In a world where everyone is born a twin, Vi and Bo are the outcasts. Vi because her twin died in infancy, and Bo because he was single-born, and thus destined to rule. There is love and betrayal and fierce allies in a world that slightly ours, and yet couldn’t be more different. It’s better. Mostly. Maybe. I REALLY NEED TO READ BOOK TWO TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION.
One of the best things about having author friends is live-texting them while you read their books. With Kaitlyn’s permission, I thought it would be fun for you to see my thoughts — and Kaitlyn’s responses — as I read The Diminished. If you have an author friend, you should try this! (No I will not be giving out Kaitlyn’s phone number). Enjoy!
February 20:
Julie: I am loving your book so much, I just sent it to my twelve year old son, who is a huge fantasy reader.
Kaitlyn: Ahhhhh! That’s so nice! Thank you!!!
Julie: I just said, “Have you started it yet?” and he said, “I looked it up on Kindle. It sounds good but it’s not out yet!” and I said “I just emailed it to you, you get to read it before it releases.”
Kaitlyn: Hahaha. Kids are great. My sister in law just turned 18 and asked for it for her birthday. I just about cried.
February 24:
Julie: How in the world are you able to imagine such a rich world, with all the nuance and brilliance, and communicate that so clearly? I’m almost 200 pages in and LOVING IT but oh my word I don’t know how fantasy authors do this. It seems you’d spend years just on mapping out the world.
Kaitlyn: Ha! It is years of layering and refining. I start with really bare bones ideas and then just think about them constantly for years. I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!
Julie: Good lord. Years?
Kaitlyn: I started writing The Diminished in 2014? I cannot tell you how many drafts of that book exist. Dozens?
Julie: Same with me. Except I didn’t have to invent an entire world!
March 1:
Julie: I just finished it! Oh I loved it so much. I can’t wait for the next book. Please hurry up.
Kaitlyn: Ahhhh! Julie! That means so much to me!
Julie: So seriously, when will the next book be done?
Kaitlyn: My content revisions are due April 1 so I’ve been hard at work on them!
Julie: I love that [redacted for spoilers] came back.
Kaitlyn: [redacted] is one of my favorite characters ever.
Julie: I need to know…does [redacted] die or not?
Kaitlyn: [zipped lips emoji]
Julie: You mean I have to wait until book 2 to find out? I don’t trust [redacted].
Kaitlyn: Nor should you.
Julie: The thing I loved the most about your book (besides the characters, obvs) is the fact that you wrote male/male and female/female relationships and made them so ordinary, people simply kissing the ones they love. I am so excited that kids are going to read it and see themselves. Or people in their lives that they care about.
Kaitlyn: I figured it was my world, I could make it how I wanted.
Julie: And the gender roles! Let’s just sit with that for a minute. How women – of course! – are the powerful ones and the men are the ones who have to scramble to keep up.
Kaitlyn: RIGHT? Society falls apart, it’s going to be women who step up.
Julie: I’m worried Vi has already had two doses of [redacted]. I need you to get to work on the antidote please.
Kaitlyn: Book two isn’t easy on anyone.
Julie: Oh no! Of course, book 2 is going to be all about Bo and Vi desperate to make their way [redacted] and then I HOPE book three is the two of them trying to figure out how to [redacted].
Kaitlyn: I can send it to you when it’s done!
Julie: Yaaaaaaay! This is the best part of being an author.
April 10:
Julie: Happy release day! Even though I sent my 12 year old your book months ago, he wanted to pre-order it for his kindle. Last night he came in to my room to confirm that it would, in fact, be waiting for him first thing today.
Kaitlyn: AHHHHH! Julie, that means so much to me. Thank you for all your support.
Julie: And here it is!
Congratulations, Kaitlyn! Getting to know you, reading your book, and our text conversations have been a highlight of my year. xo
You can enter to win a copy of The Diminished by heading over to the Deb Ball Instagram page and following the Deb Ball and Kaitlyn! See you there!
OR you can buy the book!
Love the live texting! I did the same thing when I read Amy Poeppel’s book last year 🙂