I spent Memorial Day weekend in sweet home Carolina, for my brother’s wedding (finally!), after which I drive all over town to "sign stock." Authors call these "drive bys." Meaning, we drive by a bookstore and sign any books that they happen to have in stock. My husband went with me for one and said, "Don't they ask for ID for that kind of thing?" which struck me as kind of funny. You know, someone impersonating me??? Hmmmm....not that I would mind. People like to buy autographed copies as gifts, so signed books make everyone happy. So if anybody out there wants to go sign some books in my stead, I say, go for it! I'm signing them, "Good luck, honey!" then my name.
On another note, I'll mention that it's very exciting to discover that a bookstore in Ventura, California, had eight copies of my book, whereas a major chain in Charlotte, NC (my hometown), only had 2. Or none, in other cases…
Did I say that my book is called The Southern Girl's Guide? As in, the South? Yep. Well.
In the meantime, lemme tell you about an author I met who has written a fabulously engaging book (if you’ll pardon the pun). Hana Schank is an adorable gal who sat next to me (bless her heart) at the Southern Kentucky Book Festival a few weeks ago, where 100 or so authors spent the day trying to combat illiteracy by trying to persuade people to buy our books. Her book is called A More Perfect Union: How I Survived the Happiest Day of My Life, and it's a wonderful examination of the bridal industry and its seductive power.
In this memoir, which takes place during the year between Hana's engagement and her wedding day, she describes the seemingly insurmountable pressure that a gal feels, the minute an engagement ring is slipped on her finger, to host “the perfect day.” Barely aware that the bridal industry even existed, Hana, a successful businesswoman and journalist, wanted a small but elegant wedding. As she began to plan, however, she found herself succumbing, despite her most stalwart intentions, to the need for the perfect dress, the perfect invitations, the perfect food and even the perfect ‘save the day’ announcement cards (which she ended up crafting herself, so they would be ‘just right’).
USA Today recently reported that the average wedding in this country costs $30,000. So why are women so vulnerable to the seductive sway of this industry? Hana pulls back the veil with startling acumen -- and one very engaging story. Now, if you're put off by the occasional obscenity (or "cussin', as we say down South), you may want to steer clear. Otherwise, do check this book out, as I know you'll find it quite interesting. I especially enjoyed the behind-the-scenes peek at some of the Jewish traditions that she and her fiancé explored for their wedding, as well as the history of the many wedding traditions -- some of which are pure commercial invention, by the way.
Hana has an MFA in nonfiction writing from Columbia University, and used to write for CBSNews.com. I recently convinced her to answer a few questions about her book. Here's what she had to say:
