Delusion, persistence, and manifestation: Three authors talk debut novels in Aspen.
Book of the Month LiveShow Notes
In this special episode recorded at the Aspen Literary Festival presented by Book of the Month, debut authors Kristin Koval, Anika Jade Levy, and Eliana Ramage give candid thoughts on first novels, family themes, and the pure magic of getting published. From origin stories to audience questions, they discuss what it takes to go from blank page to Book of the Month pick. About Penitence: When murder rocks a Colorado family, old secrets resurface, and long-lost love returns. Spanning decades and coasts, one family grapples with guilt, forgiveness, and the mess of trying to make things right. About Flat Earth: In a crumbling near-future New York, a young woman spirals through grad school, sugar daddies, and watching her best friend become the next big thing. This darkly funny debut explores transactional love, female friendship, and some unexpected conspiracy theories. About To the Moon and Back: Steph Harper is determined to escape her past—and Earth—with a dream to become an astronaut. As she pushes toward space, and past the Cherokee Nation where she was raised, the women around her navigate their own journeys of identity, ambition, and belonging. Get Penitence, Flat Earth, and To the Moon and Back at bookofthemonth.com. Learn more about Book of the Month LIVE at bookofthemonth.com/botm-live.
More from Book of the Month Live
In this special episode recorded at the Aspen Literary Festival, authors Sofia Montrone, Bobby Palmer, and Ríoghnach Robinson sit down to discuss their latest books—all BOTM Selections. Tune in for an honest conversation on craft, love, and the self-punishing art of reading your book's bad reviews. About Nymph: At her family's hotel in the Italian countryside, Leo is struggling to find her footing after a tragedy changes everything. When an American girl arrives for the summer, Leo finds herself drawn into a first love filled with dizzying desire and self-discovery. About Main Characters: A chance encounter in London sparks an undeniable romance between Clara and Seb, captivating everyone in their orbit—from close friends to total strangers. Told entirely through the eyes of that audience, this novel watches their epic love story unfold as twenty years pass and tensions build. About Bad Words: A brutal review ignites a viral feud between a struggling author and an uncompromising critic. But as their public sparring gives way to an unexpected private connection, the line between bitter rivals and undeniable attraction begins to blur. Get Nymph, Main Characters, and Bad Words at bookofthemonth.com. Learn more about Book of the Month LIVE at bookofthemonth.com/botm-live.
We sat down with author Nafissa Thompson-Spires at our New York launch party for her debut novel, The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford. Tune in as we touch on everything from unlikely sources of inspiration to board game cheating and the strange line dance of small-town rumors. When a 1920s Oklahoma moonshiner turns up dead, his four wives and the house cook each claim credit for the crime. Told across multiple perspectives, this literary novel turns a murder mystery into a study of small-town motives and community history. Get The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford at bookofthemonth.com. Learn more about Book of the Month LIVE at bookofthemonth.com/botm-live.
We hosted author Sarah Anderson at headquarters to talk all about her debut novel, Fallow. She unpacked the ideas—and absurdities—behind her invented world of corporate surrogacy, from the perils of paying for dental care to workplace culture to why sometimes a job is just a job. Drowning in student loans and uninsured dental pain, Natalie becomes one of the world's first corporate surrogates—trading her womb to get a luxury condo and financial freedom. But as the reality of the contract sets in, and clients begin complicating the deal, her gilded setup begins to fracture. Get Fallow at bookofthemonth.com. Learn more about Book of the Month LIVE at bookofthemonth.com/botm-live.
John Green stopped by our headquarters to chat about his debut adult novel, Hollywood, Ending. With his signature wit and wisdom, he unpacked the work behind creativity, examined our strange algorithmic lives, and flexed his formidable trivia knowledge. When two young actors land breakout roles in a major Andy Warhol biopic, they're launched into the spotlight just as sparks begin to fly between them. But as the film's press tour takes off, they quickly experience both the intoxicating thrills and crushing lows of sudden fame. Get Hollywood, Ending at bookofthemonth.com. Learn more about Book of the Month LIVE at bookofthemonth.com/botm-live.
Author Evann Normandin stopped by our headquarters to discuss her new debut novel, The Good Parts. What ensued was a thoughtful conversation on memory, soulmates, and some very questionable magic pills. When Rose takes a memory-erasing pill to wipe away a tragic past, her husband tracks her down in Scotland to make her fall in love with him all over again. But as buried memories start to resurface, the couple is forced to confront grief, second chances, and what love leaves behind. Get The Good Parts at bookofthemonth.com. Learn more about Book of the Month LIVE at bookofthemonth.com/botm-live.