We chat with debut author Gail-Agnes Musikavanhu about Ride or Die, an adrenaline-packed joyride of a debut is an ode to Gen Z and teens who love chaos—perfect for fans of Grace D. Li, Ebony Ladelle, and Baby Driver.
Hi, Gail-Agnes! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hello! Yes, of course! I always like to start with my countries of origin. I’m South African and British, though I’ve lived in the States longer than I’ve lived anywhere and have recently also become a US citizen. (I promise I’m not a spy with my multiple nationalities). Also, Ride or Die is my debut novel and I’m very excited that it’s finally out in the world!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve loved stories for as long as I can remember. When I was a child I used to fill my library bag to the brim with books, and when I’d finished them I’d create my own stories to entertain myself and my younger siblings. Both reading stories and telling stories have always been my favorite things to do.
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!
- “The Magic Key” by Roderick Hunt and Jenny Ackland
- Looking For Alaska by John Green
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Your debut novel, Ride or Die, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Five words to describe Ride or Die would be: thrilling, fast, loud, surprising, and heartwarming.
What can readers expect?
The unexpected… Also: a lot of good music recommendations, a couple of laughs, some nail-biting “reading-through-your-fingers” moments, and the feeling you get when you close a book and feel like you miss your new friends.
Where did the inspiration for Ride or Die come from?
Ride or Die was seriously born out of me daydreaming to Lana Del Rey’s song Lolita in high school. I loved that song. I’d listen to it over and over, imagining cool scenes and action sequences with a beautiful Black “femme fatale” character who was daring and fun and caused a lot of trouble. That’s how Naloli Crawford came to be.
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I had so much fun writing scenes with Wolf; it’s always a good time when he’s on the page. He’s such a surprising and eccentric character, and the reactions of those around him only made him better. Plus I’m totally that person who loves dumb jokes and name puns so it was fun to write all the teasing and the banter from Ryan and Loli.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey of getting Ride or Die published?
I started writing a story that resembled Ride or Die in 2013 while I was still in high school, but never made any real effort to finish it or get it published. Then in 2018, while I was waiting to hear back from publishers about another one of my books, I picked it up again and told myself to finish it. I went on submission for Ride or Die toward the end of 2019 but then it got frozen in inboxes through the beginning of pandemic. It was only in 2021, about 3 years after I finished writing the first draft, that it got picked up by Soho Teen.
What’s next for you?
Hopefully more books! I have a YA/NA novel I’ve been working on for a while that I’m hoping will find a home. Only time can tell….
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
If you love fun YA adventures with lovable characters I would recommend That Wasn’t In The Script by Sarah Ainslee (a fellow 2023 YA debut!) and if you somehow haven’t read it, Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé.
