Chandler Baker: I think one of my biggest accomplishments to date is that I somehow roped you into writing a book with me, without ever having met in real life. What’s your recollection of that first interaction between us?

Wesley King: Well, it was sort of a blind writing date. This was in the first couple of months of the pandemic and everyone was kind of casting around trying to figure out what we should be doing. Our agents had this idea that we might collaborate on something at some point, but it was very open-ended. You’d read a few chapters of an early draft of one of my manuscripts and then you called and we talked for twenty minutes or so. Like with most conversations back then—actually even now—the first fifteen minutes were filled with Covid-chatter. I think that’s probably why we ended up writing the book we did.

CB: I feel like 20 minutes was probably an eternity for you. You’re a hard man to get on the phone and I say that with love after having written a whole novel with you.

WK: I was worried you were going to be a writing snob. As soon as I knew you didn’t think you were Shakespeare reincarnate I thought: okay, this is a good start. That was Test Number 1.

CB: I mean, was that a serious concern? Why were you worried I’d be a writing snob? Does my author picture scream, “WRITING SNOB?”

WK: Maybe because you were coming off of writing books for adults. That seemed very grown up. Literally. I knew you had published a number of YA books, but how did you feel about transitioning back to young adult?

CB: Excited! I became a writer because of YA books. I fell in love with Lauren Oliver and Gayle Forman and John Green. You were transitioning, too, though, from middle grade. How was that?

WK: It was fantastic . . . though I did forget characters could swear in YA. In middle grade we have a lot of replacement words for swearing. Luckily, I had you to guide the way—I fed off your chapters and started developing a more authentic YA voice. So for me the collaboration process was key . . . not only because it was so easy, but because I was constantly reading your chapters, thinking, “Oh shit . . . this is good,” and upping my game. Did you see that? I’m still swearing in my writing. They’re going to kick me out of middle grade.

What were your biggest concerns about collaborating with another author?

CB: First, I’ll say, that I should have had none at all because writing this book with you was truly the most relaxed, pain-free experience. We got so lucky. Our initial plan was just to write a short story and e-publish it. But the project took on a life of its own, so my main concerns quickly became about logistics. Once it became clear we were writing a novel, I was thinking: Okay, but how?

The answer was ultimately: Google Docs. Our greatest nemesis (and reluctant ally).

WK: My eyes are still bleeding. Every new iteration of a Google Doc, we would each choose a new color to type in and it would become so unwieldy. But it was the only way to make sure we didn’t lose changes switching between documents.

CB: That’s right. We started with a number of brainstorming documents that we called the “No Bad Ideas Docs” and then when it was time to start writing the book, we wound up each taking a character. So can you talk to me a little about how you developed the character of Jonah?

WK: I knew my focus was going to be anxiety. It’s a tough topic to address in light of the global scale of this tragedy, but I knew from experience that anxiety sufferers were having trouble dealing and I wanted to present an honest portrayal of what it felt like . . . all of our formerly “false flag” fears were suddenly very real.

That was sort of the heart of the story I wanted to convey: the anxious response to this, and the idea that human connection remains an integral part of healing . . . in person or not. What was the heart of the story you were hoping to get across as you wrote Maxine, who goes by Max, in the book?

CB: At the time, I had a newborn, and having this new baby was such a bright spot amidst all the bad news of the burgeoning pandemic. I was fascinated by how both the tragedy of COVID-19 and the wonder of this new joy with my new baby could exist at once. Also, even then as I was living through it, I could tell I was going to have some degree of nostalgia for that time. We also had a then four-year-old, and my little hunkered-down family was really getting back to basics, playing Twister and charades. There was real happiness. But also missed moments. Like how both my husband’s and my parents didn’t get to see our new baby. And while that paled in comparison to so much of what was unfolding around the world, those moments also felt irretrievable in a way that seemed sad not to be allowed to be sad over. Max really represents those dueling impulses as well as the very real financial impact of the pandemic, especially on families living paycheck-to-paycheck.

I love that we each brought something completely different to the table with our two characters and really gave each other a lot of autonomy in developing them individually. Do you have any advice to writers thinking about collaborating?

WK: I’ll say what I think worked well between us as things would-be coauthors may want to emulate. Neither of us is precious about our work. That’s hugely helpful. Also, understand that you’re working with someone so that they bring something different than you would bring to the table. The end product shouldn’t be what you would have written alone. And like you said, we gave each other the autonomy to bring new perspectives and writing styles.

Okay, last question: Say someday we do get to meet in real life, what’s the first thing we do?

CB: We’re going to have a super awkward hug because I recently learned that you are incredibly tall, like 6’7”, and I’m very short. We’re going to be like the Odd Couple going on little adventures and it’s going to be adorable.

The post Authors In Conversation: Chandler Baker and Wesley King appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us if you have read any this year in the comments below!

Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Christopher is seven years old. Christopher is the new kid in town. Christopher has an imaginary friend. The epic work of literary horror from the #1 bestselling author of The Perks of Being A Wallflower.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive…

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For fans of JP Delaney’s The Girl Before and Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10 comes this hair-raising novel of deception and revenge that will blow readers away.

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the authors of the blockbuster bestseller The Wife Between Us comes an electrifying new novel about doubt, passion, and just how much you can trust someone.

The Institute by Stephen King
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

As psychically terrifying as Firestarter, and with the spectacular kid power of It, The Institute is Stephen King’s gut-wrenchingly dramatic story of good vs. evil in a world where the good guys don’t always win.

A Stranger on The Beach by Michele Campbell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From bestselling author Michele Campbell comes A Stranger on the Beach, an edge-of-your seat story of passion and intrigue that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Full Throttle by Joe Hill
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this masterful collection of short fiction, Joe Hill dissects timeless human struggles in thirteen relentless tales of supernatural suspense, including “In The Tall Grass,” one of two stories co-written with Stephen King, basis for the terrifying feature film from Netflix.

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The next heart-pounding thriller from New York Times bestselling author Riley Sager follows a young woman whose new job apartment sitting in one of New York’s oldest and most glamorous buildings may cost more than it pays.

Whisper Network by Chandler Baker
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Four women learn their boss (a man who’s always been surrounded by rumours about how he treats women) is next in line to be CEO—what will happen when they decide enough is enough?

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Full of spellbinding menace and told in Ruth Ware’s signature suspenseful style, The Turn of the Key is an unputdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time.

Reputation by Sara Shepard
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this fast-paced new novel from Sara Shepard, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars, a tight-knit college town scrambles for answers when an e-mail hack reveals life-changing secrets and scandals.

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In his boldly imagined first novel, Ta-Nehisi Coates, the National Book Award–winning author of Between the World and Me, brings home the most intimate evil of enslavement: the cleaving and separation of families.

The Testaments (The Handmaid’s Tale #2) by Margaret Atwood
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Margaret Atwood’s sequel picks up the story fifteen years after Offred stepped into the unknown, with the explosive testaments of three female narrators from Gilead.

My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Dexter meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith in this wildly compulsive debut thriller about a couple whose fifteen-year marriage has finally gotten too interesting…

The Night Before by Wendy Walker
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Told in dual timelines—the night before and the day after—The Night Before is a riveting thriller about family loyalty, obsession, and what happens when the desire for love spins out of control.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A gripping novel about the whirlwind rise of an iconic 1970s rock group and their beautiful lead singer, revealing the mystery behind their infamous breakup.

The Whisper Man by Alex North
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this dark, suspenseful thriller, Alex North weaves a multi-generational tale of suspense, as a father and son are caught in the crosshairs of an investigation to catch a serial killer preying on a small town.

Find Me (Call Me By Your Name #2) by André Aciman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this spellbinding exploration of the varieties of love, the author of the worldwide bestseller Call Me by Your Name revisits its complex and beguiling characters decades after their first meeting.

Growing Things and Other Stories by Paul Tremblay
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A chilling collection of psychological suspense and literary horror from the multiple award-winning author of the national bestseller The Cabin at the End of the World and A Head Full of Ghosts.

Mother Knows Best by Kira Peikoff
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A mother’s worst nightmare, a chance at redemption, and a deadly secret that haunts a family across the generations. Past, present, and future converge in this mesmerising psychological thriller from critically acclaimed author Kira Peikoff.

The Suspect by Fiona Barton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The new must-read standalone crime thriller from the author of Sunday Times bestseller, The Widow, and the Richard & Judy No. 1 bestseller, The Child – featuring unforgettable journalist, Kate Waters.

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the # 1 New York Times bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love and The Signature of All Things, a delicious novel of glamour, sex, and adventure, about a young woman discovering that you don’t have to be a good girl to be a good person.

Inspection by Josh Malerman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Boys are being trained at one school for geniuses, girls at another. Neither knows the other exists—until now. The New York Times bestselling author of Bird Box invites you into a world of secrets and chills in a coming-of-age story like no other.

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Bridget Jones’s Diary meets Americanah in this disarmingly honest, boldly political, and truly inclusive novel that will speak to anyone who has gone looking for love and found something very different in its place.

Do you have any other favourite 2019 fiction books? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The Best Fiction Books of 2019 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

July also sees some highly anticipated fantasy books such as Margaret Owen’s YA fantasy debut The Merciful Crow, Evan Winter’s The Rage of Dragons, Elizabeth Lim’s Spin The Dawn, and Duncan M. Hamilton’s Dragonslayer. Also joining our round-up this month are some great mysteries and thrillers from Michele Campbell, Laura Lippman, and Chandler Baker, while Abbi Waxman and Zara Raheem deliver fun new contemporaries.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below what you’re most excited for!

The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

After an “oops, we made a mistake” night together, neither one can stop thinking about the other. With Alexa’s wedding rapidly approaching, Maddie and Theo both share bridal party responsibilities that require more interaction with each other than they’re comfortable with.

The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Debut author Margaret Owen crafts a powerful saga of vengeance, survival, and sacrifice–perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kendare Blake–in The Merciful Crow. Read our review here!

A Stranger on The Beach by Michele Campbell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From bestselling author Michele Campbell comes A Stranger on the Beach, an edge-of-your seat story of passion and intrigue that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The next heart-pounding thriller from New York Times bestselling author Riley Sager follows a young woman whose new job apartment sitting in one of New York’s oldest and most glamorous buildings may cost more than it pays.

The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Game of Thrones meets Gladiator in this debut epic fantasy about a world caught in an eternal war, and the young man who will become his people’s only hope for survival.

Spin The Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars. Read our review here!

Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The revered New York Times bestselling author returns with a novel set in 1960s Baltimore that combines modern psychological insights with elements of classic noir, about a middle-aged housewife turned aspiring reporter who pursues the murder of a forgotten young woman.

Whisper Network by Chandler Baker
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Four women learn their boss (a man who’s always been surrounded by rumours about how he treats women) is next in line to be CEO—what will happen when they decide enough is enough?

Season of the Witch by Sarah Rees Brennan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the creator of Riverdale comes the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, a new Netflix series based on the classic Archie comic series. This prequel YA novel tells an all-new, original story.

The Marriage Clock by Zara Raheem
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In Zara Raheem’s fresh, funny, smart debut, a young, Muslim-American woman is given three months to find the right husband or else her traditional Indian parents will find one for her–a novel with a universal story that everyone can relate to about the challenges of falling in love.

Dragonslayer by Duncan M. Hamilton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In his magnificent, heroic, adventure fantasy, Dragonslayer, Duncan M. Hamilton debuts the first book in a fast-moving trilogy: a dangerous tale of lost magics, unlikely heroes, and reawakened dragons.

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The author of Other People’s Houses and The Garden of Small Beginnings delivers a quirky and charming novel chronicling the life of confirmed introvert Nina Hill as she does her best to fly under everyone’s radar.

What book release are you most excited to read? Tell us in the comments below!

The post July 2019 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.