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.

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

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

*Does cartwheel of excitement* The fifth book in my Churchminster series is finally out! In the words of the great Miranda Hart I had SUCH fun writing it and I hope you love reading it. Which characters will float your boat this time?

Will be the lovely CARO and the beautiful BENEDICT, who’d do anything for the woman he loves?

How about feisty CALYPSO? Will she find the man she keeps declaring she doesn’t want?

And what about new girl KIZZY? Can she ever penetrate the heart of the brooding JAVIER, the gorgeous ex Olympic dressage rider with a dark and tragic past?

Ooh, I might have to go back and read it myself now! Enjoy. jxx

There’s all this hoo ha with mum’s book coming out, but what about my life story? Forget fiction, I could give you some REAL juice on having to live with a bonkbuster author. The woman is completely MAD; the wild cackling, the dancing around the living room after some of that white wine stuff, all these stupid outfits she keeps dressing me up in. I am an intellectual for heaven’s sake, how can I be expected to live with someone like this? The only thing is to bring out a tell all, so people see what I’ve had to put up with the last three years. *switches on laptop with paw*

Calypso’s new nickname for her grandmother Clementine (which Clementine loves of course)

This is (nearly) the moment chaps. My fifth book in the Churchminster series HORSE PLAY is out tomorrow. I am so excited about all the sexy new characters as well as the familiar faces of Clementine and co. Who will end up with who? Who will fall out of the pub drunk? And WHO is that sexy, dark brooding bloke striding round in jodphurs in the distance?

The countdown begins…



P.S. New in the Churchminster section! Calypso’s Party Tips, Meet Nobby the horse and Kizzy’s guide to riding!

OK, so I might be useless at stuff like taking the rubbish out but if you want a good shindig plan, I’m your woman. I’ve had enough practice, after all…

Venue

The most important decision. It should look great, make a statement and be a talking point in its own right, but also has be the perfect size and have the right logistics for what you are planning. Go for exclusive or different but not somewhere that just happened to have a celeb the week before.

People

Whether it’s family and friends, or models and bankers you have to have the right mix of guys and girls and personalities to make a party buzz. Adding a few eccentrics or beauties to spice things up won’t go amiss.

Good service

There is nothing worse than slow drinks service. Make sure there is a big enough bar and enough staff or plentiful, attentive waiter/waitress service.

Booze!

Sophisticated and intricate cocktails can be impressive for intimate gatherings but they are slow and pre made aren’t the same, so make sure you have plenty of champagne on ice or other quick drinks.

Music

Shouldn’t be overlooked as it sets the tone and the ambiance. Decide what you want but also the volume you want at different points in the evening to make sure you have conversation, then a buzz and then party central.

Food

Unless it’s a sit down dinner keep it simple and bite sized. You certainly want to avoid large messy, potentially embarrassing canapés (especially if you’re speaking to a really hot guy). Food is important to soak up alcohol early evening and to stop people leaving to refuel elsewhere.

Transport

How are people going to get to and from your event? Are they chauffeur driven, tube travelling or pedestrian? The best venue in the world looks less appealing if it’s in the middle of nowhere and can’t get a taxi home.

Entertainment

An act or performance may only entertain for a few minutes (in fact too long can suck the life out of a party) but it provides a talking point for strangers and new acquaintances to chat about all evening and can often break the ice.

Staff

Apart from quick and efficient, staff should also be friendly, welcoming and fun. Stupidly attractive is a plus of course, but if anyone is unhelpful, boring or just plain rude it’s a no-goer.

The host

Your public awaits so don’t disappoint by being cliquey with the same group. Mingle like a maniac and meet everyone you can but don’t forget to have fun too. Fun is contagious and you set the tone!

* Tips (with a bit of Calypso customising) were supplied by the fabulous Tim Badham, founder of the fabulous Innerplace. www.innerplace.co.uk