Interview with Kate Fussner, author of THE SONG OF US

 

Today I am very excited to introduce you to Kate Fussner (she/her) and her upcoming novel-in-verse The Song of Us. This was a beautiful book and I was thrilled to be able to read it! I was so excited when Kate agreed to be interviewed because I don't often read novels-in-verse much less talk to the author about them!

In this interview we talked about how she got the idea for this book, what made her want to write it as a novel-in-verse, and how it got its title. I hope you enjoy! As always, links to follow Kate on her socials as well as links to preorder the book will be at the bottom.      

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How did you first get started with writing?

I have always loved to read and write stories. My earliest attempt at writing a novel was a sort of pre-internet fan fiction of the Redwall series when I was eight years old. I didn't get very far in writing it, but the dream of writing books stayed with me. My house was always filled with books, and both my parents are very good storytellers. My older sister, who is also debuting this year with her adult horror novel, was also always hard at work on her own stories. I am certain that growing up in a house that loved stories so deeply helped me grow into the writer I am today.

I used to love the Redwall series!!! I love the idea of people writing fanfiction of it before fanfiction was really a thing! I also love that your family seemed to love reading and writing so much! My family was much the same and they've always helped to nurture my love of books. Also, I'm now quite intrigued in your sister's book. It must be kind of cool to have both of your books debuting this year!

What made you want to write this book as a novel in-verse?

This is my first time writing a novel-in-verse. When the idea came to me, a queer middle grade "Orpheus and Eurydice," I somehow knew in my heart that it had to be a novel-in-verse. There was something in that very initial spark that said the only way forward was through poetry. I had read many novels-in-verse over the years, because as an English teacher I learned from my students how compelling and moving so many books in this genre are. But I didn't know how to do it! The earliest drafts of this novel were very much trial and error, as I worked to find my poetic voice and rhythm as a poet. What I learned in this process was that novels-in-verse offer such challenges (like using an economy of words) but also such opportunities to play.

That's honestly amazing! I don't think I'd have the patience for what a novel-in-verse probably requires and I commend you for knowing what you wanted the book to have and sticking to it! Also, yeah...a retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice does feel like it has to be in-verse.

Where did you get the idea for this book from?

For several years, I had been working on a YA novel with several fits and starts. I enrolled in Lesley's MFA program in Creative Writing for Young People, determined to finish that novel. After my first two semesters, with my YA novel finally drafted from start-to-finish, my mentor told me that I had to take a break from it. I was so annoyed! I didn't have any other ideas for novels, and I was frustrated because I had made up my mind that my YA novel was the only idea I'd ever have. I vented to my wife and stomped around my house for about thirty minutes, and decided to cool off with some yoga. Almost as soon as I hit the mat, I had the idea: two seventh grade girls, as Orpheus and Eurydice, but in a poetry club, finding their way back to each other. It really was like a lightning strike, and it never would have happened if I hadn't had the encouragement from my brilliant mentor, Tracey Baptiste, to write something new.

I'm very glad that the idea came to you and that your mention told you to take a break and write something new. On the other hand, I probably would have reacted much the same way after finally getting that book finished. I think it's amazing what came out of you being told to do that though!

How did these two characters develop from your first draft (or first idea) to the final draft?

From the very beginning, I wanted both characters to have their own fully-formed arcs. In the original story, Eurydice is killed in the beginning and so we don't get to understand what happened to her once she ended up in the Underworld. It was important to me that she get a chance to share her side of the story. In the first draft, my focus was on the love story: who are these two girls and why do they love each other so quickly and fiercely? But as I moved from first to final draft, each girl's homelife emerged as key to understanding how they navigated their relationship, their friendships, and their school life. Olivia's mother lives with severe depression, and her fluctuating mental health makes Olivia's life really hard to control. That's why she ends up trying so hard to control what happens to her and Eden; Olivia wants a love she can know will be steady and present, but she doesn't understand that there will always be factors outside of her control. For Eden, home isn't a safe place. Her mother has left and her father is openly homophobic. This drives Eden to look for safety and belonging elsewhere, and to guard parts of herself. I didn't really know how much these factors influenced their decisions, and how they find love in each other, until I had written many drafts. It's a wild, wonderful process to witness characters become whole.

Wow! That's a beautifully written answer and I completely get how that would happen. How the characters revealed themselves to you as you were drafting and working your way through the book.

What was the process like to get this book published?

This process has involved tremendous learning. I am forever grateful for my debut group friends, Caroline Huntoon, Ronnie Riley, Jen St. Jude, and Justine Pucella Winans, who I connected with early on in the debuting process and have found incredible support in. When I turned in my thesis project for my MFA program, I decided to try out a Twitter pitch contest, #LGBTNPit. I had never participated in a Twitter pitch contest, and was surprised when I received interest from several agents. I decided then that since I was pitching agents I hadn't deeply researched, I might as well pitch those I had researched, too. Within two months, I signed with my agent, Eric Smith at P.S. Literary. After a short revision round to make the ending more hopeful, we went out on submission and within a few months we closed a two-book deal with HarperCollins. All in all, the lead up to the contract was quick but the process since has been a lesson in patience! I've had the privilege to weigh in on audiobook narration, blurb requests, and cover art, but I've also learned that the process can vary widely from one publisher to another. I am most excited about the next stage of publication: my book finding its home with its readers.

I adore your debut group of friends by the way, you are all amazing with amazing books!! It sounds like it was a pretty exciting road to get where you are right now. I always love when the pitch contests come on to my Twitter feed because there are always some absolutely stunning books being pitched. I can't wait for the next stage of publication for you!

How did the title come to be?

The title was a collaborative process between my editor, the marketing team, and me. I had originally titled the novel, "O&E," but I always suspected that I'd need to change it for final publication. I am really lucky to have an editor willing to help me think through decisions like titles, and when we settled on "The Song of Us," I never looked back (and yes, that's a bit of an Orpheus and Eurydice pun. Sorry!).

I'm glad that you were able to work with your editor and team to come up with a great title for this book. It just...sounds right, you know?

Are you working on any other books currently? Anything you can tell us about?

I am working on another queer middle grade novel-in-verse, out summer 2024, but I can't talk about it quite yet! I am also working on a not-yet-sold YA novel-in-verse that I am really enjoying writing, but can't share more yet.

Ooh, yes please!!! I'm excited, can't wait to read more of your books! Or to just hear more about them.

When you're not writing, what do you like to do?

Aside from reading and watching a lot of RuPaul's Drag Race with my wife, I spend a lot of time walking with my dramatic dog, swimming laps, and baking delicious treats for my friends and family. I also love going to the theater to see both plays and musicals.

That all sounds so releaxing!! I'm so excited that it's getting into swimming season right now, I need the pool! I love going to see plays and musicals!

What are some of the books you've read and loved recently?

My reading life is vast! I love reading everything from queer kidlit to adult literary fiction. Right now, I've been extra excited about some novels-in-verse that just came out: DEAR MEDUSA by Olivia A. Cole, DEAR MOTHMAN by Robin Gow, AN APPETITE FOR MIRACLES by Laekan Zea Kemp, MIRROR TO MIRROR by Rajani LaRocca, and GOOD DIFFERENT by Meg Eden Kuyatt.

Ooh, yes!!! I've been really wanting to read DEAR MEDUSA and DEAR MOTHMAN! I have to make sure I check out those other books as well though, I love their titles!!
Thank you so much for joining me today for this interview with Kate Fussner! Make sure to check out her social media accounts and preorder her book using the links below! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
If you like what I do, consider giving me a follow on social media or donating to my Ko-fi. Thank you for reading!!

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You can find Kate Fussner on Instagram and Twitter.

You can buy a signed copy of Kate Fussner's upcoming book The Song of Us from Porter Square Books.

You can also purchase unsigned copies from all major retailers such as Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

If you can't buy her books but you still want to read them, consider requesting them to your local library or suggesting them on Overdrive!