We chat with author Michelle Gable about The Beautiful People, which is a novel about a failed debutante whose new job as assistant to society photographer Slim Aarons takes her into Palm Beach’s inner circle, and into a beguiling friendship with the star at its center, fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer
Hi, Michelle! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, including my upcoming release, The Beautiful People. I grew up in San Diego, and attended The College of William & Mary where I majored in…accounting. As most would-be writers do. Although I pursued a career in finance and investor relations, through it all, I wrote every day. I wrote at five o’clock in the morning, or eleven o’clock at night, or while sitting behind softball dugouts or in the car. After many years (decades!) of writing and over five years of my agent trying to sell my work, my first book finally came out in April 2014. A Paris Apartment turns ten this month!
I write (and do some IR consulting) from Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA, where I live with my family (my youngest is about to head off to college…sob!) and our two jindos rescued from the dog meat trade.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I was the kind of kid who checked out a dozen library books at a time, only to return a week later to check out a dozen more. In fourth grade, my parents gave me a book called Someday You’ll Write and a new passion was born. I was known to turn every playdate and slumber party into a writing group.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Where The Wild Things Are
- The one that made you want to become an author: Kind of embarrassing, but it’s the Sweet Valley High series
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure
Your latest novel, The Beautiful People, is out April 16th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Jet Set, Palm Beach, Pulitzer
What can readers expect?
The Beautiful People takes place in the fabulous 1960s Jet Set and is about a failed debutante who is dumped by her fiancé and forced to (gasp!) get a job. Margo Hightower reluctantly becomes an assistant to society photographer Slim Aarons, which takes her into Palm Beach’s inner circle, and a beguiling friendship with its star, fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer. Margo sees this as her way to return to high society, but soon she’s asking herself whether this life and these people are all they’re cracked up to be.
Where did the inspiration for The Beautiful People come from?
I love Slim Aarons’ photographs and have always wanted to write a book about him. His motto was shooting “attractive people in attractive places doing attractive things” and that sums up his work perfectly. Many famous artists and creatives have cited Slim as inspiration, including Katy Perry, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Rachel Zoe, and First Lady Michelle Obama’s designer, Barbara Tfank. When Ralph Lauren launched polo.com, Slim’s photographs were on the landing page. I’ve been especially drawn to his photographs from the 60s, and knew I needed to set a book in this time period. When I learned about his relationship with Lilly Pulitzer, and how he could be a very onerous boss, I had my setting.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing the scenes featuring Lilly, especially as we associate Lilly Pulitzer with preppiness but, really, people considered her quite bohemian. She didn’t wear shoes (or underwear!) and walked around with a monkey on her shoulder. Many scenes throughout the book with Lilly and others are based on Slim photographs, and I’ve included an index in the back of the book, so readers can see the real-life inspiration.
Can you tell us a bit about the research you did for The Beautiful People’s setting?
Interviews, articles, books (many out of print), and looking at every Slim Aarons photograph shot during the era. Slim often worked on assignment for Holiday magazine, and I picked up a lot of great information from reading the articles accompanying his photographs. They really give you a sense of time and place and what a particular location was like then.
What’s next for you?
My next book will be my first one set entirely in modern day! It’s about a dysfunctional family trying to get their “good” name back.
Lastly, are there any book releases that you’re looking forward to picking up this year?
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
