Chat to the one and only JUDY BLUME - ask Judy a question and discuss her latest book IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT on Monday 8th August, 9-10pm

[TillyMumsnetBookClub]

Judy Blume is a revolutionary. Her books have sold more than eighty-five million copies in thirty-two languages. She wrote about racism, bullying, sex, menstruation — you name it, she did it - with clarity, warmth and honesty. Now she has written what she says will be her ‘final novel for adults’, using her own experience of catastrophic plane crashes in her hometown as the central plot. IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT is set in 1950s suburban America, and told in a chorus of voices, covering the whole small town. Miri is an amusing and gawky 14 year old living with her glamorous single mother, her make-up saleswoman grandmother and her journalist uncle. Miri’s best friend, Natalie, comes from a wealthier family whereas her first-love/almost-boyfriend Mason is an orphan. When three separate planes fall out of the sky in the space of three months, the impact on the community is immense. Fear, panic, horror and a desperate need to make sense of the devastation means that emotions and relationships are pushed to the limit. But it is the long-term fallout that Blume really explores, with repercussions on her characters drawn out over three generations. It is a beautifully crafted, tightly woven work of art, with Blume’s unmistakable voice ringing throughout.

To find out more about the book, and for your chance to win one of 50 copies, please go to the book of the month page and fill in your details before 10am Monday 27 June. We'll post on this thread when all the copies have gone.

You can also find out why Judy is a Mumsnet heroine and read what Judy’s up to on the official Blume website or follow @JudyBlume on Twitter

We are honoured and delighted that Judy will be joining us to answer your questions about IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT, all her terrific novels and her exceptional career on Monday 8 August, 9-10pm. Please feel free to discuss the book here throughout the month and then come and meet Judy on the night, and ask her a question or simply tell her what you think of any of her work. Here is your chance to chat to a legendary literary figure, so please do come along, whichever book you’ve read at whatever age…

If you weren't a writer, what do you think you'd like to be (apart from a book-shop owner!)

@FernieB

What are you working on at the moment?

Taking a gap year to work in the bookstore. Every day I wake up, look skyward, and say -- Thank you for not making me write today. Actually, 47 years of writing may be enough. Unlikely is the book I want to go out on. Though, remember, I said the same after Summer Sisters.

@twinjocks

If you weren't a writer, what do you think you'd like to be (apart from a book-shop owner!)

when I was younger I wanted to go on the stage. maybe a film director?

Thank you, Mumsnet, for the opportunity to join this discussion tonight. And, of course, sincere thanks, Judy, for your gracious replies to our many questions. Wish you the very best of luck with your future 'productions'.

@Hurricane74

Hi Judy, thank you so much for talking to us tonight. I wanted to ask which of your books you are most proud of? I, like many others, loved 'Are you there.. Margaret' and found your books so reassuring as a teenager. Did a desire to reassure teenagers motivate you I your writing?

I can't say I was motivated by wanting to help others. I doubt you get the best fiction that way. I was motivated by my need to tell stories, to be challenged, to engage in creative work.

I feel we could keep asking questions for days and still want to ask more, but we are sadly coming to the end of our hour...

Thank you to everyone for their fantastic messages and questions (and the nostalgic memories of all the teenage years!) that has made this such a lively and fascinating discussion. I think Judy got to pretty much everyone but apologies if we didn't get to your question in time...

Judy, you have been completely marvellous. As mentioned earlier in the thread, we've never had anyone answer so many questions before - you have set a record! Your generosity and energy have been phenomenal and are greatly appreciated.

It's been a thrill and an honour to have you, and we hope you might come back one day... Good luck with the bookshop and many many thanks once more for being such a fabulous guest author.

Thanks so much for all your questions and comments. now you get to go to bed and I get to go to the gym.

xo Judy

thank you Judy!

Wow thanks Judy, really enjoyed reading all your replies.

Eek thank you for the reply. Completely star struck!! Enjoy the gym

What a great read this was. Unlike a lot of others, this was the first of Judy's books that I've read so I'd like to thank her for writing such a gripping story and hope that there will after all be plenty more to come.

Judy: in Blubber, was the name Wendy deliberately chosen to be ironic, because she's so different from the lovable Wendy in Peter Pan?

if I could have told my 11 year old self that in 30-odd years time I'd be having a web chat with Judy Blume... (once I'd got over the difficulty of explaining what a webchat is, of course)... I'm still amazed that happened!

Oh no! I've just logged on to join the web chat and found it was last night. Gutted