Local Author Jen Calonita Introduces New Book

Jen Calonita, Merrick resident and author of the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series, Sleepaway Girls and Reality Check, has penned another book – Belles. Although her books are a hit with teens throughout the U.S., none await her novels like the people of Merrick.

Calonita recently spoke to Merrick Patch editor, Emily Cappiello, about her new book, the support she has recieved from the Merrick community and the line-up for the summer Beach Bag Book Club.

Your new book, Belles, has dropped! Tell us a little bit about it.
It's about two girls named Mirabelle and Isabelle who are about to have their lives turned upside down when they move in together. The girls are polar opposites – Mira is the daughter of a wealthy senator and Izzie was raised by her grandmother in a not-so-great area – and how they come together and learn from each other is my favorite part about this story set in the fictional world of affluent Emerald Cove.

What inspired you to write the book?
I've always loved exploring the relationship between girls who have a sisterly friendship – sometimes you love each other, sometimes you drive each other nuts! How you learn and grow from each other is so important.

How has the Merrick community embraced the new book?
It was so nice to see so many of my friends and the moms from Old Mill Road School at my book signing at the Carle Place Barnes and Noble! It means so much to me to have their support. All of my friends from Merrick have helped so much, especially now while I'm down south on a book tour. Everyone has pitched in to help my family with all their activities and school while I'm away. My friends in Merrick support me in so many different ways! I'm so fortunate.

You are such a support to teens in Merrick, with the writing workshops and the book club. Why do you feel this is important?
When I was in middle school and high school I always loved to write and I knew I wanted to be a writer. I just didn't know if that dream was possible. I didn't know anyone who was a writer! That's why it's so important to me to work with our Merrick and Bellmore libraries. I want to show the girls that being a writer is something they can achieve if they work hard enough. Through our workshops, the teens have been able to interview local business people, worked on short stories that we've edited together and done writing projects. I'm so proud of all they've done so far.

Can you give us any details about the Beach Bag Book Club for this summer?
We have such a great lineup this year! For those who don't know about the club, held at the Merrick Library and run by the Merrick and Bellmore libraries, we bring in different authors all summer long to talk to the girls about their books and writing and to do a book signing of their latest books.

In June, authors Susanne Colasanti (Keep Holding On) and Elizabeth Eulberg (Take a Bow) are coming. In July, we have Kieran Scott (This is So Not Happening) and Melissa Kantor (The Darlings in Love) and in August, Jen E. Smith (The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight) and myself (for Belles) are going to be on hand. I'm at all the events helping moderate the discussion.

Those who sign up for events get fun summer must-haves at each event and have the opportunity to buy all of our books. It's a great way to spend a summer afternoon. I encourage all the girls to sign up for one month or all the months we have planned!