Q&A with Eloisa James

  

 

 

Eloisa James is the author of the new novel The Last Lady B. Her many other books include Wilde in Love. She is a professor of English literature, and she lives in New York City and in Florence, Italy.

 

Q: What inspired you to write The Last Lady B, and how did you create your character Evie?

 

A: Lately I’ve been loving romances with spooky elements—gothic without too much danger and no gore.

 

I first came up with Evie’s situation (married to a man whose first three wives died in the haunted abbey), and then I wrote the scene where Evie rescues a piglet—which is pure Evie. I didn’t want a heroine in a white nightgown running screaming into the night, but I love the idea of a heroine leading a piglet on a pink ribbon.

 

Q: The book’s publicity describes it as “Jane Austen meets The White Lotus”--can you say more about that?

 

A: I looked for inspiration to Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, where Austen embeds a romance in a novel that mocks and loves the gothic genre. My husband and I adore The White Lotus, especially the opening scenes when you learn someone has died but you don’t know who or how.

 

In The Last Lady B, the reader doesn’t know how Evie’s elderly husband’s first three wives died. You learn from the cover copy that her husband dies—but how?

 

Q: What role do you see ghosts playing in the novel?

 

A: I didn’t want a vengeful, scowling ghost stalking around the abbey leaving bloodstains in his wake. If I became a ghost, it would be for one reason: to protect my children. There’s my ghost, in a nutshell.

 

Q: The novel is set in a remote part of Scotland--how important is setting to you in your writing?

 

A: Setting is far more important in a gothic novel than in a historical romance. In Wilde in Love, for example, the bog outside the Wilde mansion is important, but it doesn’t set the tone of the novel. Lady B needed the eerie quality of endless fir trees, howling wolves, and a haunted abbey with secret passageways.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m writing a crazy, fun novella in which a (virgin) heroine inadvertently sleeps with her brother-in-law, becomes pregnant, and is thrown out into a dark and rainy night. I’ve moved from Austen to Dickens, but I’m loving it!

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: The Last Lady B is available in two different formats! If you’d like a personalized trade paperback with Evie on the cover, preorder from the Ripped Bodice. If you’d like a hardcover, depicting a different but still marvelous Evie, turn to Julia Quinn’s Kickstarter campaign for her romance subscription service. The novel is the same, and both covers are delightful!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Eloisa James. 

Q&A with Deborah K. Shepherd

  

 

Deborah K. Shepherd is the author of the new memoir An Old Man's Darling. She also has written the novel So Happy Together. She was a social worker for many years, and she lives in Maine. 

 

Q: Why did you decide to write this memoir, and how would you describe the relationship between you and your first husband?

 

A: I was never going to write this memoir. After my first book, a novel, was published when I was 74, I really thought I was one and done.

 

There were some similarities between my real life and the narrative (I set it in Tucson, where I went to school; some of the characters were composites of people I had known) but the main story, about a woman in middle age who leaves her husband and children to pursue an old love, was complete fiction.

 

Nonetheless, I got so many questions of the “Is this about you?” ilk, that I couldn’t imagine writing a book that really was about me and my life with my 34-years-older-than-me husband.

 

Then I found a cache of letters from him and, in reading them, was transported back over 50 years to a time when we were so entranced with each other and the “miraculousness” of our relationship that we tried to write a book together. We didn’t write it though, and it would have been a very “one-note” book if we had.

 

My first husband, Bill Shepherd, was the love of my youth. We were so filled with stardust that I wonder if either one of us gave a thought to the power differential between us, and that there might be an element of manipulation.

 

Now, in the 21st century, with it all filtered through the events of the last 50 years, the headlines about powerful men and underage girls (I was of age, but at 21, barely out of adolescence) and a feminist sensibility, I can see that some of the elements of an exploitative relationship (e.g., grooming and secrecy) were present when he courted me.

 

Nevertheless, we built a life together, mostly loved each other, and raised two kind, loving, and decent children, who are contributing members of society.

 

Q: The Kirkus Review of the book called it “a thoughtful and multidimensional examination of love, power, and self that doesn’t shy away from asking difficult questions.” What do you think of that description.”

 

A: I think it’s a valid description, and I’m glad the reviewer at Kirkus “got it.” As I wrote in the book: “Looking back, it all swirls together—objectification/sexual attraction/passion/obsession/possession/desire/intimacy/love—like the tendrils of a sweet pea. If you try to separate them, you are in danger of killing the flower.”

 

Q: How was the book’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?

 

A: The title is taken from a proverb by John Heywood, a 16th-century writer. The full text is “Better to be an old man’s darling than a young man’s slave,” and implies a relationship with an older man would provide, among other things, more financial security than one with a same-age partner.

 

I was my husband’s worshipped and adored darling, but we were by no means financially secure throughout our nearly 20-year relationship. Many of our conflicts were around finances, so there is some irony in the book’s title.

 

Note: the term “slave” has been rejected in recent years, the preferred term being “enslaved person,” but the proverb was written in 1546.

 

Q: What impact did it have on you to write this memoir, and what do you hope readers take away from it?

 

A: At first, I was entranced to reread Bill’s love letters but then started to see them in an added light. I began to question some of the ways in which I’d been courted, something I had never done when we were both head-over-heels enamored with each other.

 

Some of those questions made me uncomfortable and I think I started writing the book to find some answers. Sometimes the writing of it made me weep, especially when I delved into the later years of our relationship, and sometimes it brought me great joy and gratitude for being so loved, and sometimes I asked myself  “What were you thinking?”

 

There are no easy answers. I would hope that readers not judge, but be more attuned to the grey area, that a relationship does not have to be either/or, but can be both/and. I am now more comfortable in that grey area, not just in thinking about my relationship with Bill, but in many other aspects of what it means to live as a human being on this planet.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: My first book was published when I was 74, and my second at 79. I don’t think I have another book in me, and even if I did, I wouldn’t have the bandwidth for everything that comes with launching a book into the world.

 

But I’m still writing, mostly personal essays,  some of which are being published and some just for myself. I’m really taken with the shorter form, and love telling a whole story in 1,000 words, 500 words, or even 100 words.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: If you’re interested in reading more of my writing, my website, deborahshepherdwrites.com, provides links to my published pieces and to my blog.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Deborah K. Shepherd. 

Q&A with Louise M. Aamodt

  

 

 

Louise M. Aamodt is the author of the new children's picture book A Forest Begins Anew. She is also an educator, and she lives in Minnesota. 

 

Q: What inspired you to write A Forest Begins Anew?

 

A: Many years ago, I was teaching a weather science unit and read the book Lightning! by Lorraine Jean Hopping. Three lines about the cause/effect relationships after a fire (burnt trees > beetles > woodpeckers > bluebirds) stopped me in my tracks.

 

I’m always fascinated by the interconnectedness of nature, but I hadn’t heard of this particular relationship. Once I dipped my toe into the research, I was hooked. 

 

Q: How did you research the book, and what did you learn that especially surprised you?

 

A: I was new to writing nonfiction back then, so my early research was messy, to say the least. As I learned more about finding strong sources, I had to go back and reexamine everything multiple times to make sure it was accurate. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so it was a painstaking process.

 

I’d advise writers to document every single rabbit hole they explore, whether valid or not, so they can sift through them later if/when ideas become muddled. 

 

One thing that surprised me was learning about the history of fire suppression in the United States. As a kid, I remember Smokey the Bear ads that villainized fires and urged us to extinguish them all, which actually led to more megafires in some cases due to excessive fuel buildup. These days, although climate change exacerbates megafires, we actually do have more scientific, data-driven methods behind us.

 

Q: What do you think Elly MacKay’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: She’s amazing! I intentionally chose some advanced vocabulary for this story, and Elly’s art helps make those big words–and concepts–accessible and inviting for even the youngest readers. It’s a beautiful pairing of words and art. Her shifting use of color and light portrays the emotional arc perfectly. 

 

Q: The Kirkus Review of the book called it a “beautiful testament to nature’s—and our own—ability to flourish after devastation.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I’m thrilled that the underlying theme shone through. This is a nonfiction book about wildfires, yes, but it’s really a story of hope and perseverance.

 

Adversity of all types can feel so overwhelming that sometimes it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It was of utmost importance to me that this book portrayed equal parts science and optimism. 

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I have two more upcoming nonfiction picture books under contract, with many, many more manuscripts looking for a home. I’m drawn to writing nonfiction, often with lyrical or rhyming elements. I also love creating back matter and layered text. If a concept sparks for me, I relish the challenge of relaying that same excitement to readers. 

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: This is my debut book, and interestingly, it goes against two common bits of advice. First, it’s in rhyme, which we’re generally warned to avoid because it’s so hard to get the meter right. Second, it uses the word “dead,” which is apparently a no-no for young readers, and had to be handled with care. Nevertheless, A Forest Begins Anew made it through anyway. Write what’s in your heart, and readers will feel it.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb 

May 12

 

 

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

May 12, 1812: Edward Lear born. 

Q&A with Brittany Polat

  

Photo by Keni Parks

 

 

 

Brittany Polat is the author of the new book Jesus & Stoicism: The Parallel Sayings. Her other books include Stoic Ethics.  

 

Q: What inspired you to write Jesus & Stoicism?

A: An editor at Ulysses Press reached out to me about creating this book to follow in the footsteps of one of their bestselling titles, Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings by Marcus Borg.

 

Borg was a Lutheran pastor and scholar of the historical Jesus who thought that different religions are simply individual manifestations of a universal path. I really admire his work and I loved the idea of this project!

 

I also realized that the relationship between Stoicism and Christianity had not been fully explored, so I was happy to bring more attention to the topic through this book.

Q: What are some of the parallels between Christianity and Stoicism?

A: In this book I focus primarily on ethical parallels, of which there are many.

 

Both Jesus and the Stoics defined success in internal (spiritual/psychological) terms rather than external (worldly) terms, which led them to reject and disapprove of wealth, power, and social status.

 

They were extremely critical of selfishness and hypocrisy, which they saw particularly in the upper classes of their respective societies.

 

They promoted internal virtue—or to use the preferred Biblical term, righteousness—which led to inner peace and social harmony.

 

There is so much more we could mention, but those are some of the major points of agreement.

Q: What do you think are some of the most common perceptions and misconceptions about Stoicism?

A: Unfortunately there are many misperceptions of Stoicism that have cropped up over the centuries.

 

One is that Stoics are not supposed to have any emotions, which of course is not true. The ancient Stoics recognized emotions as an important part of human life, but they noticed that strong negative emotions like anger, envy, and sadness can cause huge problems. So they developed a system of eliminating those bad emotions while promoting good emotions like joy and goodwill.

Another misperception is that the Stoics are detached from other people, but again, this is not true at all. It’s based on a misinterpretation of some of the ancient texts.

 

In reality, Stoics learn how to love others and have good relationships without falling prey to the wrong kinds of attachments, which are similar to cravings. We begin to approach our relationships with wisdom, leading to inner peace and a deeper happiness.

Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book?

A: I hope readers come away with a renewed appreciation of the ethical parallels between Stoicism and Christianity, which are two renowned wisdom traditions that have shaped Western history and culture.

 

I also hope readers find inspiration for their own lives—when both Jesus and the Stoics are pointing us in the same direction, we know we need to listen!

Q: What are you working on now?

A: At the moment I’m working on two collected editions of Stoic writings for Pan Macmillan’s Collector’s Library: Embracing Resilience and Getting Along with Difficult People.

 

Each book has selected texts relevant to its theme, so if someone needs practical guidance on overcoming difficulties or getting along with difficult people, they will have Stoic advice right at their fingertips! The books should be out in 2027.

Q: Anything else we should know?

A: I would say that if you’re interested in learning more about Stoicism, make sure you get your information from trustworthy sources. There continues to be so much misinformation circulating online.

 

I recommend relying on books and articles associated with the nonprofit Modern Stoicism, or reading works published by university presses or classic imprints. And make sure to read the originals yourself—you can’t go wrong with Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb 

Q&A with Deirdre Sullivan

  

 

Deirdre Sullivan is the author of the new children's picture book Little Passenger. Her other books include the young adult novel Savage Her Reply. She lives in Dublin, Ireland.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Little Passenger?

 

A: Becoming pregnant was not a straightforward journey for me; there was a lot of hoping. When my child began to grow in me, I really wanted them to stay, and when we hit the 12-week milestone, I bought them a book, and began to read a bedtime story every night. It helped to keep us connected and allowed me to share something I love with this small life in the liminal space.

 

It was a lovely ritual, but being me, I began to overthink it, because the small life inside me had no context for suppers, or mermaids, or Wild Things. One night when I couldn’t sleep, I wrote a poem just for her, and that was the beginning of Little Passenger. 

 

Q: How was the book’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?

 

A: I called her that, along with other names, when she was growing in me, and I remember one friend saying they really liked the phrasing of it. It was an organic part of the poem, and it was my relationship to her as well. I was her first home, and I’m grateful to my body for growing her until she was ready to meet the world. 

 

Q: What do you think Jessica Love’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: I was consistently blown away by Jessica’s responses to the book; she met it with such understanding and care. There were several visual narratives she worked through before finding the inspiration for the book as is, and it was a privilege to have insight into her process.

 

I feel her art met my words more seamlessly than I could have imagined, and I feel very grateful to have had such a beautiful experience making Little Passenger with her, and the team at Walker. 

 

Q: The Publishers Weekly review of the book says, “It’s a warmth-filled portrait that binds the loving act of making a quilt to one experience of growing a family.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I wanted to imbue the text with reassurance, warmth, and love, without being saccharine, and while retaining a sense of emotional truth, which has always been key to me with writing.

 

The visual narrative, all those special details, the colour saturation, the quilt developing and growing with the pregnancy, that was all Jessica. I think it was very heartfelt for both of us. 

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I have two more lyrical picture books under contract at the moment, and I’m working on some poetry and short fiction as well. I’m reading and researching a lot about birds right now, as well as folklore and mythology. I tend to fill the bucket up and then let it spill over. 

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Pregnancy and motherhood aren’t easy or simple, and the journey is different for everyone. It’s magical and messy, primal and painful.

 

There’s no one truth for any of us in this world, and with parenthood, there are so many feelings and experiences and complexities that co-exist. There’s no one way, or right way. There’s only you and them, and your love will be shaped differently from other people’s because it’s yours.  

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb 

Q&A with Gideon Sterer

  

 

 

Gideon Sterer is the author of the new children's picture book The Underwearwolf. His many other books include The Christmas Owl. He lives in New York City. 

 

Q: What inspired you to write The Underwearwolf?

A: Honestly, just the pun, and I have no recollection of how or why I thought about it. I think I had it in a notes app and one day I was going back through notes and was like, "Hey, this is still funny to me," so then I had to figure out how to make it into a book.

Q: What do you think Charles Santoso’s illustrations add to the book?

A: Charles is one of my favorite contemporary children's book illustrators and his illustrations are a wonderful combination of beautiful and a little spooky while also being commercially appealing and HILARIOUS, so I think he adds everything to the book, really. He rules. 

Q: The Publishers Weekly review of the book says, “Sterer and Santoso mash the monstrous and the truly mundane in this gleeful picture book outing.” What do you think of that description?

A: I love it! This book is really one big joke, so that works for me!

Q: What do you hope kids take away from the story?

A: I don't know if there are any explicit "take-aways" that I'm hoping for, but I hope they are inspired to imagine weird and off-kilter stuff and have a curiosity and wonder for the woods and just further like the idea of books, generally!

 

Q: What are you working on now?

A: Lots of stuff! An interesting combination of hopefully poignant stuff and also a bunch of stuff with butt jokes.

Q: Anything else we should know?

A: I have another book with Simon & Schuster coming out called Tadpole Season, so look out for that!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb