Alex Emmerson is painfully awkward, exquisitely unfashionable, and she’s never fit in anywhere. When a smooth-talking model scout discovers her slicing fish at a Canadian Safeway, she offers Alex the chance at a career she never knew she wanted.
Armed with a suitcase full of neuroses, Alex sets off to reinvent herself in the Big Apple. Buyer beware: it’s a runway to hell but perdition does have its perks.
Take a peek behind the glamour, and follow Alex’s laugh-out-loud exploits as she attempts to navigate New York’s high-adrenaline fashion scene. This self-deprecating narrative is a realistic portrayal of a model in the making.
Not-Quite-Supermodel captures how it feels to be young and on your own in New York City, with its limitless possibilities, dramatic highs and lows, and the sense of victory that comes from relentless perseverance.
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What people are saying…
“This book has that Devil Wears Prada feel to it so if you like that book or movie you are sure to love Not-Quite-Supermodel. Just be prepared for some laughs and tears!! Happy reading!!!”
– Kristi @ Goodreads
“No spoilers in this review… but I promise you, you will love this book. I certainly did. Couldn’t put it down. ”
– Sarah @ Goodreads
Must read
“Fast-paced and dynamic, this book explores mental health amidst urbanicity through the eyes of an intelligent and funny young woman.”
– Catalina (UK) @ Reedsy
Not-Quite-Ready-to-Put-This-Book-Down!
“This book is too much, had me giggling out loud and texting my friends! The storyline is so fun and what I imagine breaking into the modeling industry is like. The characters are so funny and easy to love, Alex and Keisha are my girls! Can this please be made into a movie or a show?!!”
– The Ramblers via Amazon
“I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Fast paced, fun, and fresh. Alex’s misadventures in New York made me laugh out loud. This book was the stress relief I needed !!!”
– Lisa, N.Y.C. via Amazon
A perfect stocking stuffer!
“Loved this book!! A quick, fun and truly enjoyable read – perfect as a gift for the upcoming holidays. Alex Emmerson’s story of hard work, hope, and resilience is universally relatable. Tong’s style of writing is light and energetic; I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish.”
– JML, N.Y.C. via Amazon
Very Entertaining!
“Not-Quite-Supermodel was a great escape into a world I knew NOTHING about but throughly enjoyed”
“Not-Quite-Supermodel was a great escape into a world I knew NOTHING about but throughly enjoyed”
– via Amazon
Not-Quite-Supermodel is perfect beach-reading chick lit.
“I was engaged with the story from the beginning, when I met Alex working at the Safeway and dreaming of bigger things.”
– Stephanie @ Goodreads
Entertaining and comedic
“I was riveted by Alex’s story. I laughed. I wanted to cry along with her. The visual imagery made me feel like I was sharing her world with her. And kept me up far past bed time reading until the end!”
“I was riveted by Alex’s story. I laughed. I wanted to cry along with her. The visual imagery made me feel like I was sharing her world with her. And kept me up far past bed time reading until the end!”
– Erin, N.Y.C via Amazon
GFY in NY
“The story was fun and vibrant and is a glorious romp. If you want to just be entertained then this one does that in spades.”
– Midgebear, U.K. via Amazon
Loved this book which made me laugh and cry …..didn’t want it to end !!Kathy Tongs writing style captures the pure essence of this book and makes you cheer for the underdog!!!Order this book you will not be disappointed.”
– R Kowalski via Amazon
“What a fun journey to go on with Alex. From a regular, self conscious girl to an even more self conscious model, emerging as a confident influencer. This is the book for you if you are looking for a light read. Really throws you into the industry.”
– KJ. Monahan via BookSirens
GET THIS BOOK!!!
“This book went viral at my salon. We died laughing! Alex Emmerson is the best, she kept me up all night.”
– Hairbear via Amazon
Interesting, fun, touching read!
“I thought this was an amazing book. I laughed and I cried. It touched me in so many ways, because I related to the lead character’s experience with NYC. The writing was sharp and vivid and captured my attention. I couldn’t put it down. I read it in one night!!!”
– Dwight M. Garcia, NYC via Amazon
Meet Kathy Tong, Author and (not-quite-super-) Model
Lisa Houlgrave Photography
Kathy was discovered at age the ripe old age of 20 behind the seafood counter at Canada Safeway. That’s right, she was slicing fish. And, studying at Simon Fraser University — but she walked away from all that to take a stab at a modeling career.
By all shapes and standards she was way too old to start modeling, and, at 5’8, kind of short. However, one Marie Claire cover and 32 years later (much older and no taller), she is still doing it, with some big campaigns under her belt…
Some of which you might even have noticed.
Her high-profile client list includes De Beers, Tommy Bahama, Barneys, Oil of Olay, Schwarzkopf, Max Factor, and Clairol. As the face on the latter’s hair color box, you may’ve found her smiling back at you from the shelves of your local beauty department. Or, if you play video games, you’ll find her pointing her gun at you as the face of Mona Sax in Max Payne 2, which earned her worldwide acclaim and lots of fan art. Anyone want a Mona Sax hand puppet?
She was the spokesmodel for Neutrogena in North America, and faked French and German well enough to land the gig across the pond in France and Germany. She played Kathryn Fitzgerald on ABC’s One Life to Live, and boasts several blink-and-you’ll-miss-it roles in blockbuster films.
Kathy just finished up her juicy first novel. How semi-autobiographical is it? She’ll never tell.
Of her career, she says this: “It isn’t exactly playing out in the Hollywood fashion I had envisioned but the Lifetime made-for-TV version is still promising.”
She has no plans to go back to slicing fish…yet.