Author event and giveaway: Kim Edwards
Fiction Addiction recently hosted New York Times bestselling author Kim Edwards for a Book Your Lunch event and I was lucky enough to attend. I was especially thrilled since one of her books had been an answer on Jeopardy the week before.
Kim was born in Texas, but only lived there for two months. She grew up in upstate New York where she attended community college and Colgate University – she also attended the Iowa Writer’s Workshop. After getting married, she and her husband lived in Southeast Asia for several years, teaching English as a second language.
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter was released in 2005 with very little fanfare or publicity. The paperback came out in May of 2006, hit the bestseller list in July of that year, and stayed there for two years. Kim said she got the idea for the book after her pastor read one of her short stories and told her the true story of a Down Syndrome twin who was given away and institutionalized at birth. She had no input on the movie version of the book and felt disoriented the first time she saw it. When she watched the movie a second time, she felt they were true to the essence of the book
Kim writes daily while her children are in school and sets a goal of 1000 words a day. She is an intuitive writer and feels the story must take on it’s own life, especially in the beginning. She doesn’t work from an outline, but allows the characters to come to life and surprise her. She needs quiet, contemplative time to write so doesn’t write while she’s touring, but uses that time to allow her next book to percolate in her mind.
Kim started her latest book, The Lake of Dreams, before The Memory Keeper’s Daughter was published. It’s set in the Finger Lakes area, where she grew up, and is the story of a young woman who returns home because she’s still haunted by her father’s death. She discovers some old family heirlooms that reveal many of her family’s secret and change her life forever. When Kim read several passages from The Lake of Dreams, she moved many people in the audience. I’m really excited about the book after hearing her and got Kim to autograph a copy for one lucky reader.
To enter to win an autographed copy of THE LAKE OF DREAMS simply fill out the entry form. Contest is open worldwide – one entry per person, please. I will use random.org to determine the winner. Contest ends at midnight EST Thursday, February 2, 2012. Winner will be announced on Friday, February 3, 2012. Comments are welcome (and appreciated) but will not get you an entry in the contest.
I remember reading Memory Keeper’s Daughter soon after it was released in India – I loved it but am yet to read her latest. Thanks for the giveaway!
I have never read anything by her but I am curious
Would appreciate you counting me in. Thanks.
This sounds like such a good one!
I really liked The Lake of Dreams, once I got 50 or 75 pages into it. I would have loved to have met her!
I haven’t read anything by this author. I think I need to hit the library and check her out.
Thanks for the review.
I can’t imagine writing a novel without an outline. That takes major talent to produce a good book!
Wow, that’s a great story about how the novel was inspired by a real case of Downs Syndrome twins. I like that. I haven’t read any of her books, but she sounds like she’s got a keen eye for inspiration.
Those Book Your Lunch events have me so jealous!
I read Kim’s first book very early on, a recommendation from a friend, and it haunted me for a long long time.
I’ve had her second book on my tbr list for ages, but I really need to get to it.
Thank you Kathy for the looking into this writer, I envy you so with your lunches!!
It sounds like she was a really fun author to listen to, as she sounds like she was really open about her writing and her creative process. So glad you got the chance to hear her speak! Great post today!
I’ve been wanting to read her new book. I knew that would be a great lunch. I didn’t realize she had started this book before Memory Keeper’s Daughter.
These events sound like so much fun! I really enjoyed The Memory Keeper’s Daughter. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Thanks for sharing, Kathy! I’ve had The Memory Keeper’s Daughter on my stacks for an embarrasingly long time. I was really interested to read more about Kim Edwards and her work! Thanks again!
I’m so jealous of your Book Your Lunch events what great opportunities to meet so many wonderful authors. I never did read The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, though I always mean to get to it. This one sounds very good too, thanks for hosting this giveaway.
I, too, am envious of your Book Your Lunch events. We are way too small and seriously “in the middle of nowhere” for authors to come see us.
I loved Edwards first book, and am excited to read this one too.
Thank you for hosting this giveaway, Kathy. I read The Memory Keeper’s Daughter a while ago, and would like to read more by this author. I’ll post this giveaway in my blog’s sidebar.
Wow, it sounds like Edwards has had a fascinating life! My father teaches ESL too. It’s rather fascinating.
I so fond of Kim Edwards. She’s a wonderful writer and seems so genuine. Plus, she’s a fellow Kentuckian! I wish I could have been there with you, Kathy. I’m sure the event was fun and informative.
Her new books sounds deliciously interesting.
You really do attend the most amazing author events!
I have Memory Keepers Daughter in audobook on my iPod, ready to go. Great timing to hear about your meeting with the author. She looks and sounds like a lovely person.
I really like the Finger Lanes region, so this book appeals to me.
There are so many author events in your area! I wish there were more where I live!
I’ve never read a book by this author, but I clicked on her link and all her books look interesting.
Very cool giveaway! I hadn’t realized that she had a new book coming out.
I guess I was one of the readers who helped make her first book a best seller
Sounds like it was a wonderful author event.
I really liked The Memory Keeper’s Daughter and I have her newest on my shelf – just need some time to read it.
I liked The memory Keeper’s Daughter. You get to meet the most incredible authors ever!
I’ve been meaning to read this one!
We live near the Finger Lakes and I’ve had this one on my wish list for quite a while.
Great post! Contests rule!
Loved Memory Keepers daughter – glad to hear this one soudns promising too!