Thursday, January 12, 2012

Welcome to my Messy Life

So thrilled to be here today.
By way of introduction, I am a Southern transplant—now living in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, but I grew up in Western Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh. Like most Pittsburghers, I love my Steelers (even when they don’t win), my city, and a good pierogie. Oh, and pie.
I’ve always been a writer, even when I was a dancer, actor, bartender, waitress or sales clerk. The first book I wrote was about a childhood crush— the 1970s heart throb, Tony DeFranco. I was 12. My second book was about a gang and a rich ballerina. I finished it when I was a high school senior. I tried for many years to get it published—and now thank the Universe I was not successful.
When I was 16, I took my first job at a restaurant that also had an ice cream parlor and doughnut shop attached—and that’s where I worked and was subsequently fired for being a little too creative with the sprinkles. My first job out of college was as a paste-up artist (now that really dates me) and the editor told me I could write for him “on my own time.” And I did.
Believe it or not, I’ve always been grateful to him—and to my college newspaper, for giving me those layout and design skills. I’m certain it gave me an edge when looking for work a few years later in the Washington, D.C., area, where most writers and editors also had to know how to do layout. I worked as a writer and editor for about fifteen years—until a major life event. At the age of 36, I had my first baby and my husband and I decided to leave the area.
So here we are. I launched a freelance career, published two cookbooks, had a another baby girl. I have two fabulous daughters—Emma, 13, and Tess, 10. A dream come true—both of them. Now, another dream is coming true: I’m a debut novelist. My novel SCRAPBOOK OF SECRETS will launch on February 7 and is being published by Kensington. Even though I’ve always wanted to write a novel, I’ve had to push that goal aside for more practical efforts.
Now I find myself balancing motherhood, food writing, and fiction. I’m an avid reader, love to run, do Yoga and Zumba, and of course, scrapbook. I bake when I get the chance—and cook almost every day. When we get the time, my family and I like to hike through the woods and mountains that surround us. We are blessed to live in such a gorgeous part of the country. As for me, I’ve stopped asking how this messy life of mine comes together. It just does. I am grateful.
Thanks to Joanna and the Killer Hobbies bloggers for asking me to join. In celebration of my first blog post here, I’m giving away a galley of SCRAPBOOK OF SECRETS. All you need to do is comment. I’ll take care of the rest. Please be sure to leave your email address so I can reach you.
About SCRAPBOOK OF SECRETS: A CUMBERLAND CREEK MYSTERY

Having traded in her career as a successful investigative journalist for the life of a stay-at-home mum in picturesque Cumberland Creek, Virginia, Annie can’t help but feel that something’s missing. But she finds solace in a local “crop circle” of scrapbookers united by chore-shy husbands, demanding children, and occasional fantasies of their former single lives. And when the quiet idyll of their small town is shattered by a young mother’s suicide, they band together to find out what went wrong…Annie resurrects her reporting skills and discovers that Maggie Rae was a closet scrapbooker who left behind more than a few secrets – and perhaps a few enemies. As they sift through Maggie Rae’s mysteriously discarded scrapbooks, Annie and her “crop” sisters begin to suspect that her suicide may have been murder. It seems that something sinister is lurking beneath the town’s beguilingly calm facade – like a killer with unfinished business…

31 comments:

Kelley said...

SO excited about this new book from Mollie!

Mollie Cox Bryan said...

Thanks, Kelley! BTW, I forgot to mention that folks need to comment by MIDNIGHT est tonight. I'll select the winner by the highly scientific method of printing all comments out, placing them in a hat, and having one of my daughters pick it out. ;-)

Kelley Ring said...

Congratulations Molly! I am glad someone else remembers Tony Defranco... Very proud of you!,,

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Welcome to this messy blog! (We're working on changing the author photos, and making new additions.)Glad to have you, Mollie.

Mollie Cox Bryan said...

Thanks, Kelley. Oh yes. Tony made my heart beat!!! Remember Heartbeat it's a Lovebeat? LOL. Thanks Joanna! So happy to be here!

Maddy said...

How exciting for you, congratulations. It sounds like a great read. Count me in.

Katreader said...

I look forward to reading about Annie! Although I don't scrapbook, I use many of the same techniques as I make cards and do other altered projects! I also love pierogies! (Of course, I'm Polish and live in WNY!)

Mollie Cox Bryan said...

Thanks for your comment, Maddy! Yes, Kat, same techniques, different platforms. I've been wanting to explore card and ATC-making a little more. Just haven't gotten there yet. And good to know there's another pierogie fan out there! Cheers!

Christine A. said...

What a fun book. I am behind on my scrapbooks about 2 years, sigh. Congrats on the release Mollie.

Erin said...

Looking forward to this book.

Erin

Unknown said...

I'm just beginning to explore scrapbooking and I love mysteries, so I'm really looking forward to reading this. I'm a fan of Kensington on Facebook, which is how I wound up here. Congrats on your book!

A Cozy Reader's Corner said...

oooh intriguing title! I'd love to read it!!!!
Tiffany @ acozyreaderscorner DOT gmail DOT coom

Anonymous said...

The book sounds great! I would love to win it. Tisha tishacleveland@bellsouth.net

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Christine, shush! You aren't behind on your scrapbooks, you simply have a lot of fun inventory to work with. (From a woman who tells herself the same thing all the time!)

catslady said...

Congratulations on your book - sounds great - from your old town of Pittsburgh. I live in the eastern suburbs. Too bad about our Steelers and now the Penguins just fell apart too (sigh).

catslady5(at)aol.com

Lynden Blossom said...

Having read the first 2 chapters, I so hope I win so I can read the rest of the book! Congratulations, Mollie - (now back to Scrapping...). ;-)

Barbara said...

love youtube.....I had just had my third child then, so a refresher was needed. good sound... congrats on the book:)

Mollie Cox Bryan said...

Thanks everybody for your comments. Glad to know Kensington sort of sent you. I'm a big fan--which is why I pinch myself-- A LOT. ;-) Yes, our poor Steelers. Maybe next year! Thanks all for your kind remarks.

Lynn said...

this sounds like a great book!!!

Terri Thayer said...

Welcome Mollie to the Thursday slot at KH! It's a wonderful place to be. I wish you all the best.

I lived in NE PA before moving to California. My son went to UVA so I'm very familiar with the shenandoah valley. Beautiful place. He still lives in No VA, so maybe we will meet up someday.

Best of luck with your new book!

Linda O. Johnston said...

Welcome to Killer Hobbies from a fellow displaced Pittsburgher, Mollie!

Chrystle Fiedler said...

Can't wait to read your book! Looking forward to your posts! Chrystle

Chrystle Fiedler said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

So happy to see that the desire to write overcame those "practical efforts" that so often take over our lives.

Skfurlotte@gmail.com

Jammi Bronk said...

I want to read this, sounds so interesting!

Mollie Cox Bryan said...

Thank you for such a warm welcome. Great to know there' so many connections already. :-)

Betty Hechtman said...

Welcome, Mollie. I worked on my college newspaper, too. I also did paste up.

Congrats on having your first novel published!

Mollie Cox Bryan said...

Thanks, Betty. Good to know I'm not the only person who has experienced paste-up. Desktop publishing changed everything!

Anonymous said...

How fun-a new scapbooking mystery series. I don't scrapbook anymore, but I enjoy reading about it. Best of luck to you.

Monica Ferris said...

Your description of your book sounds very intriguing! I'm not a scrapbooker, though I did put together a scrapbook about a train trip I took with a friend. Welcome to Killer Hobbies, I think you'll be a terrific addition!

Monica Ferris said...

Your description of your book sounds very intriguing! I'm not a scrapbooker, though I did put together a scrapbook about a train trip I took with a friend. Welcome to Killer Hobbies, I think you'll be a terrific addition!