We chat with author Allie Millington about Olivetti, which is a heartfelt novel praised by Tom Hanks in the New York Times as including “a conclusion nearly impossible to divine and yet so perfect it includes that most tactile of memories…”
Hi, Allie! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hello, readers! I’m a middle grade and picture book author who is prone to doodling, hoarding vintage coats, and foraging in the woods. When I’m not in my writing shed, you might find me wandering the aisles of antique stores for inspiration or attempting to stay young forever by building blanket forts. I live with my husband, our dog, Crumpet, and a collection of clacking machines.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
As cliché as it may sound, I think I’ve loved stories for as along as I’ve known what stories were. But the dream of being an author became very real to me in third grade, when we had a school-wide writing contest with the theme of “A Hero.” Naturally, I decided to write about a pencil—because being the vessels of writing stories certainly seemed like the most heroic duty one could have. It was a duty I wanted to have, too. Little did little-me know that I’d end up writing a book from the perspective of a typewriter, another unlikely hero.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: The Complete Tales of Winne-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne
- The one that made you want to become an author: A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard
Your debut novel, Olivetti, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Heartfelt, nostalgic, quippy, poignant, and uniquely-told (I might have cheated on that last one).
What can readers expect?
Well for one, they’ll be introduced to a never-been-done-before narrator, becoming privy to the inside workings and secrets of a previously undisclosed point of view. From there, they’ll find big lump-in-your-throat feelings, plenty of typewriter snark, a blend of awkward situations and adventure, the sparks of unlikely friendships, page-turning family tension, a bit of mystery and the beautiful magic of memories.
Where did the inspiration for Olivetti come from?
While on my writing journey, I was gifted a typewriter as an encouragement to keep going. As I began using it, I started wondering who else might have typed on those same keys…and what other stories and secrets this typewriter had heard. I got the feeling that it almost wanted to tell me, which begged the question, “What if a typewriter could type back?” And it was a question I just had to explore.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Yes, I absolutely loved writing from a non-human perspective! I started off drafting this story on my own typewriter, which helped me connect with the narrator in a very literal hands-on way. By actually using the keys and feeding in paper, I felt like I was able to tap into the mind of my typewriter. It was really enjoyable trying to understand how typewriters might view the world, and discovering their frame of reference for how they might feel, describe things, etc. I was surprised at how endless that exploration seemed, even within the limitations of a stationary character. This not only shaped my story, but it shaped me as a writer, and also as a human. Now anytime I see a typewriter in public I can’t help but want to go have a conversation with it.
This is your debut published novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
The road to getting published took three years and four different books, all of which wracked up countless rejections from literary agents. I started what I called my Rejection Collection, where I’d make a doodle or typewritten poem in response to every No I received—my small acts of defiance to keep on creating (also, bashing typewriter keys is very therapeutic). I soon had so many doodles on my hands, I got to send them around to other artists who needed encouragement too.
Though the journey to find an agent was long and winding, it also gave me the time to find my own voice and the right story I wanted to share. Once OLIVETTI was sent out on submission, it was snatched up in just a few days—and I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to work with the amazing publishing team at Macmillan.
What’s next for you?
Thank you for asking! My next middle grade novel, ONCE FOR YES, which is also told from a unique pov, is slated for a Winter 2025 release. I’ve also got two picture books on the horizon, WHEN YOU FIND A HOPE and WHEN YOU FIND A QUESTION releasing Spring of 25’ and 26’.
Lastly, are there any book releases that you’re looking forward to picking up this year?
So many! CITY GIRLS by Loretta Lopez, THE LAST RHEE WITCH by Jenna Lee-Yun, and INKWORLD by Cornelia Funke.
