About Bitch is the New Black

When Helena Andrews heard Fey’s declaration of bitchiness on “Saturday Night Live” her first reaction was something like, How daaaaare you? But after a commercial break and some thought, she decided to poke at the stereotype that says “successful” and “bitch” are synonyms. Unafraid and frank, what she comes to realize is that being a bitch is often the best way to be—unless, of course, when it’s not.

Told in her singular voice, BITCH IS THE NEW BLACK follows Andrews—sexy, single, and a self-described smart-ass—on her trip from kidnapped daughter of the town lesbian to hotshot Washington political reporter who can’t remember Sen. What’s-his-butt’s name. This dangerously addictive memoir explores the roller coaster of being “over” educated and under represented while trying to become “an actual adult” and find love.

“Adulthood comes in little jigsaw pieces. Once the painstaking work of fitting them all together is done, the picture doesn’t look nearly as cool as it did on the box. False advertising. But whom to sue? Jesus H. Christ?” Andrews writes in BITCH IS THE NEW BLACK.

In 16 hilarious and heartfelt essays, Andrews chronicles that ride from beginning to middle: a childhood spent on an all-white island, escaping into The Cosby Show; putting her master’s degree to good use answering phones at The New York Times; being set up with Obama’s “body guy” Reggie Love by Pulitzer Prize winner Maureen Dowd; and the shocking suicide of a best friend. Through it all, Andrews and her gang of girlfriends urge each other to “keep it moving.” But no one can stay strong all the time—not even the women everyone assumes can do so without trying.

HELENA ANDREWS is a graduate of Columbia University and Northwestern University. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Glamour Magazine, Marie Claire Magazine and OUT Magazine. She lives in Washington D.C. and is currently working on the film adaptation of BITCH IS THE NEW BLACK with Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes.

For more information (including interview and speaking requests) please contact:
Literary Agent, Howard Yoon at Howard@rossyoon.com
Publicist, Joanna Pinsker at Joanna.Pinsker@harpercollins.com
Publicist, Christina Rice at Christina@luxelifemedia.com

BITCH IS THE NEW BLACK
By Helena Andrews
Publication Date: June 1, 2010
Harper / Hardcover / ISBN 9780061778827 / $24.99 / 256 pages