Interview--JILL SHALVIS

BIO: USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis has penned more than three dozen romance novels. She is a three-time RITA nominee and three-time Readers Choice winner. Other titles include: The Trouble With Paradise, Smart and Sexy, Kissing Santa Claus, Instant Temptation, Slow Heat, Storm Watch, Jinxed, Out of This World, Just Try Me, and Get a Clue. She resides in Lake Tahoe.

Thanks for being here, Jill. It’s a pleasure.


#1- Tell us a little about yourself outside of your writing career…

I’m a misplaced LA girl living in the wilds of the Sierra mountains with far too many teenagers and animals. When I’m not writing, I’m either telling some teenager or another “No I don’t care what XX’s mother let’s her do”, or hiking through the woods and hoping not to be bear bait, or … reading a good book.


#2- You write mostly contemporary romance. Any plans to try another sub-genre of romance?

I’m going to stick with contemporary romance for now, it’s where my heart’s at, and it’s always best to follow the heart. Although some day I’d like to write a nonfiction account of surviving raising teenage girls with my sanity intact (albeit barely). I do write about this daily, by the way, in my blog on my site. Visit me there for my I-Love-Lucy life adventures, and I wish I was kidding.

#3- As you know, I reviewed your title SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE for Bookpleasures and loved it. But how do you handle the negative reviews and critiques you receive?

Cookies. Lots of cookies … And then if it’s constructive criticism, I’ll take it. Hopefully learn something from it. But mostly I try not to get bogged down in press at all and just keep writing and improving with each book as I go.

#4- How do you come up with your characters names and do they have any significance?

I keep a list of names that I like and use them as fits the characters. I don’t chose them from real people in my life. Real people in my life don’t tend to like that. 


#5- Assuming you get any time to read, what authors do you like to read, and were there any books that stand out from your childhood as favorites?

I consume books. I’ve always been a big, voracious reader. I started sneaking romances when I was very young, would put them in my school books like I was reading science. Instead I’d be inhaling the old classics. Like Woodiwiss and the like.  I’m still a huge reader but don’t sneak them anymore. Over the years I’ve loved Nora Roberts, Janet Evanovich, Diana Gabaldon, Sandra Brown and so many others.


#6- Are there any upcoming releases we would like to know about, and could you give us your web site so readers can check it out?

http://www.jillshalvis.com (daily blog is http://www.jillshalvis.com/blog)

I have the Lucky Harbor Books:
Simply Irresistible (9/26/10)
The Sweetest Thing (4/11)
Head Over Heels (11/11)

And also Animal Magnetism out in 2/11

#7- This about concludes it. Thank you again for joining us. Is there anything else you would like to share?

Thanks for having me, it’s been a pleasure. I hope readers follow me in the Lucky Harbor books, starting with Simply Irresistible out 9/26!