Mother's Day Gift: THE OTHER LIFE

I've been hearing from a lot of folks who are buying THE OTHER LIFE as a Mother's Day gift and want to know how to get a signed copy. This really touches me, because at its essence, this book is about the power and magic of motherhood.

So in honor of Mother's Day, I'm making bookplates available for free. Whether you're buying the book for someone or requesting a copy for yourself, I'm happy to send you a signed, personalized bookplate. These are self-adhesive stickers that can go right into the front of the book. Just drop me a line and let me know:

1. Who to make it out to
and
2. Where to send it


That's it. If you're in the U.S., I'll pay the postage.

THE OTHER LIFE is available at your local bookstore. To buy online, visit any cyber bookseller, such as:
Amazon • Barnes & Noble •  Books-A-Million • Indie Bound • Powell's

Click here to read the BookPage review.

For more information, click here to visit my website, or watch the video:


THE OTHER LIFE by Ellen Meister from Ellen Meister on Vimeo.

Amazon • Barnes & Noble •  Books-A-Million • Indie Bound • Powell's

Friday Update 4/15/11

God, this week blew by in a blur. I guess it's because I lost some time due to being sick. It's kind of like going into suspended animation. But I'm on the mend, so onward. Here's the latest ...

• Huge thanks to the wonderful folks at the Dolphin Bookshop in Port Washington. They hosted a terrific book club event for THE OTHER LIFE on Tuesday, and it drew a smart and engaged crowd. I had a great time! I left behind some signed books ... an inspired idea for Mother's Day!

• Great Reader's Review here from Michele Stefanides!

• I had a lot of fun with the Dear Social Media letter I posted on the Girlfriends Book Club blog this week. Check it out.

• THE OTHER LIFE got a positive review from BookReporter.

• I hope you'll click here to see the review from BookPage.

• Huge thanks to my pal Katrina Denza for scanning and sending this clip from her local NC newspaper:

Have a great weekend!

Dear Social Media, you slut

Read my letter to that fickle lover, Social Media, on the Girlfriends Book Club Blog.

Friday Update 4/8

My big excitement this week was that I  appeared on channel 11 PIX, a popular TV station here in NY. It all happened very fast. On Tuesday I was contacted by someone at CafeMom, who wanted to know if I had a strong opinion on sometimes letting a kid cry it out, versus immediately rushing in every time. It so happens I believe it's vitally important to teach your children they can soothe themselves. And it's a lesson my kids have taught me over and over.

Case in point: When my oldest was a baby, he refused to hold his bottle like other kids his age. I showed him how to do it again and again, but he only dropped it and screamed. I knew he was physically capable of holding it--he just didn't want to.

I thought it was important for him to reach this developmental milestone. So one day I sat him facing me on the floor and put his bottle between us. He screamed and screamed. I kept reassuring him that the bottle was right there if he wanted it. He was  furious! But I just kept telling him it was okay. He could pick up the bottle any time he wanted.

And of course, he did at last. From then on he loved holding his bottle. Letting them cry it out is usually the harder route to take, but the better choice for the child. Anyway, here's the very short segment:

 

Other highlights this week:

• THE OTHER LIFE is on the BookPage list of THE TOP 20 BOOKS OF 2011 (SO FAR). Woot! Please click here to read the BookPage review that got so much attention.

• Last week I told you how thrilled I was that THE OTHER LIFE was selected as April's Book Club Pick by Bookbundlz. This week they posted an interview with me, and I hope you'll check it out.

• Very happy with this review from the Simply Me blog

• Big thanks to Lisa Kudrow for sending a message to her Facebook followers about my NPR interview!

• An extra-special shout-out to Angie Atkinson and the WM Freelance Writers Connection for featuring me on their blog this week!

Have a great weekend ...

The New Old Technology

Phone conversation with Dad ...

DAD: There's an article in the New York Post about the Algonquin Hotel's new cat.
ME: Thanks for the heads up. I'll see if it's online.
DAD: If not, you should run out and get the paper.
ME: Or you can just send me the article.
DAD: How would I do that?
ME: Cut it out of the paper, fold it, put it an envelope and write my address on it.
DAD:
ME:
DAD: I can do that.

Friday Update 4/1/11

No April Fool's jokes today, I promise! Maybe I'm crotchety, but I'm finding them all so tiresome.

Anyway, this is late because I had a doctor's appointment this morning. That might explain the missing funny bone today, but I checked out okay (yay!), so no worries.

Here's the latest:

• Big woot, as THE OTHER LIFE has been selected as the April Book Club Pick by Bookbundlz! http://www.bookbundlz.com/

• Breaking news: I'm going to be an app! If you have an iPhone or an Android, you'll soon be able to view a Skype interview between yours truly and Adam Curry. Stay tuned for more information. (Meanwhile, if you haven't yet downloaded The Big App Show, check it out--it's free.)

• Big thanks to Andrea Cosans at LonelyFriday.org for the great interview.

• Really enjoyed meeting Mary and the gang at the Huntington book club this week! Thanks so much for having me.

• The folks at Murder by 4 invited me to blog about how I got my HBO deal, and I called it WHO DO I HAVE TO KILL? Check it out.

• Mad crazy week and I'm behind on EVERYTHING. So if I owe you a call or an email or whatever, my apologies. Scrambling to catch up ...

Have a great weekend!

Friday Update 3/25/11

Here's the latest ...

• I'm giving away an audiobook over on my Facebook author page. To enter, click here and "like" the page. The rest is self-explanatory.

• THE OTHER LIFE got a sweet shout-out in the Columbus Dispatch.

• And also in the industry trade, Shelf Awareness.

• If you've been on the fence about reading THE OTHER LIFE, please click here to read the prologue and first chapter. I hope it wins you over!

• A new interview was just posted a blog called In the Next Room. Some cool questions about chick lit, HBO and more.

• I'm going to stop here because I have too much work to do, and am just plain cranky over being the object of someone's misdirected right wing rage.

Enjoy your weekend ...

Is it Friday already? The 3/18/11 update ...

Wow. Last Sunday my NPR interview aired and the response knocked me out. I got wonderful emails from friends, family and strangers. Tweeters, bloggers and other kind folks linked the NPR podcast all over the Internet.  And it looks like sales got a big boost. On Sunday morning, THE OTHER LIFE's Amazon ranking was in the 38,000s; by late afternoon it was in the 500s.

Also, I was shocked to discover that Nook sales took off like a rocket. At one point in the day THE OTHER LIFE was the #1 ranked Nook on B&N's "Flying Off the Shelves" page!

Of course, the rest of the week was anticlimactic in comparison, but I'm still thrilled about the interview and the outcome. Huge thanks to NPR's Liane Hansen for the thoughtful, probing questions ... and for the chance to be on her acclaimed Weekend Edition show.

A few other highlights this week ...

• THE OTHER LIFE got an intense and outstanding review from BookPage, a popular industry publication. Here's a sample: "The choices in this novel are heartbreaking, and thoughtfully show the value of a mother’s support, guidance, steadfast love and sacrifices. How Quinn decides she’ll live at the novel’s close and with whom is never obvious, making for a riveting tale of love and choices."  Read the rest here.

• I'm extremely grateful to the Robin Kall for the terrific interview on her Saturday morning radio program, Reading with Robin, broadcast on WHJJ in Rhode Island, and streaming live everywhere. Robin is smart, down-to-earth and a great champion of books. And she has a way of making you feel like an old friend right from the start. I really enjoyed our chat, and will post a link to the podcast when it's available.

• Warmth and thanks to Liz and Lisa at chicklitisnotdead.com for the fun feature, which included a suitably ridiculous photo of me. And a special shout-out to all the wonderful folks who entered the drawing for a free book!

• Hugs and thanks to my sweet and supportive friend, Jill Thomas, for posting a review of THE OTHER LIFE on her blog.

• LonelyFriday.org posted a review that I loved from start of finish. One of my faves! You can read it here.

• Some nice quotes this week. From The Midwest Book Review: "The Other Life" is an exciting and suspenseful novel of choosing ones path in life, highly recommended."  And from the San Francisco Book Review: "This is a gripping tale about choices and self discovery."

• I also love this quote from a blog called Debbie's Book Bag: ""This was an amazing book! Ellen Meister has given readers a book that will touch them to their core ... great for book clubs, mothers and daughters and for those who have issues with their own choices in life. I recommend this one to my readers whole-heartedly. It's contemporary fiction at it's best!"

• I got some kind of a shout-out on the Indie Bestseller List. No, THE OTHER LIFE is not actually ON the list, but it's near it. Sweet to be a "favorite." Click here and scroll down.

• By now even I'm getting sick of myself, so I can only imagine how you must feel. Time to switch gears and give a few shouts for friends ...

     ♦ I don't read much nonfiction, but I'm DYING to read Laura Snyder's THE PHILOSOPHICAL  BREAKFAST CLUB, which is getting outstanding reviews everywhere.

     ♦ Susan Henderson is the featured author at Smith Magazine. Click it and read those few sentences and you'll immediately understand why I adore her so.

     ♦ So thrilled that my pal Michael Palmer is burning up the bestseller lists (again!) with his newest thriller, A HEARTBEAT AWAY.

As heard on NPR ...

Big day yesterday, as my NPR interview with Liane Hansen aired on The Morning Edition. I'm a huge NPR fan, so this was a dream come true.

If you missed it, click here to listen to the podcast.

Friday Update 3/11/11

Whoa ... crazy schedule today. Here's a real fast Friday update:

• RADIO DAYS - It's a big radio weekend for me. Check it out ...

Sunday on NPR
I'm a huge NPR fan and I'm thrilled that you'll get to hear me answer Liane Hansen's probing questions about THE OTHER LIFE this Sunday morning on The Weekend Edition. Click here to find your local station and time.

Or, to hear the program online from 8am - 10am (Eastern time) click here to access a live stream from WNYC.

Saturday on WHJJ
I'm going to be interviewed live on the air by Robin Kall, host of Reading with Robin on WHJJ in Providence, RI. To listen online from anywhere, click here at 7:30 am Eastern time.

Right Now on Texas Public Radio
You can hear me talk about THE OTHER LIFE right now via podcast on Texas Public Radio.

• REVIEWS
Some great reviews of THE OTHER LIFE appeared this week, and I'm thrilled to share them ...

     Reviews from the Heart: 5 out of 5 stars!

    BookNAround "The themes of love and loss are well-drawn and realistic and the ending of the story is really quite perfectly written ... This book would be a fantastic choice for reading groups given its premise and all the issues Meister raises."


    That's What She Read "The Other Life is beautifully written, presenting Quinn's agony with care and accuracy. Ms. Meister does a great job ... "

• OTHER NEWS

Big thanks to The Book End Babes for making THE OTHER LIFE a March pick!

Very excited that my essay on writing appears on the Back Page Column of The San Francisco Book Review. Read it here.



Have a great weekend ... and please don't forget to tune into NPR on Sunday morning!

Essay in San Francisco Book Review

Happy and honored that my essay about writing goals now appears on The Back Page of the San Francisco Book Review.

If you’re like most writers, you spend a lot of time thinking about some elusive writing goal. Whether it’s landing a literary agent, finishing your memoir, publishing a novel or getting your first short story acceptance, it looms like a magnificent finish line. And beyond it, bliss.

Eight years ago, after months of soul-crushing rejections, I got the call writers dream about ...

Read more

Friday Update 3/4

Big thanks to everyone who came to my Barnes & Noble/Carle Place event last night! Great crowd, and though I'm sorry some of you had to stand, I have to admit that SRO is kind of gratifying ... especially since I was worried that no one would show up.

Here's more news ...

• Looks like my NPR interview will air on Sunday, 3/13. More on that soon.

• Nice feature on Newsday.com yesterday. Click here to read the article. (Click here if you can't view it the entire story.)

• Huge thanks to the Girls Just Reading blog for the insightful and interesting interview questions! Please click here to read it.

• Savvy Verse & Wit posted this very thoughtful (and positive) review of THE OTHER LIFE.

• Also thrilled with this wonderful review from Raging Bibliomania.

• Sweet surprise--Sherryl Connelly of the New York Daily News did a roundup of books with a local setting and included THE OTHER LIFE:

click image for larger view

• I loved this feature about the cover art for THE OTHER LIFE on a B&N blog.

• Extra-special Goodreads review from JoAnn Jordan this week, in which she says, "[THE OTHER LIFE] is the most beautiful book I have read in years. "  Read the rest here.

• In Colloquium, Janie Hickok Siess gives an impressively thoughtful and in-depth review of THE OTHER LIFE, saying "It is impossible to put the book down because the story is so unique and the issues Meister explores so multi-layered and fascinating you are compelled to keep reading to see what Quinn will do next .... ‎The exploration of Quinn Braverman's journey to that place of empowerment over her own life is an exhilarating and thoughtful one that lovers of women's fiction should not miss." 


• Debbi Honorof did a wonderful interview with Jodi Picoult in the March issue of Long Island Woman. Check it out!


• Great local coverage in the Syosset Jericho Tribune! Huge thanks to all my friends and relatives who reached out after seeing this. Really appreciate the support. xo


• Overzealous spam filters seem to be snatching my emails from the inboxes of my subscribers, and I can't seem to find a way around that. Frustrating! But you can click here to see my latest newsletter.


Have a great weekend!

Friday Update 2/25

Busy and emotional week here. My darling daughter has been away (sniff) since Sunday. Another family whisked her away on a Disney cruise and she's having the time of her life. When I say the house is quiet without her, I'm not exaggerating. It's like someone hit the mute button.

In other news ...

• Last Friday night was my book launch event for THE OTHER LIFE and I think it's safe to say it was a smashing success. Over 150 people came and it was standing room only. Huge thanks to Book Revue for hosting it, and to everyone who came and bought books. I promised a portion of my proceeds to NSSA (Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism) and I'll be making a nice fat check out today.

Special shout-out to Michael Sammis for rounding up the troops for the event!

• If you want to see the Q & A portion, check this out. The dorky opening is a little embarrassing, but I have to own it ...



• If you missed this event I would LOVE to see you at my next book talk at the Barnes & Noble in Carle Place. It's this Thursday, 3/3 at 7:30. Here's the ad they ran yesterday in Newsday:

• A bit of non-book fun on Wednesday night—my cousin Lisa Kudrow appeared at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria to discuss her brilliant show, THE COMEBACK, and we went to see it. She was smart and funny and so engaging. I adore her. Btw, the entire season is available on DVD.  Hilarious ...

• Yesterday was a big day for me, as I went into the Bryant Park studio of NPR to record an interview about THE OTHER LIFE with Liane Hansen of the Weekend Edition. Her questions were intelligent and probing, and I felt good about my answers. I'm a huge NPR fan, so this qualifies as a dream come true. Hope to get an air date soon.

• Another fun thing yesterday was the happy surprise of discovering that Books-A-Million was promoting THE OTHER LIFE on their Facebook page.

• Woke up this morning to a Google alert about an article in the Syosset Jericho Tribune. Nice!

• Here's a very cool interview from The Book Doctors. I love the questions they asked about switching genres, handling rejection and more.

• Shout-out to Ethan for passing his permit test!!! Woooooooooot!

UPDATED TO ADD:
There are now signed copies of THE OTHER LIFE available in New York City at the Penn Plaza Borders and the Barnes & Noble on Fifth Ave. (bet. 45th & 46th), and on Long Island at Book Revue in Huntington and the Barnes & Noble stores in Carle Place, Manhasset and Huntington Station.

Friday Update 2/18/11

Today's my big day--I have my book launch event at Book Revue, and if you're local I hope you'll come. It starts at 7, but for insiders like you there's a wine & cheese reception at 6:30.


I'm so keyed up I've been awake since 4 am, so I might collapse halfway through. But let's hope adrenaline keeps me going.


A lot of reviews, interviews and other things went live this week, so I have much to share. Here goes ...


• Susan Henderson's interview with me on The Nervous Breakdown went live about five minutes ago. She's a brilliant writer and reader, and asked truly provocative questions. I hope you'll read it!


• Whoosh! Pretty spectacular review in The New York Journal of Books.


• If you're not on my mailing list, here's what you missed yesterday.


• I was interviewed by Jennifer Haupt for Psychology Today, and she asked smart, probing questions. Take a look.


• It was a real honor that I got to blog for the Penguin site this week!


• From the Girls Just Reading blog: "If you are looking for a nice light read, this novel isn't it.  If you are looking for a novel that will bring you to tears in the best way possible, this is it."  Read more.

• Nice words from a reviewer who loved the book despite that (sniff) she didn't fall in love with my darling Quinn. "Meister has constructed an exquisite book, one which shows, rather than asks, the “what if” questions in one’s life ... a beautiful look at the love between mothers and their children, healing, loss, and unconditional love." Rundpine review.


• The Best Damn Creative Writing Blog gives the book a "Highly Recommended" and does a fab job with the summary. Read it here.


• Bookworm Baby gives THE OTHER LIFE 5 stars. More here.


• I really love this heartfelt review from Boston Book Bums.


• S. Krishna's Books said, "The Other Life was an engaging read that will leave readers reflecting on their own lives."  See the review here.


• The Lost Entwife says, "I devoured this book, and "The Other Life will make a fantastic book club read and will be on my mind quite a bit in the upcoming days." Read more here.


• Holly Weiss says, "The Other Life is fascinating, original and intriguing. Exploring the complexities of mother/daughter dynamics, the book examines the consequences when that love is put to the ultimate test. If you are longing for invigorating, relevant writing over a broad emotional plane, you will love this book. Be prepared to be touched deeply." You can read the rest of her wonderful review here.


• Lots of love from my darling friend Robin Slick this week. Here's her generous blog entry.


• Speaking of brilliant friends, Susan DiPlacido posted a review so beautiful I nearly wept.


• Yesterday I got to blog for the Girlfriends Book Club and wrote a post called THE CALL or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Being in Suspense.

• Nice shout-out today in Newsday with a picture of the book cover. Sweet! The visual isn't online, so if you have the paper, check out page B4.


• One last thing and (gasp!) it's not about me. My pal Michael Palmer's gorgeous new thriller, A HEARTBEAT AWAY is now in stores. I know it's going to tear up the bestseller lists. Don't miss it!

It's pub date and I have HUGE news!

Today is the official publication date for THE OTHER LIFE and my agent said I can let the cat out of the bag, so here goes ...

THE OTHER LIFE has been optioned by HBO for a TV series!

I found this out over the summer and was gobsmacked. This is the best news I ever got.

Understand that this is an option, which means it could be a while before I find out if the show will actually be produced, but I am over the moon!

Of course, I hope you'll want to read the book first ... maybe even buy your copy today. (Those early sales make all the difference!) You can find it at your favorite bookstore ... or online.
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Book Revue • Books-A-Million • Borders • Indie Bound • Powells

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I hope you're having a wonderful day, whether you celebrate Valentine's Day or not. Here are two special links I hope you enjoy.

This is my Valentine to you, readers, posted on the Penguin blog. I do hope you'll click in ... and maybe even share it with your friends.

And here's a Valentine's Day gift I got today from the wonderful author Susan McBride, who gave some special love to THE OTHER LIFE on Good Day St. Louis today:

Friday Update 2/11/11

A friend just posted on my Facebook wall, reminding me to BREATHE. Good advice, as I woke up today in a giddy frenzy, trying to remember all the last minutes details for the launch of the THE OTHER LIFE.

Here's the latest ....

• Thrilled with this new review over at BOOKFINDS, which says, "This is a powerful, moving and emotional story that is going to be a great read for book clubs." Woot!

• If you're in the NY/LI area, I hope you'll come to my  launch event at Book Revue next Friday, February 18. Details here.

• I have my outfit for the book launch all picked out, but am in desperate search for the perfect boots to go with it. Crapped out at Marshall's yesterday. DSW here I come ...

• If you can't make it to one of my book events, I hope you'll visit your local bookstore at the end of next week, or pre-order right now. (Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Book Revue • Books-A-Million • Borders • Indie Bound • Powells)  Either way, I'm happy to send you a signed bookplate. Just drop me an email and remember to include:
1. Who to make it out to
2. Where to send it

Have a great weekend!!

Friday Update 2/4

It's pre-pub crunch time, as I'm frantically scheduling interviews, writing guest blogs and answering questions. I'm not complaining, of course, but if I'm slow to return a phone call or an email, you'll know why.

Here's what happening ...

• Dream come true for an NPR junkie: Yesterday I got the exciting news that I'm going to be interviewed by Liane Hansen for the Weekend Edition ... heard on almost 600 radio stations across the U.S. and around the globe. I'm thrilled! More news when I get the schedule.

• Also excited about local coverage, as my hometown newspaper reached out for an interview.

• The American Booksellers Association posted the new Great Reads Indie Next list,  their recommendations for independent bookstores. I'm honored that THE OTHER LIFE is on the list. (Thanks to Lisa McMann for the heads up!)

• The Unbridled Editor posted a new book review that says "The Other Life sweeps you away."  Read the rest here.

• Big thanks to Jill Thomas for the fun and fabulous interview! Click here to read about my favorite curse word and more.

• A certain wonderkid is turning 19 this week. This is the same young man who made his mama a book trailer. (Want to make his day? Watch it on his YouTube channel and leave a comment) Happy birthday, darling Max!

• What I'm reading: HOMER AND LANGLEY by the extraordinary E.L. Doctorow.

• Delighted to send a free signed bookplate to anyone in the U.S. who pre-ordered THE OTHER LIFE. Just shoot me an email and tell me:
1. Who to make it out to
and
2. Where to send it

• Watch Who Do You Think You Are? tonight on NBC ... featuring Vanessa Williams, produced by my cousin Lisa Kudrow.

• I've decided I believe in hell after all, only it's not a fiery inferno, but a cruel, relentless, neverending loop of snowstorm after snowstorm after snowstorm, punctuated only by tire-eating potholes. Get ... me ... out ... of ... here ...

Enjoy your weekend.

Friday Update 1/28

But Enough About Me. Let's Talk About My Book.

I think that was once a cartoon caption in The New Yorker. If not, it should have been. At any rate, with three weeks until the publication of THE OTHER LIFE, things are going to get a little self-indulgent around here. I hope you'll forgive me--there's a lot riding on this, and it's push time. Also, people are being very kind about posting reviews and interviews, and I want to be sure I acknowledge that generosity with links.

Fortunately, I finished FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER this week and sent it off to my editor (yippee!), so now I can focus on promoting THE OTHER LIFE. Let's get started ...

• Author Holly Weiss posted a review that brought me to my knees. You can read the whole thing here.

• The February issue of Long Island Woman Magazine has a lovely feature about me, written by award-winning journalist Debbi  Honorof. Here's a direct link to the article.

• Author/editor/friend/fellow Zoetroper Michelle Garren Flye interviewed me as part of series she's running on choosing character names. Click here.

• Writer Bonnie R. Paulson posted a wonderful review of THE OTHER LIFE plus a really fun interview. I'm so grateful! Please click here to read it.

• The wonderful Shonell Bacon featured THE OTHER LIFE and my comments on her All The Blog's a Page "What is a good book?" series. Here's the link.

• If you're not coming to one of my book events, I hope you'll consider pre-ordering THE OTHER LIFE. Here are some handy links: Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Book Revue • Books-A-Million • Borders • Indie Bound • Powells

Thanks for reading and clicking! Have a great weekend.

Friday Update 1/21

Another crazy Friday here. The big news is that THE OTHER LIFE was selected by the American Booksellers Association for their Indie Next Great Reads list. This is a huge honor and I'm thrilled!

Speaking of independent bookstores, the launch event for THE OTHER LIFE will be at the famous Long Island indie, BOOK REVUE. They put a big sign in the window about it, and a few friends snapped cellphone pics and sent them along. This one is from my buddy Keith Friedlander. (Click image for larger view.)

The BOOK REVUE event is on Friday, February 18, at 7 pm.

I'm also happy to announce that I'm doing a book talk and signing at the big, beautiful BARNES & NOBLE in Carle Place, New York. It's on Thursday, March 3, at 7:30 pm. Click here for details.

As long as I'm in a click-happy mood, here are a few more things I hope you'll check out:

• If you're not on my official newsletter mailing list, please click here to sign up. Very important: you have to click through when you get the confirmation email. If you don't see it within a few seconds, check your spam filter.

• At my publisher's request, I started a fan page on Facebook. I need as many "likes" as I can get, so if you have two seconds to spare, please give me a click. Thanks so much!!

• My friend Liz Michalski has a gorgeous website announcing her gorgeous debut novel, EVENFALL. Please check it out!

Have a great weekend!

Hello, Central? Get me Boca Raton!

Yesterday, when I was trying to find my way through a tricky paragraph I was writing, my cellphone rang and the caller ID showed that it was my dad. But when I answered, no one was there. So I called back. It rang and rang.

Frustrated, I called the land line, and my mother answered.

"Is Dad trying to reach me?" I asked.

"He got a new cellphone and he's trying to figure out how to use it," she said. "He's driving me crazy. Do me a favor and call him again."

So I did and listened. One ring. (He must be trying to figure out which button to press.) Two rings. (Still hasn't found it.) Three rings. (Seriously, Dad?) Four rings.

He picked up at last, and I listened for his voice. But all I heard was my mother in the background. "Now say hello, for god's sake!"

The phone went dead. A few minutes later, my mother called back. "I suppose you're going to blog about this," she said.

I couldn't deny it. I was laughing too hard.

Friday Update 1/14/11

Just when I think my schedule can't get any crazier, I'm hit with an avalanche of work. But okay, here's a quick update on the latest ...

• At my publisher's suggestion, I started a Facebook fan page. I hope you'll click in and give it a "like." Thanks!

• Big meeting at Putnam yesterday, where I got to meet the whole team. What an impressive group!

• I was hoping they would have an actual hardcover copy of THE OTHER LIFE for me, and they did! It's so beautiful I nearly cried ...

• Delightful lunch today with lit pals Brenda Janowtiz, Susan Henderson, Carol Hoenig, Debbi Honorof, Saralee Rosenberg and Vivian Swift.

• Back to work for me. Have a great weekend!

Guest blog at The Lit Coach

Erin Reel, The Lit Coach, invited me to guest blog on the topic of artistic integrity. Please pop over and check it out. Thanks!

Friday Update 1/7/11

• Big week for me here, as I finished my first complete draft of FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER. I edit relentlessly as I go along, so it's a pretty tight draft, and I'm happy with it. After I hear from my beta readers, I'll take one last pass at it before sending it to my editor.

• Speaking of Dorothy Parker, I created a fan page for her on Facebook. Would love it if you gave it a like click. Thanks!

• Is it possible my baby boy is turning 16 tomorrow? How did this happen so fast? I'm feeling all achy and nostalgic.

• My brother's book on commercial real estate is out, and here's what CNBC's Larry Kudlow had to say about it: “Stephen Meister has a profound understanding of the world of real estate. Anyone who doesn’t read his book will be operating without the benefit of Meister’s penetrating insights. His book casts a bright light into many of the dark corners of our real estate economy and untangles complex governmental issues. Now he has put his vast knowledge into a readable, cogent, and exciting book. I strongly recommend it.”

He got another blurb from someone else you might have heard of, Donald Trump: “Stephen Meister has written an insightful and comprehensive book that explains what happened during the financial crisis and offers possible solutions to what we’re facing now. CRERR is a fast, concise read, and it’s recommended reading - no matter what your business may be.”

Click here for ordering info.

• Tonight we're taking the kids to a Broadway show and I'm a little panicky about the weather. Fingers crossed.

Have a great weekend!

Happy New Year!

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with my Friday updates. Perhaps I need to make that one of my New Year's resolutions.

At any rate, please accept my sincerest thanks for sticking with me all year and for reading this blog. Best wishes for peace, joy, health, happiness and success in 2011!

I leave you with this book trailer, created for me by my wonderkid. I couldn't be prouder ...


THE OTHER LIFE by Ellen Meister from Ellen Meister on Vimeo.

Friday Update 12/17

Busy busy busy! Have my in-laws as houseguests right now, and this weekend we're celebrating my father-in-law's 90th birthday. How cool is that!

Makes me so happy when everyone gets together for a special celebration.

Also, happy birthday to my mom in Florida, whose actual birthday is today!!!!!!!!!!

Meanwhile, I'm working as hard as I can on FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER and on prepping for the release of THE OTHER LIFE. But of course, all that has to be squeezed in between laundry and carpooling and cooking and housekeeping and homework-helping.

Also ...

If you're on my mailing list, you should have gotten my thrlling subscriber-only news today. If not, click to sign up and be sure to watch for the confirmation email. If you don't see it within seconds, check your spam filter.

Thanks and have a great weekend!
xo

The Friday Update That Wasn't

Suffering a cold and feeling a little too under the weather to blog today. But please click into my latest post at the Girlfriends Book Club blog. And leave a comment there if you want the chance to win a prize.
xo

The better-late-than-never Friday Update

Shame! I didn't post a Friday update last week and here it is 6:30 pm and I'm just getting around to posting today's.

I guess I've been pretty busy, but I can't remember what I did this week. Mostly running around with the kids, I guess, shopping, organizing, helping with homework and writing. I had houseguests last week, so I had a lot of catching up to do. The week went by in about three seconds.

And the little one's been sick the past two days, unfortunately. Seems like just a bad cold with a fever.

The good news is that I'm making progress with FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER, and got some wonderful research help from Long Islander writer/attorney Tony Iovino.

Speaking of FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER, I went into Manhattan today to scope out the Algonquin again for one of the final scenes. Also had lunch with my fab editor, Rachel Kahan.

One last bit of publishing news--Putnam put a wonderful ad for THE OTHER LIFE in Shelf Awareness, a very big trade pub.

Dinner's in the oven, so I have to run. But if you're not a member of my El's Angels blog and would like to help me out by placing a call to your local library and asking them to order THE OTHER LIFE for their collection, please click here. You could win a pretty nifty t-shirt. Thanks!

Have a great weekend!

WINNERS!!

Big thanks to everyone who signed up for my mailing list and who helped promote it. The two t-shirt winners, chosen at random, are:

Carlos of Stockton, California

and

Adele

Can't wait to get your shirts in the mail to you!

101 things I'm thankful for

In random order ...

1. Fat novels with great characters
2. Spellcheck
3. Spring
4. Coffee
5. Crescent moons
6. My kids
7. Mobile email
8. Van Gogh
9. Disposable pans
10. Dogs
11. Elastic waistbands
12. The Portable Dorothy Parker
13. HBO
14. Ethan's smile
15. My book contract
16. Chocolate-covered halvah
17. Libraries
18. My parents
19. Cardigans
20. Online friends
21. Offline friends
22. Beatles songs
23. Diet Coke
24. Fan Mail
25. Emma's voice
26. Erasers
27. My denim jacket
28. Modern Family
29. The daily Cryptoquote
30. Discount coupons
31. Dimmer switches
32. The DVR
33. Compliments
34. Air conditioning
35. Modern medicine
36. Max's memory
37. My GPS
38. Lunch with friends
39. Red wine
40. Lactaid
41. The sunlight at Jones Beach
42. Blurbs
43. Art Museums
44. Back rubs
45. Air Travel
46. Everyday heroes
47. Readers
48. Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert
49. Birthday cake
50. Reading glasses
51. Gorgeous sentences
52. Good hair days
53. Modern hygiene
54. Enthusiasm
55. Generosity
56. Digital photography
57. Annie Hall (still)
58. Mike's hugs
59. Autosave
60. Veterans
61. The First Amendment
62. WiFi
63. Bookstores
64. Hot showers
65. My laser printer
66. Power naps
67. My netbook
68. Nassau Suffolk Services for the Autistic
69. Cotton
70. American soldiers
71. Search engines
72. Push-up bras
73. Reasonableness
74. The sunrise
75. Potato latkes
76. Online banking
77. Sarcasm
78. Backyard barbecues
79. Luggage wheels
80. Antibiotics
81. Scrabble
82. Chocolate Truffles
83. The Marx Brothers
84. Signed books
85. Summer nights
86. Seinfeld reruns
87. The Atlantic Ocean
88. Meeting authors
89. Fresh starts
90. The Internet
91. Family dinners
92. NPR
93. Hope
94. Heating pads
95. Laughter
96. Reunions
97. Thai food
98. Hearing from old friends
99. Indoor plumbing
100. Love
101. Blog readers

Friday Update 11/19

Things seems pretty quiet on the publishing front this week. I guess the industry is getting ready for Thanksgiving hibernation. On my end, it was mostly work, work, work, getting pages written on FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER and gearing up for the launch of THE OTHER LIFE. And yesterday was my birthday, which I celebrated quietly with the family ... just the way I like it.

So, just a few reminders ...

• If you haven't signed up for my newsletter mailing list, I hope you'll do so now ... especially since you could win a pretty cool t-shirt. See the blog entry below for details.

• If you're a writer in the New York/Long Island area, I hope consider coming to PITCHAPALOOZA at Book Revue on 12/2. I think it's going to be a blast.

• The laundry's been piling up this week ... and so have the emails. So if you're waiting to hear from me on something, my apologies. I'm trying hard to catch up!

• Did a little fall cleaning on my website, so check it out if you have a chance.

• Have you bookmarked and/or subscribed to THE GIRLFRIENDS BOOK CLUB blog? It's a joint effort of a big group of women authors, and I think you'll like it.

• Big-shout and thanks to my Facebook, Twitter and CafeMom friends for the birthday wishes!

Have a great weekend ...

T-shirt giveaway!

click image for larger view

The pub date for THE OTHER LIFE is getting close, and I'm doing a special giveaway to boost my mailing list ...

 Click here to sign up for it and you will automatically be entered in a drawing for this very cool t-shirt. (Note that I have them available in both men's and women's styles.)

FYI, you'll get a confirmation email after you sign up, and you have to click through when you get that. If you don't see it within seconds, check your spam filter. (Also, be sure to use this link, and not the feedburner widget on this blog--that's a different list.)

Go for it!
Note that I send out very few mailings and don't share my list with anyone, so you have nothing to lose. Besides you could unsubscribe at any time. (But I hope you don't!)

If you're already on my mailing list ...
I didn't forget about you! Just link this blog entry on any site, or send it to friends in an email, and leave a comment below letting me know what you did. That's it ... you'll be entered in a t-shirt drawing, too!

Hurry!
This offer is good through November 30, 2010. Hope you'll sign up today! Click here.

Friday Update 11/12

Happy Friday! I've been busy working on FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER and trying to get my ducks in a row for the launch of THE OTHER LIFE. Here's the latest ...

• Got my ARCs (advance review copies) for THE OTHER LIFE on Tuesday! This is the part where it starts to feel real, so I'm pretty damned excited, especially since they look magnificent. A huge shout-out to the very talented Lisa Amoroso, who designed the jacket, and Meighan Cavanaugh, who designed the book. And of course, to my sage and savvy editor, Rachel Kahan, who directs the whole thing.

• Here's something fun for all my local writer friends--on Thursday, December 2, there's a fabulous event at Book Revue called PITCHAPALOOZA! It's like American Idol for aspiring authors. You get one minute to pitch your book idea to a panel of judges. I'll be one of them, playing the role of either Simon or Paula. Or maybe Randy, dawg. Click here for more info.

• Did a book talk this week to the ladies at my temple's sisterhood. Great group, and I got to chance to do my first public reading from THE OTHER LIFE.

• The sisterhood event coincided with my wedding anniversary, so Mike and I celebrated the Sunday prior at Jonathan's Ristorante in Huntington. One of our favorite places.

• FYI, Maria Geraci has a wonderful new book coming out next month, and I hope you'll check it out. It's called THE BOYFRIEND OF THE MONTH CLUB. Also, I think she's going to be doing a really good giveaway on her blog soon, so be sure to bookmark it.


Have a great weekend!

Friday Update 11/5

Some news and highlights ...

• The big news is that the pub date for THE OTHER LIFE was pushed to February 17. It was done for all the right reasons, though of course I'm kind of disappointed that it's delayed yet again. But that's my impatience. It's really a better slot for the book.

• Naturally, that means the launch party/book talk had to be moved. Big thanks to Julianne at Book Revue for being so understanding and letting me switch the date to February 18. Hope you can join me! Click here to see the online invite.

• Today I'm going to place an order for promotional t-shirts for the book, designed and paid for by yours truly. The picture shows the unisex version, but I'll be making women's shirts as well. (click image for larger view).

FYI, I recommend the company, ooShirts, to anyone who needs Custom Shirts.

• If you read my blog yesterday, you know that the MILK & INK anthology is now available for purchase, and makes a great gift for moms or any reader on your holiday list. You can get it from amazon.com or Outskirts Press.

• According to my editor, the bound galleys of THE OTHER LIFE have arrived. Haven't seen my copies yet but I'm stoked.

• Also excited to learn that the book will be entered in the Amazon Vine program.

• Huge thanks and shout-out to all the friends who tweeted and blogged about THE OTHER LIFE this week, including Anita Beall, Eros-Alegra Clarke, Myfanwy Collins, Susan DiPlacido, DragonRiderMD, Cliff Garstang, Liz Michalski and Jill Thomas. (If I missed anyone, please let me know!)

• And one final shout-out to Rik Kellerman of Ten Tigers Kung Fu Academy for helping me fill in the gaps in my work-in-progress, FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER.

Announcing THE MILK & INK ANTHOLOGY!

Friends, a few months ago I was honored and thrilled to be invited to submit a story to a brand new motherhood anthology called Milk & Ink (edited by Eros-Alegra Clarke, Jordan Rosenfeld, Nina Perez and Tomi L. Wiley). The contributor list is truly impressive and best of all, the proceeds go to an important cause called Mama Hope. Here's a snippet from the press materials ...

Milk & Ink is here now! This anthology of stories, essays and poems by writing mothers celebrates the intensity of being both mother and writer. It also will inspire all to recognize the power of living true to your passions and life purpose.


Milk &\ Ink focuses on the experience of motherhood, but it also speaks to everyone: fathers, daughters, and sons. This anthology, not only in its stories, but in its creation and promotion, seeks to acknowledge the need we have for one another.


Proceeds of the project will be donated to Mama Hope, which supports women and children in Africa in a variety of projects.To purchase copies you may visit one of the following links:


Amazon.com


Outskirts Press

I think you'll love this book. And I know it'll make a great holiday gift for any reader on your list.

A little help from my friends?

As it gets close to pub date for THE OTHER LIFE, I'm asking friends to help spread the word, and in return I'm offering prizes. I just awarded someone the signed manuscript, and this week's giveaway is a copy of E.L. Doctorow's BILLY BATHGATE, signed by the author.

Click here to read more and get involved.

Thanks!