Will Write for Shoes by Cathy Yardley - Review

Will Write for Shoes:
How to Write a Chick Lit Novel
by Cathy Yardley
Originally published: 2006

* What is Chick Lit exactly?
* How do I write a Chick Lit novel?
* What are the steps I need to take to get published? 

Once dismissed as a fad by the popular press and literary community, the women's fiction genre called Chick Lit is now one of the hottest growing markets for new writers. In Will Write for Shoes, veteran Chick Lit and romance author Cathy Yardley addresses the common questions (and misconceptions) about the genre. 

Based on years of teaching about commercial women's fiction, this definitive guide provides invaluable tips and step-by-step methods for writing and selling a successful Chick Lit novel. Features include: 
* The history of Chick Lit
* A blueprint for writing a Chick Lit novel
* New trends in the genre
* Tips and tools for breaking into the market
* FAQs and miscellanea 

A directory of agents and publishers who acquire Chick Lit, sample submission materials, and online resources make this fun and comprehensive manual a must-have for all women who want to write a Chick Lit novel.  

Goodreads * Amazon

My review:

Will Write for Shoes is a great resource for anyone who is considering writing chick lit (but it can also be useful for writers of any genre). Ms. Yardley has a humorous style to present a wealth of information about everything from what is and what is not chick lit, how to develop your chick lit story, and how to market and sell your chick lit novel. She doesn't sugarcoat anything, but it is perhaps tied up with a pink bow in a pair of stilettos, with titles such as "Warning: Period of Time When Your Life Will Necessarily Suck: Revisions" and "Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes... The Crapshoot That is Selling Your Novel." 

Keep in mind that this was written about 8 years ago, so some of the information on publishers and agents may be outdated, but it is still a great guide for a new chick lit writer.

(Ms. Yardley sent me a signed copy of this book years ago after I "met" her on an online forum for work-at-home moms when I mentioned that I was interested in writing. This was years before I became a book review blogger. After a recent move, I uncovered this while unpacking, read it again, and knew it deserved a review.)

A copy was gifted, but I was not required to write a review. 

About the author:

A few random facts about me:
I am a fiction addict.

I love J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts, Jim Butcher, J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood, Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter, Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, Stephen King, Jennifer Crusie, Marian Keyes, J.K. Rowling, and a slew of other authors.

I have been known to stay up all night to finish a new novel. I don't so much read as devour.

I am an out of the closet foodie.

People who follow me on Facebook can attest: I am a foodie-blog whore. Love Smitten Kitchen. Adore Pioneer Woman Cooks. Bake my own bread on a weekly basis (because the recipe is so frickin' easy, a chimp could do it -- and it tastes phenomenal. I am a walking infomercial for this bread. ) Total Top Chef freak.

I am a geekgirl.

I love the San Diego Comic-con, or "The Con" as they call it.

I was part of the SCA -- The Society for Creative Anachronism -- and briefly sponsored my own mini army. I learned to speak some Japanese from anime.
I have a near encyclopedic knowledge of character actors and obscure movies. I have been called to settle bar bets.

I have a more-flirtatious-than-appropriate relationship with Excel spreadsheets. When I used to work at a day job, if I wore lipstick they assumed I was going on an interview. To this day, an entire marketing department lives in fear of my memory.

I love being an author.

Love writing. Love promoting. Love everything about it. And I love hearing from readers. Email me, anytime, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Find out more at CathyYardley.com.

   

Holly's Wishes by Karen Pokras

Holly's Wishes by Karen Pokras
Published: July 1, 2014
by Grand Daisy Press

Holly Haines first met Ben Oakes when she was just sixteen years old. For Holly, it was love at first kiss—at least in her sixteen year old mind. Sadly though, Ben didn’t seem quite as interested. When a chance meeting reunites them ten years later, Holly discovers he had feelings for her all along. But not everything is as simple as it seems when she realizes they can’t be together. Was fate playing a cruel joke on them, or will Holly find a way to make all her wishes come true?

Goodreads * Amazon

My review:

Holly thinks her life is going along fine. Sure, her long time live-in boyfriend still hasn't proposed to her, but she is positive it is just a matter of time until he does. After her first love reappears, Holly begins to question her relationship with Jared and wonders if he is ever going to grow up and become more responsible. But Ben is unavailable anyway, so she thinks she has to settle for being friends and considering what could have been.

Holly's Wishes is an excellent example of a good series book. The focus is on Holly's story and the main story line is wrapped up nicely in the end; however, we still see details of both Ava and Tess sprinkled throughout which ties all the books together nicely in the Whispered Wishes series. Ms. Pokras showed with this book as well as Ava's Wishes that she is a natural at writing this genre. Her characters are well-developed and the plot lines are engaging.

If you like sweet romantic chick-lit/women's fiction, you will enjoy Holly's Wishes and the Whispered Wishes series.

Copy was provided by the author, but I was not required to write a review.

About the author:

Karen Pokras writes adult contemporary and middle grade fiction under the names Karen Pokras and Karen Pokras Toz. Her books have won several awards including two Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, the Grand Prize in the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, as well as placing first for two Global E-Book Awards for Pre-Teen Literature. Karen is a member of the Society of the Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). For children, her books include the Nate Rocks series, Millicent Marie is Not My Name, and Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas. For adult readers, Karen’s books include Chasing Invisible, and her soon to be released, Whispered Wishes series. A native of Connecticut, Karen now lives outside of Philadelphia with her family.  

Find out more at KarenPokras.com.

      

Ava's Wishes by Karen Pokras

Ava's Wishes by Karen Pokras
Published May 26, 2014
by Grand Daisy Press

Ava Haines had big plans for her life. Her short-term goals included passing Statistics (on the third try), graduating college on time, and securing a job in the art gallery on Main Street. Her long-term goal was to one day own an art gallery of her very own. Oh sure, she would some day like to fall in love and get married, but all of that was secondary to making sure her other goals were in line. Fellow student Max Wallis and esteemed photographer Thomas Malloy were just minor distractions she was more than capable of handling. She was entitled to a little fun once in a while, right? However, as reality takes a tumble, Ava begins to wonder if she really can manage it all. Will all her wishes come true?

Goodreads * Amazon

My Review:

All Ava was worried about was passing her statistics class so that she could graduate and get a job. She wasn't looking for a relationship. But life had other plans for Ava because suddenly there are two men in her life. While I had a feeling early on that something was just not quite right with one of them, I was completely shocked at the plot twist. Sometimes things are not what they appear to be.   

Ava's Wishes is an excellent first book in a new series, Whispered Wishes. Karen Pokras, who has also published middle-grade books as Karen Pokras Toz, seems to be a natural at chick-lit. I was very impressed with how Ms. Pokras provided enough of a glimpse at Ava's two sisters to make readers already interested in reading their stories while still keeping the focus of this book on Ava. 

If you enjoy sweet chick-lit stories with clean romance then this book is a good choice, and I would definitely recommend it.

Copy was provided for review.

About the author:

Karen Pokras writes adult contemporary and middle grade fiction under the names Karen Pokras and Karen Pokras Toz. Her books have won several awards including two Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, the Grand Prize in the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, as well as placing first for two Global E-Book Awards for Pre-Teen Literature. Karen is a member of the Society of the Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). For children, her books include the Nate Rocks series, Millicent Marie is Not My Name, and Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas. For adult readers, Karen’s books include Chasing Invisible, and her soon to be released, Whispered Wishes series. A native of Connecticut, Karen now lives outside of Philadelphia with her family.  

Find out more at KarenPokras.com.