ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
July 6, 1952: Hilary Mantel born.
Thursday, July 6, 2023
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Q&A with Alex Hay
Alex Hay is the author of the new historical novel The Housekeepers. He lives in London.
Q: You write that you were interested in setting a novel in the early 20th century. What appealed to you about that period, and how did you end up writing this particular story?
A: I had been circling the 1900s for a while, trying to find the right way in. It’s a period associated with a certain level of glitz and glamour – big houses, rolling lawns, endless servants, a last gasp of privilege before the Great War.
I knew that would provide me with a sumptuous setting – and the chance to scratch at something a little darker beneath the surface, namely the corruption and oppression on the underside of all that wealth and power.
At the same time, I’d been longing to write a heist story, to play with the twists and turns and engineering of that plot structure.
So, London in the 1900s – full of vast, opulent mansions and servants starting to bridle against longstanding constraints – felt like the perfect backdrop for a grand robbery and a story of seven women taking on their masters and seeking to upturn their status quo…
Q: How did you research the book, and what did you learn that especially surprised you?
A: I had read a great deal about the late 1890s and early 1900s over the years, so had absorbed some things by osmosis, but there was plenty I needed to test and investigate.
I’d been poring over The Lost Mansions of Mayfair by Oliver Bradbury, a book full to the brim with descriptions of palatial houses once scattered across West London, lost to bombing and redevelopment.
It helped me create a composite picture of a fictional house at the heart of the wealthy Mayfair district: a multi-story mansion stuffed with priceless artworks, objets d’art, sumptuous furnishings and so much more.
My research became quite focused: I wanted to know exactly what those treasures looked like, to understand how many servants would have been employed to care for them. In other words, I needed to think about how such a house could have been designed, built, robbed…
Several books provided details that proved invaluable to making the world of the novel feel rich and real. J Mordaunt Crook’s The Rise of the Nouveaux Riches gave me a sense of the individuals who might have been making their fortunes in the neighbourhood. And Julia Laite’s The Disappearance of Lydia Harvey provided poignant insight into the dangers faced by young women entering the service industry in London at the turn of the century.
The most interesting discovery? It was striking, if not entirely surprising, to realise just how many of these sumptuous houses had been lost. You can walk down Park Lane today and catch tiny glimpses of the mansions that once stood facing Hyde Park – but the rest have vanished.
Writing this novel was a chance to spin a world that shimmers in sepia photographs but has otherwise disappeared – for good and ill – forever.
Q: The writer Nina de Gramont said of the book, “A treasure trove of contradictions: fast-paced but thoughtful, vengeful but compassionate, satisfying but completely unpredictable.” What do you think of that description?
A: It makes me SO happy. The kindness and generosity of other authors, who have taken the time to read and respond to the novel, has been one of the most marvellous – and humbling – parts of the publication process. Nina de Gramont’s words resonated enormously.
I had always hoped that The Housekeepers would spin a few different plates – the shimmery glamour of 1900s London, the fellowship amongst a gang of brilliant women, the twists and turns of a heist plot, and the dark secrets lurking in the biggest house on the street…
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 drafted the last chapter early on, and although some of the nuances twisted along the way, it remained a north star to aim for all the way through the writing of the book. This was the most plotting I had ever done – I had a detailed scene plan, but SO much of it shifted along the way.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m writing a standalone novel set in the same world as The Housekeepers, but starring a fresh cast and a new dastardly scheme… It’s been both a joy and a head-scratcher to write, and I’ve been loving it…
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
Q&A with Bonnie Kistler
Photo by Nicole McConville
Bonnie Kistler is the author of the new novel Her, Too. Her other books include the novel The Cage. A former trial lawyer, she lives in Florida and North Carolina.
Q: What inspired you to write Her, Too, and how did you create your character Kelly McCann?
A: Like many people, I was riveted by the trials of Harvey Weinstein and other high-profile men convicted of sexual assault.
I was struck by how often these men chose to be represented by female attorneys. Their strategy was obvious: it would be more palatable to the jury if the female victim were cross-examined by another woman, even if she were as aggressive as any male counterpart would have been.
And there may be a subliminal message as well: the defendant couldn’t be the monster the prosecution claims or this woman wouldn’t be able to sit beside him and defend him.
But wholly apart from the reasons for the defendant’s choice, I was fascinated by the choices made by that female lawyer. I wondered about the ethical compromises she may have made to advance her career. And I imagined the slurs she may have suffered––that she was a traitor to her sex, that she was complicit in her client’s crimes.
So I conjured up Kelly McCann as a woman who felt she had to make those compromises, and for whom winning was enough of a reward that she tuned out the slurs and insults. But of course everything changes when she herself becomes the victim of sexual assault.
Q: The writer Jaime Lynn Hendricks said of the book, “A sure standout for anyone involved in the #metoo movement and those begging to be entertained by a heart pounding, diabolical, revenge plot with a shocker of an ending.” What do you think of that description?
A: I think Jaime perfectly captured the duality of this novel. It’s a serious look at an important social issue, but at the same time, it’s a thriller designed to engross and entertain. And I’m very pleased that she thought the ending was a shocker, since Jaime’s a master of the twist you never saw coming!
Q: Without giving anything away, did you know how the novel would end before you started writing it, or did you make many changes along the way?
A: Yes, I always knew the ending, but I didn’t precisely know how I was going to get there. That’s my process with each of my books. I start with the premise––the central conflict––and how it resolves. Then I try to figure out the rest out as I go.
Q: How did your experiences as a trial lawyer factor into the novel?
A: I didn’t practice criminal law, but my own work in corporate litigation made it easy enough to imagine the pressures Kelly was under. I didn’t always have the luxury of representing the “good guys.” I had a law firm to answer to, and billables to worry about, and a family to support.
But like Kelly, I enjoyed winning enough that I could usually convince myself to overlook any moral murkiness in my clients.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: My next novel––working title “Shell Games”––should be out in 2024. It’s a story of gaslighting and mind games and mother-daughter issues set on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Like Her, Too, it’s a thriller that I hope will engross and entertain the reader, but it also deals with an important issue––this time, climate change.
Now I’m starting to germinate some ideas for the next book after that.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
Q&A with Carin Berger
Carin Berger is the author and illustrator of the new children's picture book In the Night Garden. Her many other books include The Little Yellow Leaf. She lives in New York City and in the Hudson Valley.
Q: What inspired you to create In the Night Garden?
A: There were many, twining, inspirations for In the Night Garden. When my daughter was little she had difficulty falling asleep and a fear of the dark. To help her overcome this anxiety we used to lie on our porch and star gaze. Celebrating the beauty of the darkness not only made this transition easier, it actually became a treasured ritual and inspiration for In the Night Garden.
Also, my love of gardening inspired the book. I am insatiable. I love noticing the changes in the garden and the magic moments that happen: each plant and flower feels like a treasured friend. I am constantly amazed by transformations that happen daily.
Finally, In the Night Garden is a celebration of Cupcake (the name our daughter gave our country house), this place that we love.
Q: How did you choose the nighttime color palette for the story?
A: The deep blue palette is intended to allow the reader to experience the sense of the wonder of being in the garden at night, and to convey the subtlety and nuance that occurs in the darkness.
We decided to print the book on uncoated paper because it has a warmer, more classical feel; however, this decision also creates some technical challenges. The deep color palette and subtle tonal shifts required a lot more care and time on correcting the color to match the artwork as closely as possible and to ensure that we didn’t lose the detail of the originals.
Q: The Kirkus Review of the book says, in part, “Nighttime is the right time for young readers thanks to this perfect amalgamation of soothing text and image.” What do you think of that description?
A: I am delighted with the way In the Night Garden has been received so far. It has four starred reviews, and each has lovely quotes that make me feel as though the book is truly being seen the way that I had hoped.
Q: What do you hope kids take away from the book?
A: Of course I hope that In the Night Garden inspires curiosity about nature and nighttime, as well as about the transformations that the natural world helps to highlight.
In addition, there is an important underlying message. I hope that the book can help initiate discussions about learning to explore the unfamiliar in a broader sense. Fearing the unknown is fairly universal, especially in childhood, and especially in these uncertain times.
It is my deep wish that In the Night Garden can serve as a tool to start conversations about openness to things we aren’t familiar with, and that it will encourage readers to learn about new things, new people, new ideas. I hope that these conversations can help institute an openness to “other,” something that I think is incredibly important, especially in these divisive times.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I have a new project that I am doing together with my dear friend, Rachel Vail. It is an early reader series about friendship called Tort + Hare. Not coincidentally, Rachel has a pet tortoise and I have a pet rabbit...The project is currently in submissions.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I am excited about In the Night Garden, and eager to do school visits and events! Also, I have signed bookplates that I would be happy to send to anyone who orders a copy. To get yours, email me at carin@carinberger.com.
And please! Order your book from an independent bookstore! Pre-orders are soooo helpful to help the book make its way into the world. Here is a link: https://bookshop.org/p/books/in-the-night-garden-carin-berger/18820132?ean=9780823449866
--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Carin Berger.
Monday, July 3, 2023
Q&A with Maureen Fergus
Maureen Fergus is the author of the new children's picture book Princess Pru and the Ogre on the Hill. Her many other books include Petal the Angry Cow. She lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Q: What inspired you to write Princess Pru and the Ogre on the Hill?
A: I’d always wanted to write a princess story because when my daughters were little, life was all about princesses, all the time. But I wanted to find a princess – and a story – that was out of the ordinary.
As I was playing around with ideas, I started thinking about preconceived notions and how damaging they can be. From there, it was a short jump to imagining a new-to-town ogre who had his party planning activities misinterpreted by those who assumed he was trouble — and a perceptive princess who stood her ground in order to give him a chance.
Q: The Kirkus Review of the book calls it “A lighthearted reminder that first impressions, like appearances, can be deceiving.” What do you think of that description?
A: To me, the story is more about the preconceived notions that we sometimes have of people who are different from us. If everyone had started out assuming that Oggy the ogre was a good guy, they would have interpreted his actions completely differently. If they had a bad first impression of him, that was on them, not on him.
And while the story is certainly lighthearted and funny and meant to be enjoyed, I would like to think that it could also serve as a jumping off point for some interesting and important discussions.
Q: What do you think Danesh Mohiuddin's illustrations add to the story?
A: The best illustrators elevate good stories to a whole new level and Danesh absolutely did that with this book. He did a wonderful job bringing Pru and the other characters to life, and every page is filled with humour and fun details. A young reader could look through the book a dozen times and spot something new each time.
Q: How would you describe the dynamic between the princess and the ogre?
A: They don’t come face-to-face until the end of the book when Pru rides up the hill and knocks on Oggy’s door. Once they realize how much they have in common and how much fun they have together, they are inseparable. Pru considers it a friendship of equals; it never occurs to her that there are those that don’t see it the same way…
Q: What are you working on now?
A: We’re putting the finishing touches on the next Pru and Oggy book, I just finished writing the next two books in my early graphic novel Weenie series, and I’m working on a couple of new picture book manuscripts as well as a project that I can’t talk about yet but am very excited about!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Just that I hope everyone has a great summer!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Maureen Fergus.
Q&A with Yolanda Ridge
Yolanda Ridge is the author of the new middle grade novel Elliot Jelly-Legs and the Bobblehead Miracle. Her other books include Evolution Under Pressure. She lives in Rossland, British Columbia.
Q: What inspired you to write Elliot Jelly-Legs and the Bobblehead Miracle, and how did you create your character Elliot?
A: Elliot’s story was inspired by my son, who joined organized hockey later than his peers and really struggled. I was trying to convince him (and myself) that struggling is good. I do really believe there’s nothing better than achieving something you work hard for. But it was still difficult to see him under pressure to catch up when he just wanted to have fun and be part of the team.
This led to the idea that getting what you want—as if by magic—is not always as good as you think it’s going to be. Like a goalie who gets a shut out in every game and still doesn’t think they’re good enough.
Q: As someone who also has written a middle grade novel about a bobblehead with magical qualities, I was curious about how you chose a Carey Price bobblehead as a key figure in the book. Can you tell us about that?
A: Bobbleheads are inspiring! It was my son’s suggestion to choose [hockey player] Carey Price and I’m glad I did. He’s an inspiring athlete who hasn’t been shy about sharing his own struggles. While my editor and I were working on revisions to Elliot’s story, Carey Price led the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Finals. It really helped motivate me to keep diving into the heart of the novel.
Q: The Kirkus Review of the book says, in part, “Elliot is a highly appealing underdog, and Ridge’s valuable lessons on dedication, teamwork, and self-esteem land deftly with humor and refreshing honesty.” What do you think of that description, and what do you hope readers take away from the book?
A: I got a lot of different feedback on how Elliot’s anxiety was portrayed. I really didn’t want to label him or fit him into a hero’s journey. I’m glad I stayed true to my vision of Elliot’s personality and desires. I was thrilled that the honesty I was trying to portray came through to the Kirkus reviewer.
Q: Did you know how the novel would end before you started writing it, or did you make many changes along the way?
A: No, I made a lot of changes along the way. I don’t want to give any spoilers but I knew there would be some intense hockey games and a lot of wishes that don’t come true. I wasn’t going to make life easy for Elliot!
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m writing a mystery middle grade novel that I’m hoping could become a series. No details to share yet - it’s a mystery! :)
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I’m going to be doing some author visits in the fall once hockey season starts. Please contact me if you’re an educator who's interested in hosting me in you classroom either virtually or in person (https://yolandaridge.com/contact/).
There's a discussion guide available on my website (http://yolandaridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Elliot-Jelly-Legs_discussion-guide_12-09-22_FINAL.pdf) and a chapter sampler (http://yolandaridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Elliot-Jelly-Legs-Chapter-Sampler.pdf).
--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Yolanda Ridge.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)