One of the true delights of running the SCWC is introducing great new authors who’re cutting through the distractions and doomsaying so rife in today’s ever-changing publishing world, only to make a big splash with their work in spite of it. (Spite. Yet another good reason to write.) Quality storytelling prevails. And while it’s always fun to have cherished authors whose careers span decades as special guests at the conference, the question often now debated is, “But could they get published today as a new author nobody’s never heard of?” That’s why we like talent fairly fresh to the game, who’ve overcome and continue to tackle the challenges all aspiring authors now must face. And that’s why we like Margaret Dilloway.
Author of the breakout sensation, How to Be an American Housewife (Putnam), Margaret’s debut novel was inspired in part by her Japanese mother’s experiences, and especially by a book her father had given to her mother called The American Way of Housekeeping. Publishers Weekly calls it, “Enchanting.” Author Susan Wiggs (Just Breathe) raves, “A triumphant debut novel. Margaret Dilloway gives us the most original, endearing, courageous and enduring narrator I’ve read in a long time.” And hails Margot Livesey (The House on Fortune Street), “[It] took me on two intricate journeys, from postwar Japan and the shadow of Nagasaki to contemporary California, and from motherhood to daughterhood and back again. A profound and suspenseful debut.” Replacing April Smith–who’ll be out of the country shooting her next movie–Margaret will be our Saturday evening Special Guest Speaker. We can’t wait!
The SCWC Twitter feed is now live at http://twitter.com/SCWriters. As with the SCWC Facebook group, our intent is to feed you with whatever particularly useful bits of publishing world news and views we find of interest. You can also post one tweet/one story at #TwitFiction. We’re thinking we should make a contest out of it. What do you think?
