We chat with author Nicole Hackett about Mom Brain, which turns a discerning eye toward society’s view on modern motherhood and reframes “mom brain” as a superpower.
Hi, Nicole! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Absolutely! I’m a mom of two (plus a basset hound puppy, which is like ten). I live with my husband, kids, and puppy in a hundred-year-old house in northern Maryland, where I work remotely as a biochemical patent agent for a law firm based in Washington, DC. We also have chickens—they add to the plot!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I started writing fiction in my twenties, but I’ve always found a way to write. My first job out of college was as a lab tech in a biomedical research lab, but before I knew it, I was spending less time in the lab than I was writing press releases for the research center. I thought it was much more fun to write a good story about the science than actually doing the science—ha!
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Amelia Bedelia. (What an icon!)
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty (and also every book by Liane Moriarty)
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Come and Get It by Kiley Reid. I’ve read it four times now, and each time, I find a new layer.
Your latest novel, Mom Brain, is out April 21st! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
It’s in on the joke!
What can readers expect?
The book has the bones of a psychological thriller, but at its heart, it’s something a little different. It’s part social satire, part character study of one desperate mother—with a little neuroscience mixed in for fun.
Where did the inspiration for Mom Brain come from?
It was shortly after I had my second (my daughter, Harlow), when I was listening to a podcast about “mom brain.” I’d heard the term before, but it was usually in the context of leaving your keys in the refrigerator. When I learned the truth behind this thing so many mothers are experiencing—that there are real, structural changes that occur in a woman’s brain when she becomes a mother—I knew there was a story there.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Some of my favorite scenes were those based on the actual research into “mom brain.” As I was plotting my story, I devoured the book Mom Genes by Abigail Tucker, which gets into the nitty gritty of actual studies on the biology of motherhood. It was a bit of a puzzle working that research into my story without going full textbook, but it was so much fun.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
My main challenge was the challenge every mother faces: time. It takes time not only to draft the book, but also to let your mind wander enough to understand what you’re writing. The only way I was able to do it is an extremely supportive husband, a slight schedule neurosis, and black cold brew coffee.
What’s next for you?
The most fun part of Mom Brain was dissecting everyday motherhood through a speculative lens. It was a challenge weaving together speculative elements, actual neuroscience, and an honest account of modern motherhood, but the result was so rewarding. I see myself in this lane at least for a while.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
The hardest question of the bunch! I’m really looking forward to diving back into THE LAST TIME WE SAW HER by Jaclyn Goldis, which comes out in June. I read an early draft, and it was spectacular. I can’t wait to experience it in its final form. I’ve also been dying to get my hands on AMERICAN FANTASY by Emma Straub and Ann Patchett’s upcoming, WHISTLER.
Readers can follow me on Instagram (@nicolehackettbooks) for more behind the scenes on my writing and information about upcoming events. I’d also love for anyone in the Baltimore area to join me on launch day, April 21, 2026, at the Ivy Bookshop with Susan Coll at 6 PM.
