We at Love Romances & More had a unique opportunity in August to do our first in person interview with the incredibly gifted author Harley Jane Kozak. Our interview took place at Book Passage, an independent book store in Corte Madera, California on the first day of Ms. Kozak’s book tour for DEAD EX. Despite a hectic schedule this warm and friendly author took the time to spend an enlightening hour with one of our staff. Thank you, Ms. Kozak! 

One thing readers of Ms. Kozak’s “Dating” series may not know is that prior to becoming an author she had a successful acting career, including a role in When Harry Met Sally. We’ll give you a hint where you can see her later on! Her former career led us to our first question, which was what drew her into writing after her career and television and film. Ms. Kozak told us she was happy as an actress and writing never seemed like an option. However, when she moved into her mid-30s she found acting parts becoming less interesting and while she loved theatre, she realized she would never have the stage career she wanted living in Los Angeles. That said, she always wrote, it was just that she didn't see it as a career until she took a class on writing short stories at the junior college and was encouraged to keep on writing. Ms. Kozak saw that while acting happened only in certain venues, you could write anywhere and at any age. She was quickly hooked.  

We asked Ms. Kozak if she had any interest in writing scripts and she told us no, writing a script is very different than writing a book. With a script an actor or director can take your concept and change it around and you, as an author, may well have to say goodbye to the project you created. Writing a book, you keep ownership of the characters and story.  

The logical question that grew from that was whether or not she would like to see her books, and particularly DEAD EX made into a movie. Her answer was a resounding “yes!” When asked who she saw in the part of Wollie Ms. Kozak told us not only would she be willing to let go of her story for any needed changes, but she could also see almost anyone in the role. Cameron Diaz and Uma Thurman came to mind although she is open to anyone who would have the clout to bring DEAD EX to life. 

When asked about Wollie’s series Ms. Kozak let us in on an interesting twist in her contract—in each book Wollie needs to be dating. DATING DEAD MEN which was her first book, was intended to be a stand alone book. When her editor asked her to write a sequel, she gave it a bit of thought and said yes! While Ms. Kozak wanted to write romance, her contract called for Wollie to be dating. It took a bit of doing, but she got Wollie dating again and in book two, DATING IS MURDER readers were introduced to Simon. Her challenge was how to have the dating coupled with the romance between Simon and Wollie—and building a suspenseful conflict. This reviewer can tell you Ms. Kozak did that and more.  

Now, about Simon, Wollie’s late-40’s-something FBI boyfriend. He will be in book four and as mysterious as ever. 

One of the threads in DEAD EX this reviewer loved was the Iliad being interspersed throughout the book. When asked about it, Ms. Kozak told us she has always been interested in Greco-Roman history. She loved hearing about the Gods and it was a great lead in for one of Wollie’s ongoing, odd jobs. As a greeting card designer, Wollie doesn’t make enough money to pay the rent so she works a variety of oddball jobs along the way. Wollie’s creator is similar to her in that while Wollie creates greeting cards, Ms. Kozak draws characters for her children. Her company is Beast, Inc.  

Another element of the story that this reviewer enjoyed was how Ms. Kozak takes her readers on a spectacular tour of the Hollywood area as Wollie goes from location to location in the story. While the author prefers walking, she says she lives in L.A., and you deal with driving and traffic. Reading the driving scenes in an adventure for the reader.  

When asked when she told her friends she was writing Ms. Kozak immediately responded with “everyone knew!” She admits it took her eight years to write DATING DEAD MEN, but during that time she was working and giving birth to first a daughter, and then twins!  

We asked this remarkable author what other types of books she would enjoy reading and she shared with us that Joey, Wollie’s best friend is going to have her own story so readers will have the chance to go back and revisit that “scary house” she lives in. Ms. Kozak also aspires to write a thriller, something in the third person and perhaps a non-mystery. However, she has no ambition to write a children’s book. Despite her talent for drawing, she feels a children’s book is not in her future.  

This reviewer asked what is the one thing about Harley Jane Kozak that no one knows, but that she wishes someone would ask her. Initially she did not have a response, confiding in us that her life is really an open book. However, during her public talk afterwards one of the audience questioned her about her research process. In book four Wollie starts off on jury duty and this time her dating experience is with Eastern European boxers. The questioner asked just how did Ms. Kozak research those boxers. Before she answered she turned to this reviewer and with a bright smile said “Gina, I think I have the answer to that question about what is the one thing no one knows about me!” She then gave away her dirty little secret: she has a passion for boxing. She likes doing it and loves watching it. It's her idea of a great Saturday night.  

So are ready where you can see Ms. Kozak in WHEN HARRY MET SALLY? Listen for the song Surry With the Fringe On Top! The woman with the gorgeous long hair who plays Harry’s wife is none other than Ms. Kozak! A word to our readers, if you ever have the opportunity to hear Ms. Kozak speak, go. She is funny, entertaining and holds you spell bound while she speaks. Even if you do not have the opportunity to hear her, don’t miss her books. They are some of the best reading you will ever see! 

Thank you Harley Jane Kozak for spending some time with us and sharing a part of you with our readers.