NOVEL

Rachel Greenwald, 39, author of Find a Husband After 35 Using What I Learned at Harvard Business School: A Simple 15-Step Action Program (recently optioned by Paramount Pictures) has taught thousands of mature women how to meet Mr. Right. Some tips:

CAST A WIDER NET "If a 40-year-old woman says 'All the men my age are with younger women,' I say 'Well, who thinks you're young?' Cast a wider net."

IGNORE SEX AND THE CITY "They're dating who-ever crosses their path. You shouldn't spend more than six months with a guy if you don't think you're going to have a future together."

ASK EXES WHAT THEY THOUGHT OF YOU "It's the most dreaded step. Identify five or six men you have liked. Call them and ask for feedback. It sounds harsh, but what you usually get are a few really good points of view."

MAKE A PLAN "There's this notion that love should happen naturally, not strategically. After 35, if you want to believe in fairy tales, you're going to be single for a longtime. Fate is not going to knock on your door."

TELL FRIENDS YOU WANT TO BE MARRIED "This helps attract the most men for maximum choice. But don't necessarily say it to the man. It would scare him away. It may feel uncomfortable, but I think there's a supportive community for women over 35."

ACTIVELY NETWORK "I was actually 28 when I got married, but I was precocious. I threw an event designed to meet men. I went through my address book. One contact was an ex-boyfriend's friend. He ended up bringing his friend to my party. That was my husband."