first publications – The Debutante Ball

Interview with Amanda Skenandore, author of THE SECOND LIFE OF MIRIELLE WEST

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

This week’s interview is with dear friend and author Amanda Skenandore, whose award-winning historical fiction explores painful episodes in the American experience with great sensitivity and insight. Her forthcoming book, THE SECOND LIFE OF MIRIELLE WEST will be out in July and was inspired by the true story of a Louisiana leprosy hospital where patients were forcibly quarantined. Below, Amanda talks about the research she did at the national leprosarium,…

Interview with Pamela Skjolsvik, author of FOREVER 51

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

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I’m so excited for this week’s interview with Pamela Skjolsvik whose debut novel, FOREVER 51 is the delightful story of an eternally menopausal vampire on a quest to become mortal. Below, Pamela talks about the strangest job she’s ever had, the remaining items on her bucket list, and the story behind the title of her book. Enjoy! ABOUT PAMELA Pamela Skjolsvik has been published in Creative Nonfiction, Witness, Ten…

Interview with Barbara Conrey, bestselling author of NOWHERE NEAR GOODBYE

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

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This week’s interview is with Barbara Conrey whose debut novel, NOWHERE NEAR GOODBYE is a USA Today bestseller. Below, Barbara talks about the authors that inspire her, the story behind her book’s title, her next big project and more. Enjoy! ABOUT BARBARA Barbara Conrey worked in the health care industry for many years before opting for an early retirement, which lasted all of three months. She then accepted a position…

Interview with Mary Keliikoa, author of DERAILED

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

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This week’s interview is with Mary Keliikoa whose debut novel, DERAILED, came out last May and has just been nominated for a Lefty Award for Best Debut. Congratulations Mary! Below, Mary talks about her love of early mornings and dancing, a co-worker that tried to sabotage her work, and what literary success looks like to her. Enjoy! ABOUT MARY Mary Keliikoa spent the first 18 years of her adult life…

Interview with Denise Williams, author of HOW TO FAIL AT FLIRTING

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

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I’m absolutely thrilled to be doing this week’s interview with Denise Williams, author of the much anticipated HOW TO FAIL AT FLIRTING, which is romance at its swooning, heart-pounding, toe-curling best! Below, Denise shares what she’s most looking forward to with the release of her book, tells us about the story behind her title, and explains why a future novel will definitely include a haunted house. Enjoy! ABOUT DENISE…

How to Succeed in Writing While Trying Pretty Hard, Actually

Monday, December 23, 2013

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Last week The Debutantes shared their darkest moments as writers. This week, in celebration of the Winter Solstice or what have you, we’re looking at the bright side: When did we think that maybe—just maybe—we were going to succeed? You see the problem with this topic right away, don’t you? What the heck does success mean? And when do you know you’ve reached it? I’m sure that when the Debs…