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This sounds like a book that would make the perfect gift for a friend...Wait, that means I would not be able to keep it! Forget about it being a gift. I'll try again.

This sounds like a book I would love to keep for myself!

I can't get enough books on writing in my life. I'm in!

I would love a copy of this book! But, just as important a question, what would you SERVE to the 12 people you'd have over for dinner? :)

A delightful interview and a book that sounds inspirational. I can only image the process, Nava, that it took to narrow down the offerings. I, too, would get caught in the research and spend all my time reading about more and more women. So many women inspire me! That's why i chose my motto of "Writing Strong Women."

I especially liked Nava's description of the challenge to crossover to a new genre and her courage in making the leap to nonfiction. The book seems very inspirational and I look forward to reading it.

great interview! Very inspiring — and I love the book trailer!

Sounds like a great read! Boy, if I had to choose 12 women, I would be hard-pressed to narrow it down...too many amazing women writing today, as well as in the past.

This sounds like a grat read for writers!
So enjoyed the background story to the book.

Really enjoyed reading this interview. What a great creative life Nava Atlas has!

Some family members have turned to veganism, so will definitely look to her books to learn how to cook for them - and me :)

The Literary Ladies' Guide to the Writing Life sounds like a book I would enjoy very much.

The act of writing is simple in and of itself, but the endless possibilities it offers are what makes it so compelling. It's a yielding art, conforming itself to whatever niche--large or small--we wish to give it in our lives.

I love this quote, it will find it's way onto the blog I share with three other literary geeks. :)
THX!
Toni

This book sounds so great! Nava-I liked when you said your editor told you to "turn up your voice." I recently had a friend tell me the same when I was writing a contest piece. I look forward to reading this book! Thanks WOW for sharing Nava with us!

Wow, what a Rennaissance Woman Nava is! Inspiring and intimidating at the same time. Hope this book gets lots of positive attention!

Definitely a must-buy book for me! (or win!) I loved this interview, too. I'll have to check out the rest of your tour for more!

How do you find time to research and write when you have so many other obligations. As a writer myself, I wish you every success with this new endeavor.

I would love to read what these masters have to say about writing!

I am so buying this book if I don't win a copy here. My home library is full of amazing books on writing. In fact, I can attribute my success as a full-time freelancer to the men and women whose books I have read. Can't wait to read it.

What an amazing story you have Nava. I admire all the strong, inspirational women writers you mentioned so much. Thank you, WOW, for introducing me to Nava.

What an interesting concept! I would love to read this.

Oh, how I would love to own this book! Thank you for leaving your kitchen and entering my office. Reading the lives of other authors inspires me. May you be blessed!

I'm interested in what meal you'd prepare for the 12 too!

This was a wonderful interview and the book sounds fantastic. I'd love to win a copy to give to one of my writing friends; I'm buying my own!

:) Congrats on the new book, Nava--and the the leap into different literary waters.

Just reading about this book was inspirational!

You hooked me, Nava! You selected all women I have enjoyed reading over and over again. Now I can learn more about their lives. I look forward to reading your book and giving copies away to my writer friends as gifts.

My mother, who is in her 80s, has always been a big fan of Alcott, so I'd love to attend that dinner with all these wonderful writers and bring her along!

reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com

Wonderful interview! Thank you.

I too love the idea of what would you serve to these 12 guests. :)

Make it a great day!

This book sounds very interesting and I'd love to win a copy of it.

This book sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

This sounds like an amazing book! I can't wait to read it.

Supeer interview--questions and answers.

Nava's experience shows how adaptable writers must be to succeed.

Sounds like a yummy book!

Donna v.
http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com

Intriguing interview. I am eager to read your book. I think reading about the triumphs and challenges of great authors gives us writers insight into our own thought processes and offers courage along the erratic road to publication.

This book sounds amazing! So many things I enjoy rolled into one book. Would be a great surprise gift for hubby to give me :)

Enjoyed reading about your eclectic writing life. I could relate to that because some people call me "creative". When what I really am is adaptable.
Most of my ideas come from others through watching & listening. I love taking an idea & seeing where it will go.
Like growing a plant, the satisfaction comes when it blossoms.
I'm eager to hear your thoughts on self-acceptance & more on the writing "keys" from the 12 literary ladies.

Wouldn't it be great for the Literary Ladies to have a lunch set by Judy Chicago.

Thanks for all your kind comments and interesting thoughts, everyone! I'm looking forward to hearing more.

A couple of people asked what I would serve the Literary Ladies. Not surprisingly, many authors, male and female, were foodies. Virginia Woolf said, "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well."

I would serve the Literary Ladies the same kind of meal I serve any guests in my home: Seasonal, colorful, simple, and 100% vegan. The concept of being vegan was not present in most of their lifetimes (though Alcott's family briefly toyed with vegetarianism in their utopian community, Fruitlands) so I would have a great time explaining the reasons for it.

What a great fantasy!

I will readily admit that I need some pointers for writing. I'm constantly distracted by life - and the time in front of the computer writing is what suffers. So bring on the pros and let me learn from them!

I can't wait to read this book and add it to my writing library.(What a hoot it would be to win it)
My question is: Did you need permission from their estates to get access and use their private material?

A personal note: Years ago, I was honored to be a member of M. L'Engle's writing workshop and so pleased to see you included her as one of the 12 writers. She would have been "tickled pink."

Your interview of questions and answers is very important to us that struggle as newbies each day in creating. I would certainly benefit to have this book in my library. I'd love to win this book for sure. Thanks for offering it, and the opportunity to win. I hope I win!

Sharing His Love,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

What an amazing collection of inspirational text by an inspiration herself. I LOVE hearing about and from women writers who are also artists and who stretch beyond the bounds of what the world says is possible for creative people. Thank you for your great example, Nava!!
Jeanne

This looks like a great book! I love Madeleine L'Engle's writings on writing and would love to read the advice from all these other wise ladies. :)

Looks like an excellent book! I would love to win it!

This looks great! What a wonderful idea for a book! I'm sure each of the authoresses would approve. I'd be very interested to read it, especially if I won it. :D

Another round of thanks for the comments after my previous response!

Lora Mitchell, I did have to do a lot of permission seeking. Though all the Literary Ladies are deceased, some of their estates are alive and well (Edith Wharton, Madeleine L'Engle, Anais Nin, etc) while others' writings are in the public domain (Alcott, Stowe, Austen, etc.). That whole permission-seeking and acknowledging is quite tedious and I'm going to try to avoid having to do it in the future!

And how cool that you got to study with L'Engle. As Alisha pointed out she did some great writing on the writing life.

Sounds like an inspiring read. Thanks for writing and I look forward to reading it!

Sounds exquisite! Can't wait to read the book. What a great idea.

Looks like a neat book!

Ahh! This book sounds like it was meant for me! Love Edith Wharton and Charlotte Bronte and I love reading about writers issues with writing. Usually it makes me feel more normal ;)

It's got my attention. Sounds like an excellent book.

The quote by Joan Didion that goes, "I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking..." fits me like a spandex glove. I want, no, need to read the book. I am sure many of the things that drove the women of the book will also fit me. It will be an inspiring read.

Love books on the writing life. Thanks for the giveaway!

Next to writing and reading books, my favorite thing is to read about others who write. Would love to have a copy of this book!

Looks fab, can't wait to read this book for some much-needed inspiration!

Jennifer

I'd love to win the Literary Ladies book. Please toss my name into the hat!

Great interview, fascinating to hear about Atlas' three niches. Would love to win the book!

This sounds like it would be a great addition to my library shelves.


apoalillo At Hotmail (dot) cOM

I would love this book.

[email protected]

A perfect dose of inspiration to leave right out on the coffee table!

I think this book must have been written with me in mind. I can't wait to read it.

I enjoyed the interview. I can't wait to read this book!

Looks like a great book! I'd be interested in reading it, even if I don't win.

As a writer, I'm always looking for inspiration and ways to improve my writing skills, this sounds like a great book! I would love to have this as part of my own library and share with my other writer friends. Best wishes, Nava on your publicity tour and getting published.

I'd love to win this book

Such an interesting group of women you chose. I just know it will be a very interesting book to read.

great giveaway thanks
willdebbie97 at yahoo dot com

Both my daughter and my mother would love this- thanks for the chance to win. Great interview. :)
(email in profile)

I need this. I'm all tapped out on writing inspiration and advice.:)

ladyspy79(at)aol(dot)com

i would love to win
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

This sounds like a fascinating book. I fancy myself a writer and love to gain insight into how other writers think.