There are days when I wake up and thank the goddess-girls for giving me quite possibly the sweetest life – today, mon minxes, is one of those days.

Why?

Because I get to interview one of my all-time favourite inspir-o-girls, Miss Karen Salmonsohn – excuse me, I’m just going to do my happy dance.

Karen rock and rules. This is factuality. You want reasons? I’ll give you reasons – she basically creates self-help books for people who wouldn’t be caught dead reading self-help books. Famous people like Madonna and Deepak Chopra heart her. She’s written 29 books and sold over a million. Her books have kick-ass titles like How to Survive in Business Without a Penis. She’s funny, really funny. She’s gone where there was no path and made her own high-heeled footprints. Want me to go on?

Her new book, Prince Harming Syndrome – How to Break Bad Relationship Patterns for Good – 5 essentials for finding True Love is different to any other relationship book you’ll ever read. It offers a new strategy for successful love relationships based on the ancient Greek philosophy of Aristotle delivered with her unique and bold sense of humour.

If you’re a li’l bit cynical about the boy-shaped variety, think that you always attract the bad ‘uns and don’t know why or you’re staying in a not-nice relationship because you think it’ll get better, then you, sweet thing, are suffering from Prince HARMING Syndrome. The cure? This book.  Make no mistake, Miss K takes no prisoners, she’ll tell you how it is, but if you want to cure yourself of Prince Harming Syndrome and bag yourself your very own Prince Charming, then you absolutely, positively NEED to read this book.

After you’ve met the lady herself that is. Believe me, she’s awesome. FREAKIN’ awesome. Okay – gush-fest over – go meet her.

Your new books Prince Harming Syndrome sounds like a book we NEED to read, what’s it about exactly and is it written from personal experience, Karen?
PRINCE HARMING SYNDROME is about how to break bad relationship patterns for good. A Prince Harming is a guy who is either trouble – or troubleD. I confess up front, I’ve had my share. Been there, dated him. I believe if you want to be happy in love, you must take the time to see past a persons “superficial lures” (hottiness, funniness, smartness, success, status, power, fame, glory, wealthiness) and look deep inside their “superinsidehimself” true core self. Unfortunately it’s very easy to get hypnotized by “superficial lures.” In particular, those fumes of chemistry can dizzy a gal into making stupid love choices. It’s hugely important to remember: Yo! Hot steamy chemistry eventually fades and what’s always left beneath is a person’s true soul, his true character.

I’ve just come out of an 8 year relationship, how do I avoid developing the Prince Harming Syndrome – any words of wisdom, Miss Fabulous?
My book offers up the timeless love philosophies of Aristotle — who says there are 3 kinds of relationships – and only 1 brings true happiness.
1. Relationships of Pleasure.These are partners who are all about sex, drugs and rock and roll. You might share soul-less passionate sex and soul-less playful banter but they’re all about pleasures of the body or ego. They never soulnurture you with insight and growth never bring you real-deal happiness. Hence, these partners are Prince Harmings not Prince Charmings.
2. Relationships of Utility. partner you spend time with in hopes of garnering greater wealth, status, fame, power, glory, or beauty by being in their presence. These partners also don’t nurture your soul, only your ego. Again, these are Prince Harmings not Prince Charmings.
3. Finally there are Relationships of Shared Virtue. These are partners who stimulate you, challenge you, inspire you, root for you to grow into your highest potential, who nurture your soul. A good example is Jack Nicholson’s character in As Good As It Gets who says: “You make me want to be a better man.” When you prioritize seeking a partner who supports your becoming your best self instead of just crushing on someones superficial sexy looks, charisma and wealthiness you wind up with a soul mate/a Prince Charming/ a definite keeper!

You don’t just write your books you visually create them and design them too – are there no ends to your talents, missy?! – which comes first, the pictures or the words?
I think and write in visual-verbal collusion. I think with visually oriented words – and can envision the look and feel of the book as I’m writing. I was a film major in college. I love both words and graphics – and love getting to do books where I can have fun being creative on both levels. Plus these days people are so used to being entertained visually on TV and the internet, I believe graphic books help them to stay entertained – which especially helpful when books are about teaching something new. I say: A spoonful of eye candy helps the self help medicine go down.

You had a successful job in advertising, before you gave it up to follow your dream of becoming an awesome author – so many Sassy Minxes want to do the same, but are too fearful or anxious about taking that step – what would be your advice to them, Karen?
I have what I call Mr. Magoo Syndrome. Mr. Magoo wore those thick glasses – couldn’t see all that well. When Mr. Magoo went to cross the street he didn’t notice the honking cars and traffic. He simply focused on “must get to other side of street” – and so he made it to the other side of the street. That was me with getting publishing. I just focused on: “Must get published.” Henry Ford said: “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.” I agree. Just keep your eye on the prize of what you want.

As a kick-ass Sassy Minx, I have a hard time dealing with the ‘feminist’ label, you too are both a whole lot of sass and tres minxy in the best possible way, what are your thoughts on the term feminist, and would you consider yourself to be one?
I wrote a best selling book called HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT A PENIS – in which I say a woman does not have to make a choice: (1) sexy/feminine (2) successful. Pick only one. A woman can be both. I’m what I call a feminine-ist – because I love being a girly-girl – and I love being strong about moving forward with my passion of writing.

If you had a theme tune Karen, what would it be?
I love the song IMAGINE — for its message and music both!

What and who makes you jump-in-the-air happy?
My Prince Charming fiance. I just think about him and smile bigtime.

What’s your motto for life?
Be happy dammit!

What’s a typical day in the life of Karen?
Coffee, journal, read paper, work out, shower, coffee, write, facebook/twitter, coffee, chat on phone, coffee write more, coffee lunch with a friend, write more, chat more, facebook/twitter, shower, dinner with my Prince Charming fiance, etc NC-17 etc

What’s next in the world o’ Karen?
PRINCE HARMING BOOT EM OUT CAMP seminars and retreats. I’m presently planning a retreat with EXHALE in Turks and Caicos in March – and Palm Beach in June. It’s going to be so much fun! I love giving seminars and meeting people – and really empowering women to live their happiest life…dammit!

If you haven’t hooked up with Karen in some techno form already, run, don’t walk to sign up to all this KS goodness – www.notsalmon.com, www.twitter.com/notsalmon and facebook – sign up to her newsletter, follow her blog -  she’s like the gift that keep giving!