A best-selling author on a book tour makes a stop today (Wednesday) in Iowa. Janet Evanovich is touting the latest in a series of murder novels with a strong funny streak and a theme that runs through every title, from “One for the Money” and “Two for the Dough” to the newly published “Twelve Sharp.” She says writing to a “formula” has connotations: “I like to think of it as meeting readers’ expectations.”
The adventures of bounty hunter Stephanie Plum have kept her at the top of best-seller lists. Evanovich admits she doesn’t write extremely literary or classic fiction. “I write the book that might make you smile,” Evanovich says, noting you can be pretty sure all will end well in one of her novels. “I never kill cats or dogs; I have two hot guys and one bumbling heroine.”
A former romance writer, Evanovich says she’s had more fun — and better sales, writing thrillers about Stephanie Plum, the bounty hunter from New Jersey. Evanovich knows who her readers are — in fact, she’s let them pick the names for several of her recent books, at her website for readers and fans.
Sales correspond to national numbers, she says — a lot more women read and buy books than men do. Evanovich is pleased to have a readership that’s about 35-percent male. She’ll read from “Twelve Sharp” and sign copies of her books tonight (Wednesday) at 6:30 at Hoyt Sherman Place theatre in Des Moines.
Related web sites:
Evanovich website