In Conversation with Jeff Zentner & Brittany Cavallaro
| I have been following Jeff Zentner since the publication of The Serpent King. It was a book that I loved from the very first pages. Jeff has proven to be a steady writer of YA fiction. It was a joy to find Brittany Cavallaro's Charlotte Holmes character. The world needs more strong female characters like this one. Finding out that Jeff and Brittany were writing a book together screams out for a conversation. So, we had one. We had a lot of fun during the conversation and we hope you join us. |  |
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Steven discussed with Brittany, and Jeff about their collaboration on the novel "Sunrise Nights," which was born out of their shared love for poetry and writing dialogue, and their experiences exploring bookstores. They also shared personal experiences and conditions that have impacted their lives and inspired their writing, such as Brittany's rare eye condition and Jeff's anxiety and OCD. Lastly, they discussed their upcoming book projects, with Brittany revealing her second book in a two-book deal and Jeff sharing his adult debut, while expressing their support for each other's continued success.
Sunrise Nights: A New Book Co-Authored by Brittany and Jeff
Steven introduced Brittany and Jeff, who are co-authors of a new book, Sunrise Nights. Jeff explained the story of the book, which is about two artists, Jude and Florence, who meet at a weekly arts camp in Harbor City, Michigan. They decide to explore the town together on a "Sunrise Night," a tradition where campers stay up all night and watch the sunrise together. The two artists make a pact to meet again at the next Sunrise Night and then again for their final one. Brittany was set to share how they met.
Steven introduced Brittany and Jeff, who are co-authors of a new book, Sunrise Nights. Jeff explained the story of the book, which is about two artists, Jude and Florence, who meet at a weekly arts camp in Harbor City, Michigan. They decide to explore the town together on a "Sunrise Night," a tradition where campers stay up all night and watch the sunrise together. The two artists make a pact to meet again at the next Sunrise Night and then again for their final one. Brittany was set to share how they met.
Collaborating on 'Sunrise Nights' Novel
Steven, Brittany, and Jeff discussed their collaboration on the novel "Sunrise Nights," which was born out of their shared love for poetry and writing dialogue. Brittany and Jeff, who are both poetry teachers and avid readers of the genre, decided to combine their talents and write a novel in verse together. They also shared their experiences of exploring bookstores and discovering new poetry volumes, which they highly recommend as a tour guide. Steven expressed interest in this unique bookstore experience and suggested that he and Brittany could do it together in the future.
Steven, Brittany, and Jeff discussed their collaboration on the novel "Sunrise Nights," which was born out of their shared love for poetry and writing dialogue. Brittany and Jeff, who are both poetry teachers and avid readers of the genre, decided to combine their talents and write a novel in verse together. They also shared their experiences of exploring bookstores and discovering new poetry volumes, which they highly recommend as a tour guide. Steven expressed interest in this unique bookstore experience and suggested that he and Brittany could do it together in the future.
Brittany's Rare Eye Conditions and Impact
Steven and Brittany discussed the unique conditions that two characters in their books were facing. Brittany shared her personal experience with a rare combination of eye conditions that made spatial movement difficult, causing her to have poor hand-eye coordination and balance. She shared how her condition, which can worsen due to stress and circumstances outside her control, has affected her ambitions and frustrations. Steven acknowledged the rarity of her condition and its impact on her life.
Steven and Brittany discussed the unique conditions that two characters in their books were facing. Brittany shared her personal experience with a rare combination of eye conditions that made spatial movement difficult, causing her to have poor hand-eye coordination and balance. She shared how her condition, which can worsen due to stress and circumstances outside her control, has affected her ambitions and frustrations. Steven acknowledged the rarity of her condition and its impact on her life.
Character Development and Personal Experiences
Brittany discussed her interest in creating a character like her book's protagonist, Florence, who is a modern dancer struggling with the fear of losing her talent. Steven praised the book's strong introduction and well-developed characters, urging readers to check it out. Jeff agreed, noting that while his characters aren't direct depictions of himself, he infuses them with personal experiences and emotions, such as his own anxiety and OCD. He specifically mentioned how photography, as an art form, could be a relief for someone like Jude, a character in the book.
Brittany discussed her interest in creating a character like her book's protagonist, Florence, who is a modern dancer struggling with the fear of losing her talent. Steven praised the book's strong introduction and well-developed characters, urging readers to check it out. Jeff agreed, noting that while his characters aren't direct depictions of himself, he infuses them with personal experiences and emotions, such as his own anxiety and OCD. He specifically mentioned how photography, as an art form, could be a relief for someone like Jude, a character in the book.
Retirement, Book Tour, and Future Plans
Steven shared his struggles with retirement and maintaining focus without the structure of his previous career. Jeff then recounted the recent book tour he and Bree had undertaken, which included stops at King's English, Parnassus, and the Newcastle, Indiana library. They also discussed plans for future events, including one at the Ya Midwest Book Festival in Naperville, Illinois. Steven suggested they consider participating in the Baton Rouge Library system's festival, and Jeff was open to exploring this possibility.
Steven shared his struggles with retirement and maintaining focus without the structure of his previous career. Jeff then recounted the recent book tour he and Bree had undertaken, which included stops at King's English, Parnassus, and the Newcastle, Indiana library. They also discussed plans for future events, including one at the Ya Midwest Book Festival in Naperville, Illinois. Steven suggested they consider participating in the Baton Rouge Library system's festival, and Jeff was open to exploring this possibility.
Brittany's Collaborative Writing Process
Steven asked Brittany about her writing process for the book she co-authored with Jeff. Brittany explained that they wrote the book collaboratively, with each author contributing five to six pages at a time. Brittany would write poems and dialogue, then send her work to Jeff who would make revisions and additions. Brittany praised Jeff's writing instincts and highlighted the surprise and delight she experienced when the manuscript would return to her, often with unexpected but believable developments. She compared the process to having elves work on the novel while she slept.
Steven asked Brittany about her writing process for the book she co-authored with Jeff. Brittany explained that they wrote the book collaboratively, with each author contributing five to six pages at a time. Brittany would write poems and dialogue, then send her work to Jeff who would make revisions and additions. Brittany praised Jeff's writing instincts and highlighted the surprise and delight she experienced when the manuscript would return to her, often with unexpected but believable developments. She compared the process to having elves work on the novel while she slept.
Co-Authoring Books and Auction Journey
Brittany, Jeff, and Steven discussed the benefits of co-authoring books. Jeff highlighted the organic and natural feel of a conversation between two people when co-authoring, which he found beneficial compared to solo writing. Brittany agreed, describing the process as a gift and requiring minimal post-writing work. The group also discussed the manuscript's journey to auction in June 2022, but the outcome of the auction was not specified.
Brittany, Jeff, and Steven discussed the benefits of co-authoring books. Jeff highlighted the organic and natural feel of a conversation between two people when co-authoring, which he found beneficial compared to solo writing. Brittany agreed, describing the process as a gift and requiring minimal post-writing work. The group also discussed the manuscript's journey to auction in June 2022, but the outcome of the auction was not specified.
Sunrise Nights Auction and Scotland Connections
Jeff and Brittany discussed the energetic and enthusiastic five-way auction they participated in for their book, Sunrise Nights. Brittany shared the romantic backstory of how she met her husband fifteen pages into writing the book and got married in Scotland in June 2021. On the day of her wedding, she received the news that Sunrise Nights had been sold in a two-book deal to Quilt Tree, an imprint they were thrilled with. The team also shared personal connections to Scotland, with Brittany's recent marriage and Steven's grandchildren there.
Jeff and Brittany discussed the energetic and enthusiastic five-way auction they participated in for their book, Sunrise Nights. Brittany shared the romantic backstory of how she met her husband fifteen pages into writing the book and got married in Scotland in June 2021. On the day of her wedding, she received the news that Sunrise Nights had been sold in a two-book deal to Quilt Tree, an imprint they were thrilled with. The team also shared personal connections to Scotland, with Brittany's recent marriage and Steven's grandchildren there.
Upcoming Book Projects and Themes
Steven, Brittany, and Jeff discussed their upcoming book projects. Brittany revealed that the second book in a two-book deal would feature new characters and was about halfway through the draft. Jeff shared that his next book, an adult debut, would explore themes not suitable for young adult fiction. Brittany also announced she was working on a mystery novel for adults, inspired by her teaching experience at her old boarding school. The group expressed their support for each other's projects and their enthusiasm for their continued success.
Steven, Brittany, and Jeff discussed their upcoming book projects. Brittany revealed that the second book in a two-book deal would feature new characters and was about halfway through the draft. Jeff shared that his next book, an adult debut, would explore themes not suitable for young adult fiction. Brittany also announced she was working on a mystery novel for adults, inspired by her teaching experience at her old boarding school. The group expressed their support for each other's projects and their enthusiasm for their continued success.