Author Profile: Samantha Stroh Bailey
April 6, 2013 by Samantha
Filed under Chick Lit Authors, Debut Author, Updates
Author Name: Samantha Stroh Bailey
Website: http://samanthastrohbailey.blogspot.ca/
Bio: Samantha Stroh Bailey has been a writer ever since she could pick up a pen. In fact, she even sent her first manuscript, Freddy the Flame, to publishers when she was ten years old. Sadly, it was rejected, but a lifelong passion to write was born.
After 15 years of teaching ESL to adults, including at the University of Toronto, she decided to live her dreams of being a fulltime writer and editor. Now the owner of Perfect Pen Communications, she not only gets to write novels, but also writes and edits for magazines, websites, businesses, students and other writers.
Her work has appeared in Now Magazine, The Village Post, Oxford University Press, Abilities Magazine, on Mommyish.com and many other publications. Samantha also has a Master of Education in Applied Linguistics.
She lives in Toronto with her husband and two children. Finding Lucas is her first novel.
See my 5 star review for Finding Lucas!
Connect with Samantha!
Twitter: @perfectpen
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Samantha-Stroh-Bailey/420736011289684
Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5832614.Samantha_Stroh_Bailey
Goodreads Finding Lucas Page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13641194-finding-lucas
Blog: http://samanthastrohbailey.blogspot.ca/
Buy the Book!
Roses are Red, Violets are Blue – 9 Sweet Books for You!
February 16, 2013 by Samantha
Filed under Chick Lit Authors, Updates
Love is in the air . . . and it can be on your Kindle, too!
Do you want to fall in love with a good book this Valentine’s Day weekend? How about 9? Then don’t miss this special promotion. For four days only (February 14th – February 17th), 9 popular Chick Lit authors will be lowering the prices on their favorite rom-coms to 99 cents on Amazon.com! At that price (A bottle of wine costs more!), why not sample them all? Some delicious literary treats await you, and unlike chocolates these goodies are calorie-free!
And guys: If your sweetie is a book-lover, you’ll make her Valentine’s Day by gifting her with one (or more) of our fun, romantic stories!
Finding Lucas by Samantha Stroh Bailey - Daytime talk show producer Jamie Ross is beyond fed up with her toxic bad boy turned metrosexual boyfriend. Spurred on by her gang of quirky friends, she goes on a hilarious, at-times disastrous, and totally life-changing hunt to track down the ”one who got away.” But are some loves best left behind? http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Lucas-ebook/dp/B007VIIU6A
Blog: http://samanthastrohbailey.blogspot.ca/
In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister – Handling the problems of hysterical hypochondriacs, lovelorn neurotics, and compulsive man whores is all in a day’s work for super-shrink Pilar Alvarez. But can she deal with her crazy Cuban family, a trio of unsuitable suitors, and a threat to her practice without ending up on the couch herself? http://www.amazon.com/In-Need-of-Therapy-ebook/dp/B008N6Z36Y
Blog:
http://traciebanister.blogspot.com/
Rita Hayworth’s Shoes by Francine LaSala – Jilted bride Amy’s down on everything until she convinces herself to purchase a cute, ridiculously expensive pair of second-hand shoes. Once she does, life starts looking up, and she falls into an unexpected new romance with the last man she’d ever expect to love. But can a pair of shoes really be magic? And is her new prince really just a frog? http://www.amazon.com/Rita-Hayworths-Shoes-ebook/dp/B007ZHVB1I/ref=tmm_kin_title_0
Blog:
http://clippingsintheshed.wordpress.com/
Breaking the Rules by Cat Lavoie – When Roxy Rule shares a passionate kiss with her lifelong best friend, she must come to terms with her feelings for him while dealing with two sisters in full crisis mode, a boss who makes her want to stab herself with a letter opener and a fiancé who can’t wait to walk down the aisle. Can she keep it together–or will she break under the pressure? http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-the-Rules-ebook/dp/B008UZYPLW
Blog:
The Green Ticket by Samantha March – College junior Alex Abrams scores her dream job at the ripe age of twenty, but her good fortune quickly turns disastrous when she realizes her job is filled with lies, betrayal, and cover-ups. Keeping up with classes, her girlfriends and a budding romance, Alex feels the pressure – but will she overcome the challenges? http://www.amazon.com/The-Green-Ticket-ebook/dp/B00AI02BO0
Blog: http://samanthamarch.com/blog/
Unmasking Maya by Libby Mercer - Disgraced New York fashionista, Maya Kirkwood, is fashioning herself a new life as an artist in San Francisco when she’s hired to do an installation of her work by dorky, yet dashing dotcom executive, Derek. The sparks soon start to fly, but this could mean disaster for Maya – a woman with an explosive past and far too many secrets.
http://www.amazon.com/Unmasking-Maya-ebook/dp/B00AN7CCV0
Blog: http://libby-mercer.blogspot.com/
A State of Jane by Meredith Schorr - Jane Frank is newly single after nine years and looking for a second chance at love. But when she dives head first into the NYC dating scene and finds it infested with flakes who are interested today and gone tomorrow, it may be time for Jane to turn the tables! http://www.amazon.com/A-State-of-Jane-ebook/dp/B009CDVZ64
Blog: www.meredithschorr.com/blog
True Love Way by Nancy Scrofano - When her high school sweetheart, Josh, suddenly returns after twelve years in Paris, Marlo Spencer travels to her hometown to try to rekindle their relationship. But when dreams of a blissful reunion are shattered as old secrets and betrayals are revealed, can she forgive and forget, or will true love find a different path to her heart? http://www.amazon.com/True-Love-Way-ebook/dp/B007VA4AZI
Blog: http://www.chicklitbee.com
Picture Perfect by Lucie Simone - Lauren Tate’s perfectly planned life quickly unravels at the seams when a smear campaign threatens her career as a top TV executive, but she learns just how cutthroat showbiz can truly be when the hottest scandal in Tinsel Town turns deadly and the Hollywood hunk who’s stolen her heart goes missing. http://www.amazon.com/Picture-Perfect-ebook/dp/B0093H0326
Blog:
http://luciesimone.blogspot.com
Seasons Readings Promotion!
December 9, 2012 by Samantha
Filed under Chick Lit Authors, Updates
In the spirit of coming together for the holidays, eight popular Chick Lit authors are “partying it up” with a shared promotion for book lovers! That means eight fun and fizzy e-books, each priced at $3.99 or less, that are packed with plenty of laughs and romance to keep you entertained on those long winter nights! And if you’d like to gift one of these books to a Chick Lit fan, we’ve got you covered with your choice of paperbacks!
Which books are featured in this festive promo?
Finding Lucas by Samantha Stroh Bailey - Daytime talk show producer Jamie Ross is beyond fed up with her toxic bad boy turned metrosexual boyfriend. Spurred on by her gang of quirky friends, she goes on a hilarious, at-times disastrous, and totally life-changing hunt to track down the ”one who got away.” But are some loves best left behind? E-book and paperback available on Amazon.
In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister – Handling the problems of hysterical hypochondriacs, lovelorn neurotics, and compulsive man whores is all in a day’s work for super-shrink Pilar Alvarez. But can she deal with her crazy Cuban family, a trio of unsuitable suitors, and a threat to her practice without ending up on the couch herself? E-book available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble; paperback available on Amazon.
What the Dog Ate by Jackie Bouchard – Discovering what her dog ate turns Maggie Baxter’s world upside down. With her chocolate Lab, Kona, as her guide, can Maggie forego her overly analytical ways to find a new life filled with tail-wagging joy? E-book available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes; paperback available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
The Girl, the Gold Tooth, & Everything by Francine LaSala – Suburban housewife Mina, beaten-down and struggling with amnesia, starts getting her memory and her mojo back. But she soon learns everything has a price in this fast-paced, richly layered, and darkly humorous satire! E-book and paperback available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Breaking the Rules by Cat Lavoie – When Roxy Rule shares a passionate kiss with her lifelong best friend, she must come to terms with her feelings for him while dealing with two sisters in full crisis mode, a boss who makes her want to stab herself with a letter opener and a fiancé who can’t wait to walk down the aisle. Can she keep it together–or will she break under the pressure? E-book available on Amazon, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble; paperback available on Amazon.
Fashioning a Romance by Libby Mercer - Devastatingly handsome and deliciously weird, John Harrington is the man of Caitlyn Taylor’s dreams… and her nightmares. She has no use for a womanizer like him, and dodges his advances like a pro. But when they end up in Paris together, Caitlyn feels her resolve begin to slip. How will she ever be able to resist the irresistible in the most romantic city in the world? E-book available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.
A State of Jane by Meredith Schorr - Jane Frank is newly single after nine years and looking for a second chance at love. But when she dives head first into the NYC dating scene and finds it infested with flakes who are interested today and gone tomorrow, it may be time for Jane to turn the tables! E-book available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes; paperback available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Picture Perfect by Lucie Simone - Lauren Tate’s perfectly planned life quickly unravels at the seams when a smear campaign threatens her career as a top TV executive, but she learns just how cutthroat showbiz can truly be when the hottest scandal in Tinsel Town turns deadly and the Hollywood hunk who’s stolen her heart goes missing. E-book available on Amazon; paperback available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
On Tour: Finding Lucas by Samantha Stroh Bailey
September 5, 2012 by Samantha
Filed under CLP Blog Tours
Samantha will be on tour September 10-October 1 with her novel Finding Lucas
Can you ever really go back to the past?
On her fifth anniversary with boyfriend Derek, Jamie Ross finds herself in a Montreal hotel room wondering how the carefree guy she met in a Chicago bar has turned into “the quintessential metrosexual.” Weighed down by Derek’s disdain for her second hand wardrobe, her unusual family and her low-paying job as an associate producer of a daytime talk show, Jamie reaches a breaking point. And when her new boss plans to reunite lost loves on the show, she remembers Lucas— the boy she’d loved and lost ten years earlier. What follows is a quest that is at times hilarious and at others disastrous as Jamie’s life transforms from run of the mill to absolutely crazy. But will finding Lucas give Jamie everything she’s looking for?
Please visit CLP Blog Tours for all the tour stops! **Everyone who leaves a comment on Samantha’s tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Finding Lucas before October 1 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Samantha Stroh Bailey has been a writer ever since she could pick up a pen. In fact, she even sent her first manuscript, Freddy the Flame, to publishers when she was ten years old. Sadly, it was rejected, but a lifelong passion to write was born.
Buy the Book!
Talking Cover with Authors and Bloggers
August 14, 2012 by Samantha
Filed under For Writers, Updates
Thanks to Michele Gorman for dropping by CLP yesterday with a fab article on cover design! Her thoughts sparked an interest in me to get more input on covers, and I want to thank Sara Palacios, Cat Lavoie, Samantha Stroh Bailey and Laura Chapman for weighing in their thoughts on covers.
My Thoughts: “Covers are a tricky thing, both for readers and authors. I will admit – I have turned down book review requests because the cover didn’t look up to snuff. I don’t want to say I’m always judging a book by its cover, but your book needs to be polished and put together from the whole – that includes a great plot and characters, a solid synopsis to reel me in, and of course – a great cover. As an author, cover design can be a difficult process. It’s especially tough when you have a vision in your head, but no matter how many times you make tweaks and suggestions, you just can’t get them to match up. For authors looking to design a cover, I recommend having a few different design ideas, and being very open with your designer throughout the process.” - Samantha March, book blogger, author and publisher
“I started thinking about the cover for BREAKING THE RULES before I even finished the first draft. I knew there was going
to be lots of pink. And that’s pretty much all I knew. When the time came, I hired a graphic designer and sent him links to covers that I loved but I wasn’t able to tell him exactly what I wanted for mine. So I sat down with pieces of cardboard and brightly colored pencils and started drawing. It only took a few seconds for me to remember that I can’t draw to save my life. Still, I sketched away until there was barely a square inch of blank space on the paper. It was a jumbled, cramped mess but it helped me figure out what I really wanted on the cover: a red telephone box, a yellow taxi and a cupcake. A friend of mine (who can actually draw) made a new sketch with those elements and I sent it over to my designer. It took a few tries to get the colors right but I fell in love with the final version. Since the red telephone box replaces the I in Breaking, I’m hoping to do something similar for my second novel’s cover.” – Cat Lavoie, Author, Breaking the Rules
“As an avid reader and also as a book reviewer for Chick Lit Plus, I receive quite a few books on a weekly basis. With that being said, I definitely judge a book by its cover and have found that I am far less eager to read a book that isn’t aesthetically pleasing in comparison to one that I find visually appealing. So, that probably makes one wonder what I would find appealing, huh? Well, the honest answer is that it varies. I am a sucker for soft fonts, as well as simple covers without too much going on. If a book has a million colors and is bright and bold, I feel like it is way too busy. I also really dislike covers that have an image in the background, instead of front and center. With me, simplicity is key. I’ve always felt that the focus should be on the story on the inside of the book instead of the cover. Now obviously I have read and loved dozens of books with terrible covers, but I have noticed that they are usually recommended to me, and not something I’ve personally picked up at the bookstore. I guess beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, eh?” – Sara Palacios, book blogger, Chick Lit Plus
“As a voracious chick lit reader, I know exactly what will catch my eye in a book cover. I like simple covers with bright colors, swirly or block writing and a photograph or drawing that hints at what delicious surprises are in store for me. Sounds straightforward, doesn’t it? Well, when I had to actually design my own cover for Finding Lucas, I couldn’t articulate what I wanted beyond the words “magenta” and “chick lit.” Having no sense of the visual—all of the photos I snap make people ask, “What is that?”—I had no clue what I wanted, but I knew I’d know when I saw it. I love Emily Giffin’s covers because they usually have a single image on the page that stands out like an engagement ring, a gift box or a key. After bombarding my poor graphic designer with panicky emails, it finally hit me which three things my cover needed to fully convey Jamie’s journey: a high school yearbook, a photo of Lucas and old letters. When I saw my cover, I cried. Of course, now I see all of the things I would like to change, but luckily, I have a better eye and the experience for when my second book comes out.” – Samantha Stroh Bailey, Author, Finding Lucas
“The front cover of a book is usually the first glimpse a reader has of a story. You never get a second chance at a first impression, which is why good covers matter.
For me, the title is most important, because it offers the most insight into a book. In addition, the title should be displayed well in a visually appealing font, size and color. As a part-time designer, I geek out for quality typography that conveys a story, because it can. Consider Emily Giffin’s books. Their design is minimalistic, giving the title prominence. I love that. When a title appeals to me, I pick up the book, flip the cover to read the description and ultimately decide if this book goes home with me. By this point, it usually does.
Conversely, I will spend tens of minutes standing in front of the display of romance novels at my local grocery store. It is dome of the best entertainment I get while running errands. From a design standpoint they are not impressive, but my goodness the titles are fantastic. Plus, have you seen those cover photos? I could stare at pictures of topless cowboys/doctors/nobles/millionaire moguls all day. Unfortunately, it does not always guarantee I will buy the book, but will leave me with a smile.” – Laura Chapman, book blogger, Change the Word
Future Tour: Finding Lucas by Samantha Stroh Bailey
July 13, 2012 by Samantha
Filed under CLP Blog Tours
Samantha will be on tour September 10- October 1 with her chick lit novel Finding Lucas
Can you ever really go back to the past?
On her fifth anniversary with boyfriend Derek, Jamie Ross finds herself in a Montreal hotel room wondering how the carefree guy she met in a Chicago bar has turned into “the quintessential metrosexual.” Weighed down by Derek’s disdain for her second hand wardrobe, her unusual family and her low-paying job as an associate producer of a daytime talk show, Jamie reaches a breaking point. And when her new boss plans to reunite lost loves on the show, she remembers Lucas— the boy she’d loved and lost ten years earlier. What follows is a quest that is at times hilarious and at others disastrous as Jamie’s life transforms from run of the mill to absolutely crazy. But will finding Lucas give Jamie everything she’s looking for?
Please visit CLP Blog Tours for the full tour schedule! **Anyone who purchases their copy of Finding Lucas before October 1 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five entries in a drawing to win a $10 Amazon gift card!!**
Debut Author of the Month: June: Samantha Stroh Bailey
June 26, 2012 by Samantha
Filed under Author of the Month, Chick Lit Authors, Debut Author, Updates
Chick Lit Plus is pleased to announce the Debut Author of the Month for June is Samantha Stroh Bailey, author of Finding Lucas.
Can you ever really go back to the past?
On her fifth anniversary with boyfriend Derek, Jamie Ross finds herself in a Montreal hotel room wondering how the carefree guy she met in a Chicago bar has turned into “the quintessential metrosexual.” Weighed down by Derek’s disdain for her second hand wardrobe, her unusual family and her low-paying job as an associate producer of a daytime talk show, Jamie reaches a breaking point. And when her new boss plans to reunite lost loves on the show, she remembers Lucas— the boy she’d loved and lost ten years earlier. What follows is a quest that is at times hilarious and at others disastrous as Jamie’s life transforms from run of the mill to absolutely crazy. But will finding Lucas give Jamie everything she’s looking for?
In celebration of being our Debut Author of the Month, we have asked Samantha a few questions about receiving the coveted spot on Chick Lit Plus. Please read her answers below:
What was your reaction when you learned that you had been selected as the Debut Author of the Month for Chick Lit Plus?
When I found out that I had been selected as the Debut Author of the Month for Chick Lit Plus, I must admit there was some screaming and a few tears–of absolute joy, of course. I am so honoured to be selected among such fine writers, and I have been doing a little dance ever since. What an amazing feeling it is to be recognized!
Finding Lucas has all 5 star reviews on Amazon right now. How does it feel to have your book so well-received by the public?
It feels incredible that people have had such an enthusiastic response to Finding Lucas. It took me a long time to publish this novel, and the characters mean a lot to me. All I have ever wanted is to be an author, and to have written a novel that people love and relate to, well, it is indescribable how happy and grateful I am. I owe a huge thank you to my readers and reviewers and can only hope that Finding Lucas is discovered and enjoyed by more people.
Please be sure to get your hands on Finding Lucas – a definite must read on Chick Lit Plus. We will be giving away a Kindle copy of Finding Lucas to one of our readers, so please leave a comment below and a winner will be selected at random on Thursday, June 28.
**The winner is Isabella Louise Anderson! Thanks to everyone who participated!**
Blog Tour Sign Up: Finding Lucas by Samantha Stroh Bailey
June 23, 2012 by Samantha
Filed under CLP Blog Tours
Samantha will be on tour in September with her chick lit novel Finding Lucas. Please use the sign up form below if you would like to be included. Kindle copies will be available worldwide. Samantha will also be available for a guest post or interview, and book excerpts can be requested. I will contact everyone chosen to participate. Thank you!
Can you ever really go back to the past?
On her fifth anniversary with boyfriend Derek, Jamie Ross finds herself in a Montreal hotel room wondering how the carefree guy she met in a Chicago bar has turned into “the quintessential metrosexual.” Weighed down by Derek’s disdain for her second hand wardrobe, her unusual family and her low-paying job as an associate producer of a daytime talk show, Jamie reaches a breaking point. And when her new boss plans to reunite lost loves on the show, she remembers Lucas— the boy she’d loved and lost ten years earlier. What follows is a quest that is at times hilarious and at others disastrous as Jamie’s life transforms from run of the mill to absolutely crazy. But will finding Lucas give Jamie everything she’s looking for?
**Samantha’s tour is now full. Thank you to everyone who signed up!**
Interview with Samantha Stroh Bailey
June 21, 2012 by Samantha
Filed under Chick Lit Authors, Debut Author, Updates
When did you know writing was for you?
Ever since I was a little girl, I have always written. I actually send my first chick lit manuscript, Freddy the Flame, to publishers when I was ten years old. Sadly, it was rejected, but I loved writing that book and creating the characters. From then on, I never stopped writing. But writing novels began when I was doing my Master’s degree. I took this amazing and totally out there course about imagination, and one of our assignments was to create a character. So, I came up with Wanda X, a leather loving fetishist, and I had so much fun creating her that I knew I wanted more.
I have two kids, and after the birth of my second child, I wanted to be around for them more, and I also wanted to write. So, I quit my teaching job after 15 years and started my own freelance writing/editing business: Perfect Pen Communications. I write for magazines and websites and edit academic, business and personal communication. It’s a dream come true.
How would you describe your books?
I would describe my books as edgy, smart and funny chick lit. I like to explore serious issues of self-esteem, family, love and career with very relatable and less than perfect characters.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
The hardest part is not editing as I write. Because I’m a professional editor and former ESL teacher, I am always looking for mistakes. I find that I need to write the story out as much as I can before I edit it. I have to actively stop myself from correcting errors as I go.
What are your favorite genres to read?
Chick lit, mystery, suspense and literary fiction. I like to read every day, actually, I have to read every day, and I love trying out new authors and reading new books from authors I love.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
I want them to laugh, cry and feel completely satisfied at the end. One of my reviewers said that Jamie, my main character, could be her best friend, and that is exactly what I want my readers to feel.
I want my readers to relate to Jamie’s story. We have all had moments of self-doubt or we’re stuck in bad relationships and can’t find our way out. Jamie is insecure, reserved and scared to take a chance because she might fail. I want my readers to root her for her and for themselves.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
I think it is incredibly important and very difficult. Trying to keep up with Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads and all of the other social media sites takes time and finesse. I am still learning how to do it all. But, I have met some amazing authors and readers because of social media, and I love how connected we all are even if we live on different continents. I would never have self-published Finding Lucas without Twitter. I began following other self-published authors and reading their blogs, and I finally got the courage to do it myself.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Don’t give up. I have been rejected many times, but I tried not to let it stop me from reaching my goal of publishing a novel. I would also say not to be afraid to self-publish because there are some excellent authors who do so. But if you are going to self-publish, do your research, outsource what you need to (i.e. book cover, tech stuff, editing, etc) and take a leap of faith. If this is what you want to do, there is always a way to do it.
Thank you to Samantha for stopping by! Please visit her website for more details, read my 5 star review for Finding Lucas and get your copy!
Finding Lucas by Samantha Stroh Bailey
June 20, 2012 by Samantha
Filed under Chick Lit Review, Samantha's Favorites
I received a copy of Finding Lucas from Samantha Stroh-Bailey in exchange for an honest review. This book opens to Jamie Ross celebrating her five year anniversary in Montreal with her boyfriend Derek. A weekend that should be filled with romance and feelings of happiness, it turns out to be the opposite for Jamie. Since when have her Derek been so off with one another? What happened to the laid-back guy with long hair she first met – and how did he become a metrosexual with too much hair gel and only caring about climbing the corporate ladder? Jamie realizes that she is unhappy, but she just can’t make that jump from safe relationship to being alone and starting over. When the TV show she works for devises a plan to reunite lost loves, Jamie starts thinking about her first love- Lucas. Perhaps this is a sign, telling her to get rid of Derek and find Lucas. Jamie dives head-first into hunting down her past love and hoping he still thinks about her, without realizing the one she really wants is right in front of her.
I loved this book! And here’s a strange thing – I’m pretty meticulous about editing, and this book did have a lot of instances with the quotes inside the punctuation, which drives me crazy. Also, the book was a bit long, which sometimes frustrates me as well. But even with those two things, once I finished reading I knew this was a 5 star book. Very rare for me, and just shows how much I truly loved the writing and plot. Jamie was such a fun and unique heroine. Her lifestyle and family is a bit different, and I found both her and the supporting cast really intriguing. I also liked the romance parts. It was clear Derek and Jamie were not meant to be, but I was never really sure who she was going to end up with, and I liked the mystery. Also – I was totally laughing yet seething when Derek and his mom gave Jamie a “breakup bill” – oh man, that was good! I really loved this book and it is going on my Favorites List!
[Rating: 5]
