First of all, if you haven’t been to the Newport Beach Public Library, you should go. It’s one of the best libraries I’ve ever been to. I just wish I lived closer. I’d be there all the time. Thank you to everyone who came out to hear me talk about Cherry Blossoms. When I finished — Read More
Tag: cherry blossoms
(Kind-of-sort-of) writing with a baby
I was compelled to write this post after a co-worker approached me in the work kitchen and said, “I don’t know how you work full-time, have a baby, and write books. You must not sleep.” Lest I give the impression that women should burn the proverbial candle at both ends, I had to correct her: — Read More
Cherry Blossoms Launch Event
Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate Cherry Blossoms at Laguna Beach Books yesterday. I love, love, love Laguna Beach Books so it’s a true honor to have my launch events there (they also hosted my event for People Who Knew Me). Also, thank you to my friends and family who took photos — Read More
It’s here!
Today is the day Cherry Blossoms makes its way into the world! You can buy it at all the usual places, including: Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ IndieBound You can also listen to it on Audible. Happy reading! I can’t wait to hear what you think.
Southern Festival of Books: A Recap
This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to attend the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville. It was my first time visiting Nashville and my first time away from my daughter (cue the tears). Thankfully, the author goodie bag included some hard liquor. My session was on Friday afternoon. If any of the people who — Read More
This month!
It’s October 1, so I get to say, “My book will be published THIS MONTH!” I felt a similar excitement last year on October 1, when I got to say, “I’m having a baby THIS MONTH!” My daughter was due on October 12, but came 8 days early. October is also my birthday month. All — Read More
Short story news
Since I’ve had my baby (almost a year ago–wow), I haven’t had the time, energy, or mental focus to tackle writing a new novel. Hell, I’ve been struggling to read novels lately; I fall asleep after 5 pages. Anyway, I have been able to write some short stories. One that’s especially near and dear to — Read More
Cherry Blossoms: Reviews, blurbs, and other happenings
We are getting closer to publication day–October 30! I wanted to share some early reviews that have been rolling in, as well as blurbs from some authors many of you may know. Just in: Publishers Weekly reviewed Cherry Blossoms yesterday: “Hooper gives familiar themes of loss and redemption fresh and inviting life in her entertaining second — Read More
The joys of research: An ode to the Internet
When I started writing my first novels (back in the 20th century–ha), the Internet was in its infancy. Google was not the preferred search engine. Anyone remember AltaVista? Those were the days. Except they weren’t. Not for a writer in need of easy research. I used to go to the library to do research for — Read More
Why I wrote a book about a guy who wants to kill himself
At the end of the “Parts Unknown” Berlin episode, Anthony Bourdain quoted Samuel Beckett: “You must go on, I can’t go on, I’ll go on.” Except he didn’t go on. Shortly before this episode aired, he hung himself in a French hotel room. I read Kitchen Confidential a few years after it was published and became an immediate fan of — Read More