Say hi to... Paige Toon

Not only is she beautiful, but she's also an awesome author signed to Simon & Schuster. It's Paige Toon!

Image ©  Johnny Ring

When did you first start reading Chick Lit?
It depends on the definition of chick-lit! Is Judy Blume’s Forever chick-lit? I still remember how much I enjoyed reading Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’s Diary and Watermelon by Marian Keyes. They definitely compelled me to read more.

When did you first start writing Chick Lit?
I got my book deal in September 2006 and wrote my first book, Lucy in the Sky, in the next two and a half months.

What is it about this genre that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which?
I love unrequited love stories – especially ones that aren’t too predictable. I want to be totally immersed in a story. I want to want to read, rather than prefer to watch television. I do like other genres. I absolutely love YA sci-fi like The Hunger Games and Twilight. I’m currently devouring The Mortal Instruments – which is pretty much chick-lit in a fantasy world. It’s an perfect unrequited love story.

Name one of your favourite Chick Lit books?
Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding and The Brightest Star in the Sky by Marian Keyes.

What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it?

I have a few things coming up! In November, Johnny’s Girl is being released. It’s an ebook short story sequel to Baby Be Mine, told from the heroine Meg’s point of view when she finds out her husband, rock star Johnny Jefferson, has a teenage daughter. In January, I’m releasing the first of a whole series of YA books about Johnny’s daughter Jessie. The title is: The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson. Then, in May, my new chick-lit book will be coming out and that’s called Thirteen Weddings. It’s about a wedding photographer who falls for a groom.

What inspired you to write it?
When I was writing Baby Be Mine, Meg worried that her son might not be Johnny’s only illegitimate child out there – he’s a rock star and he’s had a lot of groupies! I had the idea for Jessie, then – his an ordinary girl who finds out her dad is a megastar.

Is it part of a series?
Jessie is, yes. Book 2 will come out January 2015.

Who designs your covers?
The wonderful art team at Simon & Schuster.

If your book was made into a film, who would you cast?
I’m asked this question all the time and it’s so hard for me to say because my characters are figments of my imagination and not based on anyone. I thought recently that Chris Hemsworth looked like a pretty good Johnny – when he’s not too muscly. I love hearing what my readers think – they tell me on Facebook and Twitter.

What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?
I hate to sound like a broken record, but Bridget Jones’s Diary!

Who is your all time favourite Chick Lit character?
Clare from Watermelon by Marian Keyes. Marian inspired me to also write about characters who are mentioned in other books – it’s one of the things my readers tell me they most love about my books.

Name one Chick Lit author who you think deserves to be better known.
I recently loved Colleen Hoover’s Slammed – it looks nothing like chick-lit, but it essentially is.

In the movie of your life, who would play you?

Image courtesy: Richard Goldschmidt, www.piqtured.com

Oh God, I don’t know. I’m half Australian, half British so I’d be lucky to have someone like Isla Fisher, even though we look NOTHING alike!!!

Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy?  Sparkling wine.
Shopaholic or shopadon't?  Shopaholic
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? Six inch wedges!
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? EL James
Cry baby or tough cookie? Bit of both

Paige Toon was born in 1975 and grew up between England, Australia and America. A philosophy graduate, she worked at teen, film and women’s magazines, before ending up at Heat magazine as Reviews Editor. Paige is married, has two small children and lives in Cambridge.
The Longest Holiday (out now) is her seventh book.
Visit her website, or you can follow her on Twitter.
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