1--What is the title of your latest release?
UNDER THE INFLUENCE
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
It’s “The Devil Wears Prada” for the digital age.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
The story starts in New York City, but I knew I wanted the majority of the story to take place in a smaller city that felt vastly different for the main character, Harper. I chose Nashville because I thought it was the perfect setting for our self-help influencer, Charlotte Green, to really feel like a big fish in a small pond.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Absolutely, as long as she promises to bring some of her mom’s cookies!
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Ambitious, optimistic, and attentive.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned a lot about myself! As a debut author, I went through so many emotions of excitement, fear, and self-doubt. I really learned how to cope with the feelings of uncertainty and how to build more confidence in my work and myself.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I like to write and edit in 5-10 chapter chunks.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
I live in NYC, so there are so many options that come to mind! A couple of my favorites are a sundae from American Bar, Culture Espresso cookies, 7th Street Burger, or Village Square Pizza.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
Living in NYC, I definitely don’t have space for an office! Throughout working on this novel, I went to a lot of coffee shops like Felix Roasting, Madame Bonte, and enjoyed working on the novel while traveling abroad.
10--Who is an author you admire?
I am an absolute fan girl of Dolly Alderton. Her writing is so charming, funny, and witty.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
There are a lot of books that have had an influence on me, but the first that comes to mind is The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo. I read that novel during a time when I could really resonate with the emotions of the main character and was going through a similar crossroads. Her story of how powerful love can be was so beautiful and impactful.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I got the call only a couple of hours after I had met with a few publishers. I was on my way to my best friend’s apartment here in NYC with orange juice and champagne in hand. We had only meant to be celebrating the fact that I had meetings with publishers, but by the time we had poured our mimosas, offers were already made!
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
I think my favorite genre will always be Women’s Fiction.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
This one is a tough question! I would say The Holiday or Love, Actually.
15--What is your favorite season?
I’m a self-proclaimed basic b*tch, which, of course, means I love everything fall – pumpkin drinks, candles, sweaters, everything!
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
My birthday is two days before Christmas Eve, so I am lucky if I ever celebrate on my actual birthday since everyone is so busy. A few things I’ve done in the past are a Gatsby-themed wine tasting in Napa or a 70s Thrift Shop-themed karaoke night in Koreatown.
17--What’s a recent TV show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I’m currently devouring the new Idris Elba show on Apple TV called Hijack.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I’m a big fan of sushi, especially omakase.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
When I have free time, I usually explore New York City. There’s always so much to do here, I love trying out new restaurants, getting brunch with friends, seeing a show, walking around Central Park, or just having a “New York Day” and seeing where the city takes me.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I would love for Under the Influence to be turned into a film or TV series! In terms of the book, I do feel like there’s more story to be told, so if given the opportunity, I’d love to continue writing these characters’ journeys.
The Devil Wears Prada meets The Assistants in this compulsively readable debut following a young woman who takes a job working for an enigmatic influencer and quickly discovers there’s a dark side to being a #GirlBoss.
After a series of go-nowhere jobs in the New York publishing world, Harper Cruz is broke, lonely, and desperate for a salary that won’t leave her scrambling to make rent each month. So when she stumbles across a job posting from an influencer offering triple her last paycheck, she automatically submits her résumé.
Harper may not be familiar with self-help guru Charlotte Green, but her relentless optimism and charismatic can-do spirit has created a cult-like following of women across the country. When she selects Harper among thousands of other applicants in less than twenty-four hours, it’s obvious she sees something she likes. Despite the pressure to accept the offer just as quickly as she’s been given it, Harper decides to take a leap of faith and become the newest member of The Greenhouse.
Accepting the job means a move to Nashville, and Harper is quickly dazzled by the glamourous world Charlotte has built in Music City. The Greenhouse is more than a workplace—it’s a family—and Harper soon finds herself swept into its inner circle. At first, she loves working in such an inspirational environment, where mandatory dance parties, daily intentions, and group bonding activities make up for long hours and Charlotte’s persistent demands for loyalty. But the deeper Harper is pulled into Charlotte’s world, the more she realizes that having it all and being it all comes with a price.
Women's Fiction [Gallery Books, On Sale: August 8, 2023, Hardcover / e-Book, ISBN: 9781668004944 / eISBN: 9781668004968]
A California native, Noelle Crooks’s love of books started at a young age when running to the local library with her late father. Before her writing career, Noelle held roles at Sephora and Dolce Vita, and was the brand director at The Hollis Company. An education activist, Noelle is passionate about supporting youth literacy within marginalized schools. In her free time, she enjoys walking through Central Park, buying overpriced lattes, and indulging in a lengthy skincare routine. The author of the debut novel Under the Influence, Noelle resides in New York City with her sidekick pup, Cooper.
No comments posted.
© 2003-2026