READERSVOICE.COM: You’ve said that the premise or idea of a story is important to you. Can you give a couple of examples of premises you’ve really liked in novels?

PAULA MUNIER: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is a thriller about a wife gone missing, and the husband held responsible for her disappearance. Is she dead—or just pretending? Is he a murderer—or just a cuckold? Told from alternating his and her points of view, this twisted love story reveals the terrible truths about an ordinary marriage—the tie that binds, for better or worse.
Eat Pray Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert is a memoir about an unhappy divorced woman who sets out on a journey of self-discovery—and learns to feed her body in Italy, her soul in India, and her heart in Bali. Its perfect three-act structure—revealed right there in the title—gives this endearing story of self-actualization a solid foundation that resonates with readers.
The Silver Linings Playlist by Matthew Quick is a mainstream novel about former teacher Pat Solitano, who moves back in with his parents after a stint in a mental institution, where his attempt to reconcile with his ex-wife and get his life back on track is derailed when he meets a mysterious girl with problems of her own.

RV: Where do you get all the information from for your Twitter account, which is very interesting?

PM: Thanks! From friends and colleagues and bloggers and my reading, which is as you may have guessed by now is eclectic and wide ranging.

RV: What might a typical week as an agent see you doing from day to day?

PM: This is a 24/7 job.
I spend most of my time: shopping clients’ work; reading clients’ manuscripts; negotiating contracts; reading material from potential clients; meeting with clients, editors, publishers; email, phone calls, recordkeeping.
I also go to events, book signings, MWA and similar association get-togethers, conferences, etc. several times a month.

– Ms Munier gives this advice to writers: “If you’re a writer, you should join the genre association that’s appropriate for you: Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Sister in Crime, etc. If you can’t attend meetings, join the online chapter and participate there. Good for support, instruction, networking, and much more.”

– See Paula Munier @PaulaSMunier for her Twitter account.
– copyright Simon Sandall.