Simon Pulse Ro-Coms Rock!

As you might have heard, we are saying goodbye to the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies blog. First, I want to thank the 11 amazing authors who've been contributing, from those who've been there from its inception (like the amazing Jennifer Echols, the blog's creater and web mistress) to some of our newest authors. It's been a blast getting to know you and read your books!

Personally, I received my invitation to join this talented, witty, and fun-loving group in 2007, right before my first ro-com (and first novel ever!), The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren, came out in December 26, 2007. It's hard to believe it's been that long! Then, about a year later, in Feb. 2009, Miss Match came along. Sinice then, I've been working on different projects, but my ro-coms will always have a special place in my heart, and that's thanks to all the fabulous Pulse Ro-Com readers out there! So thank YOU!

I know I speak for everyone when I say we hope you still stay in touch with us on our various web-sites and other blogs. Here are some good places to find me on the web: My web-site, Facebook, Twitter, Teen Fiction Cafe blog, Books Boys Buzz blog, and my official Simon and Schuster author page.

Where have you set your books and why?

I love this question because I think where a story takes place is very important. You want the story to feel real, and one of the ways to do that is to describe the place authentically. Of course, you can make up a place and as long as you stay consistent, that works too. But with my published novels, I chose places I knew well. Then, I build upon those settings and use fake high school names, street names, etc., to build the perfect setting.


The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren takes place in the Denver suburbs, where I moved in the second grade and lived until college (but I went to Colorado State, which is only an hour and a half north). I enjoyed writing about a place I know inside and out, putting in little shout-outs to the Broncos, the Rocky Mountains, etc.

My second Ro-Com, Miss Match, is set in Salt Lake City. There don't seem to be very many books set in Utah, and I wanted to shed light on the amazing place I live in now. Right after college, I got married to a Utah native and now we live in a beautiful town about an hour north of SLC. We're surrounded by 3 ski resorts, a lake, and a river. I put some local tidbits in my story, and it's been fun getting feedback from the people who live here. (The photo to the left shows some of the scenery I enjoy every day.)


As for my third novel (not a Ro-Com, but still with Simon Pulse), I needed a setting that was steeped in religion--the Bible Belt. I was born in Houston (where I lived until 2nd grade) but I wanted a smaller town setting, somewhere where everybody knew everybody's business. So I decided to set it in East Texas, where my parents are from and where my dad and other relatives still live. I was there a couple of years ago so to make sure my settting details rang true, I ran them by my relatives. The main character, Poppy, and her mom move from Boulder, Colorado to Pleasant Acres, Texas (I made up the town name, but it looks a lot like this photo from a real East Texas town) to start a new life, and I think (I hope) it works well. You'll have to let me know! Lifted comes out June 8! (Click HERE to learn more about this book.)

Basically, I choose settings that work best for the story I'm telling and that I can write about with a sense of authenticity.

As a reader, I think it's fun to read a book that is set somewhere familiar to me, such as Nicole Burnham's Scary Beautiful (Colorado), but it's also fun to read a book that takes place somewhere I've never been or somewhere that doesn't really exist. What about you?

what I love about my Simon Pulse Ro-Com covers

If you're a fan of the Simon Pulse Ro-Coms, you've undoubtedly noticed the cute covers. Artist Amy Saidens and the Simon Pulse team put a lot of thought into the artwork, capturing the essence of each individual book.

I absolutely love the cover of The Secret Life of A Teenage Siren, my first Ro-Com. First of all, it's purple. Second of all, Amy truly captured the appearance of the main character, Roxy Zimmerman, from her bright green siren eyes to her luxurious, long, reddish hair. It also gives a hint of what the story is about, with the flute and the hot guys in the background, drooling over Roxy. I've had so many compliments from teens and adults about this cover, and I'll always have a special place in my heart for it because it was my first YA novel ever.My second Ro-Com, Miss Match, also has a great cover. Sasha Finnegan is not a fashionista, nor is she super skinny or drop-dead gorgeous. In other words, she's an everyday girl who happens to get herself into some pretty crazy situations. Now, as you can probably tell from the title, she's a matchmaker and she loves getting teens together with their crushes. I think all of these elements are captured nicely in the cover, from her appearance to her talent and love of making matches.

What are some of your favorite Simon Pulse Ro-Com covers?