We chat with author Katie Holt about Not In My Book, which is a sexy and hilarious enemies-to-lovers romance—think The Hating Game meets Beach Read!
Hi, Katie! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi there! I’m Katie. I was born in TN and moved to NYC for college. I grew up in a Peruvian-American household, which really shaped my worldview. One of my greatest hopes with this book and all following ones is to bring more Peruvian representation to media! I, obviously, love romance novels. Although I grew up reading all kinds of books, romance novels were always my go-to. In addition to being a writer, I work in publishing by day as an editor!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
When I was younger, my dad would host a contest each summer where he would give us a penny for each page we read. I was super competitive and would check out the max number of books at the library, hoping to beat my older siblings. But along the way, I found myself addicted to books. Slowly, I discovered that romances were my favorite. I’d seek out books, like fantasy or dystopian novels, that had a romance side plot until I discovered authors like Kasie West and Stephanie Perkins and dove head first into the romance genre. Writing just came along the way. My whole life, all I’ve ever wanted to do was be surrounded by books. Writing felt natural. I’d write plays and short stories when I was little and it transformed into novels.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: The picture book The Little House, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear was the first book I ever remember reading and loving. I’d renew it at the library and make my dad sit and read it to me every day. But Dear Mr. Henshaw is the other book that sticks out in my memory.
- The one that made you want to become an author: Oh I can’t think of one particular book! I’d probably say the author Andrew Clements made me want to. I loved the way he told stories and would eagerly await the next one when I was in elementary school. His books definitely inspired some short stories when I was little.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Right now, the Addicted series by Krista and Becca Ritchie, specifically Kiss the Sky. Connor Cobalt is my all time favorite hero. The love and banter between Rose and Connor lives rent free in my mind.
Your debut novel, Not in My Book, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Funny, spicy, heartwarming, witty, and swoon-worthy
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect a lot of enemies to lovers banter and a meta romance. There’s a lot of discussion of not only books, but romance novels specifically. If you feel particularly impassioned about the way non-readers or even some readers talk about the genre, then this will really speak to you. Also, Peruvian representation! My Peruvian culture is sprinkled in and hopefully readers can learn something new about Peru!
Where did the inspiration for Not in My Book come from?
I took a workshop for the first time one summer in high school and it was terrifying. I had no idea we’d have to read our work out loud and it was such a vulnerable thing to do for me. I had a lovely experience, but I wondered what it would’ve been like if my fellow workshoppers didn’t take so kindly to romance. Or if there was someone in the class I had a crush on and I had to write with them. Sharing the words you’ve written for the first time can be mortifying but to do it with someone who’s opinion you hold in such high regard? What a scary thought! The story formed from there!
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing Rosie! I don’t think she’s a perfect character by any means and I didn’t want her to be. As a bookstagrammer, I’ve read a lot of reviews for other romance novels and some really love to overly critique the heroine. Every reviewer has a right to their opinion, but I was always baffled because the heroines who were messy and emotional at times because that felt so real to me. So I loved writing those parts of Rosie, her irrational and rational parts. And one of my favorite moments is their Google Docs scene. I don’t want to spoil it so that’s all I’ll say!
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
The very first draft was written while I still lived in Tennessee. I had no idea what New York was really like so I fumbled my way through the scenery at first. Once I moved to New York, I filled in the book with all my favorite spots.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
It was exciting and scary all at once! I feel very lucky with everything that happened, like my book fell into the exact right hands at the exact right time. I signed with my wonderful agent a few months after I started querying and once we went on sub, we got an offer in less than a year. It was truly exhilarating and I couldn’t be more thankful..
What’s next for you?
I’m in the middle of writing my next book, THE LAST PAGE! It’s about a bookseller who’s set to take over as owner of the used bookstore she works in. But the owner unexpectedly dies before he can change the will and the bookstore was left to his grandson instead. The two disagree on how the store should be run and have to work together to keep it from closing.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up in 2025?
There are so many great ones coming out!!! I’m really excited for the next books by B.K. Borrison, Sarah Hogle, and Ali Hazelwood. I’m itching to read the first book of The Cobalt Empire by Krista and Becca Ritchie, too!
