Kat Hausler

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

I grew up in Northern Virginia, studied German and Creative Writing in New York and have lived in Berlin for a long time now, starting with a semester abroad I did while at NYU. I love reading literary fiction, traveling and watching horror movies.

When and why did you start writing books?

I've always loved reading and started with making construction-paper picturebooks when I was little. The first novel I attempted was in college and very derivative of Lois Duncan. It didn't go far.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

It's what I've always wanted to do. I love stories and the possibility books offer of experiencing the world through someone else's interiority.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

I don't have a favorite, but Simon, the protagonist of my new novel What I Know About July, is on my mind a lot as I get ready for the book launch this Halloween. He's a talented musician but filled with self-doubt in his personal and professional life. As someone who has the sense of struggling even in everyday situations, he's overwhelmed by dealing with his stalkery fan July and always trying to figure out how to get her out of his life – until she disappears on his tour.

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

It's hard to say because it always feels like it's whatever one I'm working on at the time. Edits can be the hardest part, especially because making a change at one point often requires changes at a lot of other points in the book.

Who is your favourite author and book?

Too many to choose just one!

What book are you reading right now?

Homegoing and also Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

Experiences, random thoughts, anecdotes people tell me, things that occur to me after other books or movies.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Running, wandering around, going out for coffee and books.

Do you have any new books in the works?

Always! But I don't like to talk about them until I have at least a very solid draft ready. Sometimes the idea for a book is like a wish you don't say aloud because then it won't come true.