Valerie Bongards
by Tamara McHatton

SUITE: Thanks for taking the time to talk to me. Where are you from (originally, and now)?

Valerie: Hi, Tamara! This is really wonderful, getting to meet you here in Wiesbaden. I'm originally from London, England. I left England when I was 21 and I now live in Potsdam, Germany, which is near Berlin and used to be former East Germany.

SUITE: What brings you here (to Wiesbaden)?

Valerie: Ha! Should I say the opportunity to meet some nice cover models? Well, there was that, too! Say hi to Evan for me!! But seriously, I've been a big fan of romance novels for quite a time now and when the opportunity came up to come to Wiesbaden for the conference, a kinda mini RT, I grabbed it. I love to meet authors, and everyone involved in the industry. I also got to meet some online friends and dear Gail, my boss at Triskelion, for who I am now an editor in training. I also review books for Loveromances and I read almost a book a day.

SUITE: How did you get into becoming an editor? And how are you able to work this into your busy schedule?

Valerie: Well, I was hanging out on the Trisk loop, and Gail was telling everyone about some great books that were coming out soon. She was doing a good job of teasing us with what was in the editor's hands, so I jokingly asked her if she didn't need help with the editing, thinking it would be a good way to get a sneak peek. She emailed me privately and asked if I would really like to help, and that she'd love to have me on board. So, with a big gulp, I said, sure, I'd give it a go! The rest, as they say, is history. As, for the time? What is time? Usually, my computer time is in the evenings after the little ones are in bed. If I don't have to get up early in the morning, I'll sit working until sometimes 2am! 

SUITE: So, with 11 kids, how were you able to get away from the crew for a weekend?

Valerie: First of all, only five of the kids now live full time with us. The others are all pretty much going their own way. If I didn't have such a sweet hubby, who supported me, and took care of the ones at home, I wouldn't have been able to make it. So, it was all thanks to him, for keeping the home fires burning while I was away.

SUITE: Are you able to do that very often? And did you have to wait until some of them were grown and on their own before you could take treks away from home?

Valerie: This is certainly not something I can do very often and usually means long term planning. Careful co-ordination and an iron will…..ha! ha! I have been able to make some journeys away from home, but like I said, hubby has to be behind it   more >>

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I met Valerie Bongards at the German Booklovers Conference, and spent many evenings sitting at the bar (named 1486, the year the foundation was laid) of the Radisson SAS Schwarzer Bock Hotel with her, learning all I could about this phenomenal woman (who really should be put in for sainthood!). She is the very proud mother of eleven children.

Yes, you heard me right…count em again…eleven!

It took a bit of prodding since she couldn't figure out why I was making such a fuss over her, but she finally agreed to give an exclusive interview to SUITE.