We chat with author Kate Stayman-London about See You Next Tuesday, which is a heartwarming enemies-to-lovers romance featuring two campaign staffers who agree on their politics but disagree on everything else—from the bestselling author of One to Watch.
Hi, Kate! Welcome back! What have you been up to since we last spoke for Fang Fiction?
Hi, ND! Mostly, I’ve been working on my new novel See You Next Tuesday – along with some breaks for travel, spending time with friends and family, and falling in love. (It’s been nice!)
Your latest novel, See You Next Tuesday, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Joyful political romcom, NO REPUBLICANS.
What can readers expect?
See You Next Tuesday is kind of like The West Wing meets When Harry Met Sally – it’s about two Democratic staffers named Anya and Gabe who meet when they’re fresh out of college volunteering on a presidential campaign, and follows them for the next ten years as they rise to be the ones in charge of a presidential campaign. We watch them evolve from enemies to best friends, and then they fall in love (with a HEAPING dose of tension and yearning along the way). The story is funny and heartfelt, with a few big twists, high-stakes drama, and an ending that will leave you with a gigantic smile.
Where did the inspiration for See You Next Tuesday come from?
Before I was an author, I spent more than a decade working in politics – notably as the lead writer for Hillary Clinton’s digital team in 2016. After that election, I was too heartbroken to write about politics. But in 2024, when Kamala became our nominee, I felt this surge of hope and happiness – all the wonderful feelings I’d ever had while campaigning came rushing back, and I knew I had to write about them. At a time when our real-life politics feel so dark, this story has been my comfort, my joy, and my escape – I hope it will be the same for readers.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
My previous two books were about the intense experience of falling in love quickly, but in this one, we get to see a whole relationship unfold over the course of months and years, and I really loved that episodic window into my characters’ lives, watching them mature. There’s a particular scene where it’s Christmas, and Anya and Gabe have had this terrible fight, but they also haven’t seen each other in months and they’re desperate to have sex, and it’s so tense and hot – I loved writing that one! I also had a lot of fun having them hook up backstage at a presidential debate. I never did that, but I’m sure someone on a campaign has!!
Can you share some insight into your planning and plotting process for See You Next Tuesday?
This novel really came into my mind fully formed. As soon as I had the idea for the story, I knew exactly who the characters were, exactly what would happen in the plot. Of course there was an editing process where we found that some plot beats didn’t work, some things needed adjustment, but overall this was by far the smoothest writing process I’ve ever had, in part because I know the world so well. I hope readers will feel that same sense of ease and authority in the writing – you can just relax and enjoy the ride.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I really sprinted to write the first draft of this novel, because my editor was having a baby, and I wanted to turn in the draft before she went on leave! That was during January of 2025, when Los Angeles experienced a series of devastating wildfires, and I had to evacuate my home. It was such a stressful time, and for a solid week, writing was absolutely impossible. When I finally got the green light to go home, I was so grateful just to sit at my desk – that I still had a desk. That was such a scary and terrible moment for our city, but also a reminder of how resilient and kind Angelenos are, the way we’ll drop everything to take care of each other. I tried to take that spirit and suffuse it into the novel – to write about characters who are just as passionate and good-hearted as the people of Los Angeles.
If See You Next Tuesday had a soundtrack, what are a couple of songs that might make an appearance?
Actually, See You Next Tuesday does have a soundtrack – you can listen to it on Spotify! I wrote a whole essay about this playlist as a bonus feature at the end of the novel, telling the stories of how these songs relate to my career in politics. A couple of quick hits: “Taking the Long Way” by The Chicks was my personal theme song when I worked the midterms in Ohio in 2006, “Pony” by Ginuwine was our team’s dance anthem when I worked for Hillary Clinton in 2016, and I’ll never forget President Obama getting pumped up to “Lose Yourself” by Eminem before his 2016 speech to the Democratic National Convention. As for Gabe and Anya in See You Next Tuesday, the song that reminds me most of them is “The Way I Loved You” by Taylor Swift.
What’s next for you?
Oh gosh, I’m working on so many things!! Some fun stuff in the TV and film space, and just starting to think about a novel inspired by one of my all-time favorite characters.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
It’s been SUCH a great year for reading!! I’m obsessed with One & Only by Maurene Goo and Heart the Lover by Lily King. And I cannot WAIT for Villain Edit by Rosie Danan – reality tv and vampires? My two favorite comfort watches? Sign me the hell up!
