Announcing the Historical Hollywood Giveaway!

Like me, you're probably astonished that it's now September!  

Hollywood tales rank high among my fave fiction genres, as reader and writer, and within that subgenre I prefer biographical novels. I'm delighted to participate in this bestselling, award-winning multi-author giveaway of real-like stories about movie personalities of the past. Karen Essex, Heather Webb, and I are giving away these FOUR novels of Hollywood's Golden Age--the silver screen icons, scandals, and stardom--in one big prize pack.

I invite you to ENTER HERE.

These are the books included in the giveaway:

Run, Darling by Karen Essex. Three Sisters. One War. A Harrowing Escape. For decades, the gorgeous trio of Zsa Zsa, Eva, and Magda, with their Auntie Mame mother, dominated gossip columns, TV and movie screens, talk shows, and tabloids with their talent, clever quips, branded beauty products—and utter disregard for society’s rules. Run, Darling is that untold story.

Strangers in the Night by Heather Webb. In the golden age of Hollywood, two of the brightest stars would define—and defy—an era… As Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner ride the rollercoaster of success and failure, passion and anger, they both wonder if the next turn will be the end of their careers, and most devastating of all—the end of all they’ve shared.

Beautiful Invention: A Novel of Hedy Lamarr by Margaret Porter. Hollywood Beauty. Brilliant inventor. The incredible story of a remarkable and misunderstood woman. In Hollywood, Louis B. Mayer transforms an Austrian refugee into Hedy Lamarr, an icon of exotic glamour. Professional success clashes with Hedy’s personal life as marriage and motherhood compete with the demands of studio and stardom.

The Limits of Limelight by Margaret Porter. Hollywood turned Ginger Rogers into a star. What will it do for her cousin? A pretty teenager leaves Oklahoma for California at the invitation of her relatives, to try her luck in motion pictures. As Phyllis Fraser, she lands a contract with RKO and swiftly discovers that Depression-era Hollywood’s surface glamor and glitter obscure the ceaseless struggle of the hopeful starlet.

Best of luck to all who enter! 

Celebrating Women's Fiction Day: Multi-item Giveaway

 

Congratulations, Tara B.!

The randomly selected contest winner will receive, in addition to an Autographed copy of The Limits of Limelight, the The Limits of Limelight pillow, a bottle of the iconic and historic Sortilège perfume (worn by real-life heroine  Phyllis Fraser in the novel), an elegant white silk scarf like the ones Fred Astaire wore in films with Phyllis's first cousin Ginger Rogers, a Limits of Limelight acrylic 16-oz sippy “go” cup with straw, a spiral Garden of Allah hotel notebook (Phyllis and Ginger and Ginger's mother lived there in the early 1930s), a Garden of Allah shot glass, and miscellaneous book swag.

Thanks to everyone who entered by

subscribing to my newsletter 

or

following Author Margaret Porter on Instagram

or

emailing an answer to this question: Have you ever watched a Ginger Rogers-Fred Astaire movie? (be sure to include your name and email address. You won't be added to the mailing list but will only be contacted if you're the giveaway winner.)

or

Doing all three to be be entered twice!

Deadline for entry was: 

Saturday, June 11

What should I know about The Limits of Limelight?

     

It's my 14th novel, available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

Finalist, 2021 Chanticleer International Book Awards

BookTrib Selection, Women's History Month

     

     Pretty Oklahoma teenager Helen Nichols accepts an invitation from her cousin, rising movie actress Ginger Rogers, and her Aunt Lela, to try her luck in motion pictures. Her relatives, convinced that her looks and personality will ensure success, provide her with a new name and help her land a contract with RKO. As Phyllis Fraser, she swiftly discovers that Depression-era Hollywood’s surface glamor and glitter obscure the ceaseless struggle of the hopeful starlet.

     Lela Rogers, intensely devoted to her daughter and her niece, outwardly accepting of her stage mother label, is nonetheless determined to establish her reputation as screenwriter, stage director, and studio talent scout. For Phyllis, she’s an inspiring model of grit and persistence in an industry run by men.

     While Ginger soars to the heights of stardom in musicals with Fred Astaire, Phyllis is tempted by a career more fulfilling than the one she was thrust into. Should she continue working in films, or devote herself to the profession she’s dreamed about since childhood? Which choice might lead her to the lasting love that seems so elusive?

     “Based on a true story....A witty and meticulously researched treat.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

     “An engrossing glimpse into a bygone era and the forces affecting a young woman's evolution into her own abilities...vigorous and involving to the end. ~ Midwest Book Review

      “A captivating novel about Hollywood...a more realistic and multifaceted view of the era.” ~ Historical Novels Review (*Editors' Choice)

     “A lovely tribute to the larger-than-life celebrities of early Hollywood....a glitz and glamour novel that shines brighter the deeper you go.” ~ Independent Book Review

     “A time capsule of Hollywood's Golden Era...a captivating novel of Tinsel Town's perils and pitfalls, trade-offs and triumphs!” ~ Leslie Carroll, author of American Princess 

 What Is Women's Fiction Day?

 Women’s Fiction Day celebrates women’s fiction authors, novels, publishers, book sellers, and most importantly, readers who appreciate women’s fiction and the power of a great story. This year for Women’s Fiction Day, members across the country will hold book signings to engage and connect with readers. WFWA is working with its 1,800 members across the country and internationally to hold a day of book events both online and in person on June 8.

More info--and giveaways--available here: Women Fiction Writers Association

What Is Women's Fiction?

Women's fiction is a writing genre that includes layered stories in which the plot is driven by the main character’s emotional journey. The stories can be contemporary or historical, and may have magical, mystery, thriller, romance, or other elements.

Interview with Mamie Parris: Broadway star, concert singer, audiobook narrator

I feel so fortunate that the amazing actress and singer Mamie Parris narrated the audiobook of The Limits of Limelight. The production process was smooth and entirely professional, and I couldn't be more pleased with the result. And the reviews!

My own history as book narrator is limited to nonfiction and instructional manuals. So I was curious to get Mamie's perspective on narrating novels--and this novel in particular. She very generously responded to my questions.

Relying on an audiobook narrator with a strong performance background was important for several reasons. Many of the characters are themselves performers, in film and theatre. Ginger Rogers, for instance, arrived in Depression-era Hollywood from the Broadway stage--where you have also appeared. Her cousin Phyllis Fraser, is striving to become an actress. Did you feel a connection with them, or other actresses in the novel, by virtue of being an actress and singer yourself? What impact did that have on your approach to the material?

I absolutely felt a connection to every performing artist in this book. Since the age of 17 I've been in New York City struggling, then working, then finding success as a professional actress. I'm very familiar with the kinds of struggles and triumphs relayed in the stories of Phyllis, Ginger, Anne, and Peg. I've even trod the same boards as many of these actors at theatres from New York to Connecticut to Maine. Our business is unique and very intimate. I felt privileged to give voice to their stories. 

When voicing the well-known Hollywood personalities, did you carry out any background research, apart from the words on the page? Create some sort of profile, as I do before writing about them?

I research and create characters for audiobooks the same way I would for a play. When I have the opportunity to narrate a book that features real people, my goal is never to imitate, but to take all the information I can gather, and create a fully realized person in my mind. The way they breathe and think is as important to me as how they sound. 

I’m curious about what aspect might have been the most enjoyable about recording The Limits of Limelight. And what you regard as the greatest challenge.

The biggest challenge was also, in its own way, the most enjoyable to me. I loved voicing some of the most recognizable actors and personalities of the era. But with that opportunity comes a great responsibility to their fans. I hope I haven't let them down.

Did you have a favorite character to portray? Or a favorite Astaire and Rogers movie musical? (I can never decide which one is mine!)

I loved Ginger, of course. She's confident and carefree, and grows into a real firebrand. Phyllis's journey was most rewarding. Of course, poor Peg Entwhistle was enjoyable for other reasons. She was complex and so fragile, I wanted to make sure I treated her with respect and love. And who wouldn't relish the opportunity to step into Katharine Hepburn's shoes?

I love a Gershwin tune, so Shall We Dance might be my favorite Fred and Ginger flick, though my favorite number has to be "Night and Day" from The Gay Divorcee. I'm thrilled that Ginger's incredible feathered dress has a mention in the book (with a killer story to it).

You have a home studio, set up with all the necessary technical equipment for recording books and commercial voice-overs. What is your typical work schedule when recording an audiobook? Is there an optimal time of day to do it? How long is your average recording session for an audiobook?

It all depends. I can generally tell right away how dense the material is: The number of characters and scenes involving dialogue, the type and length of the book itself. All this dictates my timeline. When I'm actively recording a book, I expect to spend anywhere from 4-6 hours in the studio at a time. I'm fond of working in the afternoon, when my voice has had plenty of time to warm up and settle. When I finish recording, I can expect anywhere from a few days to a week of editing and engineering, to make sure the finished product sounds the best it can.

With in-person concerts and stage performances possible again, after more than a year of theatre closures due to the Covid pandemic, please share upcoming events and locations.

I'm thrilled to be back in theatres again! Future performance dates and book releases can be found at my website.

Thanks for the great insights, Mamie! I couldn't be more pleased with the audio version of The Limits of Limelight.

This audiobook is available from Audible, ibooks, Google Play, Libro.fm, Chirp, and many other vendors.