A BBC Cymru/Wales production directed by Nigel Lewis, “A Book at Bedtime” features Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, abridged by Nigel Lewis and read by Sam Dastor.

Listen to Episode 1 Here.

I am very much looking forward to appearing at literary festivals at Chester (Waverton Good Read Awards Dinner), Beverly, Ilkley and Guildford. Please check my Facebook Page, or Events page on this website, for full details. Always so exciting to come ‘home’ to England. Pass me a crumpet!

Major Pettigrew has been selected by the residents of the village of Waverton to receive the 2010/11 Waverton Good Read Award; awarded to the best debut novel by a British author. It is a very special honor to have my novel endorsed in this way by a real English village. My name is to be engraved on a silver trophy cup, kept in the village. The Major himself would be very proud!

I’m happy to announce that Major Pettirew’s Last Stand has won the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance.

I’m happy to announce the selection of Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand for the Richard and Judy book club 2011. Here is a video of my interview with them.

Come and see me at the Friendship Heights Community Center on June 2nd at 7pm. Read more. Books available at the event from Politics and Prose.

I am delighted to have been shortlisted for the amazing Waverton Award. This award is so fabulous because an entire village gets together to read and review the books. It seems like a Masterpiece Theater Mystery plot, doesn’t it? I hope the winner gets a free pint in the pub! I’m so thrilled to have Edgecombe St. Mary critiqued by a real English village. Read more.

Major Pettigrew is one of six books shortlisted by the judges. This award honors the memory of UK writer, Melissa Nathan, whose life was cut short by cancer at age 37. Her foundation helps children in need. A great honor to be included in this shortlist in my home country.

I was delighted to be recognized as one of five books chosen this year by the judges. I receive a writing residency at the wonderful Ucross Writers’ Retreat in Wyoming. Thank you to the judges, the Foundation and Ucross.

Flipping through the December O Magazine at the supermarket checkout, I nearly shrieked aloud to see that my book was number three out of five books that Oprah’s magazine team picked as the Best Fiction of 2010. I quickly added several copies to my groceries; causing the checkout lady to stare at me as if I were crazy. Or perhaps it was my crazy hair and sweatpants? I had a horrendous cold and had only staggered in to buy chicken soup and assorted other comfort food before retiring to bed for two days. The O Magazine news certainly made me feel more chipper as I toasted them with cold medicine!

I am thrilled (and slightly dazed) to report that Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand is #5 in Fiction and #13 overall in Amazon’s Best Books of 2010. It is also #8 in Audio Books. Fabulous news as the paperback gets ready to launch on November 30th. I hope plenty of stockings will be stuffed with a copy of the Major this year, and that its bright blue cover will prove a tasteful token for Hanukkah as well.

On New York’s NBC Channel 4, Bill Goldstein recommended Major Pettigrew as just the right book for spring. I shared air time with Cathleen Schine’s wonderful The Three Weissmans of Westport. View here.

Listen here to my recommendation of three novels of manners that were not written by Jane Austen. While Jane is the true master, the novel of manners, in the hands of other authors, continues to show up the world for what it is. Small domestic squabbles mirror the largest of world issues and we don’t seem to get any better at being kind, do we? I was very grateful to be invited onto NPR’s famous All Things Considered, to read this piece.

Major Pettigrew has obviously been on a campaign to win hearts and minds and has achieved his mission in an unexpected record time. Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand has just made it onto the NY Times Bestseller list at #14 (tied with #13). In addition, Indiebound, which represents the nation’s independent bookstores, has him at #3 on their bestseller list.  The Washington Post debuted him at #9 and he is popping up on other lists as we speak. I am overwhelmed at the response to what was supposed to be a small literary debut.  Thank you to all who have written to me to say how much you’ve enjoyed the book.

As a stay-at-home mother, and part-time writing student, in Brooklyn, I would make time whenever possible to listen to WNYC’s Leonard Lopate interview writers as they came through New York City to promote their newest books. It is a dream come true for me that this this Tuesday, at 1pm, I will be sitting in Leonard’s studio discussing Major Pettigrew. Look at me – I’m already calling him Leonard! Please listen and maybe even call in.

Waterstones, the UK’s leading bookstore chain has selected Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand as one of its twelve New Voices for 2010. I am so happy to be included in a list that, for the first time, features all debut authors.

Janet Maslin, of the NY Times said of Major Pettigrew, “It’s about intelligence, heart, dignity and backbone. ‘Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand’ has them all.” The Times of London said, “words can’t convey the slow-burning pleasure of this novel.” It has been a very exciting few days at the Simonson household as we approach tomorrow’s launch date with these wonderful reviews to bolster spirits. Launch jitters were calmed by a little champagne and a lot of teasing from the teenage members of the household; who are determined to remain unimpressed until they see the movie version! Thank you to everyone who has supported the Major. Fingers crossed and here we go…

It will be such a pleasure to ‘come home’ to the beautiful village of Westhampton Beach and read at my local bookstore, the Open Book, run by the wonderful Terry Lucas.  I’ve been visiting Westhampton Beach (the quieter, family-friendly Hampton) for many years and I have seen Terry work magic to keep an independant bookstore open all year round in a village that is busy in the summer but sleepy all winter.  I will be reading at 6pm on Saturday May 29th, and I hope my friends and neighbors will turn out, not just to say hello to me, but to show their support for Terry and her staff.  Flip-flops ok!

The Corner Bookstore (Madison and 93rd) has invited  me to read and sign books at 6pm on Tuesday, March 16.  I hope you can join us.

The IndieBound NEXT List has selected Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand as its #1 Pick for March.  This is especially gratifying news as this list is compiled through nominations by independent booksellers nationwide.  I am so thrilled to have this support for my debut and I would like to thank all who toil to keep bookstores open in their communities.  Support your local bookstore!