith. I think the thing about being a writer is that you have to be pretty determined (nay, stubborn) to keep hammering away at agents and publishers, a bit thick-skinned to take the rejections and yet sensitive enough to care about people to want to write stories. It's an odd balance which is why most of us are neurotic, bossy boots!

Glad you liked the book launch video clip - me in a dress is an extremely rare occurence - my dearly beloved wasn't even sure that I had knees...:) Best Carole xx

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Judy - I have mixed feelings of taking degrees in writing - there are a lot of courses about now. On the one hand, I think it's a great indulgence to be able to spend time finding your voice and having guidance, studying other authors. But, on the other hand, I don't think anyone can teach you to write. You can either do it or you can't. People can teach you more about plotting, characterisation, construction and stuff - but not how to actually write. The only way to learn, imho, is just do it! Best Carole xx

[Sugar]

Hi Carole

I just wondered how you feel about being on the Longlist of the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2007 (http://www.rna-uk.org/index.php?page=article&id=65)for Welcome to the Real World?

I was on the Reading Panel this year, and was really pleased to see yours on the list as it was one that I reviewed for them. Having been involved with music all my life, I enjoyed reading a contemporary novel set in the music world, but that looked more widely than pop!

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Sugar - I'm delighted to be on the longlist and will find out this week if I've made the shortlist. Fingers crossed. I'll keep you posted. The seven finalists are announced on Valentine's Day. Glad to hear that you enjoyed the book. Welcome To The Real World is one of my own personal favourites, so it would be nice for it to do well. It comes out at the end of February in the UK, so the timing is perfect for me. Best Carole xx

[Purple Poppy]

***Good Luck Carole!***


http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/Catkintails/thGoodLuck.jpg

Pp xx

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Everyone - just to let you know my exciting news! Found out yesterday that I've been short-listed for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award for Welcome To The Real World. What better Valentine's gift could I ask for? Details of the other authors can be found at www.rna-uk.org (http://www.rna-uk.org). Yippee! Now have to wait until end of April to find out if I've won! Carole xx

[Michelle]

I'll be keeping everything crossed for you! have you read the other books?

[Blossom]

Hi Carole

You've already been kind enough to answer my questions, but someone suggested I should ask you if you had any advice on giving radio interviews.

I have been offered my first live radio interview tomorrow and I am incredibly nervous - I am worried that I have nothing interesting to say, and that I'll clam up live on air. Or even worse, that I'll muddle my words up or sound stupid.

Do you have any tried and tested tips for me, please (am down on my knees holding hands in a pleading manner)?

Thanks, Kerri

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Kerri

Radio is a joy to do! I love it. There's nothing to worry about at all. I normally take the book in with me as a kind of prompt - you've got the jacket blurb in front of you then. The interviewers are usually so skilled at their job that it's just like having a chat with a friend. Write a note of things that you specifically want to mention - website or date of publication and signings you're doing - and give it to the host of the show and ask if you can made sure to get a plug in. That's what you're there for after all! All they normally want to know is what the book is about, how you got into writing and if you have any tips for other writers. They're the most common things in a short interview. Wear something light as studios are normally boiling and don't wear clanky jewellery! Take a bottle of water - sometimes they forget to get you a drink and you're mouth can dry up. Hope that helps! Good luck with it. Best Carolexx

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Michelle - I haven't read the rest of the books as I only found out who was on the list myself yesterday. Quite fancy reading Matt Dunn's - Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook. I've read a couple of Rosie Thomas's books and quite like her style - so I might give that a go too. I haven't read any of Judith Lennox's books which is very remiss of me, so I'll probably get that one too. Best Carole xx

[Purple Poppy]

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/Catkintails/A1.jpg


Well done Carole and Good luck. Keeping fingers crossed.:friends0:

[Kell]

Hi Carole. I noticed this iisn't the only place you're author of the month - I got my newsletter from LoveReading.co.uk and I see you're the featured author for February there too - way to go!

[Carole Matthews]

Thanks, Kell! Lovereading is a great site and they're really nice people who run it, so I was delighted to be their featured author too. The internet is a really nice way for authors to connect with their readers. Which is a good time to thank Michelle for having me on her excellent site too! It's been nice to meet with you all - thanks for all the interesting questions so far. Best Carole xx

[Michelle]

That you Carole for taking the time to answer.. and I hope we're nice people too!? ;)

I have another one for you.. did you read many chocolate themed books as part of your research.. and which was your favourite?

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Michelle - no, you're not nice people. You're VERY nice people!!

When I was researching The Chocolate Lovers' Club I did go out and buy a bunch of books that featured chocolate. But, frankly, I was horrified to find how few there were in the fiction section. I've done reviews of the books I read on www.thechocolateloversclub.co.uk (http://www.thechocolateloversclub.co.uk) and there's also some of the useless facts I gleaned over the year I spent doing my research - I've become a complete chocolate anorak! I think the book I enjoyed the most though was Joanne Harris's Chocolat - that was my third read of it. It's such a sumptuous read. Yummy. And it's one of the few books that I've read that I've also really enjoyed the film version of - even though it was totally different. My friend, Annie Murray, has also written a lovely saga based around the girls who worked in the Cadbury's factory during the war called The Chocolate Girls. Lovely book. Best Carole xx

[Michelle]

Carole, on the whole, how do authors feel about second hand books, especially with the advent of swapping sites. Do you feel as if you're missing out on income, or are you pleased that more people are reading your books?

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Michelle - this is a tricky one. Once upon a time authors used to believe that people buying second-hand books would then go on to look up the author's other work, if they'd enjoyed it and would, hopefully, pay for it in a book shop. I would love to think that it still applies to some people. But now the second-hand market has gone from a few dusty shelves in an Oxfam store to a multi-million pound business. Oxfam have something like 65 dedicated book stores now and make around 17 million a year - and are putting 'proper' independent book stores out of business at an alarming rate. The problem is with the charity stores is that they don't pay for their product, they don't pay for staff and they get reduced rent and council tax - businesses than need to make a profit can't possibly compete with that. Plus the rise of the internet swapping sites and that fact that you can get most of the bestsellers on Amazon for 1p shortly after publication is all helping to decimate the book industry. It's a big problem. I think in years to come that it will be impossible for writers to make a living from writing books and we'll see a shrinking book market as more of the publisher's spend goes onto promoting the megasellers - like the James Patersons, the Martina Coles and there'll be less diversity in the books available. I think a lot of the people buying second hand books and swapping them don't realise what damage it's causing to the industry that they love so much. The Society of Authors are trying to get people like Amazon and the second hand sellers to donate a tiny amount per book resold (1p or so) to go to ALCS which collects royalties on behalf of authors - so that it can be redistributed amongst writers - but no one is terribly interested in putting themselves out to do it. Oxfam have refused point blank. I hate throwing books away, but would never now donate them to a charity. The other thing that the second-hand market it harming is libraries - who wants to wait weeks to get your turn at a bestseller when you can pick it up so cheaply elsewhere? In a quarter I might sell 5-10 new books on Amazon - compared to 300-400 second hand ones. It's very scary for writers the way things are going. Carole xx

[Michelle]

Thanks for the insight, Carole.. I guess all the time we're swapping books, and buying them cheaply, that it makes it so much harder for the authors. I also know from chatting to writers that it's a difficult business, and there's not as much money in it as we think. I'm sure the huge best sellers do well enough, but that's only a tiny percentage of the authors around today.

It seems that many charity shops charge quite a bit for books, as do alot of second hand sellers... it is a shame that they won't pay out a tiny percent as royalties.

I think we have a cross section on here.. I believe when we've discussed it before, we have our share of swappers, new buyers, and library users.

Do books have to be a certain price to make a profit? I was just thinking that when flicking through amazon, I'm much more likely to buy the £3.99 books, than I am the £5.59 (I think that's one of the popular prices) or above.

[Louiseog]

I don't buy books from charity shops (although my new leather Sweeny jacket was a £1 bargain) because I think they are too expensive and would rather swap, buy new at about 3.99 or 3 for 2 or the library. Having said that I do use Amazon but mainly again new stuff.

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Michelle - the majority of the big retailers now get 60%+ discounts on books, so the publishers keep pushing up the cover price to try to make a profit. The Tesco price point for books is £3.79! Tough for anyone but Tesco's to make money on that! What always amazes me is that people don't mind paying £3.75 for a glossy mag filled with adverts or £2-£4.00 for a birthday card. Last week I was in a bar in London - not a terribly posh one - and was charged £8.75 for a passable glass of white wine. Why do people object to paying £5.99 for a book which will give hours of pleasure and entertainment? I don't know why people perceive books as being poor value for money - but a lot of people do.

People can sell books on Amazon for 1p because they're making a couple of quid on the postage charges. Astonishing! Carole xx

[Michelle]

I do see your point, but personally speaking I had to cut out things like magazines and expensive cards a while back, and I rarely go out. (Sad, I know ;) but I do have a young family.) Considering I'm generally a fast reader, over £5 does feel like quite a bit of money to me.

As I say, I can only speak personally for myself.. I do appreciate that a profilt has to be made somewhere.

[Kell]

I'll admit to being a bargain-buyer - I scour places like The Works & Bargain books for new authors to try, but then if I enjoyed the one book they were seling cheaply, I'm more likely to buy more by the same author. And I tend to ask for books as birthday & Xmas prezzies,which invariably end up being hardbacks, so I figure I'm making up for it in the end. ;)

[Carole Matthews]

I must admit I baulk at paying for a hardback these days - the only person I rush out and buy is Phillipa Gregory as I just can't wait for them! But £18.99 for a book is steep. The Chocolate Lovers' Club is my first hardback and that has a cover price of £12.99 - but is in the stores for around £7.99. I just hope that looks like a bargain for people! I wonder how things will change when somebody finally comes up with a fab i-reader and we can all download onto screens. What price books then? Best Carole xx

[Maureen]

It's one thing if buying a book a month, or every six weeks, but when it is a weekly (if not more often) expense, esp for people with a family like myself, buying new at full price can get to be a bit too expensive.

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Maureen - a scary fact is that a 'heavy' book buyer is now considered (by the industry) as someone who buys six books a YEAR!! I definitely need therapy on that reckoning... : ) One a week does become an expensive habit - but still much cheaper than joining a gym or smoking. Best Carole xx

[Michelle]

a scary fact is that a 'heavy' book buyer is now considered (by the industry) as someone who buys six books a YEAR!!

Wow! There are members here reading 6 books a MONTH!

[Carole Matthews]

That's the sort of statistic I prefer to hear!!! Best Carole xx

[Kell]

I wonder how things will change when somebody finally comes up with a fab i-reader and we can all download onto screens. What price books then? Best Carole xxI'll still be buying good old-fashioned books when that time comes - i like to feel the pages between my fingers & I have trouble reading huge swathes of text from a screen. ;)

And as for 6 books a year, well, I must be bringing home about 10 times that, so I'm taking care of 9 non-readers! LOL!

[JudyB]

I can't imagine life without books in their present form - it's the whole book thing I love not just the story within a book's pages - it's the covers, etc. Don't think I'd be keen to read from a screen.

[Carole Matthews]

I hope that books will still be around - it's like the banana, a perfect package. The new book readers are making quite an impact though - particularly for academic and professional texts at the moment. They also trialled them in schools and got a fabulous response from kids. I guess it's the next generation who might prefer a gadget to a book. There's a certain appeal about being about to download a dozen books onto a reader to take on holiday rather than fill my suitcase with space that should have clothes in it! The screens on the readers are whizzy new electronic ink rather than being computer screeny - much easier on the eye. At £300 - £400 - you wouldn't want to drop it in the bath though! Best Carole xx

[Michelle]

I would imagine they'd be pretty handy for text books etc.. especially if it has a good search feature.

[Michelle]

Carole, you said in your interview that you like to travel alot.. which has been your favourite destination so far.. and which have been most memorable? :)

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Michelle - The research trip to the Himalayas for With or Without You was absolutely stunning. I fell in love with the people and the places we went to. I did a three-week hike in the foothills of the Annapurnas - fabulous. When I got home, the book just wrote itself - it was an absolute joy. It's one of my own personal favourites out of my books and it's the one that most readers write to me about. I'd love to go back - perhaps to the Everest region next time.

We also did a three-week trip across China and I wrote a short story based on our travels when I got back for the Girls' Night In series (which was for the War Child charity). I think it's the best short story I've ever written - called Travelling Light. (I'd like to do a book of short stories one day - I just love writing them! I put a new one up on my website every month.)

The Sweetest Taboo was based on my trips to LA. I've been fortunate enough to sell the rights to a couple of my books to Hollywood, so we've had to go out there a few times. A lot of the things that are featured in the book, I did!

I do like to go to the places that I write about if I can. You can only do so much from imagination and I find if you go to the place it often throws up other angles for the story that I hadn't thought about.

Best Carole xx

[Purple Poppy]

As many on here are aware, I am waiting patiently for a book reader. I don't have qualms about reading from a screen and frequently read from the computer screen. I think it might help tidy up the house as we have books littered everywhere at present. But seriously, I think its another tool in the kit, so to speak and as such will be used when most appropriate. As Carole says, going away on holiday, even for a few weeks, with 80 odd books stored on the reader you will never run out of something to read and it's light to carry. I think it could be an absolute boon for studying.
I don't think there is any danger of books vanishing. There might be a proportion of the new generation who will grow up using the reader and stick to it, but I suspect many will return to books. Although I love books, their covers in particular, it's what's written that's important to me. My imagination takes care of the rest. Nothing can replace a beautiful hardback book, especially one with illustrations, (which probably won't come across as well on the reader), but I do feel that it should be regarded as an extra tool, available if needed, and with many advantages. If folk don't want to use a reader, they don't have to. But isn't it nice to have the choice?

Pp

[Michelle]

With or Without you was the first book of yours that I read.. I think it benefitted fromyour personal experience. It was a great book, btw. :smile2:

Where else do you want to go,but haven't managed yet? (And next time you do LA, can I come along too? :mrgreen: )

[Blossom]

I completely agree with your comments with regard to second-hand books. The Oxfam stores in particular look like 'proper' book shops, and charge far more than I expected. Also, with regard to libraries, our local Library is due to close after being around more years than me - I have to believe that the availability and cost of second-hand books is a factor...among others.

I only buy second hand books if the book I want is no longer in print. My friend opened an independent book shop in 2005 (taking a huge risk) and finds it very difficult to compete with both large book chain and second hand book-sellers. She has attracted a lot of local authors to do signings, which gets people through the doors, but obviously the 'big names' aren't interested. I hope that her shop doesn't become another statistic...

I don't think that buyers necessarily think that they are doing damage to the book sellers who can't afford to absorb losses and to the writers - they are just delighted to get a bargain!

Kerri

[Purple Poppy]

I have to admit that since I read Carole's post on buying second hand books, I have thought alot about it. I guess it is obviously going to have an effect on sales of new books and hence the incomes of authors. I think I have always bought a cross section of books, new and old, but I think I may have to reconsider. I was always chuffed at getting the bargains. Like you Blossom, I think Oxfam charge far too much. I would consider buying a new book for that price, unless it was a hard-to-get book. Anyway, you will be glad to know that I have just bought a heap of new books on Amazon...thought I would treat myself as my birthday approaches!

[Carole Matthews]

With or Without you was the first book of yours that I read.. I think it benefitted fromyour personal experience. It was a great book, btw. :smile2:

Where else do you want to go,but haven't managed yet? (And next time you do LA, can I come along too? :mrgreen: )

I have about 45 places on my list of 'must' visits! Every year it grows longer. Would love to go to Japan. Peru and the Inca Trail is up there too. Would love to go to Antartica - but can't quite work myself up to cope with the cold! I think when you're writing books as a fast pace - I'm now doing two a year - that you use up so much material that it's good to do these things to replenish your stock. (That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!) We always do group holidays and meet so many great people that it's a never-ending supply of stories and anecdotes. I can always find an 'expert' to ring up from my list of trip acquaintances. Best Carole xx

[Carole Matthews]

I completely agree with your comments with regard to second-hand books. The Oxfam stores in particular look like 'proper' book shops, and charge far more than I expected. Also, with regard to libraries, our local Library is due to close after being around more years than me - I have to believe that the availability and cost of second-hand books is a factor...among others.

I only buy second hand books if the book I want is no longer in print. My friend opened an independent book shop in 2005 (taking a huge risk) and finds it very difficult to compete with both large book chain and second hand book-sellers. She has attracted a lot of local authors to do signings, which gets people through the doors, but obviously the 'big names' aren't interested. I hope that her shop doesn't become another statistic...

I don't think that buyers necessarily think that they are doing damage to the book sellers who can't afford to absorb losses and to the writers - they are just delighted to get a bargain!

Kerri

I hope that your friend's book store does well. It's tough to make a living with the competition from the supermarkets and second-hand sales. Sometimes authors don't even realise that a shop wants them to do a signing - all enquiries are fielded by their publishers who can make incredible demands about number of copies that they need to order, etc. I do most of my PR direct through my website because of that. I recently did a talk for a library - when I got there they told me that they'd phoned for 4 months (!!) to my publisher and had got nowhere. One email to me and we'd booked it up. In fairness, some authors hate going out in public - to me it's a rare joy to be let out to meet my readers! Carole xx

[Michelle]

The last point is interesting.. in most cases, the authors that I've interviewed etc on here I've approached direct. I think you can get a good idea from a website how approachable an author is..and I have to say, the vast majority have been absolutely wonderful! :D

Do you enjoy the web side of thing.. your site and MySpace, popping onto forums like this one, etc?

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Michelle - yes, I do enjoy it. I must say that I do a lot more in the USA than in the UK. They seem - if you don't mind me saying! - more into this kind of thing. Although I'm glad to say that we're catching up fast! Perhaps it's simply down to the vastness of their country that they rely on the internet much more. I think this is the first UK forum I've done (which is why I assumed you were in the US when I first heard from you - durr...) I do a lot of online chats in the states - the only drawback being is that they're usually scheduled for around 2 in the morning for me!

I started the myspace site over the Christmas holiday - not really knowing whether it would be useful or not. But I've found it completely addictive. Now I'm spending far too much time pimping my site and not enough writing! I confess that I spent an hour this morning trying to download a tapdancing kitten - sad, I know. And still I couldn't get it to work! Although I'm pleased to say that I did start my next book this afternoon (my editor will be pleased to hear this too!) Again - like my own website - it's an easy way for me to interact with readers. There's nothing nicer than ending the day with a bunch of emails from people telling you that they like your books. It's very motivating! Carole xx

[scottishbookworm]

good luck carole!:friends0:

[Kell]

Carole, I was just wondering, as you enjoy the promotion side of things, which place has been your favourite to visit for a booksigning? And which (if it's not too cheeky to ask - you dan't have to name names, just a description would be fine ;)) was your least?

[Carole Matthews]

Carole, I was just wondering, as you enjoy the promotion side of things, which place has been your favourite to visit for a booksigning? And which (if it's not too cheeky to ask - you dan't have to name names, just a description would be fine ;)) was your least?


My favourite place to do a booksigning is at the enormous Book Expo of America (BEA) fair which is held every year - it switches cities. One year it's in New York, then Chicago, then LA, than San Fransisco. 30,000 booksellers, publishers and authors descend on one place. The booksellers are always so friendly and keen to see the latest books. I do some 'booth' signings - on my publishers stand. And I also do what's called a ''runway' signing where I'm literally at the end of a long chute with a huge queue just signing book after book. I get to rub shoulders with 'real' writers like Lee Child, James Patterson, Nick Hornby. It's a huge ego boost for us authors who are terribly fragile by nature!

I don't mind naming names - this deserves shame and ridicule! I was to do a pre-arranged stock signing at a WHSmith store in North London. I turned up, the book manager was away that day - never a good start - so I spoke to her assistant, telling her that I was Carole Matthews and was there to sign books. She went away - for a very long time - then came back with a whole trolley full of Robert Harris's books which she preceded to lay out in front of me. 'I'm not Robert Harris,' I said. 'Oh,' she said, clearly shocked by this revelation. 'Who did you say you were? Jill Mansell?' I'm still not sure to this day how she managed to mistake me for Robert Harris..., Jill Mansell I could have understood. :D She did eventually find my books - but that kind of thing doesn't do much for the ego (or the blood pressure!)

It's always nice when people treat you well. Sometimes you're not even offered basic courtesy - other times people go out of their way to make sure that you're looked after well. If I've had a long drive, it's nice to be offered a drink or shown where the loo is! Sometimes it's just the silly little things that leave a favourable impression. I stood in for a talk at a local library last week as an author had let them down at the last minute - they had me a Thornton's heart iced with 'thank you' as a gift - that was really lovely for someone to take the time to do.

Carole xx

[Michelle]

Carole, it's nice to read about English places in your books.. especially exotic places like Milton Keynes! ;) Have you had any feedback from your publishers in the US, whether the readers there enjoy that 'slice of Britain'? :)

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Michelle - thankfully, a lot of US readers are great Anglophiles and love the whole 'Brit' thing. I owe Helen Fielding a drink if I ever meet her, because she was the one who started the big Brit chicklit move in the USA which certainly helped me to get my deal over there. The amazing thing is though is how little UK literature they take compared to the amount of US books we import. I'm published now in 23 countries including China, Russia, Thailand, etc and I do wonder what those readers make of some of my stories - or if they even understand them! Because I don't speak a lot of the languages you just have to hope the translator makes a good stab at the jokes and the cultural references. Best Carole xx

[Purple Poppy]

Hi Carole. I just wanted to say that I'm thrilled to bits to have won one of your books and can't wait to read it. Thank you so much for coming on the forum and answering all our questions, which must be tedious sometimes if you do the same thing all over the world. But we appreciate it on here. Good luck with the award...hope you get it, and please pop back once in a while and say Hi.

Susie

[Michelle]

I of course want to echo what PP has said.. it's been a pleasure having you here, and I thank you for your time, and your replies. I shall keep the thread open, should you wish to come back and keep us updated. :)

[Carole Matthews]

Hi Guys - just a note to say thanks for having me. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time on the forum and the variety of questions. Hope you'll come and see me if I'm ever in your area. And know that you know me, it's your duty to tidy me up in the bookstores!! (Preferably put my books in front of those whose are selling better than mine ;) ) Hope some of you will sign up for my newsletter at www.carolematthews.com (http://www.carolematthews.com) to keep in touch. There's all kinds of useless gossip, monthly competitions and short stories. Will be sending out the prize books at the end of the week - hope you enjoy yours Purple Poppy! Thanks again. Every good wish. Carole xx

[Kell]

It's been wonderful to have you here, Carole - I hope you won't be a stranger, but will drop in occasionally to say "hi"!

[Gyre]

Hi Carole, just wanting to say thanks for your book, I started it today and I am enjoying it thoroughly, its a great read.

Also thanks to Michelle, for giving me the opportunity to get the book.

:D

[Carole Matthews]

Glad to hear that you're enjoying it! Best Carole xx

[Purple Poppy]

Hi Carole! Got back from hospital today and found your book. Very exciting. Thank you so much. I'm looking forward to reading it:friends0:

[Carole Matthews]

Always good to hear that they've arrived in one piece! Hope you enjoy it. Best Carole xx