We chat with author Katie Cotugno about her latest novel Meet the Benedettos, which sees an A-list movie star move to Los Angeles—next door to a family of five eligible sisters—think The Kardashians meets Pride and Prejudice!
Hi, Katie! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m the author of more than a dozen messy, complicated, feminist love stories. I’m a mom and a New Englander. I make an excellent chocolate-chip cookie and a pretty decent corn chowder.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve been reading and writing for literally as long as I can remember. I have, frankly, a pretty limited skill set.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: The first 100 books in Ann M. Martin’s Baby-Sitters Club series, in extremely rapid succession
- The one that made you want to become an author: Just as Long as We’re Together, by Judy Blume
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: I just read Bryan Washington’s Family Meal, which is still very much on my mind a few days later. I love books about food and I love books about all the different ways to be a family.
Your latest novel, Meet the Benedettos, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
The Kardashians meet Pride and Prejudice.
What can readers expect?
Sisters! Falling-down McMansions! Kissing! Hollywood ennui! More kissing!
Where did the inspiration for Meet the Benedettos come from?
My favorite thing about the Bennets in the original Pride and Prejudice has always been how deeply uncool they are—how they’re striving and a little bit desperate, how they’re accepted by polite society but only just barely. They’re reality stars, basically. And once I started thinking that it felt impossible not to write about it.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
The relationships among all five of the bold, brash Benedetto sisters were truly a joy to play with. And also, who doesn’t want to reimagine Mr. Darcy as a neurotic, vaguely disgraced Shakespearean actor?
With over 10 published novels, what are some of the key lessons you have learned when it comes to writing and the publishing world?
You gotta have thick skin. You gotta keep your head down. You gotta be kind. And you gotta just do your work.
What’s next for you?
Lots of things! I’ve got a romance out next year called Heavy Hitter about an astronomically famous pop star and a professional baseball player at the end of his career. I’m working on a sort of domestic noir situation. And I just sold my very first chapter books for young readers, so keep an eye out for those in 2024 as well!
Lastly, are there any 2024 releases that you’re looking forward to that our readers should keep an eye out for?
Tana French has a new book out in March that I cannot wait for. Any year with a new Tana French book is a good year.
