We chat with author Anna Dorn about American Spirits, which is a love letter to pop music and charts an icon’s fall—and an obsessive fangirl’s rise.
Hi, Anna! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m the LA-based author of Perfume & Pain, Exalted, Vagablonde, and American Spirits.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
As soon as I could talk.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Amelia Bedelia.
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Catcher in the Rye.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: My Year of Rest and Relaxation.
Your latest novel, American Spirits, is out April 14th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Crazed fangirl infiltrates popstar orbit.
What can readers expect?
Melodrama, music, sapphic love triangles.
Where did the inspiration for American Spirits come from?
I got the idea for it while watching the Beyoncé Renaissance documentary on IMAX in December 2023. I started writing American Spirits the next day, and had a draft in about a month. The novel, for the record, is nothing like the Renaissance documentary.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I created a whole fictional discography for the main character, the pop star Blue Velour. That was so fun to write—coming up with album and song titles, their sonic inspirations, themes, etc. There are also several fake Pitchfork reviews in the novel which were an absolute joy to write.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Honestly, no. This book was by far the easiest and most enjoyable writing experience of my life. I hope I get to experience something like it again before I die.
What’s next for you?
I’m always working on a book, but superstitious about talking about it.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
Famesick by Lena Dunham. Famous Men by Julie Buntin. Very LA of me to pick two books with fame in the title, I know.
