Two childhood friends discover that love—and family—can be found in unconventional ways in this timely, moving novel from the USA TODAY bestselling author of the “beautifully Southern, evocative Peachtree Bluff series” (Kristin Harmel, internationally bestselling author of The Winemaker’s Wife).
We chat with author Kristy Woodson Harvey about her latest novel Under the Southern Sky, writing, book recommendations, and more!
Hi, Kristy! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m Kristy Woodson Harvey, the author of seven novels including Feels Like Falling, The Peachtree Bluff Series, and Under the Southern Sky, which releases TODAY! Three cheers! I live on the North Carolina coast with my husband and son and have a site called Design Chic where I blog to more than 550,000 readers every day. I’m also the co-founder and co-host of Friends & Fiction, a weekly webshow and podcast (more on that below). What else? I love the beach. And chocolate. And rosé. And reading, of course! And, maybe most of all, hearing from my readers.
How is your 2021 going in comparison to that other year?
Haha! I love this question. It is going SO well. I even get to do a few in-person events for the Under the Southern Sky launch! I’m over the moon about it. Honestly, 2020 was rough, but it was super productive. I got tons of writing done—Christmas in Peachtree Bluff releases in October—and co-founded Friends & Fiction, a weekly webshow and podcast, with Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Patti Callahan Henry and Mary Alice Monroe. That group really carried me through the craziness—both the authors and group members!
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!
Dr. Cat was the first book I read completely by myself, and I remember the first time I did it. It was magic! I think all the books made me want to become an author, really. There wasn’t one in particular, but just the act of reading itself. One I can’t stop thinking about lately is The Love Proof by Madeleine Henry. I loved it!
When did you first discover your love for writing?
When I was seventeen and I got my first newspaper column at my hometown newspaper, The Salisbury Post! Fast forward eighteen years, and my Parade.com columns are still reprinted there on Sundays.
Your novel, Under the Southern Sky, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Heart-warming, coastal Southern family drama.
What can readers expect?
It’s the story of Amelia, an investigative journalist, who inadvertently discovers that a cluster of embryos belonging to her childhood friend Parker and his late wife Greer have been deemed “abandoned.” Parker is then put in the position to have to decide what to do with the last remaining piece of the woman he loved so much. The story is told from the perspectives of Parker, the father, his late wife Greer’s journal entries, Amelia, and Amelia’s good Southern meddling mama, Elizabeth. Each character has a secret and, as those secrets are revealed, they determine what will ultimately happen to the embryos.
Where did the inspiration for Under the Southern Sky come from?
A friend came to me and said she and her husband were having a hard time deciding what to do with their leftover frozen embryos. She said so many couples would be facing this—and I should write a book about it. I knew right away that I would!
Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
Our house was seriously damaged during Hurricane Florence, so we were out of it, moving around, for more than 18 months. We moved eleven times while I wrote UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY, which was more than a little distracting! But it also lent real authenticity to the feeling of being untethered that these characters face in this book—and gave me some really fun setting inspiration.
If it’s not too spoilery, were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Aunt Tilley! She is Amelia’s aunt and Elizabeth’s sister. She’s a little off the wall but totally amazing. I knew she would hold the key to this story and finding out what that key was was so fun!
What do you hope readers will take away from Under the Southern Sky?
That there are endless ways to become a family and finding the one that works for you is a journey.
What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?
Worst: You have to have a writing group. That’s actually really good advice for some people, but it was bad for me because I was insecure and listened to everyone else’s opinions about my writing and story when I should have been listening to myself.
Best: FINISH THE FIRST DRAFT. At all costs. No matter what. No matter how awful it is or how much you have to edit. There is something psychically satisfying about knowing you have a complete book!
What’s next for you?
We’re going back to Peachtree Bluff! Christmas in Peachtree Bluff is coming October 26. I can’t wait to continue the Murphy women’s stories with all of you!
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
I loved Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan. If you’re a historical fiction fan, check it out!
Had a fab time with this interview!!!!!!