Heather McElhatton takes a swipe at chick lit

by Euan Kerr, Minnesota Public Radio

Twin Cities writer Heather McElhatton will tell you she knows a thing or two about dating. She's spent enough time using online dating services to know what the terms men use to describe themselves in their profiles really mean. Now she's written a novel about the dangers of dating -- and of having your dreams come true.

St. Paul, Minn. — McElhatton burst onto the publishing scene two years ago with her first book, "Pretty Little Mistakes," which allowed readers to chose the outcome of her characters' lives.

Before that she worked at various different jobs, including as a producer at Minnesota Public Radio.

McElhatton's new novel is based in part on her dating experiences, and also on the six months she worked at the old Dayton's department store.

It's called "Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single." It's a story about a woman working at a family-owned Minneapolis department store.

Heather McElhatton reads from the book Tuesday evening at the Magers and Quinn bookstore in Minneapolis.

She talked with MPR's Euan Kerr.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 05/25/2009, 6:54 p.m.