GCC: A Connecticut Fashiona In King Arthur's Court
Today in GCC, I have the pleasure of visiting with debut novelist, Marianne Mancusi , author of A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur's Court. Marianne is more familiar behind the television cameras, than sitting at the writing desk, but with six more novels under contract, I have a feeling that's about to change. Here's the blurb on the book:
I picked up the book this weekend and can't wait to read in. In the meantime, I had some questions for Marianne.
Kathleen: Have you always been a fan of the Arthur legend? Which one is your favorite, Arthur or Lancelot?
Marianne: I've always loved the legend of King Arthur and devoured any book I could find on the subject. I'm more of an Arthur fan than a Lancelot one. In fact, I could never understand why Guinevere would leave the kind, honorable, loyal king - her husband - to be with the moody, petulant Lancelot. I always felt bad for the Once and Future King. Actually, it's a theme I explore in great lengths in my book.
Kathleen: Being a news producer is fascinating to me, do you have problems switching between your two roles, or is there some routine that moves you from the real world into your writing?
Marianne: It can be sometimes difficult to balance time wise, but writing wise, the two jobs are very different (writing in script form vs. manuscript form) so it's not too hard to keep them separate. I believe being a tv news producer has helped me in some aspects - handling tight deadlines, writing high concept pitches, and creating believable dialog. (Since everything I write for tv news has to be spoken.)
Kathleen: I see you've got quite a few YA novels in the works. Which is easier for you to write, YA or adult fiction?
Marianne: YA's - because they're half the length! heh. But seriously, I have a young voice anyway - even in my adult stuff - so writing for teens comes naturally. But I enjoy doing both.
Kathleen: I'm a bit of a news junkie, and was curious if you'd be able to share any fun news stories about the life of a producer?
Marianne: I've done a little bit of everything as a producer. I may be uncovering government scams one day and introducing folks to the latest diet craze the next. It's challenging and creative and very, very interesting. In my position I've done everything from cover major political events, such as the Democratic National Convention to interviewing actor Kevin Spacey about his Golden Globe nod. I've journeyed deep into Mexico with a man hunting for UFOs and exposed backyard breeders who neglect and abuse the animals they sell.
Kathleen: What was the most exciting moment when having your book published?
Marianne: I think the original call from my agent saying that Dorchester wanted to publish the book was the MOST exciting moment. I just remember feeling so excited that I was literally sick to my stomach. That and seeing the cover for the first time. I kept staring at it, hardly believing that it was real. That this dream had come true. I want every writer to be able to someday experience that feeling.
Kathleen: That's all the news today. I should be wrapping up the last bits of the book this week and I'll return to being a happy, sane person once more! Happy Memorial Day to those in the States, and for everyone else, have a great weekend.
Imagine a Bridget Jones like character spiraling back in time to the days of Camelot. That's the unique premise behind the latest chick lit offering from Dorchester Publishing. "A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur's Court" (May 2005) combines, for the first time ever, chick lit attitude with a time travel plot. Debut author Marianne Mancusi, an Emmy Award winning television news producer for the NBC affiliate in Boston, pens a sexy, magical, laugh-out-loud romp through the legend you only thought you knew.
"I love the voice of Chick Lit," says Mancusi. "But I felt the same old plotlines about a girl in the city with a bad boss and good shoes were getting old. I wanted to do something a little different."
Connecticut Fashionista features an outspoken fashion editor named Kat, who s certainly not your typical damsel in distress. But when a gypsy curse sends her back in time to the days of King Arthur, she'll need every ounce of her 21st century wits (and pop culture references) to navigate the legend. After all, surviving a magical plot, an evil prince, and a case of mistaken identity--all without changing history or scuffing your Manolos--takes some doing!
So slip on your stilettos and clutch your Cosmos tight, as Dorchester Publishing and Marianne Mancusi send you on a wild, wacky, and oh-so-fashionable trip back in time.
I picked up the book this weekend and can't wait to read in. In the meantime, I had some questions for Marianne.
Kathleen: Have you always been a fan of the Arthur legend? Which one is your favorite, Arthur or Lancelot?
Marianne: I've always loved the legend of King Arthur and devoured any book I could find on the subject. I'm more of an Arthur fan than a Lancelot one. In fact, I could never understand why Guinevere would leave the kind, honorable, loyal king - her husband - to be with the moody, petulant Lancelot. I always felt bad for the Once and Future King. Actually, it's a theme I explore in great lengths in my book.
Kathleen: Being a news producer is fascinating to me, do you have problems switching between your two roles, or is there some routine that moves you from the real world into your writing?
Marianne: It can be sometimes difficult to balance time wise, but writing wise, the two jobs are very different (writing in script form vs. manuscript form) so it's not too hard to keep them separate. I believe being a tv news producer has helped me in some aspects - handling tight deadlines, writing high concept pitches, and creating believable dialog. (Since everything I write for tv news has to be spoken.)
Kathleen: I see you've got quite a few YA novels in the works. Which is easier for you to write, YA or adult fiction?
Marianne: YA's - because they're half the length! heh. But seriously, I have a young voice anyway - even in my adult stuff - so writing for teens comes naturally. But I enjoy doing both.
Kathleen: I'm a bit of a news junkie, and was curious if you'd be able to share any fun news stories about the life of a producer?
Marianne: I've done a little bit of everything as a producer. I may be uncovering government scams one day and introducing folks to the latest diet craze the next. It's challenging and creative and very, very interesting. In my position I've done everything from cover major political events, such as the Democratic National Convention to interviewing actor Kevin Spacey about his Golden Globe nod. I've journeyed deep into Mexico with a man hunting for UFOs and exposed backyard breeders who neglect and abuse the animals they sell.
Kathleen: What was the most exciting moment when having your book published?
Marianne: I think the original call from my agent saying that Dorchester wanted to publish the book was the MOST exciting moment. I just remember feeling so excited that I was literally sick to my stomach. That and seeing the cover for the first time. I kept staring at it, hardly believing that it was real. That this dream had come true. I want every writer to be able to someday experience that feeling.
Kathleen: That's all the news today. I should be wrapping up the last bits of the book this week and I'll return to being a happy, sane person once more! Happy Memorial Day to those in the States, and for everyone else, have a great weekend.
posted by Kathleen at 8:33 AM
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