Paperback: 184 pages
Publisher: All Things That Matter Press (October 3, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0984259422
ISBN-13: 978-0984259427

Author Jen Knox announces the release of her new memoir entitled, Musical Chairs.

Musical Chairs is candid, darkly humorous and wholly engaging. Taking place in Ohio, this gripping memoir recounts the story of a runaway girl and the family that stood by her. After being struck by a severe panic disorder in 2003, Jen begins to explore her past. In doing so, she becomes enamored by the mysterious nature of her family’s history.

She discovers a pattern of mental health diagnoses and searches to define the cusp between her ’90s working-class childhood and the trouble of adapting to a comfortable life in the suburbs. Inspired by the least likely source, the family she left behind, Jen attempts to reconcile with this past. She reflects upon years of strip-dancing, alcoholism, and estrangement while maintaining impressive narrative control.

This story is about identity, class, family ties, and the elusive nature of mental illness.

In Musical Chairs, expert storyteller Jen Knox has transformed her misspent youth into a seriously entertaining coming-of-age tale. Her rich reflections make sense of a complex past and her darkly humorous voice rings with truth. The art of memoir prospers in Jen Knox’s writing ~ Michelle Mercer

Jen tells the poignant, no holds barred story of her tormentulous journey from a runaway at age 15 to adulthood, and her uphill climb to establish her own identity.

You will follow along in Jen’s attempt to understand her choices and consequences, and how they ultimately shape her as a person. She finds out that she has more in common with her Great Grandmother, Glory, than first realized. One difference is that Glory ran away from family, while Jen’s running brought them back together. It tugs at your heart at the loss of innocence and childhood. Family history plays a bigger part in our being than we realize.

About the Author.. 

Jen Knox lives in Texas. Currently, she works as a Fiction Editor at Our Stories and offers freelance writing and editing services, online workshops and tutoring. Jen is an MFA candidate in Bennington College’s Writing Seminars. Her fiction and creative nonfiction work has been published in numerous print and online journals.   Musical Chairs is her first book.

A Special Thanks goes out to Jen along with for the opportunity to experience this touching memoir.

Jen has graciously offered one Frugal Plus Reader the Chance to Win a Copy of this Memoir!

To Enter:

Valid for Residents of the U.S., age 18 and older. Please no PO Boxes.

Mandatory Entry:

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Extra Entries:

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This Giveaway will end Thursday, November 12, 2009.

The Winner(s) will be chosen by Random.org. I will post the Winner(s) here on Frugal Plus, as well as, email directly. You will then have 48 hours to claim your Prize.

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