We chat with author K.A. Cobell about Looking For Smoke, which weaves loss, betrayal, and complex characters into a mystery that will illuminate, surprise, and engage readers until the final word.
Hi, K.A.! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m K.A. Cobell, author of the young adult thriller Looking for Smoke. These days, when I’m not busy writing murder mysteries for teens, you can find me working on my kitchen renovation, struggling in my garden, or cozied up with a new book.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
After I finished my schooling, I finally had time to read for fun again. I could pick up books that weren’t from a required reading list and I fell in love with reading all over again. It was so exciting to fall into new worlds and to get sucked into character relationships, and then it hit me in the middle of one amazing book—I could try this… I could write! And I haven’t looked back since.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: The Silver Crown by Robert C. O’Brien. This is first time I remember totally falling into a book.
- The one that made you want to become an author: Divergent by Veronica Roth. This is the book referenced above—I wanted to be like Veronica! Her ability to create such incredible worlds and characters is so inspiring!
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar. I got an early read of this August release and it will have you gasping. Add it to your list!
Your debut novel, Looking for Smoke, is out June 4th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Native, Emotional, Tense, Tragic, Hopeful
What can readers expect?
Looking for Smoke follows four teens on the Blackfeet reservation as they’re grappling with the murder of a classmate—who they each had a fraught relationship with. Because each of them were the last to see her alive, they all become suspects. If they want to clear their names, they’re going to have to trust each other… even though one of them could be the murderer.
Aside from being on the edges of their seats, I think readers can expect to feel something. This is a highly emotional read with characters who are all working through a traumatic loss and giving everything to fight for their families, for justice, and to be heard.
Where did the inspiration for Looking for Smoke come from?
I wanted to write a story featuring Blackfeet teens because that is something I never saw growing up. Because I’m a thriller writer, I knew that would mean I would need to bring in the very real issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. (#MMIW, #MMIWG, #MMIWG2S.) There is a prevalent problem in the US where Native women are the victims of violent crime far more often than any other group. The murder rate of Native women is three times more than that of white women and in some locations, it is ten times the national average. I hoped that through this story, and through these characters, I could help shine a light on the issue and raise awareness.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Looking for Smoke is told through four alternating points of view. Each was fun to write, but I really enjoyed writing from closed-off Eli. He doesn’t like the hand he’s been dealt in his life, but he’s doing the best he can with it. He’s rough on the outside, but that’s because he feels the deep need to protect himself and his family. I really enjoyed building those walls around him and letting them slowly crumble as he let more people in.
Looking for Smoke is the first YA thriller from the Native-focused imprint Heartdrum. What’s it like being part of an imprint that not only highlights Native American authors, but more importantly provides an avenue for stories to be read by Native American children and teens?
It’s truly an honor. It feels so special to be a part of an imprint that’s entire mission is to uplift Native voices. It’s the perfect home for Looking for Smoke and I knew I could trust my team to care for this story, these characters, and for me as an author. I’m so excited for all the readers who might see themselves in this book, and in all the other Heartdrum books.
This is your debut published novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
It has definitely been unique to anything else I’ve done in my life. I started in the query trenches with a previous book, but was lucky enough finish a draft of Looking for Smoke just in time to throw my hat in the ring for Pitch Wars (not knowing it would be the mentorship program’s very last year!) and I was chosen by an amazing mentor who helped me sharpen this story and get it ready to send out to agents. I never expected the amazing enthusiasm I received for this story after that, but I’m grateful for everything that’s happened since. It’s hard to believe it’s finally time for Looking for Smoke to be out in the world!
What’s next for you?
I wrote a couple new manuscripts since I finished Looking for Smoke, both young adult thrillers, both featuring Native characters. I’m not sure which story will come next, but I’ll be working that out soon enough!
Lastly, are there any book releases that you’re looking forward to picking up this year?
I’m really looking forward to Cheryl Isaac’s The Unfinished, which sounds like a perfectly unsettling horror featuring a Mohawk main character. I’m also excited to fall into another dystopian story with Jill Tew’s The Dividing Sky.
