We’re thrilled to welcome New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins to the blog today! Kristan is the bestselling author of fifteen books (including her most recent, Anything For You), and writes down-to-earth romances and women’s fiction that feature lots of family members, animals and food. Her books have been praised for laugh-out-loud humor and heart-wrenching pathos, something she is quite proud of.

Kristan stopped by to take our Tall Poppy Q&A, where she shares not only her not-so-secret superpower, but also the best perks of being an author and what’s sure to make her laugh. 

TP: Where do you love to be?

I love being in a new place, preferably one near the ocean. I don’t like hotels too much—they get a little claustrophobic, so whenever I have to travel, I try to rent a house. It costs around the same as a hotel, and there’s something very thrilling about being in someone’s home…the different plates, the inevitably bigger TV, the new sounds.

TP: What’s your secret or not-so-secret superpower?

I can predict who’s calling on the phone without using caller ID. It’s magical, I won’t deny it. The phone will ring, and I’ll tell McIrish, my sainted husband, “It’s your mother!” or “It’s that James again!” I’m rarely wrong. Would I rather be able to fly? Sure. But that didn’t seem to be on the list of superpowers I was given, so the phone it is.

TP: Share something that’s always guaranteed to make you laugh.

Okay, but it’s stupid. I love locking people out of the house and car, especially right as they’re about to get in. It never fails to delight me, and I laugh till I cry while my poor child/spouse/mother/friend waits patiently for my hilarity to end.

(We agree this is pretty hilarious, and are certainly going to try it on our next road trip…)

TP: What is the best perk of your job?

Aside from hearing from readers, which is every writer’s favorite perk, mine is the ability to be alone a lot. Granted, that’s also the worst part of my job. It can be pretty lonely when things aren’t going well. It’s easy to get distracted—no boss giving you the stink-eye, no coworker waiting for your report. It’s all on you. But it’s also nice to talk out loud, cry, laugh, roll around on the floor trying to envision a car accident or love scene.

TP: Share an embarrassing publishing-related story.

My new editor and the head of my imprint called to congratulate me on hitting the New York Times bestseller list. I thought she was a telemarketer, so I hung up on her. Twice.

Thanks, Kristan!

Kristan Higgins is the New York Times, USA TODAY and international bestselling author of fifteen novels, which have received dozens of starred reviews, awards and accolades from such institutions as Kirkus, The New York Journal of Books, Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. She is the fond mother of two lovely children and the happy wife of a heroic firefighter. Her talents include baby-whispering, baking and the ability to hail a cab in any weather. She loves to connect with readers on her website, Facebook page, and on Twitter.