The New York Times best-selling author behind the Gifted series and the Replica books, Marilyn Kaye delivers a story filled with light magic and heart in this first book in the Spyglass Sisterhood series. Each girl will take a turn at the spyglass, confronting fears and sticking up for her peers.
We had the pleasure of chatting to Marilyn about her new release, book recommendations, and much more!
Hi, Marilyn! Tell our readers a bit about yourself!
I was born in New Britain, Connecticut but I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. At various times in my life, I lived in Montgomery, Alabama; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Columbia, South Carolina; Boston, Chicago, and Brooklyn. I now live in Paris, France.
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 – good or bad – you can’t stop thinking about!
The first book I remember reading on my own is Ellen Tebbits by Beverly Clearly. The one that made me want to become an author is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. And the one I can’t stop thinking about is actually a series: the ‘Betsy-Tacy’ books by Maud Hart Lovelace.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
When I first learned how to write! I immediately started making up stories.
Your new novel, The Spyglass Sisterhood: Ellie Makes Her Move, is out February 9th 2021! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
A spyglass brings girls together!
Now tell us a little more! What can readers expect?
The Spyglass Sisterhood series tells the story of four girls: Ellie, Rachel, Kiara and Alyssa. They are loners, who don’t fit into any of the middle school cliques. When Ellie’s family moves into an old house with a turret, she discovers there a spyglass which reveals more than what an ordinary telescope should show. The visions they see lead the four into situations where they learn more about themselves, each other, and people they don’t even know.
What was the inspiration behind this novel?
There was no sudden inspiration! I just wanted to write about four unusual girls who encounter a little bit of magic.
Is there a character or scene that you really enjoyed writing?
I can’t choose any one character in this book or any other books I wrote – they’re like my children! As for scenes, I love when Ellie, Rachel, and Alyssa find out about Kiara’s mysterious friends.
What challenges did you face while writing and how did you overcome them?
I faced the challenge I always face when I’m writing – at some point, I can’t think of what should happen next. When that happens, I go out for a long walk, and usually something comes to me.
What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
I was a professor, teaching children’s and young adult literature to students who were studying to become teachers and librarians, so I read a lot of these books. Sometimes, I’d think ‘I wish this had happened instead of that,’ or ‘the character should have done this instead of that.’ So I wrote my own book, and sent it to an agent. She didn’t like the story but she liked the way I wrote, and she encouraged me to try again. I did, and this time she offered it to a publisher who accepted it!
What’s next for you?
I’m continuing the Spyglass Sisterhood series for as long as readers want to read these books.
Lastly, are you currently reading anything and do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
Yes, I read all the time, mostly adult books. But right now, I’m reading Charlotte’s Web to my six-year-old nephew, and if you’ve never read it, you should! You can be a lot older than six and still enjoy it.
