1--What is the title of your latest release?
THE HAPPINESS BLUEPRINT
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Klara and Alex are having trouble connecting, but at least their calendars are in sync.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
It had to be Sweden. It’s where I grew up and where my dad runs a construction company. He always complained that none of us kids would be taking over the family business (you wouldn’t trust me or my brother with your bathroom even if we were the last people on earth. Proof: I have just paid for someone to assemble an Ikea table.) This got me thinking about what would happen if someone really unsuitable did take over a family construction business in Sweden. Enter Klara.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Absolutely. I’m older and wiser and I’d give her a big hug and tell her she’s doing great.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Determined, kind and funny.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
This book taught me how to write. I was a complete beginner entering the words “how do you write a novel” into Google.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
Something in between. I find that if you are stuck going back and editing yesterday’s writing helps get you back into the story, so I often start my writing session with that. This means on a line level my draft is fairly edited when it’s complete. However, I don’t write chronologically so my second draft is a very big time-consuming task where I have to fit all the pieces together and turn scenes into something coherent and novel-shaped. It takes me about four months to write a first draft.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Since I’ve currently been off sugar for two weeks, I’d have to say a really good chocolate would be nice.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I didn’t have an office or dedicated space until last fall. I used to work from anywhere – the dining table was the main spot as I could sneak to my laptop if the kids were busy for half an hour. I’d keep my document open and ready for when that miracle would happen. Now I have a lovely office with a view of the Mediterranean Sea and frames of my covers on the wall. I love it.
10--Who is an author you admire?
I love fellow Swede Fredrik Backman. I do adore anyone writing with a strong voice though, and especially in that sweet spot between commercial and literary.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
I feel like I should have one, but I don’t think I do. I consumed everything as a child. Stories about ponies, classics, stories I was too young for. Maybe I should pick The Happiness Blueprint? It really did change my life and give me the chance of a career I could only dream of!
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.
It was an email! 11 days after going on submission my agent emailed me late Friday night to say she’d had a call from my now editor (Meredith Clark at Mira). She loved the book and wanted to set up a call with us the following week to discuss her editorial thoughts. Although I had more interest after that this was the first “call” and the moment I knew in my heart the book would get picked up!
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
I read all genres except for horror. I enjoy literary and book club reads, am very picky with my thrillers and love a good romcom!
14--What’s your favorite movie?
So, I actually gave up watching TV/movies when writing THB! I had limited time and had to use the evening hours after my kids had gone to bed to get that first draft down. I have kept this habit as it frees up so much time for reading and now only watch when we do it as a family. I am WAY behind with shows and couldn’t possibly recommend anything. The last movie I watched was Wonka at cinema with my son. I found the acting phenomenal!
15--What is your favorite season?
I love autumn. I struggle with the brightness and heat of summer (a neurodivergent thing) and would happily extend the colder season if I could (sorry world).
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I hate parties and being the center of attention! I’d happily not have a birthday at all so as little celebration as I can get away with really.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
A recent five star read is“ In Memoriam” by Alice Winn. Just so touching and tender. Also, my writer friends have excellent novels out this year. “Someone Like You” is a sexy and gripping thriller by Becky Alexander, and “The Painter’s Daughters” is a stunning historical debut by Emily Howes.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I love world cuisine. Thai maybe? In London I’d go for an Indian as there are incredible places. I live in France now, but an hour from the Italian border, so apart from Indian I’m spoilt for food choices really.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I don’t really have free time as my hobbies, work and self-care blend into one! I often look through my manuscripts on a weekend morning, read whenever I get a chance to, cook and try to exercise and run regularly.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I’m currently editing my second novel. I am so excited for you all to meet Sophia, Blade and Edith as they uncover an old mystery in Sweden. There’s community, family, love, autism and a lost man called Sven.
Klara and Alex are having trouble connecting, but at least their calendars are in sync.
Klara—who’s always thought of herself as a little different, a sneaker in a world full of kitten heels and polished boots—is feeling a disconnect these days. She has type 1 diabetes, currently works in a dead-end job, and is in desperate need of a change. When her dad falls ill, Klara begrudgingly agrees to help run his small construction company while he recovers, even though it means moving back home and pushing the boundaries of her comfort zone to the extreme.
Alex has been a shell of himself since his brother died in an accident. He’s unemployed, has bills piling up, and is distant from friends and family. His therapist is encouraging him to keep things manageable by setting up a calendar, checking off tasks each day, and looking for work to help get him back on his feet. When an ad pops up for a carpenter position at a small construction company, he jumps at the chance to take a step forward.
Klara's and Alex’s stories unfold through a series of miscommunications in this clever and witty novel from debut author Ally Zetterberg that’s about finding acceptance and even love in unexpected places.
Women's Fiction Friendship [Mira Books, On Sale: April 2, 2024, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780778369714 / eISBN: 9780369748751]
Ally Zetterberg is a British-Swedish writer. She spent ten years working internationally as a fashion model before turning to writing.
She writes feel-good commercial fiction. Often Sweden set. Usually with neurodivergent characters. Always warm and funny.
Being neurodivergent herself and the mother of a child with Type 1 Diabetes, she is passionate about creating relatable characters and representing those living with medical conditions in commercial fiction.
She speaks four languages and spends her days doing her best not to muddle them up.
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