Author event and giveaway: Erika Marks
I first got to know Erika Marks when she was one of the authors featured on The Debutante Ball. After that, we chatted on Twitter some so it was like greeting an old friend when I finally got to meet her in person at Fiction Addiction. Erika is even nicer than I expected, if you can believe that, and we had a lot to talk about.
Erika is originally from Maine but met her New Orleanian husband when she studied in The Big Easy. They currently live in North Carolina with their two daughters. Erika’s husband is a teacher and a scientist. Erika has been writing for 20 years and tried several genres before finding her voice with women’s fiction.
Erika’s first book, Little Gale Gumbo, was published last year and she said it’s personal – it’s out of her life story. Her second book, The Mermaid Collector, was published this month and was inspired by a picture of a mosaic of a mermaid she saw in an architectural magazine. I was surprised to learn that Lydia’s story (the one set in the past) wasn’t added to The Mermaid Collector until the second to the last draft of the story.
Since The Mermaid Collector had a little bit of a mystical element to it, Erika was asked what she thinks of the paranormal. She replied that she doesn’t really believe in mermaids but does believe that there is a force, energy, or possibility of things we can’t explain.
We have to wait until August of 2013 for Erika’s next book. The Guest House is a love story with a dual narrative. It’s about two families on Cape Cod – one a summer family and one a local family. I, for one, can’t wait for it to come out!
I got Erika to autograph copies of her first two books for one lucky reader. To enter to win autographed copies of LITTLE GALE GUMBO and THE MERMAID COLLECTOR, both by Erika Marks, 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 EDT Tuesday, October 23, 2012. Winner will be announced on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. Comments are welcome (and appreciated) but will not get you an entry in the contest.
I think you have met more authors than anyone in the universe!
Hi Kathy! I’ve always been fascinated by mermaids and I’m so happy to see this giveaway. Awesome!
I enjoy a novel with mystical elements from time to time. Both of Erika Marks’ books sound wonderful. Thanks for the chance to win! BTW, The Guest House sounds right up my alley
So cool that a mosaic in a magazine inspired the book. Thanks for sharing these author events!
You get me interested in so many books I’ve never heard of before.
I’m loving THE MERMAID COLLECTOR now, and intend to read Erika’s first book too. I love this picture you’ve shared, I think it’s just so friendly. Good luck to those who enter your giveaway.
Awesome answer! Great contest.
(not an entry)
She sounds inspiring, and I just love it that you get the chance to meet and connect with so many great authors through these lunches. I am really fascinated by The Mermaid Collector, and plan to add this one to my stack soon. Awesome post today!
I have a few more books that I need to read before I pick up this one, but it looks really good!
Kathy, thanks for hosting another great giveaway! I’ll post this in my blog’s sidebar.
She was at SIBA and was a real sweetheart. I have this book, just waiting for an opportunity to read it!
I agree with Jill! You are in such a wonderful area for authors! I love seeing who you are visiting and what they wrote.
I agree with Sheila…authors seem to sprout up all around you!
I did a quick check on Amazon and these books sound marvelous! Thank you for the introduction to another super author.
Fun author encounter! Marks sounds lovely and I’m interested in hearing more about her next book The Guest House.
She sounds lovely and her face is so open and welcoming!! You always meet the greatest authors and people!!
You are soooooooooo lucky to have so many opportunities to meet authors and listen to them speak.
Nicer than expected is a good thing
I wanna live where you live, having so many author opportunities.
I have not heard of this author before but both of her books sound so good! One of these days I really want to make that trip to Fiction Addiction! you are the lucky one with such a fantastic book store nearby