We chat with author Rachel Mills about The Players Club, which is a bold, big concept debut about a secret club of women who risk everything to ask the question: If you could be anyone…who would you dare to become?
Hi, Rachel! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hello! I’m a British literary agent from London where I run a boutique agency called RML. The Players Club is my first novel, and it’s very strange (but lovely) to be on the other side of the publishing industry!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love writing and stories. My parents were huge readers, and our not-very-big house was overflowing with books crammed into every space. My sister and I grew up with the distinct sense that the stories we read were actually more real than real life… not sure if this is a lifeskill or not. I studied English Literature and immediately afterwards went to work at Penguin Books. However, I never necessarily aspired to be ‘a writer’ – I had the distinct sense it involved lots of being on your own, and being quiet, erudite, sure of your opinions and wearing itchy woollen suits and glasses and ideally sitting at a leatherbound desk… none of which seemed like me at all. I have always written – articles, letters, journals, stories – but The Players Club was the first story that got me into its clutches so firmly it had to become a full novel.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: James and the Giant Peach – apparently I was so determined to read it on my own age 5 that my mum had to sit there while I took an hour to read a page aloud.
- The one that made you want to become an author: Hmmm I didn’t want to become an author, but the book that made me fall in love with memoir and non-fiction, alongside novels, was certainly Martha Graham’s autobiography Blood Memory. That really shaped my publishing career where this is a genre I focus on.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Currently Maria Semple’s Go Gentle – and thanks to her I have been reading a lot of the Stoics, trying to ‘live wide and well’
Your debut novel, The Players Club, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
When wish fulfilment goes awry…
What can readers expect?
An exuberant exploration of the power of play and reinvention, how we form our identities and tell stories about ourselves and others. A moving story of sisterhood, and the most badass group of women you could every meet.
Where did the inspiration for The Players Club come from?
From the idea… if you could be anyone just for one day, who would you be?
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
The storyline (not too much of a spoiler) where one character Leila has a ‘life-lust’ to become an aerial hoop performer in Cirque du Soleil. My ‘life-play’ would definitely involve running away to the circus. But also the sisterhood and family storyline is very close to my heart and it was cathartic to explore.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
As it is a novel that has extremely energetic fun sections, but also very sad and emotional parts, I found I had to be in the right mood. I couldn’t write the upbeat parts when feeling sad and grieving, and I didn’t want to write those parts when I was in jolly mood! I figured the answer was to be led by my emotions, rather than necessarily write the scenes in order.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
Extremely odd, having worked in the industry for 20 years – it’s a lot like watching a You Tube video of DIY and thinking you know how to do it in reality! It’s given me even more respect and empathy for the authors I work with day to day.
What’s next for you?
I am writing something new… the characters have me in their grasp, but I’m not exactly sure yet where their adventures will take me.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
So many! I loved London Falling, Yesteryear, Go Gentle, Contrapposto and as a huge Agatha Christie fan I just inhaled a proof of the forthcoming Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel by Lucy Foley.
