Q&A with Ann Brashares and Ben Brashares

 

 

 

Ann Brashares and Ben Brashares are the authors of the new middle grade novel Westfallen. Ann's other books include the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. Ben's other books include Being Edie Is Hard Today. Ann lives in New York City and Ben lives in New Jersey. They are siblings.

 

Q: The Publishers Weekly review of Westfallen says, “The Brashares vividly illustrate the perils of forgetting lessons of the past in this historical science-fiction thriller...” What do you think of that description?

 

Ben: We hoped that would be a take-away from the book. We went in with an “entertain first” M.O. and tried not to hit any readers over the head with any messages but they’re in there and that’s probably one of the clearer ones. 

Photo by Wes Jones

 

Ann: Always best if you can show it within the context of the characters and their conflicts. It was also important to us not to represent America as some kind of heaven compared to Westfallen’s hell. The two have more in common than we like to think, and we wanted to give readers room to ask hard questions. 

 

Q: How did you research the novel, and did you learn anything that especially surprise you?

 

Ben: I read a lot about life in Germany at the start of WWII with a particular interest in the Nazi youth. More than 80 years have passed since the start of WWII by the time we enter Westfallen so it obviously wouldn’t look the same as it did in the early ‘40s in Germany.

 

But it was good to get that base knowledge so I/we could then ask ourselves how those views/practices in pre-WWII Germany would have changed (or not changed) over the course of 80+ years in a place such as America. 

 

Ann: I spent a lot of time thinking about trash. A town dump plays a role in the 1944 part of the story. Lawrence, one of the three main 1944 characters, collects scrap metal, rubber and paper for the war effort.

 

When you think about it, there was no plastic then, nearly all food garbage was used for animal feed or compost, so what is left? I found it fascinating to imagine how different it was, how little waste there was compared to now. I love how tangibly objects can open up the past.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: We are deep in revision mode for Book 2. We just got some cool cover mock ups for it. It’s exciting. 

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/

Let’s keep it fictional. 

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb

Q&A with Karen Hawkins

 

 

Karen Hawkins is the author of the new novel The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams. It's part of her Dove Pond series. She lives in New England.

 

Q: What inspired you to write The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams, and how did you create your character Tay?

 

A: I've always wanted to do a modern mystery with clues set from another time. And the Dove Pond series, because of its historical grounding, is uniquely situated to make that happen.

 

When I first began this series, I wrote character descriptions of all the sisters and so I've known for a while now that Tay is the shy academic. I love that personality because, as a lifelong learner and a huge reader, I identify with her quite a bit.

 

Q: Do you recommend reading the series in order?

 

A: I purposefully wrote them so you could read them in any order. I don't believe it matters and many readers have mentioned that, too.

 

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 always, always know how my novels will end before I start writing them. What I don't know is exactly how the story is going to get there. I give myself permission to re-evaluate the trajectory/plot at every chapter so that I don't miss an opportunity to grow the story in an organic way.

 

As the author, I naturally have some control over the characters, but as I put those characters into certain situations, I sometimes learn things about them that could change how they react or behave in future chapters, so I feel being flexible as an author is important.

 

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

 

A: That being a part of a community, a family, a friendship, or a relationship can be an amazingly wonderful thing if you surround yourself with healthy and positive people.

 

Q: What are you working on now? Will there be more novels in the series?

 

A: There are two more books to the Dove Pond series, one about Cara, and the final one about the broken relationship between the two oldest sisters, Madison and Alex. In the next books, we see Cara return to Dove Pond when her high-end matchmaking business is compromised by a hacker with a very unusual agenda.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: There's more to come! I also plan on writing some Dove Pond novellas featuring Doyle Cloyd, an aged but romantic ghost with a rather ironic sense of humor.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb

Oct. 31

 

 

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Oct. 31, 1795: John Keats born.

Q&A with Marilyn Simon Rothstein

 

 

 

Marilyn Simon Rothstein is the author of the new novel Who Loves You Best. Her other novels include Crazy to Leave You. She lives in Connecticut.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Who Loves You Best, and how did you create your cast of characters?

 

A: Who Loves You Best is the story of a woman who gives up everything to spend more time with her grandchild – only to discover new truths about herself. I was inspired by my relationship with my two daughters and three grandchildren. I’d tell you more about them, but I don’t think you have that much time.

 

I knew I could have a fun time writing as soon as I plotted a story in which three grandmas vie for the attention of one grandchild. Her name is Macallan, and she is named after the Scotch her parents were drinking the evening she was conceived.

 

Q: The writer Jennifer Belle said of the novel, “Marilyn Simon Rothstein is a comic genius whose warmth and wisdom can also bring tears to my eyes.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: What’s to argue? And xoxoxo Jennifer Belle.

Q: How would you describe the dynamic among your characters Jodi, Di, Annie, and Lisa?

 

A: The dynamic is built on their differences. Jodi is a give-it-your-all grandma who comes from Boca Raton to watch Macallan in the Berkshires. She’d do anything for her family, but you are left to wonder: What would she do for herself?

 

Jodi assumes the other grandmas on the job—to her chagrin--will be similar. But Di, Lisa’s mother-in-law, is a hard-nosed realtor with little interest in shlepping around a kid. Grannie Annie is the 27-year-old live-in girlfriend of Di’s ex-husband. It’s difficult to see the good in each other until Jodi’s restaurateur daughter Lisa reveals a secret that rocks the roof.

 

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

 

A: My working title was Battles of the Bubbies. One person asked if the book was about boobies—since my debut novel, Lift and Separate, concerned a woman whose husband was the bra czar. When he left, she had to pick herself up by her own lacy straps.

 

The title Who Loves You Best warms my heart. Also, my daughters really liked it.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: Right now, I’m trying to decide where to go for a blow dry as I have a book launch party tonight. I’m on tour for Who Loves You Best because I love getting to know readers in person.

 

I was speaking on stage at an event in Miami. The large room was packed, and my husband stood way in the back. When it was time to ask me, the author, questions, a woman raised her hand and said, “I have a question. But it’s for Marilyn’s husband.” She turns to the rear and says, “Alan, can you tell us what it’s like to live with Marilyn?” And Alan said, “Who’s Marilyn?”

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: I blend my novels with humor and serious hopefully heart-rendering moments. But I’ll leave you with this story:

 

“I wasn’t feeling well so I came home early middle of a school day, from my office. I walked into my family room and found my 14-year-old daughter with a boy. They were on the couch in the front of the fireplace, wearing matching outfits—they both had nothing on. His name was Mother’s Hell.”

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Marilyn Simon Rothstein.

Q&A with Andrew Varga

 

 

 

Andrew Varga is the author of the new young adult novel The Mongol Ascension, the third in his Jump in Time series. He lives in the Toronto area.

 

Q: The Mongol Ascension is the third in your Jump in Time series--do you think your character Dan has changed from the start of the series to this novel?

 

A: Dan has definitely changed over the course of the series. In the first book, he’s a somewhat typical modern day 16 year old who knows nothing about time travel or the threat that Victor Stahl and his group of rogue time travellers pose to the world. So when Dan accidentally sends himself off to England in the year 1066, he is impulsive and reckless, and only focussed on getting home.

 

But by book three he has had multiple attempts on his life, has been part of three famous battles from history, and has spent a week enslaved by the Romans. So he is definitely not the same careless teenager that he was in book one. He still makes mistakes, but he understands the huge responsibility that he faces as a time jumper, and the incredible risk to the world if Victor isn’t stopped.

 

Dan’s relationship with his time-travelling partner Sam has also changed. In the first book, he was completely dependent on her because of her previous experience in time travelling. She taught him how to dress, how to act, and how to survive in the past. But by book three they are working more as a team, and together they are learning more about Victor’s plot and forming plans on how to stop him.

 

Q: Why did you decide to focus on Mongolian history in this book?

 

A: I wrote about the Mongols because I’ve always been interested in them. Most empires in history are the result of gradual expansion over time as a larger or more technologically advanced civilization conquers its smaller or less advanced neighbours.

 

But the Mongols are an exception to this. They were neither larger nor more technologically advanced than the people they conquered. They built their empire solely through the determination of one man—Temujin. His vision and his incredible cunning in battle allowed him, in the span of a few decades, to defeat all the foes he faced, even when they heavily outnumbered him.

 

The Mongols ended up ruling the largest contiguous land empire in history, and completely altered the history of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, yet most people know little about them, other than that they had a reputation for violence and killed millions.

 

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

 

A: Over the years I had read a lot of Mongol history books by modern-day authors, so I already had a good knowledge of the subject before I started my research for The Mongol Ascension.

 

But one book that I hadn’t read, and which became an invaluable source of information for my novel was The Secret History of the Mongols. It was written just a few years after Temujin/Genghis Khan’s death and is the only primary source actually written by a Mongol.

 

What particularly surprised me when reading The Secret History was how much suffering Temujin had to endure in his early life, and his single-minded determination to overcome these hurdles and to forge the various Mongolian tribes into one united group.

 

I had originally planned to write a story about the later Mongol empire, when they were conquering the Middle East or threatening Europe. But when I read about this early part of Temujin’s life I found a story that I really wanted to tell—one that contrasted the brutal and violent leader that Temujin becomes with the unfortunate teen who was just trying to get his life on track.

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

 

A: In my books, I hope to teach readers about a side of history that I find intriguing, but that is not well covered by most schools.

 

In book one, The Last Saxon King, I write about The Battle of Hastings, which completely altered the English language and turned it into what we speak today.

 

In book two, The Celtic Deception, I write about the Celts, a people who once lived all across Europe, but who were conquered by the Romans and assimilated into the Roman Empire and are now mostly forgotten.

 

For The Mongol Ascension, I hope readers learn something about the Mongol Empire, which was the largest contiguous land empire ever, covering almost five times as much land as the Roman Empire, yet while so many people know of Rome and it leaders, so few people know about the Mongols.

 

I also hope that some readers get inspired. Through strength and determination, Temujin went from being an exile from his own tribe, surviving off roots and fish and whatever food he could steal, to become ruler of this huge powerful empire. Hopefully his tale will encourage people to overcome their own challenges in life.

 

Q: What are you working on now? What’s next in the series?

 

A: I’m currently working on the final edits of my fourth book in the series, The Spartan Sacrifice, which comes out in August 2025.

 

This book takes Dan and Sam to the legendary Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BCE where a small group of 300 Spartans and their Greek allies fight valiantly against an overwhelming force of invading Persians. It’s a fantastic story of courage and sacrifice, and I’ve also thrown in a twist that hasn’t been seen in the previous three books.

 

Book five, The Orleans Ordeal, which follows Joan of Arc at the Siege of Orleans, and book six, The Roman Betrayal, which takes place in Rome during the time of Emperor Domitian, are both in various stages of early editing.

 

In addition, I’m also halfway through writing my seventh book, which is the final book in the series. This one takes place in Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade, when an army of Christian crusaders sacked the largest Christian city in the world. And, more importantly, this will be the book that finally brings a conclusion to the story of Dan and Sam’s quest to stop Victor Stahl.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: It has been a year and a half since The Last Saxon King came out and so many great things have happened since then. The book was selected by the Ontario Library Association to be part of the Forest of Reading program, which is the largest school reading program in Canada.

 

I was fortunate to visit so many schools to promote The Last Saxon King. It was incredibly humbling to meet so many students who were excited to hear about my book.

 

Not to mention that as part of the Forest of Reading I attended a huge celebration with almost 2,000 cheering students in attendance. I felt like a rock star when I stepped up on stage with all my fellow authors and saw this huge crowd in front of me.

 

The Last Saxon King was also nominated for the Best Teen Fiction award by the Independent Book Publishers Association. My wife and I flew out to Denver for the award ceremony and it was incredible to sit there in this huge dining room with all the other nominees—it felt like we were at the Oscars. And when the announcer said “And the winner is . . . The Last Saxon King” I felt so shocked and honoured.

 

Based off the success of this book, I’ve had many school visits and book signings, and I hope that this incredible run continues with the other books in the series.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Andrew Varga.

Oct. 30

 

 

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Oct. 30, 1935: Robert Caro born.

Q&A with T.J. Scripps

 

 

 

T.J. Scripps is the author of the new middle grade novel Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light. She is based in Austin, Texas.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light, and how did you create your character Ruby?

 

A: I was inspired to write Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light during a trip to New Orleans in December 2019. While dining at Muriel’s in the French Quarter (supposedly haunted, by the way!), I noticed a streak of light reflecting off my glass, and it felt like a sign.

 

After that, light seemed to speak to me everywhere I went—whether it was colored specks on the wall, a streak of rainbow light, or the long shadows during a ghost walk on Bourbon Street. The festive Christmas decorations in the hotels, and the New Year’s Eve fireworks over the Mississippi River, added to the magic.

 

I became fascinated with the idea of signs from the universe, communicating to us through light and other mysterious ways. What do they mean, who sends them, and why?

 

I thought kids would really enjoy the concept; the idea of uncovering hidden messages in the world around us. This curiosity became the heart of Ruby’s journey in Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light—a story of wonder, discovery, and the magic of the universe speaking to us.

 

The name Ruby came to me in a dream, and her character, ultimately a superhero who investigates such signs, felt like the perfect fit for the story. 

 

The world needs a female superhero right now, and Ruby was born to bring that magic to life!

Q: How did you come up with the idea for the world in which the story takes place?

 

A: The idea for the world of Glow in the Dark was inspired by the natural beauty of Africa, where I was born and raised. Being proudly South African, I wanted to bring that magic to life for American kids.

 

Our vast landscapes, starry skies, and rich mythology about what lies beyond—and who might live there—inspired the setting of Starland, along with our many folk tales about how nature communicates with us through animals, insects, the weather, the sky, clouds, shapes, numbers, plants, flowers, and light (including sunsets and rainbows). This is how the various “Departments” on the planet Starland were born.

 

As for their dazzling descriptions, that was easy! The crystals, semi-precious stones, gemstones, and diamonds South Africa is known for helped me design the world.

 

As a child, I was captivated by rocks and crystals, especially Tiger’s Eye. I remember the wonder I felt, and I know children today will feel the same magic, no matter how tech-friendly we get. In fact, I still have my favorite amethyst geode from when I was 10!

 

Now, I hope to share that same sense of wonder and excitement with young readers through Ruby’s adventures.

 

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 absolutely did know how the novel would end before I started writing it. I had a clear vision for Ruby’s journey from the start. However, the last line of the book came to me right at the end of writing, almost like a final piece of the puzzle falling into place. It was a moment of clarity that perfectly wrapped up the story.

 

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

 

A: I hope readers take away the idea that the universe is always speaking if you just listen. Signs are real, and if you let nature guide you, you’ll find wholeness and joy. Ruby’s journey is a reminder to trust the world around you and embrace the magic in everyday life.

 

Q: What are you working on now? What's next in the series?

 

A: I’m currently working on the next book, of course: Glow in the Dark: Aura Girl, The Shadow War and The Fractured Signs (working title). It’s an exciting continuation of Ruby’s journey with even more mysteries to unravel!

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Fun fact: The book was published on Women’s Day in South Africa! It felt like the perfect day to celebrate Ruby’s journey and the power of female superheroes.

 

Fun fact: I’m obsessed with symbolism and the meaning behind things. I consider myself somewhat of a semiotician now and have collected loads of mythology books to study the historical and cultural significance of the signs around us. I wanted to be as accurate as possible with the meanings of the various signs for the kids reading. 

 

Fun fact: I made sure to finish drafts and arrange Zooms and PR tasks on meaningful dates like Oct. 31 (Halloween), Nov. 1 (Diwali, the festival of lights), and Nov. 5 (Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night). I even wrote a chapter in Paris—the city of lights! These moments helped me fully immerse myself in the world I was creating.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. This post was created in partnership with T.J. Scripps. Enter this giveaway for your chance to win a signed paperback of Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light! Imagine the thrill of being the one lucky winner who will receive a signed hard copy, a Montessori Toy Interactive Constellation card pack, a Scratch & Play Scripps National Spelling Bee activity book, and the official dictionary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee 2025 “Words of the Champions”!

 

Q&A with Sharon Virts

 

 

 

Sharon Virts is the author of the new novel The Grays of Truth. Her other books include Veil of Doubt. She is also an entrepreneur.

 

Q: What inspired you to write The Grays of Truth?

 

A: I first learned about this story while researching 19th-century forensic science for my second book, Veil of Doubt. As I delved into the work of chemist Professor William Tonry, I stumbled upon the trial of Baltimore socialite Ellen Wharton.

 

When I read the court transcripts of her trial, I realized the case had many of the elements I look for in a writing project: wealth, power and politics coupled with multiple unexplained deaths, a thwarted/botched investigation, national media coverage (providing access to details, attitudes, and backstory), early forensic science, and unsavory/unstable real-life characters, each with motive for murder.  

 

What more could one want in a great story?

 

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

 

A: The titles of all three of my published books are derived from a particularly poignant bit of dialogue that captured the essence of the story. In The Grays of Truth, there is a conversation between the two main characters that really reflected the underpinnings of the book.

 

“With the mist will come a miasma of confusion, obscuring what is right in front of you. You must hold steady, my love, and allow your mind to see what your eyes cannot.”

“What am I looking for?”

“Truth, Jane.” He smiled at her. “It isn’t always black or white. The truth hides in the grays.”

 

I still get goosebumps when I read that line!

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

 

A: For The Grays of Truth, the Ellen Wharton trial had been well documented by the Baltimore Gazette and I relied heavily on those articles not only to uncover the facts in the case, but also to gain insight into the personalities of, and conflict between, the people involved.

 

I also relied on old newspapers to provide unique insight into the tone of the period and the culture, conditions and politics of Baltimore, Washington, and Philadelphia. From advertisements to weather reports, I found content in those old journals invaluable for creating the ambiance of the book’s settings and scenes.

 

In addition to library and online research, I visited old historic homes, neighborhoods and cemeteries where the story took place to see, hear, smell and feel what my characters might have experienced in those same places.

 

I even watched a couple of miniseries, The Pale Blue Eye (Ketchum and Hank Wharton attended West Point when Edgar Allan Poe was there), The Alienist (mental illness in the late 19th century), and Manhunt (Jane Wharton lived next door to Edwin Stanton and Ketchum worked for him directly), to get a sense of the scene, setting and the science at the time.

 

In addition to Google and online subscription services, including Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com, I relied on information from nonfiction sources.

 

The autobiography and memoir by Jacob Frey, Reminiscences of Baltimore, gave me a better understanding of policing and the political climate of Baltimore following the Civil War. It also provided insights into the investigation of the Wharton murders.

 

To understand the progress of forensic science, medicine, and psychology in the 1870s, I relied on sources including Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons by Lois J. Casarett and John Doull. I also relied heavily on my notes and forensic science research from my second book, Veil of Doubt.

 

As for surprises, I think I am becoming immune to the shenanigans of the 19th century!

 

The primitive state of forensic science, the lack of understanding surrounding mental health disorders, the corruption and unfair influence of the wealthy and powerful on the justice system, and our legal system today vs. the legal system of 1870s are all things I have encountered in researching other stories set in this time period.

 

There were no discovery rules in the court system, no requirement for the prosecution or the defense to share its investigative findings or chemical analyses with the other side. Witnesses were allowed to sit in the courtroom, listening to other testimony before testifying themselves. Pretty shocking, but not unexpected.

 

But there were a couple of discoveries I made that really had me shaking my head. For example, the examination of character witnesses and the testimony of the forensic scientists at the trial truly read like a circus act. When the judge allowed (with no objection from the prosecution) the defense to conduct chemistry experiments and demonstrations in open court, I was floored. 

 

Another shock was why one of the murder victims who knew the rumors regarding Ellen Wharton poisoning her dinner guests decided to stay overnight at her home. And why, when he first became ill, didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he stayed another four days!

 

They say fact is stranger than fiction and I cannot disagree.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: My next book is set in 1902 and is about the lynching of a Black man accused of murder. The protagonist is the Virginia prosecutor who goes after the lynch mob, including some of the town’s most revered citizens, men to whom the protagonist feels indebted.

 

It’s a story of two young men, born in the same town but in two different worlds, fighting their father’s oppression and a town’s prejudice.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: There are so many real-life stories that I want to write. If only I had the time to tell them all…

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb

Q&A with Eichin Chang-Lim

 

 

 

Eichin Chang-Lim is the author of the new book Talking About Adolescence: Supercharge Your Body and Brain Power. Her other books include Talking About Adolescence: Anxiety, Depression, and Adolescent Mental Health. Also an optometrist, she lives in Orange County, California.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Talking About Adolescence: Supercharge Your Body and Brain Power?

 

A: The Talking About Adolescence series was born from my experiences as a healthcare provider and parent, witnessing both the heartbreaking struggles and inspiring resilience of young people. Incidents of violence and suicide among adolescents underscored the urgent need for accessible resources and positive guidance during this life stage.

 

This series aims to empower teens and young adults with scientifically backed information about the significant changes in their bodies and brains. By understanding these developments, adolescents can make informed decisions that positively impact their future.

 

My goal is to provide them with a map and flashlight to navigate the dense fog of adolescence. I hope by providing tools to overcome challenges and avoid harmful traps, teens can unlock their full potential, make better choices and feel supported in the journey into adulthood.

 

Q: How do you see the Talking About Adolescence books working together?

 

A: The Talking About Adolescence series consists of three volumes, each designed to be standalone while complementing others. Together, they provide a holistic approach to navigating adolescence. The content of each book offers young people a cohesive and comprehensive toolkit for their development.

 

The first book explores major mental disorders in adolescence and offers strategies to stay mentally healthy amid these challenges. It provides practical advice and support for navigating the emotional journey of the teenage years, laying the foundation for understanding the psychological component of adolescence.

 

The second book delves into adolescent development, helping young people understand the science behind their body and brain's rapid growth. It gives them the knowledge and context they need to maximize their potential and overcome childhood experiences that may impede growth. The book also offers practical tools to optimize physical and mental well-being, helping to ensure they achieve their potential.

 

Together, these books provide adolescents with a comprehensive, 360-degree view of their development. By interweaving important information about both mental and physical health — I hope young people will be better equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities of adolescence.

 

Q: As someone who writes fiction and nonfiction, do you have a preference?

 

A: I enjoy writing both fiction and nonfiction, finding unique challenges in each. My goal is always to explore human relationships and celebrate resilience.

 

I blend personal experiences with research and imagination for fiction, especially my young adult romances. These stories let me create aspirational tales that resonate with readers’ own dreams and struggles.

 

Nonfiction requires a different approach. My educational works are research-heavy, while memoirs mix personal stories with broader insights.

 

Whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, I aim to inspire readers and show the power of the human spirit. I want my work to entertain and enthrall people to see the world differently.

 

I don’t prefer one genre over the other. Both allow me to tell stories of human resilience and struggle — and my hope is that these stories help my readers, and maybe even make the world a bit better.

 

Q: What do you hope adolescents take away from this new book?

 

A: Simply: I want to provide young people with the knowledge and practical information they need to understand themselves better. My hope is that by reading the Talking About Adolescence series, they will be better able to make informed decisions, avoid common pitfalls and break free from societal pressures.

 

The book offers insights into adolescent body and brain development, empowering teens with scientific information to help build emotional and mental resilience.

 

The series also serves as both a resource and a companion, reminding readers they’re not alone in their journey. Practical tools and exercises encourage readers to apply what they've learned to their daily lives. The ultimate goal is to help young readers navigate adolescence with confidence, knowledge and hope, allowing them to thrive during this transformative period.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: To know more about me, please check out https://www.eichinchanglim.com/

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb 

Oct. 29

 

 

 

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Oct. 29, 1925: Dominick Dunne born.

Q&A with Emily Schultz

 

Photo by Brian J. Davis

 

 

Emily Schultz is the author of the new novel Brooklyn Kills Me. Her other books include Sleeping with Friends. She lives in Brooklyn.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Brooklyn Kills Me, and how did you create your character Agnes?

 

A: Agnes grew out of the first book in the series, Sleeping with Friends, but I didn’t know she would go on to star in her own book when I wrote that. It was kind of an ensemble novel, a weekend murder mystery where one of the characters, Mia, has been in a coma and can only remember her life though movies.

 

Somehow introverted and queer Agnes emerged as my parlor detective, my Hercule Poirot, so to speak. I knew I wanted Brooklyn Kills Me to also be set at a party—for Agnes to have to piece together an evening’s events in order to solve the murder of her neighbor.

 

I believe getting to gather together holds more importance for us post-pandemic. I live in Brooklyn, and New York was a ghost town. But those of us who stayed throughout the pandemic got to know our neighbors very well with the close proximity.

 

Q: What do you see as the relationship between this novel and Sleeping with Friends? Should a reader begin with one before starting the other?

 

A: The novels share characters but I wanted to be sure that readers could jump straight into either book if they wanted to. There are a few references that call back, but not too many.

 

In Brooklyn Kills Me, Agnes takes center stage. I knew that I wanted to place her in a circle of power brokers, and famous New Yorkers, artists, playwrights, musicians, journalists, politicians, star chefs.

Q: Without giving anything away, did you know how the story would end before you started writing it, or did you make many changes along the way?

 

A: I did know at least some of what the ending would be. But there was a twist that even I didn’t see coming until the end of the first draft.

 

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

 

A: Brooklyn Kills Me is very much a Brooklyn adventure—I’ve lived in Williamsburg and Greenpoint for almost 14 years now so it felt time to write about where I live my life and imbue them with some fictional ominousness: from Domino Park to Pete’s Candy Store.

 

The title is something I’ve said to myself on more than a few occasions.

 

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

 

A: I hope readers will bond with the characters and be drawn in by the absurd situations I put them through, but more than that I always want to portray a reflection of life in Brooklyn. Wealth, class, and privilege are threads I’m always trying to untangle.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m doing a lot of screenwriting—adaptations of my books and an original feature with my partner. I also have a couple different novels that I’m starting.

 

I like exploring cross-genre best, and have jumped between the genres a bit—as much as my publishers will allow—from literary thriller (Little Threats) to pure mystery (this series), to things that touch on horror, like my novel The Blondes.

 

Right now what I’m trying to decide is whether my audience will follow me if I step a bit off the beaten path. I find it interesting that there are some readers who are devoted to one kind of fiction only, and others who will read more widely. I love a challenge so I never want to write the same story twice.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: I spent a decade running the literary journal Joyland and I recently got the bug again and started a pop culture zine on Substack called Medium Cool. The idea is that it’s for the formerly young and cool, such as myself!

 

It’s at https://www.themediumcool.com/

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb