Claire Bidwell Smith

One of the most common questions I was asked during my trip to NYC last week was about the process of writing of THE RULES OF INHERITANCE. People wanted to know when I wrote it, what sparked the writing of it, how long it took, what the experience was like, etc. So I thought I’d Read more…

Last week there was a Twitter hashtag circulating called #whyIwrite and it was interesting to see some of the responses. Susan Orlean said “To make sense of the world, to hear stories, to tell stories, to feel alive.” Neil Gaiman said “Because I can lie beautiful true things into existence, & let people escape from Read more…

I gave my first interview about THE RULES OF INHERITANCE yesterday, to an editor at BlackBook Magazine. (Yes, if you’re wondering, I do write about restaurants and hotels for their online guide.) They’re going to be featuring a little write-up about me and my book in the January issue of the magazine, which is very Read more…

I have been bursting to share this news for the last week or so: Australian publisher Text has officially acquired the rights to THE RULES OF INHERITANCE and will be publishing the book next year. In addition to putting out the book, they’re bringing me to Australia for a book tour. The people at Text Read more…

I’ve had a lot of great writing teachers in my life. Two of them were actual teachers, in schools with books and assignments and criticism to hand over. One was in high school and the other was in college. When I sold my memoir this year I emailed both of them to say thank you, Read more…

It’s been a busy week already, this first week of September. I got some truly incredible news about my book on Tuesday morning, that I can’t share here right now, but which has elevated my week and my perspective to unmatched heights. It’s cast a strange haze over the way I view my life, my Read more…

Caroline Leavitt just made me cry. Caroline is the author of this year’s NY Times bestseller Pictures of You, which I adored. In my quest to reach out other writes I admire, I had Penguin send her my book only about a week ago. She read it already and just emailed me with this quote. Read more…

It’s Tuesday morning and I’m alone in the house, about to dive into a morning of writing. I can’t even tell you how exciting this is. For the last three months, ever since we arrived in Los Angeles, I’ve been out the door with Vera by 8:30AM, going to the playground or running errands, so Read more…

I’m restless these days. My book is out there, in the world, being handled and read and considered and judged. But the thing is that it’s not really out there. It won’t be on sale for close to six months. SIX MONTHS. Hence, why I feel like I’m pregnant. In six months the book will Read more…

Okay readers, I’ve got a favor to ask. As part of an author series for Mahalo I’m going to be shooting a video in a couple of weeks, and I need you guys to ask me some questions. The questions can be about anything writing-related. But they can have a personal slant too. I don’t Read more…