Chat with Mary Balogh 9/10/00 at Writerspace

Chat with Mary Balogh 9/10/00

Sondra - Ah, and I had so many more questions? I will console myself with
Camby - Hi Mary! I may be in the minority, but my favorite book of yours is Irrestible. That Nathaniel..... anyway, I know that Rex and Catherine had a book, but what about Moira? Kenneth? Daphne? Did I miss something?
Sondra - Yes, Camby you did!
MaryBalogh - It was a trilogy--INDISCREET (Rex and Catherine) UNFORGIVEN (Moira and Kenneth) and IRRESISTIBLE (Nathaniel and Sophie)
Sondra - Unforgiven was fabulous - my favorite of the series, which was all great!
MaryBalogh - No separate story for Dphne
Camby - Ahh... Unforgiven is the one I'm missing. Is it still in print?
MaryBalogh - IRRESISTIBLE is most people's favorite
MaryBalogh - I think it would still be in print
Sara-Moderator - Mary, we had you for an hour, which is what we ask of all authors, so this is the time for your concluding remarks and the opportunity to bow out gracefully or you are welcome to hang about.
Sondra - I thought Sophie was a great character, but Unforgiven has so much passion and emotion in it!
MaryBalogh - If anyone has any more burning questions, I don't mind taking a few more
Camby - Well, I have a funny story about Irrestible...
MaryBalogh - Let's hear it
Camby - My original copy was misplaced. Okay, so the truth is I loaned it to my mother and she won't return it. Anyway, I went to the ubs to get another copy...
Sondra - ?
Camby - I found the only copy they had. Got home and noticed that there was another sticker underneath the price sticker. And it was a lower price! They marked the book UP! LOL Guess they realized what a gem it was!
Sondra - LOL...Simple laws of supply and demand...
MaryBalogh - Some of my books are selling for a ridiculous price on various auction sites.
Lynn - logged on - 9/10 at 10:00pm EST
Lynn -
Cel-Moderator - Hi Lynn
PattiL - HI Lynn
Camby - Hi Lynn
spinner - hi lynn
shyral - Hi Lynn.
YH - Hi Lynn/wave
Sara-Moderator - sondra, go ahead
Sondra - I am going to continue to be a question HOG....Sorry everyone --- As I quickly think of all of your heros and heroines, I may be wrong, but I don’t recall an Irish or Scottish main character. Any thoughts of writing about characters from those areas? P.S. I loved the weslsh setting of Longing. It thought it had the same flavor from How Green was My Valley
Sondra - sorry about the spelling
Sara-Moderator - - 9/10 at 10:02pm EST
YH - ?
Camby - Wasn't Truly set in Wales too?
MaryBalogh - I think because I am Welsh and understand that the Welsh I am very wary of having Scots or Irish characters. I am afraid of not doing them justice. I don't know them from the inside as I do the Welsh.
Sara - ah, that feels better
Sondra - Yes, it was - Camby...so many MB books to keep track of!
MaryBalogh - Sorry, that was garbled. Some words I meant to delete are still there.
Sondra - But it's easier to write from the English POV?
LisaM - - 9/10 at 10:03pm EST
MaryBalogh - Yes, TRULY was Welsh--story of the Rebecca riots. The hero dresses up as a woman to lead Welsh riots against toll gates--but a very male character nonetheless!
Cel-Moderator - Go ahead with your question, YH
Sondra - Sara, much better! Now I recognize you!
MaryBalogh - The English pov is easy. I know the English too.
Sara - moderation is off, thank you Jill and Cel for helping me, I really appreciate it. Mary, please stay as long as you can, we are pretty friendly around here!
YH - What about an immigrant's story? I KNOW you're one... Any thoughts on someone who's been to Canada and went back or set in Canada?
spinner - hi lisa
Cel-Moderator - brb
Cel-Moderator - - 9/10 at 10:05pm EST
YH - I'd think you'd know an immigrant's point of view too...
Cel - wild woman lives! - 9/10 at 10:05pm EST
Sondra - Good question, YH!
Susanna - wb wild woman !
MaryBalogh - I wrote an historical set in Canada during the fur-trading era. Had my characters travel inland by the water routes and winter in the interior. I thought it wonderfully romantic. My editor and my agent agreed that a book about Canada would not sell in the States.
Susanna - I would love to read it Mary!
YH - ! That's TERRIBLE!!!!!!
Sara - really, Mary? when was that? recently?
Sara - sheesh
MaryBalogh - The era was Regency, by the way. The hero had been banished from England by his grandfather for wild behavior
YH - We Canadians are a nice lot! I thought most people around the world loved Canadians!!!!!
YH - I want to read that story!
Cissy - Good grief, Mary - *I'd* buy it. Sounds fascinating
Sondra - Have you thought of selling it as an e-book, Mary if no one would publish it? I would read anything with your name on it!
PattiL - Nope YH
MaryBalogh - A few years ago. The only book since I have been published to be rejected. All agreed that it was up to my usual standards but--no market.
YH - I'd think you'd have enough Canadian fans too! *being very indignant*
MaryBalogh - We Canadians are NICE. I think that's the trouble. People think we are dull
Lynn - ?
Cel - That's seems like nonsense to me - we read about England all the time - why not Canada
Sondra - YH, I am being indignant on your behalf!
YH - We ARE NICE! What's wrong with that! and England with all the straight-laced, and strictures are not dull??????
MaryBalogh - Other authors I know have been told the same thing by their editors. Keep out of Canada!
YH - thank you Sondra. Canada being my adopted country, I love it...
YH - That's TOTALLY ridiculous!
spinner - can i join in no one writes about nz either
MaryBalogh - Sometimes publishers have perceptions about readers that puzzle me. But they surely do market research.
YH - I read one of Clair Cross's (I think that was the pen name) book BECAUSE it was set in Canada!
gerri has timed out.
Cissy - computer's acting up; must reboot. BRB
Camby - Cel, I think it may have something to do with us not learning much of anything about Canadian history in school. But we do learn English history. We don't know enough about Canadian history, so it's perceived that we wouldn't be that interested in it.
YH - Actually spinner, Susan Napier who writes for Harlequin writes about New Zealanders...
Camby - Just my thoughts on it anyway. *shrug*
spinner - i now that but she is the only one ive found
MaryBalogh - If you Americans knew nothing else about a book or author except that it was set in Canada, would you want to read it?
Sondra - Yes, but obviously, declining series sales, surely indicate that some editors/publishers are not innovative enough....
YH - Do the market researchers actually research us romance readers? If they do, they should know, we'd read any story by any of our favourite authors! and you're one for so MANY!
Cel - Lynn, have you asked your question - we are no longer on protocol?
Cel - You might be right about that Camby
Lynn - Well, now ya tell me I still have my question
YH - I'd think, a different setting would be interesting to read about, something new to learn! that's why I read some books sometimes, because the setting is unusual...
Sondra - I agree with you YH...
Cel - Ask away Lynn
MaryBalogh - But do many readers feel as you do? Don't most spend their money on the tried and true?
Lynn - Mary, I have never read one of your books But I want to. Which one would you recommend me starting with?
Sara - but, Mary, I don't buy a book BECAUSE of its setting. I don't know that many readers, if any, who do.
Cel - LOL Lynn - I asked Mary the same thing earlier/
YH - yeah, I gotta agree spinner, I haven't seen many books set in NZ, a lot in Australia, U.S. and British Isles, and sometimes France... but other countries... hardly any!
Sara - oh, except for those BLANK who buy anything with kilts
YH - but you ARE tried and true Mary!
Cissy2 - logged on. - 9/10 at 10:14pm EST
Lynn - Great minds, huh Cel? LOL
shyral - That is what I was thinking Sara!
MaryBalogh - MORE THAN A MISTRESS--officially out on Tuesday. Or ONE NIGHT FOR LOVE, IRRESISTIBLE, THIEF OF DREAMS, SILENT MELODY, probably all still available. Or any other you can find.
Cel - wb Cissy
spinner - mary i don't know about over there but just about everyone over here is a advid reader and we read stories based all over the world
PattiL - LOL Sara
Sondra - I buy based on the author's previous works and the description on the back of the book for new authors....a cover catching my eye will also do it...
Carrie - logged on - 9/10 at 10:14pm EST
Camby - Hey! Watch it on the Scots bashing Sara! LOL
Lynn - Hey Carrie
YH - Hi Carrie
PattiL - Hi Carrie
Cel - Hi Carrie
Carrie - are we on protocol?
Sondra - hi carrie
shyral - Hi Carrie
Camby - Hi Carrie
Carrie - Hi
YH - Right, as far as I know, most people I talk to buy books by authors they've tried and liked... and so MANY like you Mary! (and we do recommend you to others you know...)
Sara - sorry, I could bash the Irish too. I NEVER buy books on them. Sorry, but just doesn't stir me. So, do you think I am <GASP> proving a point?
MaryBalogh - BEYOND THE SUNRISE was set mainly in Portugal. My editor was very nervous about the setting not being England although it was Regency set.
spinner - hi cissy
Cel - No Carrie, so ask Mary a question before she gets sick of us.
Jeri - logged on - 9/10 at 10:16pm EST
YH - Another of my all time favourites! (actually my THE fav. MB book! BTS that is! )
Sondra - Beyond the Sunrise - YH's Favorite book, and the only one I have not read! I am still searching for it....
Cel - Hi Jeri
PattiL - Hi Jeri
Carrie - Yummmmm the idea of a man in a Kilt stuff dreams are made of (especially if the rumor is true)
Lynn - Hi Jer
Camby - LOL Sara. That you would be. It's true I think. Most readers get into a "comfort mode" and find a setting or time they enjoy and stick to it.
shyral - Hi Jeri
Sondra - hi jeri
Lynn - Amen Carrie ....LOL
YH - I will look out for you Sondra. I was lucky... that was back when I only bought books I read and REALLY liked... and so when I saw it at Smithbooks, I just grabbed it.
Jeri - I'm trying to remember how to do this. Hi. MB has spoiled me for anything else of late.
spinner - hi jeri
MaryBalogh - It's natural. If I am going to buy a book, chances are that I will buy one by an author I know I will enjoy
Sara - nah, I am just prejudiced against certain stuff <G> see, I admit it. But I don't blame others for liking . <sigh>
Camby - Hi Jeri
Cel - Mary, can you tell us who some of your favorite authors are?
Sondra - I think everyone has some type that they generally don't read - mine is westerns and contemporaries with small town settings...
YH - I know, Jeri, once I start a Mary book and finish, I feel like reading other MB books...
PattiL - Part of your discriminating taste Sara
Lynn - If it comes down to a clench between an author I know and like, and something I've never tried before, I'll get the one I know
Sondra - Thank, YH....
MaryBalogh - Favorite authors--Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Bernard Cornwell, Georgette Heyer, Anne Perry
Jay - logged on - 9/10 at 10:19pm EST
shyral - I don't read those either Sondra.
PattiL - Hi Jay
shyral - Hi Jay!
Jay - Hi all!
jill - I'm going to call it a night. Mary thank
Cel - Hi Jay
Camby - Hi Jay
MaryBalogh - Oh, and Pamela Morsi
spinner - georgette heyer is an insution over here mary
jill - ...thank you for chatting with us. Night all!!
Lynn - Hi Jay Nite Jill
Carrie - Hi Jay
Jeri - I never read medievals. Liz Carlyle turned me on to Mary and I've been on a Balogh fest ever since. I reviewd More Than A Mistress for TRJ and couldn't read another book for weeks!
spinner - night jull
Camby - G'nite jill
Carrie - nite Jill
shyral - Night Jill
Susanna - night jill !
jill - - 9/10 at 10:20pm EST
Sara - thank YOU, jill!
Cel - Night Jill and make sure to let us know when the baby arrives.
Sondra - Shy, for the contemps, maybe it's because I can't really relate to that setting, etc.
Sondra - jill
YH - I'm still very ticked at your present and former publishers... (present for publishing only one book per year, and the former for rejecting a book based in Canada) (just thought I'd share my feelings)
Jeri - nite jill!
Cissy has timed out.
Sondra - Jill is pregnant? I have been out of chat too long!
MaryBalogh - I think I should maybe bow out now too. Thanks for coming to chat with me and being so very friendly. Good night, then. Thanks for the commiserations, YH
Sara - she is due any time now, Sondra!
Cel - Sondra, she is due in about a week. LOL
Sondra - LOL, YH....You caputured my feelings too!
Sara - Mary, thank YOU!!!
shyral - I think for me it is because I know too much about them Sondra
Camby - Thanks for chatting with us Mary! G'nite
spinner - by mary and thanks
Jeri - Nite, Mary!
shyral - Mary thanks for coming to chat with us and Night
YH - - 9/10 at 10:21pm EST
Carrie - Nite Mary, sorry I missed the chat. We just got home //sigh
YH - Please, come visit us again!
Krissy - logged on. - 9/10 at 10:22pm EST
Lynn - Nite Mary
YH - Night!
shyral - Wb Yh
Sondra - Mary, Thank you so much for chatting with us tonight. I hope I get a chance to me you one of these days! I would love to get all of my books autographed!
Cel - Night Mary and thank YOU for coming. Come back any time if you want to take a break. We are usually here in the evenings about this time.
shyral - Hi Krissy
Cel - Hi Krissy
Camby - Aw, c'mon shy! Lawrenceville isn't a small town anymore! LOL (Go Knights!)
Lynn - Hi Krissy
YH - I'm going to go too... and thank you shy!
MaryBalogh -
YH - Night!
MaryBalogh - - 9/10 at 10:22pm EST