Hen Lit Writers

Vote for The Writer's Life!

2007-01-10T21:24:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone...

It's that time of year again and the Preditors & Editor's Readers Poll is in full swing!

The Writer's Life has been in operation since 2001 and provides writing resources, promotional opportunities for writers, and a newly added promotional workshop. But, more than that, it's a labor of love.

As the editor of The Writer's Life, my goal is to help writers achieve their goals of becoming published and help them promote once they have achieved this. It is to all the writers out there I dedicate this website, and it is my hope that The Writer's Life was a part of making their dreams come true.

If you would be so kind and vote for us under the "Nonfiction Magazine/Ezine" category at Preditors & Editors and to vote for the editor (moi) under "Magazine/Ezine Editors," I would greatly appreciate your vote. To vote, click here, and thank you!

Dorothy Thompson
Editor, The Writer's Life
www.thewriterslife.net

THE SEARCH FOR THE MILLION $$$ GHOST Book Trailer at YouTube!

2007-01-05T06:54:00.000-08:00

A new and improved version of THE SEARCH FOR THE MILLION $$$ GHOST book trailer at YouTube:

The Search for the Million $$$ Ghost Book Trailer!

2007-01-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

Six women. One eccentric millionaire. And a ghost that refuses to be found....

Check out my cool book trailer at www.milliondollarghost.homestead.com/trailer.html!

Dorothy

Happy New Year & A New ROMANCING THE SOUL Book Trailer!

2006-12-31T19:50:00.000-08:00

To all our hen lit blog readers, I'd like to wish every one of you the happiest new year! Although it's not officially 2007 for another hour, let's take the time to reflect on what we have accomplished in the past year. Did we meet our goals? Did we try to be the best we can be?

I hope every one of you found your dreams; and if not, let's work even harder at finding what we are looking for and becoming who we want to be in the upcoming year. But, no matter what kind of resolutions you have lined up, the main key is to be happy.

With that in mind, I wish you a Happy New Year and may all your dreams come true!

Also, I'd like to show you a new video I made of my book, ROMANCING THE SOUL. Enjoy!

Authors Chat Lounge 2 Tonight!

2006-12-04T08:29:00.000-08:00

Hi guys, just want to let you know that I'll be a guest at Lea Schizas' online conference chat room at the Authors Chat Lounge 2 tonight at 7 p.m. eastern time. Come on out and find out all about my new eBook, "A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published eBook," and how you, too, can write, publish and promote your own eBook. To get into the chatroom, click here and sign in!

FREE CHRISTMAS EBOOK!!!

2006-12-01T09:24:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

On behalf of my writing group and myself, I am pleased to announce the release of our holiday ebook, "Season's Greetings from The Writersville Gang"! This 70-page downloadable ebook is absolutely free with no strings attached. This is our way of showing gratitude to the writing community. To get your free e-copy, visit http://www.writersville.homestead.com/seasonsgreetings.html.

Happy holidays to all of you!

New Zumaya Romance Imprint & Poll!

2006-11-21T11:19:00.000-08:00

Hi readers,

I've just been passed the news that Zumaya Publications is planning to open a romance imprint, but they have so many wonderful names to choose from, they can't decide which one to pick!

That's where you come in!

Here are the details:

This past July Zumaya Publications moved business operations from its long-time home in British Columbia to the warmer climes of Austin, Texas. In the coming year, we plan to implement a number of exciting changes, and we want to invite booklovers to join us and qualify for prizes in three special contests.

In January 2007, Zumaya will establish a new romance imprint. Our authors have come up with ten excellent ideas for a name for the imprint, and we're interested in finding out which of them appeals the most to readers. So, we've set up a poll on Yahoogroups at Name That Imprint. To vote for your favorites (yes, you can vote for more than one) just send an email to http://us.f509.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=name_that_imprint-subscribe%40yahoogroups.com.

If you're already registered with Yahoo Groups, you can just ask to add the group to your roster. Or go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/name_that_imprint/ and sign up directly.

When the poll ends on 15 December, we will enter the email addresses of the voters into a contest. Three will win a gift card worth $100, $50 or $25 provided by Zumaya authors, as well as some special personal gifts the authors are lining up as we speak; a complete list will be provided in a week or so. Not only that, we're offering five holiday-themed ebooks—three for adults and two for kids—free for the duration of the poll.

So, even if you don't read romance, come to Name That Imprint and let us know which of the names tickles your fancy.

____

So, help us out, won't you? Lots of prized (MONEY!) and if you click on the files there, you'll have access on two freebie Christmas books! Thanks muchly!

Dorothy Thompson
Editor, The Writer's Life
www.thewriterslife.net

Virtual Book Tour - Stop # 4 - Nutter's Gang!

2006-11-06T07:14:00.000-08:00

Omg...I have my very first review!

Everyone...hop over to Michelle E. Ellis' blog at http://www.meellis.blogspot.com/ where she's hosting me today and read my very first review! I'm about to have a boomer chick conniption!

What I found really neat is that my eBook, A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published eBook, has given Michelle ideas for promoting her already-published eBooks which has given her the confidence to query RT Magazine! Woo-hoo! Go Michelle! Let us know what you find out!

Everyone...pleeeeze, go over to Michelle's blog and leave a comment!

Virtual Book Tour

2006-11-01T08:25:00.000-08:00

Good morning everyone!

I'm happy to announce that I will be touring blogs this month in my first ever virtual book tour for my eBook "A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published eBook"!

I will be stopping off at blogs all over the country and talking about promoting your own eBooks (really it's not as hard as you think) in case you wanted to generate some Christmas spending money, or just in case you might want to do this yourself in the near future.

If you would like to follow along with me, you can visit my promoting eBooks blog at eBook Promotion for Self-Published Authors to find out where I'll be going next.

My first stop is today at Kathy Holmes' blog, "Women's Fiction With Attitude"! So, follow that link, and if you have any questions about self-publishing or promoting eBooks, or promoting in general, leave a comment in her blog and I'll answer it there for you.

Happy promoting to you and see you there!

FREE HALLOWEEN EBOOK

2006-10-30T13:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween, everyone!

In honor of All Hallows Eve, my writing group, The Writersville Gang, and I are giving away a FREE Halloween eBook for anyone who loves reading about ghosties and bumps in the night!

All you have to do is visit www.writersville.homestead.com/hauntedhappenings.html to find out how you can get your free copy!

Enjoy and have a safe Halloween!

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooo.......

Dorothy

A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published eBook

2006-09-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

Okay, gang, it's here! A COMPLETE GUIDE TO PROMOTING & SELLING YOUR SELF-PUBLISHED EBOOK has arrived. If you would like to make money from the comfort of your home with no overhead and 100% profit, it's time to start thinking about writing your own eBook and selling it yourself. Why yourself and not an e-publisher?

Glad you asked.

YOU can do everything they can do, and all the profits are yours alone.

And don't think you can't do it, either. I've done it, and I will continue doing it because while I'm waiting for the royalty checks to come in from my other books and while I'm waiting for a NY contract for yet other books, I'm making money.

How do you make money from a book others have to read over the Internet?

You are so inquisitive!

But, that's what I'm here for. My eBook, A COMPLETE GUIDE TO PROMOTING & SELLING YOUR SELF-PUBLISHED EBOOK, explains it all. It's a 120-page PDF-formatted guide to show you how to promote your ebooks better than an e-publisher can. How?

By implementing the steps I've outlined in the eBook, you are guaranteed sales. While it may take time to complete, you'll be able to sit back and enjoy that added revenue you didn't have before.

I mean, think about it. It's a win-win situation. You can't go wrong.

My eBook, priced at $19.99, is comparable to others selling for hundreds. You read that right. HUNDREDS. And people are buying them.

People love information they can't get over the Internet or other places, and people are buying them because this priceless information is condensed into one easy-to-read and easy-to-follow location. By opening up my ebook and following the directions in each section, you'll find ideas of where to promote your eBook you never thought of before.

Oh, how I wish this information would have been available when my first eBook was published by an e-publisher. The money I have lost can never be regained, but the knowledge I have accumulated since has enabled me to promote my own eBooks with guaranteed sales.

Dan Poynter, marketing guru and author of over 100 self-published eBooks says,
“It does not matter if you sell out to a large (NY) publisher or publish yourself, the author must do the promotion. It does not matter if you publish a pBook (paper) or an eBook, the book must be promoted. Promotion methods are not the same for pBooks and eBooks. You can promote your eBook for little or no cost. A COMPLETE GUIDE TO PROMOTING & SELLING YOUR SELF-PUBLISHED EBOOK shows you how to promote your electronic book.”

If you'd like to find out more about A COMPLETE GUIDE TO PROMOTING & SELLING YOUR SELF-PUBLISHED EBOOK, visit www.thewriterslife.net/promoteebook.html. For more tips on how to sell your eBook, visit my new promoting blog "eBook Promotion for Self-Published Authors" at www.selfpublishedebookpromotion.blogspot.com.

Happy sales to you!

Romancing the Soul - # 2 Bestselling Book at Zumaya Publications

2006-09-12T18:12:00.000-07:00

Wonderful news...I just found out (thanks to Kathy Holmes!) that Romancing the Soul, my soul mate anthology, is # 2 bestselling book at Zumaya Publications! Can I get a woop-woop????

Check it out at http://www.zumayapublications.html/!

Age is Just a Number

2006-08-23T05:42:00.000-07:00

Kathy made an interesting post today (see next post). What is the latest on hen lit anyway? Are people buying it and, on another note, are publishers buying it?

I thought about this for awhile. As a reader, what age do I like my characters to be?

And, you know what I decided? It really didn't matter as long as I enjoyed the book. If the book sucked, I put it down, but age never really came into it.

This is why I feel that when we market our books written with the protags "of a certain age," drop the hen lit moniker and call them women's fiction.

You know, some of the best books I've ever read had the main protags as children and teenagers, and I'm nowhere near that age, but I really enjoyed them.

"Heide"...everyone remembers that book...wasn't that the most delightful book you've ever read? How about "Go Ask Alice"? That book was the most wonderful book of its time and was written from a teenager's POV. Just the other day I bought "Peter Pan" from Walmart because it was 2/$1.00, and I bought "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," too.

Okay, they are classics and it was such a bargain so maybe they don't count.

So as I am a woman "of a certain age," and I have written a book with the protag "of a certain age," what books do I buy normally?

It doesn't matter because what books I do buy lately, I have read excerpts up on the author's website and loved it enough to buy the book. The last one was a how-to book, but as far as fiction goes, I would have to say it was a protag in their late thirties. But, it didn't matter how old they were. I wanted the book and I wasn't disappointed.

Would I buy a book with the protag "of a certain age"? Sure, I would because age does not matter. The story has to be compelling. It has to be one I've heard others say was great or after I read the excerpt, I knew this was a book I'd be interested in.

So when people say that chick lit is dead or hen lit is dead (or dying or whatever they are saying...marketing ploy?...gotta admit that's a wild one), I tell them to get over it because it doesn't matter what age the protag is. The story is what matters.

So, all you "chick lit" writers or "hen lit" writers, call your book a woman's fiction because, basically, that's what it is. We went through the stage of having a certain name for it, but let's not box ourself in like that. We could call them "women's fiction with an edge," but then I'm sure someone would come up with a moniker for that, too. Don't let them have that opportunity. They'll eventually come up with ways to call that a marketing ploy, too.

As for Transita, maybe they shouldn't have boxed themselves in with one genre, also. It's like one of those specialized stores in the mall that sell to one particular market. Eventually, they do something to expand that market or they go under. I hate to see that happen to anyone.

In retrospect, don't box yourself in, either. Women's fiction is versatile. Maybe we should stick with that and not put ourselves in a position where we're labeled. But, while we cater to the public and the publishers who we wish would publish us, we're still hen litters at heart. And, keep writing those stories about women (and men) "of a certain age," because if the story is intriguing enough, it will sell, and the public will buy.

And the Survey says ...

2006-06-22T08:48:00.000-07:00

Hey Ladies -

I'm conducting a survey in conjunction with research I'm doing for my E-book.

Chicks Over 40: Real Life, Real Women

How to rev up your life at any age

So, please come on over and give me your input. It's online, anonymous and will only take a minute. You can access the survey from my web site or go directly here.

This should be helpful, too, in light of today's post on the Wylie-Merrick agency blog. It talks about how you can write from your heart or you can write what the readers want. Well, I say readers over 40 want books about women over 40 - and not just the stereotypical ones out there, either. So, let's do everything we can to let NY know what we want as readers. And then maybe they'll come looking for us, as writers. :)

Thank you.
Kathy

Agent Kristin on Lady/Hen Lit

2006-06-14T11:18:00.000-07:00

We've been so blessed in having so many wonderful agents answer our questions in Dorothy's TWLAuthorTalks group. Agent Kristin is no exception. In fact, I received an interesting response from her about the state of lady/hen lit. She said that while editors say they want stories about women over 40, when you give it to them, they seem to suggest that it would work better if the protagonist was 30 rather than 47. Hmmm ... I can believe that.

Still, she thinks there really is a market out there for the over 40 crowd but it has to be something different than what she's seeing. It can't be the stereotypical husband leaves wife for younger woman. It needs to focus on what real women in their 40s and up are going through.

That sounds like just what I've been saying in my complaints about the lady/hen lit I've been seeing on the bookshelves. Still, my manuscripts must not be hitting the right mark either. Others must not see the story I think I'm telling. And that gives me something to think about, to figure out where my books are falling short. Perhaps it sounds too much like "chick lit" - meaning the characters sound too young. So they think they're seeing the same old thing and miss the deeper story underneath the surface. Or it could just be they haven't found the right home yet. Who knows? Still, something to consider.

In my latest manuscript, the focus really isn't on age. There's a vague allusion that they're in their late 30s but nothing much more is said about it. And in the wip I just started, it's not even an issue at all - I have no idea how old this protagonist is yet. But it seems to be turning into a thriller. So it could be the perfect venue to introduce the age thing. Because age seems to be the scariest thing of all. :)

- Kathy

The State of Hen Lit

2006-06-13T10:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Dorothy, this group seems to still be alive and well. I'm so glad. So, what's happening in the world of lady lit or hen lit anyway? Anybody care to report in?

During my morning blog reading of Camy's Loft, I stumbled upon this book, RV There Yet? It looks like they're still publishing our books. So what is the future for hen lit? I'm hoping that Agent Kristin can answer that question during Dorothy's TWLAuthorTalks chat with Kristin this week.

In the meantime, I'm still writing books about women who are 40ish. "Real Women Wear Red" is still being considered by publishers and my latest, "Vent of a Woman" is also starting to make the rounds. I'm also writing articles for various sites including the latest, Fabulously Forty. Remember, you don't have to be 40 to believe that life not only continues after forty but gets even better. Feel free to drop by, sign up, read articles, blog, or just hang out.

So, what's everybody else doing?

Kathy

Literary Agent Kristin Nelson in TWL Author Talks!

2006-06-09T18:46:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to announce that literary agent Kristin Nelson will be fielding questions in TWL Author Talks on Monday, June 12, 2006 for the entire week! Last week, as you know, we had the talented Jenny Bent and the response was overwhelming! Fifty people signed up overnight, so now's your chance to get in on finding the agent of your dreams!

Now, here's the coolest news....Kristin has agreed to a pitch slam on Friday, June 16th!

So, what's a pitch slam?

A pitch slam is summing up your entire book in one sentence, in this case, and having one of our literary agent guests tell you if it's something they would be looking for or not. Not as easy as you think.

Last week, we had Jenny Bent giving her input on the pitches and you'd be amazed at how hard it is. While some of us walked away with out tails tucked between our legs, we learned just what it is that makes a pitch stand out and was an invaluable lesson!

Kirsten Mortenson, one of the members of TWL Author Talks, explains some of the things that Jenny didn't like in the pitches people submitted while she was a guest (thank you, Kirsten!): 1. Not original enough/has been "done to death."Takeaway: Make sure your pitch shows that you have the twist/color that makes your concept stand out from similar novels. 2. Pitch confusing. Couldn't tell who was doing what.Takeaway: Edit out extraneous information. Make sure its clear to what/whom the pronouns of your sentences are referring. Maybe follow a fairly simple setup/conflict/resolution structure in your sentence to make sure it's easy to follow . . . 3. Missing story "arc."Don't just list the characters and setting. Make sure you've also set up the main conflict and resolution. 4. Conflict not compelling.Make sure the conflict you've presented is "big" enough to show that you've got a strong plot. 5. Bland title.
Jenny got me on #2. I totally confused her and I'm revising before the next pitch slam with Kristin Nelson.

Another member of TWL Author Talks, China, explains just what it might take to gain an agent's interest in a pitch slam:

"There are a few different ways, that I know of, to do a one sentence pitch. I'm not saying these are the only or best ways, or guaranteed to work, or anything like that. These are just a few of the ways we learned to do them at the creative writing program from which I graduated.

**Note--my examples are not real, and shouldn't be held against me. ;)

The first technique: Character, Conflict, Hook

Describe your character, why we should care about him or her (ie the conflict), and what makes this book different from any other with a similar theme or storyline.

A lot of times the different parts of your pitch blur--your conflict can also be a hook, or your hook can also be a conflict.

Example: A struggling single mother (character and conflict al lwrapped into one) loses her job (conflict) and finds the only way to support her family is to become a stripper (hook, conflict). That's a little low concept and a whole lot rough, but I hope itillustrates the technique.

**********

The second technique: GMC (Goal, motivation, conflict)

This is pretty similar to character, conflict, hook. It's simple--your one sentence should introduce your character, explain his or her motivation, his or her goal, and his or her conflict.

Example: When a waitress (character) is inadvertently sucked into another dimension (conflict), she must battle not only the forces of darkness but her own inner demons (conflict AND motivation) in order to find her way home (goal and motivation). As with the CCH style pitch, sometimes the goal, motivation and conflict can intertwine.

************

Third technique: The high concept pitch.

In this one, you mostly introduce the concept of your story.

Example: Martians and vampires fight for world domination, leaving astring of human bodies in their wake.

There are many other techniques, but I want to add in some general tips.

1. You don't need to give very much detail about your character, plot or world. This should be your story boiled down to its absolute barest bone structure.

2. Using a character archetype is more effective than using character specifics, and also cuts down on length. Use "a washed up musician," rather than, "Lenny Diamond, a struggling singer-songwriter in his 50s..."

3. Your pitch--even a single sentence pitch--should have a little bit of the flavor and tone of your story. If you write light and frothy, your pitch should be light and frothy. If you write with a quick wit, your pitch should display some of that. If you're writing humor, your pitch should be at least a little funny/witty."

Thank you, China!

I can't imagine doing this in person. I know many authors who have gotten book deals this way, but who knows, maybe there's a book deal or two that will be result out of our virtual book slams with our agent guests. If nothing else, it gives you invaluable input by professionals in the field. See you there!

Dorothy, moderator TWL Author Talks

Dorothy Thompson “The Soul Mate Queen’s” Virtual Blog Tour

2006-04-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

Dorothy Thompson, also known as The Soul Mate Queen, announces her first virtual blog tour stop at Lisa Renee Jones’ blog at http://lisareneejonesjournal.blogspot.com/ to announce her new relationship e-class “The Soul Mate Triangle – Unlocking the Mysteries of the Soul Mate Relationship” which will begin taking students on May 1, 2006.

“The Soul Mate Triangle – Unlocking the Mysteries of the Soul Mate Relationship” is a one-on-one personalized relationship e-class that is guaranteed to find your soul mate(s) by the end of the class or your money back. This is an ongoing relationship e-class – sign up whenever it’s convenient for YOU – that is delivered to your e-mail box. This is to provide for you total anonymity and so that Dorothy can evaluate your situation and help you in areas that need attention without anyone else knowing who you are or interfering with the process.

Hurry over to Lisa’s blog today because the virtual blog tour ends on Wednesday!

If you would like to learn more about this e-class, you can visit www.soulmatequeen.homestead.com/eclass101.html. If you have any questions, you can email Dorothy at thewriterslife(at)yahoo.com.

May all your soul mate dreams come true!

Dorothy

New Free E-book for Writers

2006-02-18T17:18:00.000-08:00

Hi gang,

I just wanted you to know that my writing group and I have put the final touches on our first publishing venture called "A Funny Thing Happened...On the Way to Getting Published."

It's a collaberated effort of thirteen of the members of The Writer's Life, an online Yahoo! group that was founded in 2001. This is the first e-book in the line of many more e-books we have planned in the upcoming year.

And it's absolutley FREE!

If you want to find out how you can get your free e-book, click here.

Please fill out the form when you get there to support your fellow hen litter, okay?

Thanks!!!!

HenLit "the next thing"

2005-11-28T16:06:00.000-08:00

I was playing tennis with a writer that some of you know, Cara Lockwood. I told her about my travails and troubles with getting a decent agent. I mentioned that I'm doing contemporary fantasy, which she said is really going to be popular soon. I sure hope so.
But then I popped my HenLit idea on her and she just practically squealed: "HenLit! Yes, that's the next thing." She even guessed the title when I gave her the basic plot idea. I guess that 's a sign that I should write this this novel, isn't it, ladies?

Meanwhile, I got a request from a very hot agent for a partial on my fantasy novel. And...a movie company said no, but very nicely. They really enjoyed reading the novel...just not for them. One day, I will figure out what those code words mean.

Anyway, hope Cara's view is the right one. We should strike while the metaphor is hot!

Lynn

"Hens"/"Ladies" and our reading habits

2005-11-21T16:58:00.000-08:00

I like the term LadyLit - even though it does conjure up the picture of a tipsy English dowager. But I digress .. . .and I haven't even started on the topic.

As a Hen/Lady/Crone/Goddess of a Certain Age, I read books written about protagonists of all age groups (and all ethnic, religions and sex groups, too).

I think we (the above category of reader although speaking mainly of my own fine-self) are more diverse in our thinking - women in our age group see the world as a whole and not as compartments. "Well, now, let's see, Martha, I can't read THAT book because it's about a female transvestite who is a fallen Catholic practicing Witchcraft as a Wizard. I could just never relate." I know that's a bit far-fetched. But as someone who reads diverse genres and (GASP!) literary fiction, I am not really opposed to reading about the aforementioned female transvestite - as long as it's an interesting story - one that will hold my interest.

I've met a lot of people over fifty who've read (and reread) every Harry Potter book - good stories.

On the other hand, I would like to see stories about women like me - fiftish, a tad overweight but still sexy, bright and charming, intelligent and empowered. We are out there - and I, for one, am working on a couple of entries into that category.

So, ladies, keep up the good work. Write those entertaining stories.
We are a force. A beautiful, rounded, soft, loving, intelligent force.

Mitzi
www.mitzimusings.blogspot.com

PS - Thanks to those of you who comment on my meanderings on my blog. Nice to know my words are not lost in cyberspace.

Enough with the stilettos

2005-11-19T10:37:00.000-08:00

I have to agree with Kathy....Women in the over 40, over 50 and yes, even the over 60 age group (though I'm not there yet) have a lot to offer the reading public.

We're not all working in the corporate-climbing positions, or spending our Saturday evenings whining/wining either with a "boyfriend" or because of lack of one. The most important thing in our life might not be designer clothes, numbers on the scale, working out at a gym or that pair of stiletto heels we simply must have.

Many of us have evolved from the "chick" to the "hen" and have the life experience to prove it and yes, write about it. We had the chick lit issues once....but hopefully, many of us baby boomers have moved forward. We've reached a point in our lives where we know who we are and some of us even like that person that evolved. We no longer require the approval, reassurance and false friendships that we once did.

So we come to the publishing world with a whole different set of issues/topics.....from being a primary caregiver, to opening our own business, to being alone for maybe the first time in our lives, and all of it has been a learning experience.

Hey, seniority counts for something and hopefully the publishing world will soon see that many women in the reading world would like to read about something other than the newest pair of stilettos or what it's like being 30. We've been 30 and all the years that followed is what has given us the developed characters and plots that should make "hen lit" a top seller.

Chick Lit is Real Fiction for Real Women

2005-11-14T06:19:00.000-08:00

Interesting article about chick lit and its sub-genres posted on the chick lit group:

Women's lives are reflected in 'chick lit' genre

I love how the genre is spreading and is beginning to encompass a new voice for women's fiction. But, as the article mentions, one of the problems with hen lit is that the genre title alone is disparaging and the individual book titles all sound so angry or unenticing. But not only are women in general disparaged, including their fiction, but older women are denigrated even more. I think it's time to fight back. Show what real live women are all about - no matter their age. How do we do that? I don't know exactly but I'm willing to sound the battle cry. :) In the meantime, we just keep writing. And maybe our numbers will speak for themselves. And we'll leave our mark on women's fiction in general.

Hen Lit Dismissed as "Clever Marketing Ploy"

2005-10-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

Received this from Transita today:

***
"On Women's Hour today (Thursday 13th) Jenni Murray, Philippa Gregory and Mavis Cheek discussed the growing phenomenon of "Matron Lit" or "Hen Lit" or whatever it is they're calling it these days.

Disappointingly in our view it didn't really address the issues we'd hoped would emerge and the whole movement was dismissed as a "clever marketing ploy".

While we're over the moon that Philippa thinks we're clever, we were slightly taken aback when the view was expressed that "women simply don't want to read books like this".

If our website membership is anything to go by then we must reluctantly disagree with their proposition but we'd like them to hear it from you.

So, I guess the question we're asking is, do you want these type of books or are we whistling in the wind?

If you'd like to make your views known please visit our website and take part in this quick straw poll.

Transita Poll

When the results are in we'll pass them on to the BBC."

***
I would be curious what the issues were that she was hoping to address. While I'm all for older women being featured in fiction these days, so far I haven't really enjoyed the stories. Anyway, you can decide for yourself and vote on their web page.

Chick Lit Out, Matron Lit In

2005-10-11T17:18:00.000-07:00

A new generation of romantic heroines are as likely to ascribe their hot flushes to the menopause as to the proximity of a tall, dark handsome stranger.
Publishers on both sides of the Atlantic are abandoning “chick lit” in favour of a new breed of romance reflecting the experiences of the older woman.

Read rest of the article on The Telegraph.

I know this is a month-old article and probably was used to promote Transita, but when I came upon this article in a search, my eyes widened. Keep talking hen lit, baby. This is music to this hen's ears!