[The Survival Series 01] • Survival of the Ginnest

A modern-day diary loaded with parenting humor

Meet Dottie Harris. She was living the self-indulgent lifestyle of every childless couple... and then she had kids.

Struggling through pregnancy and motherhood, Dottie turns to social networking. She quickly becomes reliant on it, using it as a way to reach out to others and come to terms with the funny side of motherhood, whilst realising she’s not the only person to consider anything after 7 a.m. a lie in.

Follow Dottie on her journey—made up entirely of Facebook-style updates—spanning four years of her sleep-deprived life. She bluntly shares her worries, insecurities, tears and tantrums, along with the things nobody ever tells you about motherhood!

Full of humor and honesty, Dottie's modern-day diary gives a glimpse into motherhood as she trades in her social life for the sofa and a bottle of gin, watching her children grow older while she grows less enthusiastic.

If you're looking for a funny chick lit read packed with parenting humor, or simply want to know you're not the only one having trouble parenting newborns and toddlers, this book about the ups and downs of mothering is for you!

Interview with the Author

Q. What was your inspiration to write the Survival series?

A. Mainly my friends and family! I'd bump into people and they'd comment on how my Facebook updates made them smile after a bad day with the kids. One day, while I was working on another book, I needed a bit of light relief and decided that a book in the style of social networking might be a good way of getting to know a character, both for me and people who don't have as much time to read as they'd like. Dottie turned into somebody people wanted to read more of, and the ideas of the predicaments she could get into kept coming thick and fast—especially with my own two monkeys providing material!

Q. It seems these books could fit into several genres. How would you categorize them?

A. While Dottie is a fictional character, her struggles are real. So I'd say anyone who enjoys parenting humor or parenting books in general will enjoy the Survival series. And anyone looking for parenting support to get through the baby blues and could use a laugh will enjoy these books! Also, those who enjoy funny chick lit, general humor, or women's fiction.

Q. What sets Dottie apart, and how is her story different from all the other funny chick lit books out there?

A. I think, in fact, part of what attracts people to this series is that Dottie's struggles AREN'T different from everyone else's. However, the way she tells them IS different. Survival of the Ginnest is comprised entirely of fictional social media updates that are about as honest as you can get. Dottie shares everything, even some of her not-so-fine parenting moments. The other books in the series, Survival of the Christmas Spirit and Mothers Ruined, are traditional novels but contain Dottie's unique brand of humour.

Q. What order should I read the books in?

A. Each book in the Survival series can stand alone, but like gin and tonic, they go great together! I would recommend the following order:

- Survival of the Ginnest

- Lush in Translation

- Survival of the Christmas Spirit

- Mothers Ruined

If you enjoy fun, light reads with a humorous look at parenting (and drinking gin!), you'll enjoy the Survival series. Thanks for reading!

Categories for Survival of the Ginnest

- General Humor

- Chick Lit Women's Fiction

- Parenting Family Humor

- Motherhood Pregnancy Humor

- Parenting Newborns, Babies Toddlers

- Parenting Support

For readers interested in: parenting humor, pregnancy humor, mothering humor, funny chick lit, parenting support, baby blues, parenting newborns, and parenting toddlers.