Jo Carnegie ~ Author of Dirty Tricks, Wild Things, Naked Truths and Country Pursuits

My purple nail varnish from Urban Outfitters

JoC — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:50:52 +0000

Supa cool, and hides a multitude of sins (frequent nail chewing as new book goes into final phase)

Still dogging!

JoC — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:48:48 +0000

Still residing at my pad in the country. It’s lovely. First I jump on granny and get let out for a poo. Then I sit by the letterbox and wait, to rip the most in my loudest snarling manner, from the young guy who comes every morning. It’s great fun to hear him run shrieking down the path. Why does he have to know I’m the size of a shower pouf? Then I nick some of granny’s porridge. Then terrorises the tall grumpy fella who sits in his study behind a large paper called the Telegraph – I’m wearing him down. Then out to help grandma with the horse, sitting precariously close to those dinner plate hooves (I’m mental!) Walk. Flirt with Noodles the dog. Snooze. Lunch. Escape to the Country (Alistair Appleton’s my have). More food. Chase squirrels round the garden. Dinner. Cheese fed to me secretly by Tall Fella in the kitchen. Wee. Bed. Sleep. Mum who?

Right, that’s it. I’m giving up white wine.

JoC — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:41:30 +0000

In my full time journo days I always thought there was something in an article about how white wine sends women completely mental. Who hasn’t had a WW meltdown? Is there something in the grape that sends our female brains loopy? Is it something to do with the time of the month (they should put a health warning on the label then: ‘Warning, do not consume if on period). Why don’t men the WW rage? (probably because they don’t drink as much of it).

ANYWAY after an extremely boozy bank holiday which culminated in me pulling my friend’s husband’s tracksuit bottoms down in public (me and the passing tourists thought it was funny anyway) I’ve decided to give up the grape for a while. I’m 37 next month, there has to be a drink that makes me act in a more sophisticated, grown up manner. I’m off out for my first time since Trousergate tonight, so that will be a test. There will be champagne. That doesn’t count… does it? #ohgod

NEW YORK ARE YOU READY???!

JoC — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:30:38 +0000

Tomorrow morning I’m jetting off to NYC with some of my old heat girlies for a fabulous hen do. I’m going with a stylish bunch so it’s going to be fashion-tastic. Bit worried I’m the only one out of the group who hasn’t had a fake tan but I’ll have to go the pale and interesting route (trust me after four days of carousing I’ll definitely be pale when we touch down at Heathrow again). So I’m off to pack my prom dress for the famous St Patrick Day march – see you on the other side!!

Getting bladdered

JoC — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:12:32 +0000

We got locked out this morning. It was rubbish. I’d been hanging on all night for a wee and that lazy woman lay in all the way through until 6.55am before she got up to let me out. Problem was the front door shut behind us. Mum was panicking about only been in her dressing gown and Ugg boots, but what about me?! I didn’t even have my collar on! I felt naked AND it was raining. Luckily the locksmith was very nice and tickled my tummy, while mum quietly banged her head against the wall when she got handed the bill. £70 is a lot for a wee but then I am special!!

Is Churchminster bound for TV?

JoC — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:07:50 +0000

Lots of people have asked if my books will ever be made into a TV series. Well… very excitingly a TV production company has brought up the rights! WOO! *does cartwheel of excitement* I’ll keep you posted but I’m seeing a kind of Desperate Housewives meets a British Dallas meets Larkrise to Candleford on crack. LOVE it. Would also like to know your dream casting!!

Jo and Forrester the horse!

Lucy — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:59:02 +0000

Chick lit – and proud!

JoC — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:05:04 +0000

There’s been a lot of hoo haa over the last few days about the supposed ‘fluffiness’ of chick lit, but the Guardian’s Decca Aikenhead revealed a lot more about herself than her interviewee, the fab Sophie Kinsella, in her piece this week. Why do the supposed ‘serious’ critics and journos get their knickers in such a twist about women – and especially a CAMBRIDGE graduate woman like Kinsella – writing supposedly ‘unintelligent’ books about romance? I get asked this quite a lot; do I mind being labelled under the chick lit genre, as if it’s something shameful and derogatory. Normally the ones asking have never even read one of these supposed CL books, because under the pastel colours and cupcake on the cover there are a fantastic array of bright, funny women writing across a variety of issues, some of them very poignant and serious. It’s time for these sniffy critics to get off their high horses; just because someone wants a light-hearted, entertaining read doesn’t mean they – or the author – are brainless morons. Why can’t you have the Shopaholic series on your bookshelf next to A Visit From the Goon Squad? Yes, literary snobbery highlights an insecurity about intelligence – but about the ones doing the damning. The rest of us are secure enough to know we don’t have to have a Kindle bursting with Tolstoy and Proust to show how ‘clever’ we really are. THAT’S real feminism for you.

WIN! A year’s VIP membership to Innerplace!

Suz — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:59:13 +0000

Does the idea of a year’s complementary membership to one of London’s most exclusive VIP entertainment clubs rock your boat?

Great! Because, to celebrate publication of Horse Play, we’ve teamed up with the lovely team at Innerplace to offer one of Jo Carnegie’s readers the chance to win this fabulous, exclusive prize!

Innerplace is a private concierge service providing exclusive entertainment in London and internationally. Membership benefits for the lucky winner will include guest list service at the most exclusive private members’ clubs, a VIP table booking facility, a restaurant booking service providing complimentary champagne, monthly members’ parties with complimentary drinks and canapés, weekly newsletters featuring the latest openings and launches, expert advice and insider knowledge and a theatre and concert booking service.

And that’s not all! Innerplace are offering ALL Jo Carnegie readers an exclusive membership offer until 29th February, of membership for just £40* per month. (*usually £50 per month plus £75 joining fee) Email Innerplace with the subject line JOCARNEGIE to take advantage of this fabulous offer!

Find out more about Innerplace on their brand-new website – www.innerplace.co.uk

ENTER HERE for the chance to WIN!

The competition closes at midnight GMT on 29th February 2012. Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions

Suz — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:45:13 +0000

WIN! A year’s VIP membership to Innerplace: Terms & Conditions

1. By entering this competition, you agree to accept and be bound by these terms and conditions.

2. This competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over who is a resident of the UK or the Republic of Ireland, except for employees of The Random House Group Limited (the promoter), its subsidiary companies, their families and any other company connected with the competition.

3. The closing date is midnight GMT 29^th February 2012. Entries received after the closing date will not be considered. Responsibility will not be accepted for lost or damaged entries, whether due to system error or otherwise. Proof of entering the free prize draw via www.jocarnegie.co.uk is not proof of the promoter’s receipt of entry.

4. The prize is one year’s membership to Innerplace, worth £675. Membership includes: Guest list service at exclusive private member’s clubs, a VIP table booking facility, a restaurant booking service providing complimentary champagne, monthly member’s parties with complimentary drinks and canapés and a theatre and concert booking service. The prize must be taken before 30th April 2012. No cash alternative will be offered.

5. Events may occur which render the awarding of the prize impossible due to reasons beyond the control of the promoter and the promoter may, at its absolute discretion, vary, amend, suspend or withdraw the prize with or without notice.

6. The competition will be judged within 14 days of the closing date (i.e. by 14^th March 2012) and the winner will be notified by email within 14 days of the closing date (i.e. by 28^th March).

7. The winner agrees to the promoter’s use of their name, address and photograph in relation to the promoter’s publicity material. The winner’s personal details will only be retained and used by the promoter in order to send you details of your free prize and will be deleted thereafter unless you have ticked the appropriate box. Your personal details will not be passed on to any third parties.

8. The winner’s name will be available on www.jocarnegie.co.uk on 14^th April 2012.

9. The promoter’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into in relation to the competition. No cash alternative will be offered.

10. The promoter’s contact details are: The Random House Group Limited, 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 2SA. www.randomhouse.co.uk