In preparation for MinnPost's first Book Club Blast, BCC blogger Audra Otto has invited participating authors to answer a few questions. Marisha Chamberlain will be one of six Speed Chatters at the Blast.

MinnPost: Tell us about your upcoming book release.  

Marisha Chamberlain: My debut novel, “The Rose Variations” (Soho Press), came out in hardback in 2009. The book garnered a rave review in the New York Times and will be released in paperback at the end of January 2010.

“The Rose Variations” is the story of a journey of self-discovery for young composer Rose MacGregor: her quest to balance artistic ambition, loyalty to family and friends, and the desire for true love.

MP: Which writers or works have been the strongest influences on your own writing? 

MC: I greatly admire Penelope Lively’s “Consequences,” the work of John McGahern, Alice Munro, Margot Livesey, Tessa Hadley and Charles Baxter.

Lately, I’m nuts about Colm Tóibín. 

Big fan of Elizabeth Strout’s “Olive Kitteridge.”

Guilty pleasure: Nancy Mitford’s “The Pursuit of Love.”

MP: What do you love most about living in Minnesota?

MC: Because I grew up all over the country (Colorado, Texas, New Hampshire), I am so pleased to have put down roots here in Minnesota, in the little river town of Hastings.

I love the dramatic change of seasons, the lively arts scene, and the amazing variety of wonderful people.