Author name: Kristen Hansen Brakeman
Genre: Memoir
Book: Is That the Shirt You’re Wearing?
Bio: Kristen Hansen Brakeman’s comedic essays have appeared in the New York Times Motherlode, The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, Working Mother Magazine, Scary Mommy, and Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop, where she was recently named Humor Writer of the Month. She has appeared on Huff Post Live to endlessly debate the use of the word “Ma’am,” and is a reviewer for the New York Journal of Books. Real humans have compared her writing style to both Erma Bombeck and Nora Ephron, but possibly they were intoxicated at the time. Brakeman works behind-the-scenes on television variety shows and lives in the suburbs of Los Angeles with her husband, and three daughters.
Favorite thing about being a writer: Besides saving money on therapy bills, what I like about writing is connecting to my readers. Nothing makes me happier than hearing, “I could totally relate…” because something I wrote struck a chord, or reminded them of their own lives. I’ll be honest – it’s very gratifying knowing you’ve touched or made someone laugh enough to write you a personal note.
Biggest challenge as an indie author: Marketing and self-promotion are the challenge of any author, but especially indie authors who have to do the lion’s share. It’s not my personality to say, “Pay attention to me!” but luckily I’ve found most people have been very receptive, and it’s nice to have the interaction with readers that comes from being heavily involved with the selling phase.
Favorite book: I can’t name just one! For nonfiction I love anything by David Sedaris, and the late Nora Ephron. Fiction – probably Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is still my personal favorite. That and, Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, so I guess I’m drawn to magical realism in my fiction.
Contact Information:
Website: kristenbrakeman.com
Facebook: @kristenhansenbrakeman
Twitter: @KristenBrakeman
Goodreads Author: Kristen Hansen Brakeman
Awards:
Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop HUMOR WRITER OF THE MONTH (MARCH 2017)
FRESHLY PRESSED honor by WordPress
Finalist, Blogger Idol
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Book Club Mom 
Nice to meet you! I’ll have to make sure to get a copy of your book since we’re all in need of some laughs these days. I hope you weren’t in favor of the use of the word “Ma’am” during that debate. 🙂
Thanks so much Sheila. Yes we could all use some laughs right now! No I’m anti-Ma’am – though I understand that in other regions of our country the word is viewed and used differently. Nice to e-meet you!
Any writer whose fav book is LITTOC is probably worth reading 😉
🙂 Thanks! It is such a beautiful book huh.
I love books in essay form. Nonfiction (memoir) is usually what I see. This looks like a great read. As you know, Barbara, self-promotion is my biggest challenge, too. I’d like to say it’s nice to see others struggle with this but that’s kind of mean. 😉 I do feel less alone, though. And, also, I know I’d be saying, “I totally relate to that…” Off to check this out.
I enjoy essay books too! Thanks Sarah – I hear you on the book promotion. Feel like I’m spitting in the wind sometimes! Hope you check it out, Kristen