Meet BookEnds writing mentor, Stephanie Gangi

Let me start with a confession. When Stephanie Gangi was nominated by one of you as a good guest for a chat, I had not read any of her work. I knew only that in addition to being an author she was a developmental editor, and that the legendary Meg Wolitzer (and the rest of the BookEnds Stonybrook team) trusted her to mentor what they considered the year’s most promising new talent. On that basis alone, I said yes. And it would have been a solid decision. But now I’m coming to the end of a most-delicious read. Smart. Funny. Irreverent. And unexpected. UNEXPECTED. On so many levels. How did she do that? I cannot wait to ask this author my many questions.

But, I’m also looking forward to talking to Stephanie about aspects of her writing-adjacent life. I think you’ll find her perspectives on developmental editing and mentoring interesting (I know they are a little different from mine!). And some of you will appreciate that the writers she feels especially drawn to are the late bloomers. Indeed, Bea, her protagonist in CARRY THE DOG, is a late bloomer, and trust me, you should read this book just to be in the same room with the woman. I haven’t encountered such an irreverent, hilarious, and bitingly honest voice on the subject of aging since Nora Ephron in I FEEL BAD ABOUT MY NECK.

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If you missed my conversation with Stephanie Gangi, here is the recording:

Enjoy! And happy writing!

Shirin