Come and chat to best selling author Marian Keyes, Wednesday 10 June, 1-2pm

This is my first time posting actually - that's my story and I'm sticking to it...

Probably This Charming Man, because it's the longest book I've written and basically has 4 storylines that are each as long as a novel. I thought I'd never finish it! But I'm glad I did because it seems to have helped a lot of people who have lived with domestic violence. And thank you for your lovely kind words!

I have a cunning question - have you posted on MN before under a nickname? Or is this your first time posting here?

I'm really happy to do the marketing that's required to sell a book, and I'm very lucky to have such great publishers who put so much energy and resources into my books. And I love the chance to engage with people who read my books.

I actually feel like I'm quite a slow writer compared to others! But great question, thank you!

I read Is Anyone Out There on a flight from Washington DC to London and cried and cried.

The Stewardess brought me a sneaky slice of cake and patted my shoulder.

Thank you answering my question . I have always resisted Catcher in the Rye for similar reasons...maybe I ought to give it a whirl!

Thanks very much - I'll answer the first part as there's a lot of questions to get through if that's ok! I think it's done a huge amount of good for how literature written by women is now perceived and respected. And I think there still is a need for women-only prizes. We're a long way from equality.

Marian, I am such a huge fan. Thank you so much for all the books. Which was the most difficult to write?

Actually - I read Dubliners by James Joyce and they're brilliant! He's an incredible observer of human nature. I'd always resisted him as he was rather shoved down our throat at school and it was my Serbian sister in law who finally convinced me that I had to read it, and she was right.

I have orders out the door from my Volkswagen chest of drawers! Myself and himself are like a production line. Thanks for the question!

I have always been aware of you as an author but been put off by the chick lit label - well it turns out that I love chick lit if it is written by you smile! Currently working my way through your back catalogue and dreading the day when I run out. I blame you for the bags under my eyes as I can't put your books down! Loved Rachel's Holiday but The Mystery of Mercy Close is my current favourite. I have also discovered Mhairi McFarlane who I think writes in a similar style.

My question is what do you think of the chick lit label? Are there any books/authors that you put off reading and then loved? (Or ignore those and tell me if you have a shovel list?!)

Hi again Marian, great to read all your replies! I am wondering do you type your books as you go or hand write them?

I love signings, I really do! The nicest part of what I do is getting to meet readers. I find it so encouraging, and I feel like we're friends already, I really do. And thank you so much!

@Lammy7

Hi Marian As an avid reader I want to say I love all your books! I hate the "chic lit" term and would describe your books as stories about ordinary people written with handfuls of humour and heaps of heartache and with a dark underbelly"....do you think that is a good description? Every time you release a new book it is like a birthday and Christmas all rolled into one for me, and "The Woman Who Stole My Life" did not let me down! It was brilliant thank you. Please keep writing, life is so much better with your words on paper. Big hugs to you, you are an inspiration and wonderful lady. My favourite re-read of yours is "This Charming Man" and my favourite "sad" one is "Is There Anyone Out There?" I will be logged in tomorrow for your web chat!

Thank you very very much, I really appreciate it. It's so encouraging to hear!

Oh good, more books! I am trying to ration myself having just discovered you!

Ooo you're here - so excited!

Hi Marian
As an avid reader I want to say I love all your books! I hate the "chic lit" term and would describe your books as stories about ordinary people written with handfuls of humour and heaps of heartache and with a dark underbelly"....do you think that is a good description?
Every time you release a new book it is like a birthday and Christmas all rolled into one for me, and "The Woman Who Stole My Life" did not let me down! It was brilliant thank you. Please keep writing, life is so much better with your words on paper. Big hugs to you, you are an inspiration and wonderful lady.
My favourite re-read of yours is "This Charming Man" and my favourite "sad" one is "Is There Anyone Out There?" flowers

Probably Anna. She's probably the sappiest! But I'm writing a new book about Claire at the moment, and she's good fun and nice to spend time with. I can even tell you the name of it - it's called Time Off For Bad Behaviour

That's a cheeky exclusive for Mumsnet!

People reading is always a good thing!

The book I would like to have written is Behind The Scenes At The Museum by Kate Atkinson. It's just perfect. But I don't tend to reread books, even if I've loved them - there are just too many gorgeous other things to discover.

What did you think of Fifty Shades of Grey? Do you think it encourages people to read in general and so that is a good thing?

Xx

Thank you for doing this webchat Marian it is fascinating... Can't believe you don't know what's going to happen the plots seem so tight.

Also can't resist just enthusing to you about how much i love the books...

I picked up This Charming Man 2 weeks ago in a cafe and Lola drew me in so fast i downloaded it on my kindle immediately. The combination of her humour, and Marnie's desparation and Grace's cool hidden depths had such a powerful affect. I found myself under Paddy's spell, you did such a good job of showing how all kinds of good people can be taken in by such persuasive charms. And the Knockavoy stuff truly had me hooting in laughter, but there again, at the situation, not the people ie Chloe, Delores et al who I really felt for.

Then i read Last Chance Saloon and Tara was such a familiar characer... so well drawn she really spoke to me.

Thanks so much for your work.

PS in lcs were you hinting that Lorcan Larkin might have AIDS?

Well I don't have a favourite author but here are some books I've loved - I've read the new Catherine Alliott - Wish You Were Here. I've been reading Colette Macbeth, she writes grip lit and she's really good at it! Kate Atkinson, I adore her. I want to read Ali Smith - How To Be Both.

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is absolutely amazing, I'm halfway through it.

@LadyCassandra

Hi Marian I love you too! I have re-read Rachel's Holiday many many times and giggled myself silly over the plastic see-through inflatable couch! My question is... What is your favourite biscuit?

It's an Irish biscuit - a chocolate Kimberley! It's the biscuit of biscuits, it's - oh God, it has marshmallow, two layers of ginger sponge, it's covered in chocolate...words fail me. There's lick in my mouth even talking about it. I feel sorry for any country that doesn't have it, I really do!

I'm afraid there's no chance of a savoury cookbook, as I too am crap at those things. But Rachel's Holiday was the one book where I knew what was going to happen because it's so autobiographical. Thank you so much - I hope you're feeling a bit better these days xxx