Rom-com author Christine Stinger joins the blog this week to discuss her latest novel
Author Name: Christine Stringer
Book Title: Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous
Book Genre: Fiction / chicklit
Release Date: June 10, 2025
Publisher: Spark Press
Welcome, Christine! How would you describe Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous?
When Charity Trickett moves to LA to assist the director of the biggest blockbuster film of the year, she quickly realizes that Hollywood isn’t all red carpets and Rodeo Drive. Her delightful romp through Hollywood collapses when her ambitions and tender heart are threatened by backstabbing coworkers, an evaporating bank account and love gone wrong, and a mistake that could cost the studio hundreds of millions of dollars could land her in jail.
What sparked the idea for this book?
When I was in my early 20’s I worked at MGM in LA, and was under FBI investigation for piracy on a movie starring The Rock. I thought my career and my dreams of being a Hollywood filmmaker were dead – and they kind of were for a while. I took that horrible ordeal and turned it around, making it into a fun upbeat book, full of resilience and hope. Proving to myself that I can take something negative in my life and make it a positive experience.
How long did it take for you to write the book? Did you do any research?
Before writing the book, I was a screenwriter. I never studied novel writing, so the learning curve was substantial. Plus I had two small kids, which meant that I had to schedule my creativity in between caring for them. Adjusting to the new medium and having to schedule creativity made the process long. It took me over 6 years to write the book. I wrote many drafts relaying on notes from various editors. Each draft was an improvement. I think I have the hang of it now. Hopefully Charity Trickett – The Fame Game won’t take so long.
If you were speaking to someone who hasn’t read your writing before, why should they want to read Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous ?
It’s a fun read! If you want to turn the brain off and the fun on, this is your book!
Fans of which authors might gravitate toward your book?
Emily Henry, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Bridget Jones and Devil Wears Prada fans.
What about the writing/editing/publishing process has been the most surprising to you so far?
How loooooooong it takes!
Are you working on a new project? Please tell us about it.
I’m working on the next book in the Charity Trickett series. Charity Trickett – The Fame Game. Charity is no longer an assistant and is now a successful writer and producer. Instead of being on the outside of Hollywood, she’s an insider. Oh and she’s planning a wedding…
Where can readers find you?
christinestringer.com IG: christinestringerauthor
Thank you, Christine! Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous is out TODAY.
Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous
Bridget Jones fans will fall hard for this based-on-a-true-story, behind-the-scenes tale of a young woman’s calamitous adventures trying to break into the movie industry in 1990s Hollywood.
Hollywood, 1997. When Charity Trickett moves to LA to assist the director of the biggest blockbuster film of the year, she quickly realizes that Hollywood isn’t all red carpets and Rodeo Drive. But her determination to become a screenwriter and producer in this glamorous yet cutthroat industry cannot be stifled. Working harder than she ever has before, she impresses the top brass at Canopy Studios and inches herself closer to her dream. But her ambitions and tender heart are threatened by backstabbing coworkers, an evaporating bank account, love gone wrong, a mistake that could cost the studio hundreds of millions of dollars, and an FBI investigation that could land her in jail.
Surrounded by fame and money but unsure how to access either one, Charity’s grit and kindness steer her toward devoted friends and hopeful artists. If she can manage to stay out of trouble, maybe she can change bad to good.
Author Bio:
Christine Stringer is a former MGM assistant who was investigated by the FBI for piracy of a film starring The Rock. So yeah, she does find herself in little snafus from time to time. She has a BFA from the University of Victoria where she studied theatre and English. As a screenwriter and novelist, she strives to brighten people’s days, writing stories based on her film career, love life, and general mishaps. She lives in beautiful Vancouver, BC, with her husband and two young children who bring her joy every day, even though they have banned her from singing in the car.