Hear Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile author
Catherine Lanigan speak of her 23-year writing career. Glean insights from her
book publicist Jodee Blanco of Blanco & Peace Enterprises, Ltd. and author
of The Complete Guide to Book Publicity at IWPA's Eighth Annual Book
Fair and Publishing Panel. The book fair will be held from 11 to 3 p.m. on Sat.,
Nov. 16 at the Chicago Athletic Association at 12 S. Michigan.
Catherine Lanigan
Born in LaPorte, Ind., Catherine's career stalled for 14 years after her creative
writing professor told her she had no writing talent whatsoever. Believing him,
she abandoned her dream of becoming a writer until 1979 when she met another
writer who encouraged her to give her talent another shot. Within a four-month
period, she wrote her first novel, acquired an agent and had two publishing
houses bidding on her book.
During her career, Lanigan has written more than 25 books, including two nonfiction books: Angel Watch: Goosebumps, Signs, Dreams and Divine Nudges, her spiritual autobiography in which she chronicles true stories of angelic intervention and the divine in everyday lives and The Evolving Woman: Intimate Confessions of Surviving Mr. Wrong, a compilation of real women's life stories in which they triumphed over abusive marriages and relationships.
"Returning to women's fiction writing is exciting, especially with The Christmas Star," Lanigan said. "After September 11, I needed to write something uplifting. Something that could regenerate the feelings of love and hope and give the strength of faith back to some who may have lost it."
Jodee Blanco
By age 25, Jodee had spearheaded publicity and promotional campaigns for numerous
books that became New York Times bestsellers including Secrets about Men
Every Woman Should Know by Dr. Barbara DeAngelis and On the Outside Looking
In by Michael Reagan, President Reagan's son to name a few.. Two years later,
she founded her Blanco & Peace with veteran film publicist Lissy Peace.
As a partner of Blanco & Peace, she conceptualized, developed and executed
innovative publishing campaigns.
Blanco has represented Dave Pelzer, author of A Child Called It and The Lost Boy; Janet Dailey and Jennifer Blake, Romance and women's fiction writers; science fiction writer Kevin Anderson, known for his prequels to the Dune and Star War series; and the literary estate of Daphne Du Maurier, author of Rebecca.
Considered an expert on single-title independent publishing, Blanco also consults extensively with self-publishers, creating platforms for new literary voices to be heard-and more importantly-read.
Blanco is currently working on her third book, Please Stop Laughing, a personal exploration of peer abuse and school bullying, to be published in February 2003.
Authors, editors and publishers who attend are invited to sell their books. Tables are limited, so call today to reserve book space.
Call the IWPA hotline 312/458-9151 to make your reservation. Cost (includes lunch): IWPA members, full-time students and guests accompanying members $25, other nonmembers $40. Payment (cash or check) may be made at the door.
Reminder: You can use the link to amazon.com though the www.IWPA.org web site to buy books online as well. A portion of the proceeds goes to IWPA!