Richie

Richie asked Melanie Benjamin:

I saw in the Penguin Random House "12 Authors Reading" email that "Auntie Mame" is one of your reading picks. I love that! I love camp so naturally I love Patrick Dennis. I also love reading old Hollywood autobiographies which leads me to ask: what books did you read to prepare for writing "The Girls in the Picture"? I am super excited to read it!

Melanie Benjamin Thanks for asking! The biography of Frances, called "Without Lying Down," by Carrie Beauchamp, was a book I'd loved for years, and which would probably be a primary inspiration for this story. I then also read bios of Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Frances's memoirs called "Off With Their Heads!" and Hedda Hopper's memoirs, as well as Adela Rogers St. John's. And then books about the silent era - "The Parade's Gone By" is one of my favorites.

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Doug

Doug asked Melanie Benjamin:

Was curious how you feel about there now being another book on the same subject (i.e., 'Swansong' by Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott). Have you - or WILL you - read it? I LOVED your version, but bought a copy of the new book to compare...

Ali

Ali asked Melanie Benjamin:

I'm a "non-traditional" college student, which is a kind way to say old. I'm 42 and taking online classes to get my degree in English and Communications. For a project I need to ask one of my favorite authors how much time you spend writing each day? What degree(s) you earned? Advice for future authors?

Lisa Mcbroom

Lisa Mcbroom asked Melanie Benjamin:

I just finished reading The Children's Blizzard. Another book loosely based upon it is Lois Lenski's Prairie School. My question I loved the chapter of the animals sensing the upcoming blizzard, did you do any scientific research?

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