Maria Menounos is one busy woman!
In addition to being a special correspondent for Access Hollywood, reporting for NBC News, acting in films and television, she can now add author to her resume with the release of “THE EVERYGIRL’S GUIDE TO LIFE” (It Books; On Sale: April 12, 2011; $19.99). In this must-have A-Z guide, Maria shares all the tips and secrets she’s learned from the biggest experts in the world to the biggest stars in Hollywood. Whether doing her own hair and make up for the red carpet or organizing her home and office to get the most out of her day and career, Maria leaves no stone unturned in teaching the every girl on the every salary how to have it all and do it all better, faster and cheaper.
Maria’s book tour kicks off tonight, when she’ll appear as a guest on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” From there, you’ll be able to catch Maria in a variety of cities, listed below.
In an exclusive on AccessHollywood.com, Maria is sharing her story on how she went about creating the book’s cover; a story that truly sums up the spirit of the book itself.
Her story… below:
“The cover of my book may be the very thing that truly encapsulates the spirit and essence of the text within it. I don’t simply mean the photo and design, though I think they do serve to impact. I mean the story behind its creation. The actions involved in creating the cover are perhaps louder than the words within it.
Normally, to design and shoot a book cover of this ilk, one would have to enlist the services of an art director, production designer, set decorator, prop builder, stylist, hair dresser, makeup artist, photographer, caterer, lighting person, graphic artist and God only knows how many assistants. The cost is in the tens of thousands of dollars. There was no budget for that and even if there was, spending it in such a way would go against every principle in the book.
Still, we needed an amazing cover and compounding our problem was the usual lack of time. It was about eleven o’clock at night and my girlfriend, star photographer Elise Donoghue, and I were just finishing a long day of taking photos you see in the book. My partner in crime, Keven Undergaro, was with us as was another friend, Corey Sheehan. Together we all knew we still had to shoot the cover, even though Elise had to fly out the next day. What could we create that would exemplify all the hats I wear in a day and all the subjects the book covers? What would expose my personality and who I am? We huddled around a computer in my kitchen when Elise found a photo of a model in front of several signs. Elise suggested we do something similar and create signs that explain what’s in the book, who I am and what I do.
Even though it was 11 PM, even though Elise had to leave at 3 PM the next day and even though we were all exhausted, all four minds were in one state – the state of possibility. That is, we were thinking about what was “possible” for us to do rather than what was “impossible.” Keven said he knew a certain fence picket he could buy and cut into the signs. Corey said he could paint them. We debated what each sign would say before going to sleep. At 6 AM, Keven was at Home Depot buying the signs that he later attached to a tree in our front yard. I rummaged through my stuff to find a dress and did my own hair and make up for the shoot. Elise took the photos and Corey assisted her. By 1 PM we, and publisher Harper Collins, had something we were all proud of.
As you’ll hopefully read in the book, the mentality and motivation that went into creating the cover is the one I strive to apply to all areas of my life. The efforts of Elise, Corey and Keven inspired me. I hope the story, and the book, serve to inspire you as well.”
MARIA MENOUNOS’ BOOK SIGNING EVENTS FOR “THE EVERYGIRL’S GUIDE TO LIFE”:
April 10, 2011, 2:00 PM, Minneapolis, The Mall of America
April 12, 2011, 7:00 PM, Huntington, NY Book Revue
April 13, 2011, 11:00 AM, Manhattan, NBC Experience Store
April 14, 2011, 6:00 PM, Ridgewood, NJ BookEnds
April 15, 2011, 5:00 PM, Boston, MA, Emerson College
April 16, 2011, 2:00 PM, Boston, MA, Brookline Booksmith
April 16, 2011, 6:00 PM, Boston, MA, CambridgeSide Galleria
April 19, 2011, 6:00 PM, San Francisco, Book Passage
April 22, 2011, 7:00 PM, Los Angeles, Book Soup
April 25, 2011, 6:00 PM, Seattle University, Book Store
April 27, 2011, 7:00 PM, Chicago, Barbara’s Bookstore, UIC
April 29, 2011, 7:00 PM, West Palm Beach, Vero Beach Book Center
June 13, 2011, 7:00 PM, Florence, SC Books A Million
June 14, 2011, 7:00 PM, Kansas City, Rainy Day Books
June 15, 2011, 7:00 PM, Atlanta, Eagle Eye Bookshop
Whether it’s creating the perfect smoky eye for a night out, learning secrets on how to be your own A-list stylist, decorating on a dime, exercising and losing weight (40 lbs!) the smart and simple way, ascending the career ladder to gain the success every girl is entitled to, managing your day and organizing your life to do it all or just plain toning your legs while never leaving your bed, Maria’s new book showcases every subject and all that she has been able to learn through her high profile life.
“THE EVERYGIRL’S GUIDE TO LIFE” is more than a guide, it’s a docu-journal that includes Maria’s personal experiences and colorful photos from her life and red carpet journey, as well as the various mantras, mottos and philosophies she’s adapted from the world’s most successful women, as demonstrated in this featured spread on “EveryGirl
Gets Organized.”
Maria gives advice on health, career, relationships, renovations, recreation and so much more. From your carpet to the red carpet, she teaches the EveryGirl, on the “every salary,” how to groom herself like the stars, how to live a healthier and happier life and how to set herself up to be truly successful.
“THE EVERYGIRL’S GUIDE TO LIFE” will be a life-changer for every young modern woman today, and Maria is truly an icon for her generation; she has incredible drive and confidence and an amazingly positive outlook that makes this book a fun, easy read that readers will go back to for advice again and again.
Copyright © 2025 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.