California is lovely in Fall

Looking forward to my readings in California. Here’s the schedule:

Monday 9/14 – Los Angeles, Book Soup, 7pm
Wednesday 9/16 – Santa Rosa, Copperfields, 7pm
Thursday 9/17 – Berkeley, Pegasus Books, 7:30pm
Friday 9/13 – San Francisco, Red Mill Books, 7pm

Why Women Drink

I participated in an excellent conversation with Jacki Lyden for NPR’s On Point out of Boston… Fantastic call-ins and a pleasure to share the conversation with Sarah Allen Benton, author of the High Functioning Alcoholic and a total Baberaham Lincoln.

Click through to listen.

MDDH Out and About

It’s been a whirlwind few days here at the Brownell homestead…  I had a delightful interview with my local TV station (King 5 News).. go here to view.

And this ABC News interview which was taped last week:

Good Morning America

B took this picture of Good Morning America cameras setting up in our kitchen yesterday. For the full story go here.

Talking with Brett Singer: Babble Talk Radio

Home Sweet Home

Glad to be home…
Meredith Vieira, Dr. Nancy, and Ann Curry all incredibly nice… And that’s the last of the name dropping.

Today show clip here:

MDDH Caption Contest

To mark the MDDH official publication day (today) AND the beginning of the book tour (August – WA, September – CA, October – NYC) we’re having fun with kitties!!

Just enter your suggested caption in the comments section on Facebook

The 3 best captions will net the following prizes:

1st – Lunch out on me and fun photo shoot
2nd – Lunch out on me
3rd – Signed MDDH and a smooch and a cookie

Contest ends August 31st.

Thanks all for the support and keep those Amazon reviews coming..

Real Courage Starts Here…

So it’s one thing to sit in the relative quiet of one’s own home typing away in introvert heaven… and quite another to have people walk up and say “I read your book!” My first response is to flee, but then I gather my wits, smile and attempt to act politely..

It seems obvious that if one is going to publish a book, a very very personal book, one’s family members (and home group members, and neighbors and friends) are going to know quite a lot more about one’s sex life/marital disintegration than might be considered optimal. You’d be surprised how little that part of the story was considered at the time of the writing… and I know I’m not alone. Others say the same thing… writing alone = good. Talking about one’s story = very very scary.

Even more troubling, the thought of one of the Big and Beautiful Singles advertised on my Facebook sidebar deciding to ask me out, reading the book and then losing heart… all before even one latte was steamed and poured.

No matter. This will pass very soon… and life will go back to being very private and quiet.

The new phone books are here! The new phone books are here!

Not really.

But I am giving my very first (gulp) reading this coming Friday, August 7th @ Elliott Bay Books in Seattle.

6PM sharp!

Staying in the now…

Staying in the now is a challenge when:

1. your 4 year old is “feeding” her stuffed cat water in the living room from a huge bowl

2. your older daughters are playing with your lipstick

3. your dear friend is going through a terrible time

4. you realize that cheerful people are often evil-doers

5. your neighbors still have a box full of firecrackers they’re working through