1--What is the title of your latest release?
RUNNING OUT OF AIR
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Two estranged sisters, Evelyn and Sophie, attempt to summit one of the world’s tallest mountains and are forced to trust each other in order to survive.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
When thinking about the world’s tallest mountains, Nepal comes to mind immediately (although, of course, China, Pakistan, and India also have 8000-meter peaks within their borders). Based on my research, Nepal seemed like the best setting for Yama Parvat. And Colorado was an obvious choice as a home for two mountaineering-obsessed sisters.
The book has two other prominent settings, New York City and Geneva, Switzerland. Evelyn set her sights on Columbia Law School, but slowly discovers that her ambition outweighs her actual passion for practicing law. And Sophie goes to Switzerland to visit an old friend but finds more than she was looking for when she meets Levi, her future partner.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
I’d probably hang out with Sophie, since we’re a similar age and we both like the outdoors (I couldn’t keep up with her on a hike, though). Evelyn’s life looks very different from mine, and she makes some questionable choices, so I’m not sure we would be friends.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Sophie: stubborn, sarcastic, laid-back.
Evelyn: ambitious, serious, insecure.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned a ton about mountaineering. I read so many books, articles, forum posts, and trip reports as I wrote. Although I’m far from an expert, I really enjoyed learning about this sport and incorporating my research into my novel.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I mostly wait until I’m done, unless I make major changes to the plot while writing that require me to go back and edit some earlier parts for continuity. I don’t let things get too messy, but I try to leave the bulk of editing for after I’ve finished the first draft.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
I love food, so it’s hard to pick just one thing. But my favorite easy meal to make at home, that I never get sick of, is black bean nachos with heirloom tomatoes, sharp white cheddar, avocado, and crema.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I wrote the majority of RUNNING OUT OF AIR on my couch in my previous (very small) apartment. I’ve since moved, and I’m lucky to have an office to write in now! I have two desks—one for my PC and one for my day job/laptop setup. I write my first drafts in a Google doc, so I mostly use my PC but occasionally draft of my laptop. I switch to my laptop for editing (on Microsoft Word), since it gives me more flexibility to move around—so yes, I do occasionally still write on my couch.
10--Who is an author you admire?
So many, but Elizabeth Strout is my go-to author if I want to feel something. Her character studies are so perceptive—she puts into words feelings I didn’t know I had until I’m reading about them. And I love the way her characters’ lives interweave across novels—it’s like seeing old friends each time I pick up one of her books. Tell Me Everything was one of my favorite reads this year; I loved seeing Lucy and Olive together.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
The River by Peter Heller. I first read it in 2020 and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read it since. The story of two college friends on a remote canoeing trip that goes awry, it’s both propulsive and meditative, launching the reader unexpectedly into moments of tense action or lulling them into a sense of calm. It introduced me to the genre of adventure fiction and inspired me to write my own book (I drafted my first novel in 2020).
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.
My book had been out on submission for a few months. We’d had interest from another editor that ultimately didn’t make it past acquisitions. That had quieted my hopes a bit, but I’d leaned into a motto throughout the publishing process: rejection is redirection. I was optimistic that a rejection from one imprint would open the door for another, and it did. We’d had a great call with my eventual editor to talk through her ideas. About a week later, in the afternoon, my phone lit up with call from my agent. She doesn’t call for no reason, but I tried to reign in those hopes again as I answered.
It was an offer! We ended up going through a couple more weeks of negotiations before officially accepting, but I was on cloud nine. At the time of the initial call, I was home alone with just my dog, but he was happy to celebrate with me. I wanted to run out in the streets and shout that I had a book deal—it really is the best feeling!
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Broadly, contemporary fiction. I love anything set in relatively modern times in the real world. That being said, I read other genres frequently—magical realism, historical fiction, thrillers, nonfiction, and light sci-fi are some others that I enjoy.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. It’s a movie that never gets old for me. I love the setting so much, the characters, the soundtrack—everything about it is perfect to me.
15--What is your favorite season?
Spring. I grew up on the east coast, where spring is an explosion of color, warmth, and light. The trees get the softest little baby leaves that quickly grow to full size. Flowers pop up everywhere, the days get longer, and I know that summer (my second-favorite season) is coming, which means even warmer temperatures and more daylight. It’s cliché, but spring really does feel like a rebirth every year. I’ll never stop looking forward to spring.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Some good food, time with friends and family, and a nice hike or walk.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
Question Everything is a podcast I’ve enjoyed recently—it’s an examination of journalism by journalists, and it’s really interesting to hear their perspectives. The host, Brian Reed, made the podcast S-Town, and it’s fascinating to hear his thoughts about it now that some time has passed.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
It’s a four-way tie between Mexican, Italian, Vietnamese, and Thai.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I love to walk. I walk my dogs three or four times a day. I also love to hike on the weekends or after work in the summertime. I enjoy farmers’ markets when they’re in season, thrifting, and trying new restaurants. I cook at home almost daily and aim to bake a couple times a month. I like playing cozy video games. Needle felting is a recent hobby I’ve picked up—it’s great for the dark winter months. Oh, and reading!
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I’m working on a second book set in Alaska, with more sibling and family drama, dog sledding, and wilderness survival. Follow me over on Instagram for updates!
A smart, thrilling and powerful debut by Lilli Sutton that asks what it costs to pursue your wildest dreams?
Evelyn and Sophie, sisters and best friends, were known as one of the climbing world’s strongest teams—but that was before Evelyn had an affair with Sophie’s husband. Now they can’t even be in the same room together. That is, until they’re both offered a mountaineer’s dream: a chance to summit the eight-thousand-meter peak Yama Parvat.
Sophie has been aimless since Evelyn’s betrayal. She hasn’t summited a Himalayan mountain in nearly two years, all the joy drained from the sport for her, and this trek offers a chance to reestablish herself as a top climber before her sponsors withdraw their funding. Evelyn has been happy with Miles since he left Sophie, but guilt continues to shadow her, clouding her judgment and the ability to move forward. Now she’s willing to gamble everything for the chance to be part of the first team to summit this as-yet unclimbed mountain and prove herself a capable leader.
Stranded during a devastating storm on top of the world, Evelyn and Sophie are forced to climb together. Whether or not they make it off the mountain alive hinges on their trust in one another—something lost years ago—as they face down the question of how much they’re willing to sacrifice to get it all back.
Women's Fiction | Literature and Fiction Literary [MIRA, On Sale: November 19, 2024, Hardcover / e-Book , ISBN: 9780778368182 / eISBN: 9780369760197]
Lilli Sutton writes contemporary adult fiction. She holds a BA in English from Shepherd University.From Maryland, she now lives in Colorado. She draws inspiration for her writing from the natural world and the intricacies of human relationships.
When she's not writing, she's usually cooking,hiking, or trying to keep up with her ever-growing TBR list.
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