We chat with author Kristen R. Lee about her new novel, Sun Keep Rising, which is a gripping story about race, income instability, and the strength it takes to survive.
Hi, Kristen! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Of course! I’m a Memphis native who currently resides in Philadelphia. Back in 2020, I sold my debut novel Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman, which is loosely inspired by my experiences at a predominately white university, in a six-figure deal, at auction and Sun Keep Rising is the second book from that deal. I spend most of my time either writing or trying to learn how to thrive on tik tok.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
It seems like forever ago! I began writing fan-fiction in middle school back when fanfiction.net was the place to be. I wasn’t any o good at it but altering the stories of some of my favorite television characters eventually allowed me to imagine my own original stories.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
Coffee Will Make You Black! It’s one of the first black coming-of-age novels that I can recall reading. The voice sticks with me to this day.
Your new novel, Sun Keep Rising, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Gritty. Raw. Beautiful. Meaningful. Poignant.
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect to be taken on a moving journey in a realistic world that is not normally portrayed in young adult novels.
Where did the inspiration for Sun Keep Rising come from?
The inspiration stems from my own family history. My grandmother, mother, and aunt were all teenage mothers and I wanted to write a story that humanizes some of the experiences that they had when they were younger.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
One of my favorite scenes in the novel is when B’onca confronts her mother in the park. She has this revelation that she can’t think of her as her mother anymore because that person no longer exists. Having to grieve a parent that isn’t dead is honestly one of the hardest things to do, and that path B’onca takes from being a daughter to just being a mother is quite powerful.
Do you have any advice for those who may have set some writing resolutions for the new year?
It’s okay for your resolutions to change! There is no rush to the finish line and trust me you will get there. Take breaks if needed and more importantly enjoy the things you write because you’re going to be with it for a long time.
What’s next for you?
I cant talk too much about future projects but I do hope to expand the universe that I created in Required Reading and Sun Keep Rising!
Lastly, are there any 2023 releases our readers should look out for?
On my list is:
- There Goes the Neighborhood by Jada Aida
- There’s No Way I’d Die First by Lisa Springer
- The Black Queen by Jumata Emill
