We chat with debut author Lindsay S. Zrull about Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe, which follows gothic fashionista Jess who is on a mission to reunite with her estranged biological mother—but is she willing to risk her new friends, cosplay championship, and even her future to do so?
Hi, Lindsay! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hello, lovely readers! I am a librarian and former foster teen. When I’m not writing books, I’m reading them and making library programming for my community in West Michigan.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I’ve always been a big reader, but as a teen, I was frustrated by how few books included foster kids like me. And of those that did exist, even fewer represented foster kids in authentic ways (No, not all kids without parents get transported to magic boarding schools… I wish!).
From there, I transitioned to writing fictional stories specifically for foster teens because everyone deserves to have authentic stories that they can see themselves in. And while we’re on the topic – foster kids should have stories about fun things too! Our lives are not all doom and gloom. I wanted to see stories where foster kids had fun, fell in love, and went on adventures. That’s why I wrote GOTH GIRL, QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE.
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!
ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine! I read it in the 6th grade and have adored it ever since. It was the first time I found a story that gave me permission to be disobedient if the adults in my life didn’t have my best interest at heart. In this book, Ella takes control of her fate and breaks her own curse. That message stayed with me for the rest of my life. Whenever I write, I think about how you never know what sort of reader will fall in love with your story or why. I hope my books do for other readers what ELLA ENCHANTED did for me.
Your debut novel, Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe, is out July 19th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
I’m stretching your five-word limit just a tiny bit here, but bear with me:
- Fun
- Geeky
- Vulnerable
- Body-positive
- Mental health positive
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect to laugh, cry and fall in love with a colorful cast of characters who will take them on an unexpected adventure through the multifaceted geek universe.
Where did the inspiration for Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe come from?
The first lightbulb moment of inspiration came to me while I was at a DotA 2 (Defense of the Ancients) championship watch party. Yes, yes, I know. I wear my geek badge with pride! While the gamers were taking a break, there was a DotA cosplay competition. I was in complete and total awe at the costumes these artists made. I knew of cosplay and had dabbled in costuming myself, but this was an entirely new level for me. Right there and then, I decided I needed to incorporate this sort of craftsmanship into a book.
Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
This book isn’t all fun and games. It includes some real moments of vulnerability. Jess, the main character, and I have two similarities:
1) She is a foster teen
2) She has a family history of severe mental illness
While writing this story, I really had to go to battle with my own identity as a former foster teen and as someone for whom mental illness has truly rocked my family at its core. Mental illness and foster care can come with some deep elements of shame and fear. How did I feel about these identities as a teen? What do I know now that I wish someone had told me back then? In many ways, writing GOTH GIRL, QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE was therapeutic – and also liberating – for me.
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I have a huge soft spot for geek-extraordinaire Oscar. I adored writing every scene with him, even when he was in the midst of being bullied or struggling with anxiety. He is one of the bravest, most loving characters I have ever written or read. But my favorite scene was probably the cemetery scene. I won’t give too much away, but Oscar is both vulnerable and kind in ways that I wish to exemplify in my own life now – I guarantee that everyone will love him just as much as I do.
What helps to motivate you when it comes to writing?
Remembering what it was like to never see myself in a book when I was a foster teen. I still get angry every time I finally find a foster kid in a story – only to read yet another sad or inauthentic representation of what that’s like. Over 400,000 kids go through the foster care system in the U.S. every year – they all have completely different experiences. Why write them all as one-dimensional? Foster kids deserve variety and fun in books, too.
This is your debut novel! Can you tell us about what the road to becoming a published author was like for you?
It was less of a road and more of a rollercoaster. I spent over a decade trying to publish my first story about foster care. Along the way, I rewrote my book at least six times, took writing classes, applied for PitchWars three times (got in twice), and was rejected by at least 250 agents before meeting mine. His name is Jon Cobb and he is fantastic. While on sub with my first manuscript, I wrote GOTH GIRL, QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE. When we didn’t find an editor for my first manuscript, we went on sub with book #2. After a few more loopdyloops, I finally signed my first book contract with Flux in the spring of 2021. It’s hard to believe this book will be on bookshelves on July 19th.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working on two other YA novels. I’m not sure which one will come out next, but keep an eye out for more books from me in the future!
Lastly, do you have any 2022 book recommendations for our readers?
YES!! There are so many good ones:
- The Clackity by Lora Senf
- The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder
- A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
- Game of Strength and Storm by Rachel Menard
- Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win by Susan Azim Boyer
- The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson
- Drizzle, Dreams and Lovestruck Things by Maya Prasad
There are just too many to count. This is an amazing year for great MG and YA debuts!
You can find Lindsay S. Zrull on Instagram and Twitter at @LSZrull.
