Saturday, August 13, 2011

CONFESSIONS OF A CALL CENTER GIRL: AUTHOR INTERVIEW, REVIEW, AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED  
CONFESSIONS OF A 
CALL CENTER GIRL
BY LISA LIM

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A fun chick lit romance that will appeal to fans of Sophie Kinsella and Marian Keyes. Bridget Jones meets The Office. Madison Lee is a fresh college grad, ready to take on the world of print media. But she has zero luck landing a job. Unemployment is at ten percent and on the rise. Desperate and left with no other options, she accepts a position as a service rep at a call center in Pocatello, Idaho. At the Lightning Speed call center in Spudsville, Maddy plunges into the wild and dysfunctional world of customer service where Sales is prided over Service and an eight hour shift is equivalent to eight hours of callers bashing her over the phone. Oh sure, the calls are bad. But Maddy manages to find humor on the phone and off the phone. And with all the salacious drama behind the calls, there is never a dull moment at the Lightning Speed call center.
 
Lately . . . Maddy has been pining for her smolderingly gorgeous co-worker Mika Harket. Now things are heating up on the phone--and elsewhere. Don't hang up on this novel. Working at a call center has never been this garish . . . or this delightful. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Lim is the author of chick lit novel Confessions of a Call Center Gal. She holds a journalism degree from the UW-Madison and is a former Copy Editor for Desktop Journal and Technical Writer for a software company. She is also an ex-call center gal. 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
1. Welcome, and thank you for agreeing to an interview for BOOKIN‘ WITH BINGO. Is there any personal information you would like to start out with today?
Thanks for having me. I've worked at a call center for almost a decade. *SOBS* I know, it’s tragic! After I graduated with my journalism degree, I served as Copy Editor at Desktop Journal. Then I went on to do technical writing for a software company. When I wanted to settle down and start a family, I started working at a call center. The hours at the call center were flexible and it allowed me to be a stay at home mom, and still bring in some bacon (albeit very lean bacon). Thankfully, my book has done fairly well and I’m now an ex-call center gal, a full time mom and graveyard shift writer. On a more personal note, I enjoy scarfing down bean burritos. I want to marry a bean burrito. And he will have Mexican Monterey cheese hair.
2. Where did you get the inspiration or idea for this book?
I've read countless of chick lit novels and the women all have fancy jobs, and they fancy men who hold fancy jobs. And I wanted to read about a woman I could relate to. A protagonist who is regular chick with a very ordinary job, who falls for a guy with an ordinary job. Although, the guy is anything but ordinary (I like to think). And I know this sounds clichéd, but my English teacher in college prefaced every writing assignment with this advice – “Write what you know.” And I know too much about call centers. One only need to hear the word "call center" and everyone’s blood pressure skyrockets through the roofs. Callers go ballistic and become verbally abusive over the phone, and often feel entitled to unload their personal demons on us. I've seen many of my co-workers on the verge of tears . . . and I wanted to tell our story.
3. What books would you say have made the biggest impression on you, especially starting out? What are you currently reading?
I’m a chick lit junkie and the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella made the biggest impression on me. That series is a hoot. No other emotion quite compares to laughter, and I wanted to write a book that gave my readers plenty of laughs. I’m currently reading Millie’s Fling by Jill Mansell. Mansell has perfect comedic timing and I’m a new fan of her books.
4. What is something about you that you would want people to know about you that we probably don’t know?
I love to do the Irish Riverdance. And yes, it involves moving my legs rapidly while simultaneously keeping my upper body and arms stationary. Good fun!
5. Do you own an eReader of any kind and how do you feel about their impact on books, as well as you as an author?
I recently bought a Kindle and I think eReaders are great! Especially for new authors like moi. Most readers would not fork out $10 on a paperback written by a no name, tiny squid author (like moi). But for a $2.99 e-book, they’re more willing to take a chance. 95% of my book sales come from Kindle and Nook sales. And I’m so grateful that readers have taken a chance on my book.
6. What is your advice to anyone, including young people, who want to be writers?
Remember what Justin Bieber says –“ Never say Never!” Yes, I have Bieber fever. And no, I do not have a penchant for pre-teen girls.
***Disclosures: rated-R for language. And if you find politically incorrect shows like The Office, South Park and Chelsea Lately detestable, childish and offensive, then my book is probably NOT for you. But I don't write with malice, it's meant to be lighthearted, comical and harmless.
I'm a Chinese gal and I lightly poke fun at all races, including my own.

ABOUT MY THOUGHTS/REVIEW:
First time author, Lisa Lim, has written an enjoyable and humorous story that best fits in the chick-lit genre in CONFESSIONS OF A CALL CENTER GIRL. With Lim’s personal background working in a call center, she portrays for readers a realistic and vibrant image of what it is really like to work at one of these centers. I found that part fascinating because how many of us picture who is on the other end of that phone that annoyingly rings during dinner? Lim explains within the story how selling is pushed at these workers no matter what. Speaking from her personal experience gave what could have been a run-of-the-mill chick-lit book some credence and thus another layer of reality to accompany the characters. Lim’s characters were also real people and readers will be able to relate to them easily and thus make for an enjoyable read.

Main character Madison Lee recently graduates from college with her journalism degree in hand but as she and her best gal pal look for work, they find the lines long and filled with over qualified people applying for even opening level positions in their field. Finally, she and her now roommate, Kars, take jobs at Lightning Speed Communications which is, of course, a call center. Although not what they hoped for obviously, it pays their bills in the meantime. Maddy and Kars show what life is really like inside the call center with its competition, irate callers, and bosses who push for more and more! Maddy finds that the best thing about this job is that there is some nice eye candy in the office by way of Mika, who she takes a liking to right from the start. As their friendship slowly grows, readers will find themselves rooting for this sweet couple who you feel belongs together. How that finally winds up makes for a good twist and final turn in CONFESSIONS OF A CALL CENTER GIRL.

Along with a delightful supporting cast which includes Truong who was my favorite, Lisa Lim is able to make us smile but also inject a bit of truth about this industry. Reminding one that those are real people on the other end of the phone line; real people who have their own set of problems and goals and really should be demanding a little more respect perhaps from customers. That’s hard to think about when it happens but since reading the book, I am trying. If you want to enjoy a quick read in these waning days of summer, while having a delightful time doing it, then grab yourself a copy of CONFESSIONS OF A CALL CENTER GIRL and sit back prepared to laugh, enjoy, and as you finish, hope for a sequel! All this thanks to Lisa Lim, whose name we should all be watching for!


GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO AUTHOR LISA LIM, I HAVE TWO
 BRAND NEW COPIES OF THIS DELIGHTFUL
AND ENJOYABLE BOOK TO GIVE AWAY
  
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
 

COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU READ ABOVE ABOUT CONFESSIONS OF A CALL CENTER GIRL THAT MADE YOU WANT TO READ THIS BOOK,  AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING ABOUT AUTHOR LISA LIM'S INTERVIEW ABOVE

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK, PLEASE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY THAT YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, COMMENT ON EACH WAY SEPARATELY.

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, AUGUST 31

75 comments:

debbie said...

I would like to see what happens in the call centers. It sounds like a fun book to read.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
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debbie said...

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debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

ann said...

would enjoy reading this one. I like the fact that is has humor in it to


amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

I am a GFC follower

amhengst
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ann said...

She likes to do Irish Riverdance. I would love to see her Irish dance.


amhengst at verizon dot net

holdenj said...

I enjoyed the interview very much and think it's interesting that she pursued writing about a chick with an ordinary job!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

Beiber fever, Lisa!!
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holdenj said...

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holdenj said...

I subscribe via RSS feed.
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Grace at Feeding My Book Addiction said...

I'm glad there are chick lit authors out there who want to write about ordinary people. Not all women are high powered executives, assistants to high powered executives, or living in NYC or LA.

I'm excited to read this book. Thanks for hosting a great interview and giveaway!

graceonorato at gmail dot com

Grace at Feeding My Book Addiction

Linda Kish said...

This sounds like so much fun. It's about time...a book about real people, not rich people.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Lisa sounds very down-to-earth.

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Suburban prep said...

I used to work for a catalog and be in the call center. I thought that this would be an interesting book to see if there were any parallels.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Suburban prep said...

The point in her interview where she states that she loves the Irish Riverdance. I love to dance as well.

Suburban prep said...

I follow via GFC

lag123 said...

I am sure that she has some good stories about what happens in a call center. I know how I have reacted to some of these calls (but they are so annoying). I would love to read this and get a laugh or two.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I think it is cool that she likes to do the Irish Riverdance.

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lag123 said...

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petite said...

An interesting book which would be entertaining as well. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Her Irish Riverdance interest is lovely. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

traveler said...

This sounds like a fun book. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

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traveler said...

This young woman sounds interesting and her experience worthwhile. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

It sounds like a very interesting read. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

heavenisabookstore said...

I think it is great that she's aware of an ereader being a great new outlet for a new author at a slightly lower price. Sounds like a fun read, especially since I am in retail. Hordes of crazy people. lol
heavenisabookstore@gmail.com

bison61 said...

call centers, that might be exciting

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

mamabunny13 said...

I agree with Debbie...I want to know what happens in the call centers! It does sound like a funny read.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

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scottsgal said...

It'd be fun to see what happens in the call centers
msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

she's got Bieber fever lol
msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

like you on fb
cheryls
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Colleen Turner said...

I can imagine that there are some fun and interesting people in a call center....if it is anything like they show it on TV it would be a great read!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I love the author interview! She sounds just hilarious: wishing she had married a bean burrito (I love those!), loving to riverdance...if her book has any of her humor I would surely love it!
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Anonymous said...

Like to read this because it is a Chick Lit novel and I love them

pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thanks

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

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(\___/)
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Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

While I probably wouldn't pick this up to read, curiosity would compel me to read it if I had it.

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alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

A Musing Mother said...

I'm remembering what it was like to be desperate for a nonskilled job in the 80's and how much I hated my job.

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