Hi folks - if you find yourself here it’s probably because you have picked up my spanking-new book, “Naked on the Page: the Misadventures of My Unmarried Midlife,” or are a fan of my former column in the San Francisco Chronicle. Either way, welcome to my very first official website and blog!

For years I’ve wondered who on earth has time and inclination to blog - creating writings that no one can be sure will even be SEEN, writings that no one gets PAID for. The answer, at least at this moment in time, is… ME. A journalist for 25 years who jumped off that speeding train five months ago, I no longer have the daily outlet of the San Francisco Chronicle to feed my jones for pontification. So here I am, with a website (janeganahl.com) that will promote me and my books - and blogging so that my website actually has something to SAY. (Amazing how many writers have websites that say nothing at all. How can they help themselves?)

I’m going to try to start this off by writing about the release of the book, and the response to it. And my feelings about it, of course. It’s already been a bit of a wild ride! A fabulous review in Publishers Weeky (see my website), great blurbs from other female authors, a decent one in Elle. I also have pitched a commentary to NPR and an essay to the NY Times Modern Love feature. And now, there is interest in the TV rights to my story!

My life: a sitcom. It’s come to this.

Fingers crossed that the book does well enough to pay Viking back for their advance and then some. I think my hopes hang on the fact that my audience (single women - especially those over 40) are avid readers who love to share their books. Who knows? My expectations are completely realistic, having known so many authors who have high hopes, only to see them dashed by poor sales. We shall see…

Meanwhile, I hope to record my thoughts here! Drop in from time to time…

Jane