Q&A with Yoojin Grace Wuertz

  

 

 

Yoojin Grace Wuertz is the author of the new children's picture book Habbi's Treasures. She also has written the novel Everything Belongs to Us. She was born in South Korea, and she lives in Princeton, New Jersey.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Habbi’s Treasures?

 

A: Sometimes a story is like a gift that falls into your lap. That’s how it was with Habbi. The book was inspired by a conversation between my dad and my son, Emmett, a week or two before the first day of school. He was 6 years old at the time and I had just picked up some new clothes for him and asked him to try them on.

 

Emmett was playing with my dad, known as Habbi (a shortened version of harabeoji, the Korean word for grandfather), and he was emphatically not interested in trying on the clothes. In fact, he pitched a bit of a tantrum.

 

My dad, who has always loved clothes, eyed what I’d bought and said, “Wow, Emmett, you’re so lucky. Look at all these new clothes you have. Look at these new pants. When I was a boy, I never had so many new clothes. In fact, I had one pair of pants– the pants from my school uniform. I wore those same pants proudly every day.”

 

That statement surprised Emmett and me so much that we stopped thinking about Emmett’s clothes and started asking my dad about his clothes—why did he only have one pair of pants?

 

That’s when we heard about how his childhood and youth following the Korean War was materially tough, but still held so many treasured memories. That’s when I realized I could tell a version of a life story with just the clothes that represented milestones in my dad’s life.

 

A 6-year-old might not have been able to understand these milestones in the abstract, but the memories came alive with the clothes, which were accessible entry points for a young child’s imagination.

 

Q: How would you describe the dynamic between your character Caleb and his grandfather?

 

A: I think they delight in each other. On the title page, you see Caleb packing his backpack in anticipation to spend time with Habbi. He’s prepared a picture that he drew of himself with Habbi. He also has fish food to treat Habbi’s tropical fish, and their favorite game to play together (the Korean folk game, yutnori, which is like the American boardgame, Trouble or Sorry, but instead of dice you throw rods that tell you what moves you’ve earned.)

 

Habbi is just as excited to spend time with Caleb. He’s playful and actively involved in Caleb’s world. He plays hide and seek (peeking a bit through his fingers as he counts), plays soccer in the backyard even when it’s raining, dances with Caleb, and gets down on the sidewalk to draw with chalk. Habbi says his favorite stories are from time spent with Caleb, and you can see he really means it.

 

Q: What do you think Dung Ho’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: I’ve admired Dung’s art since Eyes that Kiss in the Corners and the Mindy Kim series. She has such a talent for capturing the love and affection between characters with rich specificity that grounds these connections.

 

For Habbi’s Treasures, I deeply appreciated how closely she researched Korean artifacts to make sure that Habbi’s house truly reflected his culture. The fabric on the throw pillow has modern Korean saekdong, which is a traditional patchwork pattern using a colorful palette. There’s a stone hareubang figure emblematic of Jeju island, which is as ubiquitous as a little Eiffel Tower souvenir might be from Paris.

 

For the pages featuring Habbi’s memories, the images are so detailed and transporting while retaining her expressive signature style that draws children in. Dung’s luminous illustrations made the story’s intergenerational, cross-cultural connections feel effortless. It was a dream collaboration.   

 

Q: The Kirkus Review of the book called it a “delightful exploration of how stories can connect family across generations.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I loved it because it captured my hope for the book, which is for families to use Caleb and Habbi’s story as a springboard to share the treasured memories and stories in their lives.

 

When I share this book with groups of children at story times or school visits, I start by asking what special names kids have for their grandparents. The array of names, whether they’re completely unique to one family or are the common affectionate names from various languages, show me that this intergenerational relationship is so special and cherished across cultures.

 

I especially love how the common affectionate names for “grandmother” and “grandfather” across most languages are often cute words because they are adapted to very young children. Encouraging families to share their stories between generations really makes me happy.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I have two books in the pipeline that I’m excited about. I have a YA novel, Welcome Home, Stranger, publishing from FSG Books for Young Readers in May 2027.

 

It’s about a family that has been estranged for two generations across the North/South Korean border, but becomes reunited when 15-year-old Ellie Kim, born and raised in Leonia, NJ, learns that her 17-year-old cousin, who escaped North Korea, is coming to live with her family for a year in New Jersey.

 

I also have a second picture book publishing in August 2027 from Rise x Penguin Workshop called Somi’s Star Student Day. Somi is a young girl who has just moved to the US from South Korea, and her kindergarten class is having a “Star Student Day” for each student to share their favorite things from home.

 

Somi has so many things she wants to tell the class about herself, but she doesn’t have the English yet to do so. She’s frustrated and nervous to try. This book shows how Somi figures out how to shine for her Star Student Day. This one is illustrated by the wonderful artist Skye Ali.  

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Please check out my website, www.yoojingracewuertz.com, for information about school visits, and for special resources, including fun activity sheets for Habbi’s Treasures. Thank you so much for having me! 

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Yoojin Grace Wuertz. 

Q&A with Ed Seaward

  

 

 

Ed Seaward is the author of the new novel London Gothic. His other work includes the novel Fair. He lives in Georgetown, Ontario.

 

Q: What inspired you to write London Gothic, and how did you create the Caine family?

 

A: A few years ago I stumbled across excerpts from an interview of Canadian novelist Timothy Findlay by Graeme Gibson (Margaret Atwood’s late husband), where Gibson said that Findlay’s first novel, Last of the Crazy People, reminded him of “Southern Gothic.” Findlay replied that it was – in fact it was Southern Ontario Gothic.

 

I had not heard the term before but I ruminated on it, especially since I was born and raised in the heart of Southwestern Ontario — London. When the image of a father and son burying a body late at night in a field came to me (as it does to one), I decided to pursue the image through this genre of Southern Ontario Gothic.

 

The Caine family evolved as I began to flesh out the story and made notes. I used my family structure as the basis — father, mother, brother and sister who are a decade apart in age — although none of the characters are based on family members.

 

Once I had the family structure I created characters based as I often do — both out of “whole cloth” and out of observations of people over the years. I assume choosing “Caine” as a surname is understood.

 

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

 

A: London Gothic appealed to me because it put “gothic” in the title — the fundamental reference to the seed of the novel, the concept of Southern Ontario Gothic. It is, of course, a double entendre — readers will assume some sort of “traditional gothic” tale in London, England. 

 

Q: Did you know how the novel would end before you started writing it, or did you make many changes along the way?

 

A: I wrote the ending at the same time as I wrote the opening of the novel. I constructed a detailed outline that laid out every chapter with notes on plot, character and setting.

 

That said, once I turned the outline into the novel, changes occurred but the ending remained the same. The beginning and ending are — apologies for the pun — “book ends” which will be apparent to readers when they finish the novel.

 

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

 

A: I have been asked that question a few times now and I find it difficult to answer. I have not written an essay or a long-form nonfiction work that seeks to inform or instruct readers about a topic or topics.

 

I am a reader first, and a writer second. When I read fiction I want to be engaged in the world the author has created, so as a writer I hope that I engage readers. Engage them with the language, the characters, and the setting.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I have finished a draft of new novel, The Apostate K. After leaving it sit for a few months I am about to go through the draft and polish it.

 

Here is the synopsis of The Apostate K: At the beginning of summer, a suburban man abandons his wife’s funeral, heads to downtown Toronto for one final bender, and returns home to rescue a runaway boy and help him escape to the freedom of California. On their road trip they discover the comedy in Kafka, happiness in the blues, and what it truly means to be 12 years old.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: London Gothic is published by DarkWinter Press, which is a new independent publisher founded by Suzanne Craig-Whytock. Over the course of a few years she created an online literary magazine, and then DarkWinter Press, and, recently, an imprint —Baxter House Editions — which brings back out-of-print books that she thinks deserve to have circulation.

 

In our ever-changing world where publishing is a challenge, I thinks it is important to recognize Suzanne for diving in and creating a new creative outlet focused on Canadian literature.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb 

Oct. 11

 

 

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Oct. 11, 1884: Eleanor Roosevelt born.

Q&A with Elba Luz

  

 

 

Elba Luz is the author of the new novel How to Ruin a Wedding. Her other books include the YA novel Legally Yours, Violet Lopez. She is based in New York.

 

Q: What inspired you to write How to Ruin a Wedding, and how did you create your character Lucy?

 

A: I really love classic rom-coms like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, The Wedding Planner, 27 Dresses, and literally every JLo movie. They have these big, out-of-the-box premises and ridiculous situations, but are still loaded with depth.

 

I wanted to write a book that captured that same feeling, which eventually led me to the idea of someone who ruins weddings for a living. From there, I knew I wanted to take a familiar romance trope like fake dating and make the stakes as messy and chaotic as possible.

 

I’ve always considered myself a late bloomer, and I know what it feels like to look around and think everyone else has reached these milestones in their career, relationships, or friendships while you’re still trying to figure yourself and Lucy came from that.

 

I wanted her to be messy and flawed but hopeful. She’s had a lot go wrong in her life, but she still finds ways to laugh, care deeply about the people around her, and move forward.

 

Q: How would you describe the relationship between Lucy and Anders?

 

A: Lucy and Anders have a lot of chemistry from the very beginning, but what I love most about them is how much they bring out the best in each other.

 

Lucy is funny, caring, bright, and completely herself, even when her life is falling apart. Anders is very upfront about who he is and what he wants, and despite the very questionable circumstances that bring them together, he’s actually a huge green flag. They give each other a place to be entirely themselves, two safe spaces.

 

They’re also both a little burned by love in different ways, which makes it especially fun that they end up fake dating to sabotage a wedding. And, of course, there’s a lot of sizzling interactions along the way.

 

Q: What do you think the novel says about love?

 

A: I think it says love is a kaleidoscope. Romantic love is obviously a huge part of How to Ruin a Wedding, especially Lucy’s relationship with Anders, but I never wanted it to be the only love that mattered in her life. There’s the love she has for her sister, the love she finds through friendship and found family, even her love for animals and Save a Paw.

 

I hope it shows that we all deserve a life that is completely saturated with love in all its different forms.

 

Q: The writer Riss M. Neilson said of the book, “With messy characters that feel as real as you and me, sizzling chemistry, and the perfect amount of forced proximity, Elba Luz gripped me from the very first line...” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I love it, especially the word messy. I really wanted these characters to feel like people. Lucy makes mistakes, she doesn’t always know what she’s doing, but she always moves forward. I wanted her to be allowed to be imperfect and still completely deserving of love and a happy ending.

 

And obviously I will happily accept sizzling chemistry as a description of Lucy and Anders! Their build-up was my favorite part of writing.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: My next novel is a YA romance, Legally Yours, Violet Lopez, which follows an ambitious teen with a near-perfect record defending students before her school’s disciplinary board who gets blackmailed into taking a case she never wanted. And I’m also working on another adult romance (to be announced) that will sit nicely beside How to Ruin a Wedding!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Elba Luz. 

Q&A with Romina Garber

  

 

Romina Garber is the author of the young adult novels Lobizona and Cazadora, her Wolves of No World duology, now available in a new collector's edition. She was born in Argentina and raised in Miami.

 

Q: What led to this new collector’s edition of your Wolves of No World duology?

 

A: The Saint Paul Public Library selected Lobizona for this year’s citywide book club, a program called Read Brave.

 

In March, following the ICE surge in the Twin Cities, I spoke with students at eight schools and even shared the stage with the mayor for a powerful discussion about community and resilience. We were introduced by Library Board Chair and Councilmember Saura Jost, who thanked me “for giving our city a story that we needed, one that helped us connect, recover, heal, & understand one another during one of the most difficult challenges that our city has ever faced.”

 

It was one of the most moving experiences of my life, and my publisher and I both agreed that if this story about witches and werewolves could give teens the tools for discussing fear and belonging, then maybe it was time to give the series a refresh. After all, books are empathy incubators, and if there’s one thing we could all do with more of right now, it’s empathy.

 

Q: How did you create your character Manuela?

 

A: With Manu, I wanted to introduce a character who was a perpetual outsider. In our world, her residency isn’t legal. Among the Septimus, she’s not a bruja, but the first lobizona. Manu is undocumented in the literal sense: No one like her has ever been documented before.

 

She’s not a human or a Septimus. She’s someone new entirely.

 

One of Manu’s friends, Diego, says it best in Lobizona: “When someone deviates from an accepted norm, they signal a gap in the system. A hole that hasn’t been plugged. The danger with exposing a foundation’s failings is it opens the door to the possibility that it’s a faulty structure altogether and should be torn down and built anew.”

 

Q: How much did Argentinian folklore inspire the writing of these novels?

 

A: Very much! I studied Guaraní stories about the lobizón, and I based the existence of the Septimus on a real Argentine law. The ley de padrinazgo presidencial 20.843 declares the president of Argentina godparent to the seventh consecutive son or daughter in a family. It’s still in effect today, and it harkens back to a time when people feared that seventh children were cursed to turn into monsters.

 

The fact that such an outrageous belief could have once taken root in a population and even concretized into an actual law made me think of the power of words. In particular, I thought of the term illegal, and how it negates a people’s humanity and worth, paving the way for subhuman treatment.

 

Q: Especially given the current focus on immigration, what do you hope readers take away from the books?

 

A: I hope readers think about the power of words and labels. After spending 700 pages in Manu’s shoes, I hope they agree that people matter more than paperwork. Everyone deserves a chance to flourish.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: It’s been too many years since I’ve had space to explore, without deadlines looming over me, so that’s what I’m doing now! After publishing eight YA novels, I think I’m ready to take on a new challenge . . . . More to come!

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Signed copies are available for purchase from Books & Books!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb 

Oct. 10

 

 

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

Oct. 10, 1938: Lily Tuck born.

Q&A with Caleb Campbell

  

 

 

 

Caleb Campbell is the author of the new book Unstriving: 12 Lessons on Authentic Success from a Recovering Overachiever. He is a former Army officer and NFL athlete, and he lives in Nashville, Tennessee. 

 

Q: What inspired you to write Unstriving?

A: I think Unstriving came from a couple of places.

For the better part of the last decade, I’ve been in a season of deep personal transformation, and at some point I could feel that season beginning to shift. There was a sense of completion to it, like something I had been living and learning for years was finally ready to be shared.

There was also something creative happening that I didn’t want to ignore. The book felt like it was asking to be written, and I had reached a point where I was ready to trust that impulse and give language to what had changed my own life.

And secondly, as a keynote speaker, I travel the country speaking to a lot of high-achieving people, and I keep hearing a similar longing. People are tired of believing they have to endlessly push and strive in order to make their lives happen. A lot of people have built successful lives and are waking up with the kind of tired that more sleep doesn’t solve.

I wrote Unstriving because I believe we’re hungry for a new way forward, and I wanted to put words to what that way might look like.

 

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

A: The title came to me through a pretty random series of events.

I ended up having coffee with someone who didn’t really know me or my story, and I started telling him about the last decade of my life and the book I had been trying to write. At some point, I told him how frustrated I was because I still didn’t have a title.

He looked at me and said, “I know exactly what the title is.”

When he said the word Unstriving, I got goosebumps all over my body. I knew immediately that was it. In the most unstriving way possible, the title found me.

Over time, that word has come to represent something much bigger for me. So many of us learn how to survive our lives through striving. We learn to push harder and make things happen because, for a long time, it works. It helps us build careers and create lives we’re proud of.

Eventually, though, we can outgrow the identity that got us there and we see it manifest through soul exhaustion.

Unstriving is the process of untethering ourselves from who we had to become in order to survive our lives and allowing our identity to evolve. It’s through this inner evolution that a new way of being begins to emerge allowing us to become who need to become in order to fully live our lives in a way where ambition and wholeness can coexist.

 

Q: The author Jonathan Martin said of the book, “While Caleb Campbell writes with remarkable vulnerability about his own healing journey, this book is ultimately less about his story than it is an invitation into your own.” What do you think of that description?

A: I love that description because that was always my hope for the book. I knew I needed to tell the truth about my own life, and I wanted my story to become a doorway that helped people see their own lives more clearly.

My story is obviously woven throughout the book, but the deeper invitation is for you to begin asking your own questions. Who did you have to become in order to survive your life? What ways of living helped you get here but may no longer fit who you’re becoming? What might your life feel like if you stopped trying so hard to make it happen and learned to participate more fully in the life that is already here?

So when Jonathan described the book that way, I felt like he understood exactly what I hoped Unstriving would become. My story may be the vehicle, but the reader’s life is where the book is meant to lead.

 

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

A: My biggest hope is that people finish Unstriving with a deeper sense of permission to live their own lives.

So much of our striving comes from the stories we’ve inherited about who we need to be, what success should look like, and what we need to accomplish in order to finally feel like we’re enough. Over time, those stories can become so familiar that we stop questioning if they’re actually ours.

I hope this book helps people become curious about the life underneath all of that. I hope it gives them permission to loosen their grip on who they think they’re supposed to be and begin listening to what their own life is asking of them now.

There’s no greater gift than waking up knowing you’re living the life you’re meant to live.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

A: Between keynote speaking and raising a 4-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son with my beautiful wife, life is pretty full right now.

But something did  happen during the book launch party of Unstriving that I’m still sitting with.

I partnered with an artist to create an immersive experience around the themes of the book. We paired his artwork with a guided audio experience by me that invited people to move through different stages of unstriving and experience the ideas in the book in a way that went beyond simply reading about them.

I was really inspired and moved as I watched people have a deeply personal experience with the work, and it made me curious about what else might be possible.

I don’t fully know what that means yet, and I’m trying not to rush to figure it out. But, there's something about creating experiences where people can actually feel and experience Unstriving for themselves that is catching my heart’s attention. I have a sense that this could become a new expression of the work, so for now, I’m giving it some space to show me what it wants to become.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

A: I believe that Unstriving is the journey that allows us to transform at an identity level. It essentially becomes the vehicle that takes us from where we are to where we want to be by helping us to become someone new.

And if Unstriving is the vehicle, then self-compassion is the fuel.

One of the hardest and most profound lessons I’ve learned in my own life is that you cannot hate yourself into a life that you love. Being gentle with ourselves is a non-negotiable on this journey.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb