Pump Up Your Book Chats with author Kate McGuinness

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ABOUT KATE McGUINNESS

After leaving the corporate world, Kate was determined to master writing and riding, pastimes that often led to confusion in the telling. Her studies of creative writing proved to be more successful than her horseback adventures which included a broken leg! However, her love of horses remains.

Kate also took the opportunity to be more fully involved with her son’s life – too involved, he would say. She enjoyed watching scores of soccer games and cheering his team on to a divisional state championship. All grown up now, her son lives in Eastern Europe and teaches English as a second language.

In addition to Terminal Ambition, Kate writes on women’s issues for a number of online sites. Her essays have appeared in Role/Reboot, Jezebel, Fem2pt0, Women’s Media Center and Ms. JD. You can follow her on Twitter @womnsrightswrtr.

Kate lives in a utopian community in the Midwest with her husband, dogs and innumerable squirrels.

To learn more about Kate, visit her website: www.womensrightswriter.com

You can also find out more about Terminal Ambition at http://www.terminal-ambition.com

Thank you for this interview, Kate. Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later? Do you remember your first published piece?

A: I remember writing and illustrating a satire of the popular television series Bonanza when I was in middle school. The pleasure I take in writing is one of the things that led me to a career in the law.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

A: While there are many frustrating aspects of becoming a published author, I’d identify receiving conflicting advice from critique partners, instructors and even editors. I pride myself on being able to accept and incorporate constructive criticism, but sorting through contradictory comments can be difficult. This is especially true for Terminal Ambition which I worked on for more than ten years. Fortunately, I took some breaks or I’d be crazed by now.

The most rewarding aspect of publishing was finding an audience that understood the need to address the widespread problems of sexual harassment and discrimination that are the center of Terminal Ambition. Having a women’s rights advocate and prominent news commentator like Susan Estrich call it a “must read” was thrilling.

Are you married? Tell us about your home life? Do you have support?

A: My husband and son have always been exceptionally supportive. When I started writing seriously, I entered a number of contests and did very well. My then 12-year old said the only downside of success was that when my books went on the best seller list, they’d sell for a reduced price! That hasn’t happened yet, but I was charmed by his enthusiasm.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing? Where do you like to vacation? Can you tell us briefly about this?

A: I enjoy natural history, especially animals and geology. For years, I volunteered as a docent at an environmental preserve. This interest has shaped our vacations. We’ve traveled from Greenland to the Galapagos and visited many marvelous scenic spots in between.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

A: I’ve always wanted to travel to Antarctica and see the masses of penguins and sea birds. However, tales of the multi-day rough passage from South America have held me back. The prospect of magically being there for an hour without experiencing the rocking and rolling of the South Atlantic is delightful.

Who is your biggest fan?

A: My husband.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

A. I have my own office that looks out over a widen lawn studded with tall trees. I enjoy watching the birds, squirrels and the occasional rabbit. Two barred owls recently took up residence. They are large birds and beautiful to watch as they glide in to land. I do worry a bit about what their presence means for the squirrels!

Do you have any pets?

A: I have two rescued dogs. Identifying breeds can be imprecise in those circumstances, but one is a German Shepherd, and our best guess is that the other is a Danish Shepherd. I have had horses and was very sad when my 33-year old quarter horse died recently. He lived a happy and active life until the end.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

A: Years ago I wrote a romance novel that is tucked away in my bottom desk drawer.

What’s on your to do list today?

A: The highpoints are water pump and walking my dogs. I enjoy being active and believe it’s never too early to begin training for old age! I also plan to stop by the farmers’ market for some fresh veggies. I’ve set aside a chunk of time to work on Erotic Capital, the sequel to Terminal Ambition.

Now I’ve got a couple of fun questions for you. If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of your book, how would that help him find a way off the island?

A: Maggie Mahoney, the protagonist of Terminal Ambition, must fight against nature just as his character did. She and husband and another couple are caught in an avalanche while skiing in Chile. Her courage and ingenuity would be inspiration for the Tom Hanks character.

You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, with the judges to determine whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a big screenplay where you’d make page millions of dollars. What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your author photo – and why?

A: Most reviewers call Terminal Ambition a “page turner” and are captivated by the opening scene, but no single excerpt would capture the tension between the primary characters Maggie Mahoney, a female partner at an elite Manhattan law firm, and Erling Anderson, the firm chairman. Maggie’s battle for women’s rights at the firm jeopardizes his ambition to become US Attorney General. The tension between is beautifully portrayed on the cover.

You just got word that your book has received the 2012 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony to give an acceptance speech. Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom. What would you say and who would you thank?

A: I would say that sexual harassment and discrimination are only two of the many injustices women suffer today. The wrongs are as varied as unrelenting media pressure to be thin to restrictions on their reproductive rights to sexual assault and domestic violence. I would invite the audience to actively work for women’s causes, starting with the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Also, I would thank the many women who fought earlier battles that made it possible for me and other females to get an education and attend law school. Also, I would thank my husband, my son and the many friends who encouraged me.

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion from mid-August through mid-November via a virtual book tour. Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

A: Sadly, many chain and independent bookstores have closed. A virtual book tour is a wonderful way to reach out to readers. I also plan to do readings in major cities, but a virtual tour allows me to connect to many more folks.

Thank you for this interview, Kate. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

A: Thank you for having me. Fun questions!

ABOUT TERMINAL AMBITION

Maggie Mahoney wants justice for women at her law firm.
The firm chairman wants to be Attorney General.
Only one can win.

Sweeny, Owens & Boyle sits at the top of Wall Street law firms. Brilliant and beautiful, Maggie Mahoney became a partner and the trophy wife of its managing attorney. Her husband’s death renders Maggie an outsider with the firm’s male establishment and creates a power vacuum.

Obsessed with his dream of becoming the next Attorney General, firm chairman, Andy Anderson, chooses a surprising replacement: Jack Slattery, a reputed sexist. Jack’s background hardly qualifies him for such a prominent position. Maggie suspects Jack has something on Andy, but what is it?

Andy’s ambition drives him to desperate measures. With proof of misconduct in hand, Maggie demands justice, but it comes at a high price. If ambition rules, can justice prevail?

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach