Kim Catanzarite

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

Writing, editing, and reading take up most of my time. They're not only my career (I'm a freelance editor and writer) but also my favorite things to do. In addition, I love a good TV series (Stranger Things, Ozark, The Crown, Workin' Moms) or movie (CODA, I Want You Back, Dune). I also love to hike, to vacation on an island, and to hang out with my family.

When and why did you start writing books?

I was drawn to writing in college. The first creative writing workshop I signed up for hooked me, and there was no turning back. When I was in elementary school, I thought it would be really cool to write something, but I also thought you had to be "born" a writer. I didn't feel like I had permission or that I could ever be any good at it.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

Throughout the course of my adult life, I've submerged myself in editorial pursuits. The goal was to earn a living while eventually become a novelist. I took a job as an editorial assistant because I wanted to be in the publishing world. I later took a job at a newspaper because I wanted my day job to be a place where I could practice my writing skills.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

I love all of my characters, so it's hard to choose a favorite. The Jovian Duology is Svetlana's story, so I think of her as I would a trusted friend, but I even love my less-wholesome characters, like Caroline Jovian. She and the other Jovians are just so much fun to write.

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

I currently have two published books, but I wrote several others before I published. I spent years writing the first novel I ever wrote. I think that was the hardest one: getting over the idea that I might not be able to do it, to finish it, to get to "the end." I didn't get that book right, and that's easy to see now. But it taught me that I could complete a novel.

Who is your favourite author and book?

I have many favorites, but E.M. Forster's A Room With a View is the one that made me want to be a novelist. Another one that I find absolutely unforgettable is Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go. It has stuck to me for years.

What book are you reading right now?

Right now I am reading Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney, a new favorite author of mine. I read Normal People last year and found it to be amazing.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

I get inspiration everywhere. Usually an idea will come to me, and it resonates in a certain way that makes me realize a book is brewing in my head.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

In my spare time, I like to experience other places, whether it's a forest I'm hiking in or an island in the Caribbean or a European city. I also like going to bookstores, bicycling around town, and walking while listening to podcasts.

Do you have any new books in the works?

I am currently working on two projects: another story about the Jovians and something completely new and different.