1--What is the title of your latest release?
THE BOOK OF SILVER LININGS
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Within the margins of an antique book, a timeless love waits for a young woman on the precipice of a terrible mistake in this enthralling exploration of fate and independence from the acclaimed author of Some of It Was Real.
While researching her antique engagement ring, Constance discovers a book of letters tied to it, written by a WWI ambulance driver. She writes a note to the long-dead author confessing fears about her fiancé and is shocked days later when his ghost writes her back. Will a bond based on letters impossibly sent from the past derail Constance’s future, or will she find her voice, passion and true soul mate?
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I always try to choose places where I’ve lived, though sometimes I change the name;-). I spent many years in San Francisco and loved the city, so it was fun to set a book on the streets where I used to walk as I didn’t have a car back then and also to incorporate the incredibly hilly streets with the highs and lows of a novel.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Definitely. Constance is filled with the desire to be wanted and loved, and the fear that people won’t like her, but she also wants to be more than other peoples’ desires and is willing to take huge risks and grow. As she discovers her voice and passion, she becomes someone I’d love as a best friend, full of heart for the people and animals she loves.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Kind. Quirky. Brave.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned a lot about WWI history and what both volunteer ambulance drivers and nurses risked and accomplished during that horrific war. I also learned about animal shelters and while I’ve always loved animals, now I have a passion for helping the ones that have been discarded find their forever homes. There is absolutely no love like the unconditional love of an animal that has been rescued. Try it if you have the heart and home for a forever friend!
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I write for about 4-5 hours every morning and then edit those chapters in the afternoon to make sure I’m on the right track. Then I start each morning reading those edited chapters before writing the next ones. Editing is EVERYTHING!
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
I love any kind of fruit dessert and once a year at Halloween I gorge myself on candy corn!
9--Describe your writing space/office!
My husband built a small cottage for me to write in – it’s wonderful! There’s a chandelier, a small kitchen and a comfy couch for reading. Prior to that, I wrote at countertops, in quiet corners and coffee shops.
10--Who is an author you admire?
That’s like asking someone to choose their favorite dog;-). I love Tracey Garvis Graves, Mary Doria Russell, Stephen King, TJ Klune, Tana French, Danya Kukafka, Gabrielle Zevin, Jill Santopolo, Kate Spencer, Colleen Oakley, Jane Rosen, Andrea Bartz, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Eliza Jane Brazier… the list goes on and on!!!!
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
Early on, it was anything by Stephen King, who creates characters, atmosphere and original stories like none other. Mary Doria Russell’s The Sparrow changed my perspective on life, how you can’t truly know someone without a common language and experience and making assumptions never works.
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.
“The big call” for me was when my agent, Stephanie Kip Rostan called and gave me the opportunity to work with her. She’s the best champion a writer could ask for. As for the calls that an editor wants one of my novels… each one made me feel like the world had stopped spinning for a moment. Writing is such a solitary endeavor so to learn you’re going to be part of a team is incredible. I was so nervous when I spoke with my editor, Kerry Donovan, at Berkley Publishing, that I couldn’t feel my face! But she was lovely and welcoming, and I’ve loved every moment of working with her.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
That changes all the time! I love contemporary fiction, fantasy, mystery, thrillers, short stories… my favorite changes with my mood!!!
14--What’s your favorite movie?
I don’t have one! My favorites change with each new one that I love. CODA was probably the last one I adored.
15--What is your favorite season?
Spring!! It’s like the world starts anew.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Quietly, with my husband and our dog, Boone, doing something outside.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I’m obsessed with Succession on HBO. Rich people behaving badly and karma coming to get them is fun to watch. And I love listening to Armchair Expert with Dax Shepherd.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Italian
19--What do you do when you have free time?
Anything outside. I love to kite surf, bike, hike…
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I’m working on Book #3! It’s about twins, the search for perspective and discovering love in the most unlikely places. I can’t really say more as stories are ever-changing until they’re done but I will admit that this one has a grip on my heart and won’t let go.
Within the margins of an antique book, a timeless love waits for a young woman on the precipice of a terrible mistake in this enthralling exploration of fate and independence from the acclaimed author of Some of It Was Real.
Constance Sparks always says yes…when her capricious best friend needs money; when her boss gives her more responsibility without a raise; and when her boyfriend, Hayden, who is very kind but also secretive, asks her to marry him.
While planning their wedding—and struggling with anxiety about the right course for her future—Constance researches the history of her antique engagement ring and unearths the name of a man who might be connected to it, plus his tragic love story. When she finds a book of letters in her library’s old manuscript section written by the long-dead man, Constance is deeply touched by his words and leaves a note for him confessing her uncertainty and doubts. She’s shocked days later to find a response tucked among the pages.
As the notes continue to arrive, Constance finds herself quickly falling in love with a ghost and putting her real-life relationship in jeopardy. Will a bond based on letters impossibly sent from the past derail her future? Or will Constance discover her voice and risk everything for the chance to somehow connect with her true soul mate?
Women's Fiction Contemporary [Berkley, On Sale: August 15, 2023, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593438718 / eISBN: 9780593438725]
A graduate of Cornell University and former Traveling Writer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Senior Campaign Writer for The University of California, San Francisco, Nan’s articles have appeared in Harper’s Bazaar, Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, The Huffington Post, Powell’s Book Blog, YA Books Central, Germ Magazine, Hypable, and School Library Journal.
Nan lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Henry, and sometimes vorpal, but always lovable, Vizsla, Boone. When she’s not conjuring a story or reading, Nan can be found hiking, biking, kitesurfing, skiing or planning her family’s next adventure.
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