Interview with Sarah Pekkanen

Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?

 

Yes, ever since I was a kid, when one of my favorite things to do was to sit in my bedroom and write books on three-ring binder paper. A few years ago, my niece borrowed one of my old Nancy Drew books and discovered a letter tucked inside – I’d written it on Raggedy Ann stationery (oh so professional!) and it was addressed to a publisher, asking when my book, titled, “Miscellaneous Tales and Poems” would be in stores. Now I carry that faded old letter with me every time I go to New York to meet with my publisher, as a reminder that dreams really do come true.

 

 

Q: Your debut novel, The Opposite of Me, was a hit! Where did the inspiration for Lindsey’s story come from?

 

Thank you! I’ve always been intrigued by the complex relationships my friends have with their sisters – and I always wanted a sister of my own. Since my parents didn’t cooperate (though they gave me two terrific brothers) I imagined what it would be like to be a sister – a twin, no less – and I tried to make the relationship of my main characters, Lindsey and Alex, as juicy and competitive and loving and tangled as possible. I’ve heard about twins who are so close that they create their own language, and can feel each other’s pain from miles away – but I wondered what would happen to twins who were completely different. What if two sisters had nothing in common, but were constantly being compared? How would that shape their relationship?

 

Q: Do you plan on writing another novel continuing the story of these two sisters?

 

I don’t have plans for a sequel at the moment, but definitely wouldn’t rule one out! My second book, which is scheduled to be published next spring, tells the story of a 32-year-old woman named Julia Dunhill who discovers her husband has woken from a dramatic and sudden medical trauma as a completely transformed man. It’s similar in voice and genre to The Opposite of Me, so I hope readers who liked my first book will enjoy it every bit as much.

 

Q: You had the opportunity to work with Jennifer Weiner when your book was set to be released. How great was it having her to help promote your work, and how flattered were you that you had her on your side?

 

Oh, my gosh, it was beyond any story I could ever dream up! Jen Weiner is simply the most amazing, generous woman in publishing. Perhaps even in the world! We have the same editor, and Jen read an early copy of my manuscript – then she endorsed it in an incredible way. She actually gave away hundreds of copies of her books to people who pre-ordered The Opposite of Me a week before it was published. I’ve never even met Jen in person, but she sponsored this huge giveaway – which prompted USAToday to interview me –  because she remembered what it was like to be a debut author  (excited and anxious and overjoyed!) and she wanted to help out another female author. I’m in awe of her kindness and I can only hope to pay it forward some day. And I’m dying to meet her in person, even though I’m such a fangirl I’m sure I’ll embarrass myself by getting all weepy, or I’ll spill a drink on her in my excitement.

 

Q: How were you able to break into the writing industry?

 

I didn’t have any real connections, so I just wrote my book, then I wandered around bookstores reading the acknowledgement sections of books I liked to find out the names of agents (authors usually thank their agents in the acknowledgements section – and if they don’t, you probably don’t want that agent). I complied a list of names, came home and Googled the agents to get their addresses, then sent off a one-page query letter which described my book to the agents. Most agents have public websites that tell you, step by step, how to submit a query letter for a book. They’re not in hiding; they really want to discover new writers and if you write a good query letter, you’ll get a good response.

Q:  What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Book titles! I’m not kidding – I am horrible at coming up with titles for my novels. I turned in my latest one and actually called it “Book 4.” My editor usually spends hours coming up with titles for my books – she picked them for my first three novels – because I seem to have a mental block about it! But I never get blocked when I write. Sometimes it’s overwhelming to think that I need to fill 300 pages, and I get a little scared about whether I’ll pull it off, but putting down words on the page has never been a problem for me. Maybe that’s because I worked as a journalist for almost a decade, and I learned to write on deadline.

Q: I saw on your website that you have a humiliating story of how you got a literary agent. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to open the page, but I am quite curious to hear this story! Can you give us a little background?

 

One author I admire is Karin Slaughter, and in her book she thanked her agent Victoria Sanders. So, I sent a query letter to Victoria and a week or so later, she emailed me back and requested my manuscript. Then I thought, “I’d just better check out this Victoria Sanders.” So I wrote a note to Karin via the address on her website, introducing myself and asking if Victoria still represented her. Literally two minutes later, I got an email back that began, “This is Victoria Sanders. I check Karin’s email when she is on her European tour….” I literally froze and even stopped breathing, but thankfully the next line said, “Don’t worry, I’m checking you out, too!” I ended up signing with Victoria – and we still laugh about it!

 

Q: How long did it take you to write The Opposite of Me?

 

Nine months – but I had long stretches of time because my two older kids were in elementary school. Now I have a baby, and the writing is coming more slowly because my schedule is so much busier! Still, I squeeze it in whenever I can.

 

Q: You now have three books out. How would you describe your novels?

All of my books have a common theme: they focus on the important relationships in a woman’s life. My first book was about sisterhood, my second about marriage, and my third about friendship. I’m fascinated by female relationships, and find them so textured and complicated and lovely. Most people call my books beach reads. I try to wrap important messages, like the power of friendship and how friends can become the family we never had, into books that are compulsively readable.

Q: What are your favorite genres to read?
I read much more fiction than non-fiction, and other than commercial women’s fiction, I devour thrillers. I love the pacing and tension in thriller, and I try to learn from the techniques displayed by great thriller writers so I can infuse my own pages with that sense of urgency.

Q: What do you want readers to take away from your story?
I’d love it if readers turned the final page of These Girls, then felt like reaching out to the women in their lives because they felt a sense of appreciation for their friends.

Q: Where would your dream vacation be?

 

Any place that can provide a sunny beach, an unending stream of fruity frozen drinks with little umbrellas, a stack of books, and David Beckham to rub oil into my back! My husband can come along, but he is not allowed to complain about David Beckham. If he does, he’ll be sent back home (the husband, not the Beckham).

Q: Can you give us the scoop on your third novel, THESE GIRLS?

Sure – THESE GIRLS is the story of Cate, Renee, and Abby, who have come to New York for very different reasons. In a bustling city of millions, they are linked together through circumstance and chance. Cate has just been named the features editor of Gloss, a high-end lifestyle magazine. It’s a professional coup, but her new job comes with more complications than Cate ever anticipated. Cate’s roommate Renee will do anything to nab the plum job of beauty editor at Gloss. But snide comments about Renee’s weight send her into an emotional tailspin. Soon she is taking black market diet pills—despite the racing heartbeat and trembling hands that signal she’s heading for real danger. Then there’s Abby, whom they take in as a third roommate. Once a joyful graduate student working as a nanny part time, she abruptly fled a seemingly happy life in the D.C. suburbs. No one knows what shattered Abby – or why she left everything she once loved behind.

At first, I was a bit nervous to put myself into the heads of three very different characters, and let each of them narrate different chapters of These Girls. So I plotted out this novel carefully before writing a single word. I bought index cards in different colors – yellow for Renee, rose-colored for Cate, and blue for Abby, because for me, each of those colors conjured up something essential I wanted to convey for my characters. I detailed my scenes on the cards before spreading them out on my dining room table. By the time my table was completely covered, I had the bones of my book in place, and I felt a lot more confident about writing!

Q: How important do you think social media is for authors these days?

Incredibly important – and getting more so all the time. We’re seeing newspapers and magazines fold these days, and it’s harder and harder to get the word out about books, especially for new authors. Bloggers have stepped into that breach and helped support the publishing industry in a huge way – simply because bloggers adore books and get excited about discovering new authors. Facebook and twitter also let authors interact directly with readers, which is always fun. I personally love it when I go on Facebook, which I do every day, and readers help me name a character or weigh in on which author photo I should use. If you haven’t already found me on Facebook, please do so!

Q: What is your advice to aspiring writers?

 

Write one page a day. You’ll finish your book in a year! Sometimes it’s hard to write because the self-doubt sets in – the voices in our heads can be really cruel, can’t they? – but the main thing is to get those raw words down on the page. Once you’ve got a draft, you can reshape it into something special – but just getting the words down in the first place is the key.

Click Here to Visit Sarah’s Website!

Birthday Giveaway!

I wanted to do something special to help celebrate my birthday week, and what better way than a giveaway? I have been wanting to host a giveaway to help clear some of my ARC’s from my bookshelf, and this seems like the perfect opportunity. I have six books that are up for grabs, with six different winners!

Second Time Around by Beth Kendrick- Tiffany Drew

The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek- Emily Wolff

Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner-Nancye Davis

Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber-Michelle Bell

A Chesapeake Shores Christmas by Sherryl Woods-Kathy Shrum

Perfect on Paper by Maria Murnane- Marianne Morales

**This contest is now closed***

To enter:

1.       Send an email with your full mailing address to Samantha(at)chicklitplus.com. You will not be entered unless I have this email! When you send the email, please also include if there are specific books you would like to win. Or if you would like a chance at all of them, just say so!

2.       Post a comment below and let us know one of your favorite birthday memories.

3.       For bonus entries, spread the word! Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter.

That’s it! The contest will close the day after my birthday, on Thursday March 24. Please note that I will be choosing a different winner for each book. This contest is open for US residents only.

Chick Lit Plus Awards

And the Chick Lit Plus Award goes to……

BEST LOL NOVEL

Nominees:

Not Ready for Mom Jeans by Maureen Lipinski

Lowcountry Summer by Dorothea Benton Frank

Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner

Winner: The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

BEST ROMANCE NOVEL

Nominees:

Summer of Two Wishes by Julia London

Something Blue by Emily Giffin

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

Anyone for Seconds? by Fiona Cassidy

Winner: The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

BEST BFF NOVEL

Nominees:

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

Second Time Around by Beth Kendrick

Winner: Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

BEST VILLAIN IN A NOVEL

Nominees:

Miranda, The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

Olga, Moonlight in Odessa, by Janet Skeslein Charles

Cici, I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk

Patty, The Icing on the Cupcake by Jennifer Ross

Valerie, Bulletproof Mascara by Bethany Maines

Winner: Cici, I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk

BEST SCANDAL IN A NOVEL

Nominees:

Perfect Blend by Sue Margolis

Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner

Still Thinking of You by Adele Parks

Poor Little Bitch Girl by Jackie Collins

Pieces of Happily Ever After by Irene Zutell’

Winner: Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner

BEST TEAR-JERKER NOVEL

Nominees:

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Promises to Keep by Jane Green

The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen

The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain

On Folly Beach by Karen White

Winner: Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

BEST NOVEL FROM A DEBUT AUTHOR

Nominees:

The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen

I’ll Have Who She’s Having by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

Reunion by JL Penn

Hook Line and Sink Him by Jackie Pilossoph

Perfect on Paper by Maria Murnane

Winner: I’ll Have Who She’s Having by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

BEST NOVL WRITTEN BY A CELEBRITY

Nominees:

LA Candy by Lauren Conrad

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler

The Truth About Diamonds by Nicole Richie

Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad

Star by Pamela Anderson

Winner: Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler

MOST INTRIGUING CONCEPT

Nominees:

The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch

Tuesday Tells it Slant by Holly Christine

The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain

Espressologist by Kristina Springer

Bulletproof Mascara by Bethany Maines

Winner: Espressologist by Kristina Springer

BEST FEMALE

Nominees:

Willa, Montana Sky by Nora Roberts

Darcy, Something Blue by Emily Giffin

Becky, Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

Rachel, Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

Sammy, Sammy’s Hill by Kristin Gore

Winner: Becky, Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

BEST MALE

Nominees:

Luc, See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson

Ethan, Something Blue by Emily Giffin

Luke, Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

Alex, I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk

Dan, A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff

Winner: Alex, I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk

BEST SERIES

Nominees:

Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich

Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

Heather Wells Series by Meg Cabot

I Heart Series by Lindsey Kelk

Enchanted Series by Shanna Swendson

Winner: I Heart Series by Lindsey Kelk

NOVEL THAT SHOULD BE A MOVIE

Nominees:

A Total Waste of Makeup by Kim Gruenenfelder

I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk

Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Hook Line and Sink Him by Jackie Pilossoph

Winner: I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk

BEST NOVEL MADE INTO A MOVIE

Nominees:

Flirty With Forty by Jane Porter

My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Winner: The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

CHARACTER WITH THE BEST JOB

Nominees:

Sophie, Sophie Katz Series by Kyra Davis

Lydia, The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber

Becky, Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

Heather, Heather Wells Series by Meg Cabot

Marla, Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker by Marla Martenson

Winner: Sophie, Sophie Katz Series by Kyra Davis

BEST WEDDING IN A NOVEL

Nominees:

Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella

Wedding Season by Katie Fforde

Scot on the Rocks by Brenda Janowitz

For Better, For Worse by Carole Matthews

I Do, But I Don’t by Cara Lockwood

Winner: Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella

BEST SUPPORTING CHARACTER IN A NOVEL

Nominees:

Suze, Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

Kelly, Love in Mid Air by Kim Wright

Dot, The Icing on the Cupcake by Jennifer Ross

Jessica, Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella

Candace, Reunion by JL Penn

Winner: Suze, Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

BEST COUGAR NOVEL

Nominees:

Flirting With Forty by Jane Porter

The Cougar Club by Susan McBride

The Infidelity Pact by Carrie Karasyov

Winner: The Cougar Club by Susan McBride

BEST COVER

Nominees:

Fairytale of New York by Miranda Dickinson

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Misery Loves Cabernet by Kim Gruenenfelder

Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster

Secrets of the Hollywood Girls Club by Maggie Marr

Winner: Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster

BEST SEQUEL

Nominees:

Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella

Something Blue by Emily Giffin

The First Assistant by Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare

Slightly Settled by Wendy Markham

Killer Cocktails by Sheryl J Anderson

Winner: Something Blue by Emily Giffin

BEST MYSTERY

Nominees:

I Scream, You Scream by Wendy Lyn Watson

Killer Heels by Sheryl J Anderson

Looks to Die For by Janice Kaplan

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Bulletproof Mascara by Bethany Maines

Winner: Bulletproof Mascara by Bethany Maines

THANKS TO ALL WHO VOTED AND THE AUTHORS WHO DONATED THEIR NOVELS!

Best Scandal Nominees

The nominees for Best Scandal in a Novel:

Perfect Blend by Sue Margolis

Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner

Still Thinking of You- Adele Parks

Poor Little Bitch Girl- Jackie Collins

Pieces of Happily Ever After- Irene Zutell

***I didn’t want to post the scandals for each novel, some come as a surprise and I wouldn’t want to give anything away!***

Please vote for your favorite by commenting below. Everyone who votes is entered to win!

Best BFF Nominees

The nominees for best BFF Novel (Best Friends Forever):

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

Second Time Around by Beth Kendrick

Please vote for your favorite by commenting below. Everyone who votes is entered to win!

Chick Lit Plus Awards: Day 2 Nominations

Categories: Best Villain in a Novel, Best Scandal in a Novel, Best Tear Jerker Novel

Prizes: 2 winners will receive both novels from Micheline McAllister- Welcome To My Life and Love You, Love Your Work, Let’s Do Lunch!

Winners will be announced August 23^rd.

Please post below to enter your nominations, or email me directly at Samantha@chicklitplus.com. The top 5 from each category will go on to the final voting process.

Some early nomination votes for these categories include:

Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner- politician’s affair- Best Scandal

I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk- Cici- Best Villain

The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen- Best Tear Jerker

Click here to see Day 1 Nominations

Chick Lit Plus Awards: Day 1 Nominations

Categories: Best Laugh Out Loud Novel, Best Romance Novel, and Best BFF Novel (Best Friends Forever.)

Prizes: Starting off big! One lucky winner will win a copy of all THREE of Marla Martenson’s novels: Excuse Me, Your Soul Mate is Waiting, Good Date, Bad Date, and Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker.

Winners will be announced August 23^rd.

Please post below to enter your nominations, or email me directly at Samantha@chicklitplus.com. The top 5 from each category will go on to the final voting process.

Some early nomination votes for these categories include:

Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Hander- Best LOL Novel

Hook, Line, and Sink Him by Jackie Pilossoph- Best LOL Novel

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner- Best BFF Novel

GIVEAWAY: Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner

Sometimes all you can do is fly away home . . .

When Sylvie Serfer met Richard Woodruff in law school, she had wild curls, wide hips, and lots of opinions. Decades later, Sylvie has remade herself as the ideal politician’s wife—her hair dyed and straightened, her hippie-chick wardrobe replaced by tailored knit suits. At fifty-seven, she ruefully acknowledges that her job is staying twenty pounds thinner than she was in her twenties and tending to her husband, the senator.

Lizzie, the Woodruffs’ younger daughter, is at twenty-four a recovering addict, whose mantra HALT (Hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired?) helps her keep her life under control. Still, trouble always seems to find her. Her older sister, Diana, an emergency room physician, has everything Lizzie failed to achieve—a husband, a young son, the perfect home—and yet she’s trapped in a loveless marriage. With temptation waiting in one of the ER’s exam rooms, she finds herself craving more.

After Richard’s extramarital affair makes headlines, the three women are drawn into the painful glare of the national spotlight. Once the press conference is over, each is forced to reconsider her life, who she is and who she is meant to be.

Written with an irresistible blend of heartbreak and hilarity, Fly Away Home is an unforgettable story of a mother and two daughters who after a lifetime of distance finally learn to find refuge in one another.

I have one copy of this excellent Jennifer Weiner novel to give away! Comment on this post, RT on Twitter, or comment on Facebook to win your copy! The winner will be chosen Tuesday July 20^th.

UPDATE:

The winner has been chosen. Congratulations to Jana! Please email me your mailing address at Samantha@chicklitplus.com. Thanks to all those who participated!

Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner

Best selling author Jennifer Weiner showcases her talents with her latest page turner Fly Away Home. Tackling infidelity goes a step further with her newest characters, Sylvie and Richard Woodruff. Both in their late fifties, Sylvie and Richard seem to have a fantastic marriage- he is the senator of New York and she is his lovingly doting wife. Sylvie has gotten accustomed to standing beside her husband, attending workouts with her personal trainer, and always wearing the right outfits to public events. But when Sylvie learns that her husband has been cheating- with his much younger intern- her world starts spinning out of control.

Sylvie and Richard’s daughters are also struggling to cope with the news of their father’s infidelity. Diana, an emergency room physician, finds herself in a similar position. Though it appears she has everything- a career, a husband, son- she has strayed outside her marriage with a medical student. Lizzie, the younger sister, is a recovering addict trying desperately to stay clean. When yet another pollical scandal hits the national media, all three women are thrust into the unwanted spotlight.

Fly Away Home is written from three different perspectives- Sylvie, Diana, and Lizzie. I loved that Weiner took on a topic that has been so popular as of lately- the cheating politicians and the wives that do or don’t stay with them. Getting inside the head of the wife and trying to work through her dissolving marriage made me unable to put this book down. An added bonus was hearing from the daughters, and I enjoyed that both girls were struggling with even bigger problems in their personal lives. I think all women will enjoy this book that revolves around empowering the female, love, and above all, family.

Rating: 4/5

In My Mailbox: Week of June 20

In My Mailbox: Week of June 20, 2010

 

Title: Fly Away Home

Author: Jennifer Weiner

Received: From Artemis Azima- Engelman & co.

Synopsis: Sometimes all you can do is fly away home . . .When Sylvie Serfer met Richard Woodruff in law school, she had wild curls, wide hips, and lots of opinions. Decades later, Sylvie has remade herself as the ideal politician’s wifeher hair dyed and straightened, her hippie-chick wardrobe replaced by tailored knit suits. At fifty-seven, she ruefully acknowledges that her job is staying twenty pounds thinner than she was in her twenties and tending to her husband, the senator.Lizzie, the Woodruffs’ younger daughter, is at twenty-four a recovering addict, whose mantra HALT (Hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired?) helps her keep her life under control. Still, trouble always seems to find her. Her older sister, Diana, an emergency room physician, has everything Lizzie failed to achievea husband, a young son, the perfect homeand yet she’s trapped in a loveless marriage. With temptation waiting in one of the ER’s exam rooms, she finds herself craving more.After Richard’s extramarital affair makes headlines, the three women are drawn into the painful glare of the national spotlight. Once the press conference is over, each is forced to reconsider her life, who she is and who she is meant to be.Written with an irresistible blend of heartbreak and hilarity,Fly Away Homeis an unforgettable story of a mother and two daughters who after a lifetime of distance finally learn to find refuge in one another.

 

Title: Anyone for Seconds?

Author: Fiona Cassidy

Received: From Fiona Cassidy

Synopsis: Frankie has recently met the man of her dreams, Owen, at the college where she is temping as a public relations officer. The lecturer was abandoned by his wife Jane when their daughter Angelica was only seven. Frankie has a lot in common with her new boyfriend as her husband Tony also dumped her and then headed off to the US with his stick-insect lover. He hasn’t seen his kids Ben and Carly since. But if the path of true love never runs smooth, then the road to Frankie’s second chance at love and a united family is definitely littered with potholes. Not only does she have to deal with one very moody and insolent teenager who isn’t keen on another woman entering her dad’s life, she also has to face off against two spiteful in-laws in the form of her ex’s grandmother “Nebby Peg” and Owen’s sister-in-law Brenda. But on her side she has her sister Ella, back from Scotland for a visit with an upsetting secret, and her wild-haired friend Ruby. Frankie is a feisty character who will resonate with those who have walked in her shoes. A promising debut – I’ll be back for seconds.

 

Title: Swallow

Author: Tonya Plank

Received: From Tonya Plank

Synopsis: Sophie Hegel is a shy New York lawyer from small-town Florence Arizona, known not for the Renaissance but for housing a large prison. She’s just graduated from Yale Law School and landed her first job when, one evening she feels a fist-like ball form at the base of her throat. Diagnosed with the psychological condition Globus Sensate, this “fist-ball” wreaks havoc on her life, causing difficulty eating, speaking, and eventually breathing. With a cast of characters that includes a pornographer father, a sister with a knack for getting knocked up by denizens of the town pen, a tough-talking fashion maven, a painter of male nudes, an eccentric Sing Sing-residing client and a bevy of privileged Manhattan attorneys and judges, Swallow is a dark comedy about the distance that can separate fathers and daughters, and about a young woman’s struggle to survive in a world of pedigreed professionals for which she has no preparation.

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