Ask Buddy (aka Frequently Asked Questions)

ere are a list of some of the most frequently asked questions I know Carly receives via email, snail mail, etc. I'm happy to take more since chances are I'll answer them before she does! Email me at: carly@carlyphillips.com (I sneak peeks at her mail when she isn't looking!)

Buddy

... I recently read Carly's HOT ZONE series and caught some serious mistakes. First, in HOT ITEM, chapter one, Annabelle has a baby girl named Sydney, then in chapter nine Sophie asks Annabelle, "How's my nephew?" Second, at the end of HOT NUMBER, Micki is pregnant but there is no mention of a baby in HOT ITEM. I realize Carly is incredibly busy but how can she not pick up mistakes like this? How can her editor miss this? Doesn't she have an assistant who can read for continuity? If I were her, I'd fire everyone.
—Confused and Unhappy Reader

BUDDY'S ANSWER: Dear Confused and Unhappy:
Carly has received many (and I do mean many) emails on this subject. She is truly, truly sorry. She told me in between tears that she is only human. She made a mistake. She wishes the copy editors had caught the errors, but they didn't. They, too, are human. From now on, she has hired someone to read and take notes on continuing books for just this reason but again, she can only do so much in the way of control. Sometimes books are written years apart. Sometimes a different copy editor reads the various books and has no way of catching mistakes between stories. Within a story is another matter and she promises to try harder from now on. ::WOOF::

... I've read in the back of the other SIMPLY books that there was also a book called Simply Sultry (Frankie's story). I can't find it. Was it published and if so when? Or was it renamed?

BUDDY'S ANSWER: Carly was too lazy to write Simply Sultry. ::WOOF:: Just kidding! Simply Sultry was never published. The other books in this series in order are: Simply Sinful, Simply Scandalous, Simply Sensual ... followed by Body Heat and Simply Sexy. The first four have been reprinted and are currently available. Simply Sexy will be out this December!

... Okay so no one asked. So this isn't a question. Let's pretend it is. It's my section, I make the rules. I'm giving a bit of info that is important so listen up! You'll want to know this.

BUDDY'S ANSWER: Carly cares about her readers! So she would want you to know that the Simply books are REISSUES. That means, these books were originally published as Harlequin Temptations in 2000. For her older readers, don't be fooled by the gorgeous new covers! Carly understands how frustrating it is to buy a book and then discover you've already read it! Unless of course, you want to reread or own the the Simply books in their new form! As for Carly's new readers, those who found her thanks to Kelly Ripa and/or the Chandler Brothers books, the Simply books are hot, sexy romances! Both Carly and I hope you'll give this series a try! Oh, Carly also wants you to know that if you see The Right Choice (Carly Phillips as written by Karen Drogin), on bookshelves, this is also a reissue of a story she wrote in 1999 under her real name, and one that is a departure in tone from her Carly Phillips stories. It's perfect for a more emotional read! ::WOOF::

... How do you help Carly when she is suffering from writer's block?

BUDDY'S ANSWER: Writer's block? ::WOOF:: It's called plain old procrastination if you ask me. As soon as I see the Neiman Marcus webpage come up, I know she's in trouble. I go under her chair and nudge her in the arm to get her writing again. For this service, I receive a pat on the head and the occasional doggie treat. ::WOOF:: The girls get Hershey's Kisses.

... What was the first romance ever to be picked by a nationally televised bookclub?

BUDDY'S ANSWER: THE BACHELOR! I am so proud of Carly! And I'm pretty happy with Kelly Ripa, co-host of LIVE!, too! Read more about it here.

... Who is Karen Drogin and why do you have books under her name?

BUDDY'S ANSWER: Nobody knows this answer better than me! Karen Drogin is Carly's real name. She wasn't Carly when she brought me home. No sir. But once she became Carly, she had three books published under that name for a now defunct romance line called Zebra Bouquet. More recently the Bouquet books were republished with new covers and both names: Carly Phillips as written by Karen Drogin. They are more serious books than those her readers are used to when they buy a Carly Phillips book. I know Carly wants her readers to know what they are getting when they pick up any of her books! The Karen Drogin books are: Perfect Partners, The Right Choice, and Solitary Man.

... Why do you use a pseudonym? (What is a pseudonym?)

BUDDY'S ANSWER: Hey these were supposed to be easy questions. I'm a lazy dog, remember? A pseudonym is a name an author writes under other than their own legal name. Carly Phillips is a pseudonym that she publishes under. Why doesn't she use her own name? Because back in the olden days, 1998 to be exact, I was a mere pup and new to the house, when Karen (I'll always refer to her as Carly from now on to make things easier) got the call that Harlequin wanted to buy her first book, BRAZEN. They asked her to take a pseudonym that was more modern and hip sounding than her traditional real name (Karen) and easier to remember than her married name (Drogin). She wanted a tie to her real life, chose the last name Phillips (her husband/my daddy's name is Phillip) and a name similar enough to Karen that the silly girl wouldn't forget it. Carly Phillips was born. Enough to confuse everyone in this house, let me tell you! ::woof:

... Are all Carly's books available in Audio format?

BUDDY'S ANSWER: We wish! Only a select number of Carly's stories are available in Audio. For more information, you can visit her BUY THE BOOKS page. You can also look at Carly's book pages on Amazon.com, Barnesand noble.com or more recently Brillianceaudio.com. Of course I suggest if you want something, write her publisher (Harlequin or Brilliance Audio) and ask for it! ::woof!::

... How can I get an autographed bookplate for my book?

BUDDY'S ANSWER: Two ways. To write to Carly directly for goodies, click here. For an autographed bookplate with purchase, visit www.newandusedbooks.com and make sure you ask if bookplate isn't listed as included. Carly loves Vickie Denney at www.newandusedbooks.com and all she does for authors!

... How can I unsubscribe from Carly's e-newsletter?

BUDDY'S ANSWER: Why would you want to? Okay, I get it. You moved and you want to unsubscribe so you can resubscribe under your new address. Whew. To do this, click here. And subscribing is just as easy. Same page.

... Can I get a list of Carly's upcoming books?

BUDDY'S ANSWER: ::woof!:: Check the HOME page. Click the link that says 2006 booklist!! Be sure to share it with friends. It's better than a dog treat!

... Do you get paid for answering these questions?

BUDDY'S ANSWER: Fat chance. The kids get paid for stuffing her envelopes though. Is that fair? On the other hand, I do get to hang out on her bed all day...