AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Crissa-Jean Chappell chats with Jen Doktorski
Sixteen-year-old Reece is an expert at keeping secrets. She has to be, since her father abducted her ten years ago. For as long as she can remember, she’ s been on the run, sneaking food out of the dumpster and sleeping in the woods. Every time she moves, the same rules apply— cut your hair, change your name, and, above all, don’ t let anybody get too close. Reece has no choice except to obey Dad’ s orders. When Reece meets her first real friend, a boy named Shawn, she begins to realize that everyone else has secrets too. And the deadliest secret of all is the one her father has kept from her all these years.
1. Congratulations on the release of SUN DON’T SHINE! You
and I have had very similar publishing journeys in that we’ve published with
the big five, a large independent publisher, and a smaller literary publisher.
Can you talk a little bit about your varied experiences with the editorial and
marketing processes?
When I sold my debut in 2005, I
was surprised to hear that it wouldn’t hit the shelves until the fall of 2007.
It felt like such a long time to wait! The process of editing a book can take
years. Although the journey from completed draft to published novel is similar
with a small press, you might get a little more “behind the scenes” in terms of
marketing (for example, input on cover design, etc.) At Fitzroy, my editor sent
a questionnaire about the cover for SUN DON’T SHINE. I’m thrilled with the
design, which perfectly captures the noirish vibes of Reece’s story.
Of course, every author’s experience
is unique. I’m fortunate that I’ve enjoyed working with both big and small
presses over the years and all the brilliant editors were champions for each
specific book.
2. Another similarity we share – and it’s one that’s
typical of many authors – is that we set our books in our home states. Why do
you think that is and how important is setting to you in storytelling?
Setting is a reflection of the
protagonist. And you can use it to build obstacles and conflict. So it’s a very
important part of the story. When I start working on a new book, I think of a
character in trouble. The “where” becomes part of the “who” in terms of their
arc. When we first meet Reece, she’s in the motel parking lot, digging for
scraps in a dumpster. I’m a pantser, not a plotter, so I wasn’t exactly sure
where Reece would end up in the final chapter, but I had a sense of her growth
and change.
I’m from Miami and (so far) all
my novels are set in Florida. I always talk about the disconnect between the
way my home state is portrayed in TV shows and movies, which feels so far
removed from the beautiful swamp where I grew up. It’s such a complex place—so
much more than palm trees and flamingoes. A few of my settings have included
the Everglades, the Beachy Amish community in Sarasota, and my next book is set
in Titusville, the best spot to watch a rocket launch near Cape Canaveral.
3. How is the promotional tour for SUN DON’T SHINE going?
I’ve been watching your posts on social media. You are very busy! Any surprises
along the way?
After the world shut down in
2020, it’s an absolute blast to be back on the road, signing copies at
wonderful indie bookstores. The writing process can often feel lonely. You’re
alone at a desk, talking to invisible characters in your head. So I love the
chance to meet readers and talk with them in person. Thanks to the magic of
social media, I met a librarian at my book launch in Miami and she said, “I
started following you on MySpace years ago…” (and we never met until now). That
was a big surprise!
4. I love how you give a voice to characters who find
themselves in precarious situations and face morally ambiguous choices. What
drew you to write about teens who, by society’s standards, are outside the
mainstream and living on the fringes?
I write about outsiders because
I’ve always been one. In my second book, NARC, the protagonist, Aaron,
describes himself as “human wallpaper” and that’s how I felt in school. I was
watching everything from a distance, always scribbling in my notebook like a
spy and living in the imaginary worlds I created on paper—my doodles and maps
of make-believe kingdoms and half-finished graphic novels. I’m so glad that I
saved a lot of that stuff (future authors: don’t throw away your notebooks!)
5.
And finally,
congratulations on the sale of your sixth YA novel to Fitzroy Books. What can
you tell us about this story?
I’m so excited that my new YA
thriller, NEVER LEAVE ME ALONE (summer 2026) has found the perfect home with my
editor, Jaynie, at Fitzroy Books. The story revolves around a character close
to my heart. Birdie is an Instagram star who specializes in urban exploring. I
had a lot of fun researching the setting on the Space Coast of Florida. It’s
such a unique city—full of yearning for big dreams beyond the stars.
Jennifer Salvato Doktorski received a 2024 Fellowship
from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. She is the author of five young
adult novels including FAMOUS LAST WORDS (Holt), a Bank Street College Best
Children's Book of the Year and THE SUMMER AFTER YOU & ME (Sourcebooks), a
YALSA Teens' Top Ten nominee and the forthcoming FINDING NORMAL (Fitzroy books
Jan. 2025). Visit her at www.jendoktorski.com or Instagram @jendoktorski.
Congrats, Crissa!
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