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The Rejected Writers' Book Club (Southlea Bay 1) Kindle Edition

by Suzanne Kelman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.0 2,702 ratings

Book 1 of 3: The Southlea Bay Series

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Librarian Janet Johnson is puzzled when she is invited—and practically dragged—to her first meeting of the Rejected Writers’ Book Club. This quirky group of women would much rather celebrate one another’s rejected manuscripts over cups of tea and slices of lemon cake than actually publish a book. But good friends are exactly what Janet needs after moving to the small town of Southlea Bay, Washington. Just as the ladies are about to raise a teacup to their five hundredth rejection letter, they receive bad news that could destroy one member’s reputation—and disband the group forever. To save the club, Janet joins her fellow writers on a wild road trip to San Francisco in search of the local publisher who holds the key to a long-buried secret. As they race to the finish line, they’ll face their fears—landslides, haunted houses, handsome strangers, ungrateful children—and have the time of their lives.

Revised edition: This edition of The Rejected Writers' Book Club includes editorial revisions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Great fun! Suzanne Kelman’s humor makes you want to call some girlfriends and plan to get together. Friendship is a major theme in this story and I’m all about that! The premise is certainly not to be taken seriously…even more reason to laugh…of course all writers want to have their work recognized! Light, quirky, and heartwarming. I’m looking forward to Book Two!” —Patricia Sands, bestselling author of the Love in Provence series

“A quirky and fun read. Highly recommended.” —Christine Nolfi, bestselling author of the Sweet Lake Novels

“I didn’t get a chance to review this book right after I finished, and I’m kind of glad it worked out that way. Because I realized—I haven't been able to get this book out of my mind! The author did a great job of creating memorable and zany characters, and putting them on a road trip adventure that was one wild ride. But, what was great is that it was still realistic. I appreciate when authors take you just to the edge of what is possible without going over the top. I look forward to future books in this series.” —Camille di Maio, bestselling author of The Memory of Us

“A wonderful heartwarming story filled with love and laughter.” —Victoria Connelly, bestselling author of The Rose Girls

“Suzanne Kelman has an effortless knack for making you laugh out loud. This is hugely entertaining, feel-good fiction for a rainy day or an afternoon at the beach. Be prepared to be unable to stop smiling.” —Carol Mason, Amazon Charts bestselling author of After You Left

About the Author

Suzanne Kelman is the author of the Southlea Bay series and an award-winning screenwriter. Born in Scotland and raised in the United Kingdom, she now lives in the United States in her own version of Southlea Bay, Washington, with her husband, Matthew; her son, Christopher; and a menagerie of rescued animals. She enjoys tap dancing, theater, and high teas, and she can sing the first verse of “Puff, the Magic Dragon” backward.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B016A31ZX6
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lake Union Publishing (March 29, 2016)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 29, 2016
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1872 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 274 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #333,840 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #472 in Women's Humorous Fiction
- #1,960 in General Humorous Fiction
- #3,339 in Humorous Fiction

Customer Reviews:
4.0 2,702 ratings

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Suzanne Kelman

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Suzanne Kelman an Amazon bestselling author in America, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, and her books have sold over 400,000 copies worldwide accumulated 10 rights deals across eight territories. Her WW2 historical fiction books are published by Bookouture - an imprint for Hachette U.K.

She is also the author of the bestselling book, "The Rejected Writers' Book Club", published by Lake Union, which is the first book in the Southlea Bay series. Other books in the series include, "Rejected Writers Take the Stage" and "The Rejected Writers' Christmas Wedding".

Kelman is an award-winning writer/screenwriter whose accolades include the Best Comedy Feature Screenplay Award from the L.A. International Film Festival, the Gold Award from the California Film Awards, and the Van Gogh Award from the Amsterdam Film Festival.

In 2015 her script, Held, was recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures and was shortlisted to the top ten in the Academy Of Motion Pictures Nichols Fellowship competition.

As well as a screenwriter and a published author, Suzanne is also a playwright, and her award-winning comedy play, "Over My Dead Body", had its World Premiere at Outcast Theatre in Washington, Fall 2019.

Born in the United Kingdom, Suzanne now resides in Washington State.

Please sign up for her newsletter to stay in touch - https://www.suzannekelmanauthor.com

Customer reviews

4 out of 5

2,702 global ratings

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Bobbie Hayes

cute story

Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2024

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I was looking for something light and sweet and found it. Well written and entertaining. Thank you for this story

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(ajk) avid reader

A truly wonderful and lighthearted read

Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2016

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Like a breath of fresh air, the women of Southlea Bay, are such an eclectic group. They all have their own idiosyncrasies and ways of looking at the world. And they all have something wonderful to bring to the Rejected Writers' Book Club.

Suzanne Kelman has written a funny, light hearted, and truly wonderful novel. One the reader has a hard time putting down. You will laugh and smile and fall in love with all the characters from the very beginning. They will become your friends who take you on a journey, both at home and while on a road trip.

This is a book you don't want to miss. A feel good read that should be a read now, not somewhere on your TBR pille. It is a novel you will re-read and enjoy it more each time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

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Lila

Some amazing things but also some things I hated

Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2020

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I had a hard time rating this book. It had some amazing qualities but it also had some things I hate passionately.

Things I loved:
1. Interesting voice -- of a middle-aged lady with a grown daughter
2. Wonderfully eccentric characters -- there was no confusing one character with another (even the twins!)
3. Blossoming romance
4. Hilarious humor -- I laughed out loud several times

Things I hated :
1. A couple of mild expletives
2. A completely inappropriate and unnecessary metaphor about whores
3. A tasteless description of a woman's large bosoms and insensitive mockery of large women
4. Lack of faith -- for some reason, I was under the impression that this was a Christian author
5. Lack of romance in the narrator's marriage -- the way they showed their longtime love was a bit unusual, not bad but it definitely wasn't a romance -- I would classify this as Women's Fiction (the blossoming romance I mentioned was just a secondary character, the narrator watching it only)

So, though hilarious and mostly entertaining, there were enough elements that brought it own to 3 stars for me. I'm not sure I can really recommend it.

Favorite quotes:

“(Some people have separate beds. Now that we’re both in our late forties, we’d lived twenty-five glorious years together as long as we kept separate refrigerators. Fish bait, guts, and elk in his; hummus, strawberries, and froufrou French chocolate pastries in mine.)”

“Verbal tennis is about the most exercise we get.”

“He seemed taken aback by the fact that the red check engine light, which had been illuminated for the past month, had, in fact, actually meant we were supposed to check the engine. 'Really?' he said, not meaning to be comical. 'That’s the last thing I would have thought of doing. It seems to flick on and off like a Christmas tree light. I was sure it was just a loose connection.'”

“I grinned to myself as I rinsed off. My husband was always remarking about my wild imagination. Maybe I should start writing books too, and if I joined the Rejection Club, they wouldn’t even need to be good.”

“It’s sort of a mix of Jane Austen and Stephen King, if you know what I mean.” I didn’t know about Dan, but I certainly had no idea what she meant. I couldn’t connect those two authors together in my brain no matter how I tried.”

“Oh, young love. I remembered it. Wouldn’t want to go back though. It was like holding someone’s brand-new baby. You knew you loved the sounds and that baby smell and the way it felt in your arms as it made sweet baby noises. But it was always nice to give them back, knowing that you wouldn’t swap all the sweetness of a newborn for a good night’s sleep for anything.” – not sure I agree, but very interesting perspective

“It was fun to watch shy young men approaching girls they may have had their eyes on all night.”

“Flora looked different somehow, as if that one heroic act of confronting Marcy had opened up the door to a new strength in her.”

“Wow, this was going to be a fascinating visit to the hormone amusement park.”

“You know, if you want rejection letters, you should stay this afternoon for the pitching session. There are going to be literally hundreds of publishers here just waiting to reject your book.”

“'Ethel and I will start spying out the land—you know, buying tickets and making a list of the publishers we can hit and mark all the ones we’ve already hit.' She made us sound like the mob.”

“As crazy as all this was, I felt such a part of it all. Somewhere between being snowed in with Ronald the homeless billionaire and bouncing Ethel through a bathroom window, I’d actually started to bond with this group, and I was having too much fun.”

“'I always just saw you as my mother, the person doing her best to control my life. But as I’ve talked to Annie and heard her talk about how great you’ve been with all the ladies, I’m really proud to call you my mom.' You could have knocked me over with a feather.”

“As she placed the last one on the scales after at least ten passes, the baggage handlers couldn’t contain themselves and burst into spontaneous applause.”

“That was a small town for you, all watching out for each other while also butting in.”

“My husband pushed me to my feet with utter glee at my displeasure. He was having way too much fun at my expense.”

Helpful

Carol Mello

Goofy and silly fun: if the Marx brothers were a bunch of old ladies

Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2017

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Chick lit for old women, with a dab of romance.

Warning: the plot begins slowly so hang in there before you make up your mind about this book, at least until the road trip is on the road.

Janet, a librarian, is commanded to help a bunch of older women (and one younger woman), all of whom are a bit daft, exchange an acceptance letter for a rejection letter from a publisher. The group of women chose Janet because, as a librarian, she must know all about publishing and how to convince a publisher NOT to accept a book. Sounds confusing and ridiculous? It is at first until you get used to the wacky world inhabited by this group of friends. The group of women formed the club to turn lemons (rejection letters from publishers) into lemonade. All is going along merrily until one receives (oh, horrors) an acceptance letter!

The covert operation involves a long road trip in Janet's car (naturally). All sorts of things, silly or unbelievable, delightful or embarrassing, happen on this road trip.

I thought I had bought this book and the audible narration, but I found out they were borrowed under my Kindle unlimited account today when I went to borrow another book. Really, the left hand doesn't know what the right hand has been up to. Now I do own them because I had so much fun with this book, for me it is worth owning both to enjoy again and again.

Why did I select this book on kindle unlimited in the first place? Because I liked the cover. I collect china tea cups and tea pots. I admit it is a thoroughly irrational way to select a novel to read. For once, it worked out well for me.

14 people found this helpful

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Joanne

Just fun to read

Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2020

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After some heavy reading I needed a break and selected this book. It was a fun, quick, easy read that made me laugh out loud.
This was just what I needed and the characters seemed like people I could meet in a small town. That they celebrate rejection makes me smile when I think about it. Will read the other books in this series when I need a pick me up!

Helpful

Merry a Vero Beach, FL Reviewer

A laugh out loud, crazy comedy of errors with unbelievably hysterical characters you just can't put down!

Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2017

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I still can't stop laughing! A fast, fun read about a ridiculous group of ladies who joined to form the Rejected Writer's Book Club! This book is a comedy of errors and personalities. The theme of the group is that it collects publisher's rejection letters to the manuscripts they send in. That are absolutely happy they get rejected because if they collect 500 then they will be able to donate to a childrens fund. BUT uh oh, something happens and one of the women, the head of the group, Doris receives an acceptance letter. With the group and enlisting the Librarian, Janet, who has to go from Washington State to California to help her pregnant daughter, Doris and the group draft Janet to go on a road trip so they can get Doris' manuscript back and a rejection letter. The plotting and planning and the ridiculous things that happen to them on this road trip is so laugh-out-loud funny you must read this book! I will definitely read more, we all need a good laugh in this world once in a while.

15 people found this helpful

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Judithhb

Writers, Rejection Slips, hot tea and cake. It's all here

Reviewed in Australia on February 7, 2017

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A charming, funny and delightful book. Suzanne Kelman introduces us to Janet a retired librarian and her husband Martin who have moved to the village of Southlea Bay. They find life here so very different to their old lives living in town and begin to find their way around this new life.
Janet is quickly chosen by Doris Newberry the village know-it-all to join several projects but most strangely, the Rejected Writers' Bookclub. This is a group of women who meet regularly for coffee and cakes and to celebrate the number of rejections they have accumulated between them. The goal is 500 but things are brought to an abrupt halt when one of them receives an acceptance letter.Led by Doris, the group decides to confront the writer of the acceptance letter. Their travel to San Francisco is a joy to read - a series of mishaps result in the ladies having to face a landslide, a haunted house, a homeless man seeking shelter and food and even a handsome young stranger who becomes attracted to one of the group.
I really enjoyed this book and felt at the end of it as if I had made a whole new group of friends. I recommend it for those time when you've had enough of murder, thrills, hot sex and romantic liaisons and want to go back to a more innocent time.

2 people found this helpful

Mr and Mrs..

Fun reading

Reviewed in France on October 9, 2016

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I loved this book, it was such fun to listen to ( I had chosen the audio version and wasn't disappointed).
The characters were sympathetic, I could identify with each one in someway or another.
The plot was amusing, just enough tension to keep you on the edge of your seat but not so much, that you felt wrung out by it.
Of course a happy ending is always a plus, and the fact that one is left with enough interest to hope a sequel is on the way !!!
( I so hope they make a film of this book. )

PortiasMummy

Didn't want it to end!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 24, 2016

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All the time I was reading this I could visualise it as a film/stage play. I find sometimes these days that the author of a book leaves a lot to be desired in the use of words - not the case with Suzanne, she is a good writer, and this makes her story very enjoyable to read. Surely there is a follow on book to this - please Suzanne! If you want a book that you can pick up and thoroughly enjoy reading and not wishing it to end then I cannot recommend this highly enough. Each of the characters gives a different dimension to the story. I really loved this book and the only problem I found with it is that it ended! I wanted it to go on!

One person found this helpful

Marla J. Hayes

we are all rejected writers at heart

Reviewed in Canada on April 3, 2016

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What a great ride! Everyone who has ever written a poem or a short story or a memoir, or ever wanted to, will fall in love with this tale of family, friends, and making discoveries about enjoying your life no matter your age.
I hope, hope there will be a sequel!

Mrs F. Turner

Enjoyable.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 23, 2016

Verified Purchase

Wasn't sure about this book when I started reading it- seemed a bit disjointed and I wasn't liking any of the characters- but it grew on me! And the characters became more endearing when they were filled out a bit. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the journey and even though it began to be predictable I was so involved I couldn't put it down! I had expected something literary (going by the title I should have known)and a bit more cultured but nevertheless it was an enjoyable read.

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The Rejected Writers' Book Club (Southlea Bay 1) Kindle Edition

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