1–What is the title of your latest release?
2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
They Both Die at the End meets The Butterfly Effect in this YA novel by Joan F. Smith, where a teen uses her gift of foreknowledge to help a lifeguard save a drowning man—only to discover that her actions have suddenly put his life at risk.
3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
It takes place at a fictionalized version of the condo complex where I grew up.
4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Both of them, yes!
5–What are three words that describe your protagonist?
December is curious, impulsive, and interesting. Nick is eager, smart, and insecure.
6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned a ton about neuroscience that never made it into the book—I was knee-deep in medical journals for a side character for a while.
7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
Unlike a lot of writers: Both. I think there’s nothing better than editing something if I’m stuck, and it gives me less to do on the back end.
8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
I love seafood, especially if it’s served to me in New England.
9–Describe your writing space/office!
It’s actually fairly unique. There’s an alcove in my kitchen hidden behind barn doors (that I despise), but the desk itself has fun wallpaper, a good counter height, and plenty of space for a calendar, notebooks, books, a computer, and my million drinks at a time.
10–Who is an author you admire?
Celeste Ng, Brit Bennett, Rebecca Serle, Kwame Alexander
11–Is there a book that changed your life?
I cannot unlearn the life lessons I learned the first time I read Bridge to Terabithia. Or The Giver, for that matter.
12–Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
The Other Side of Infinity was an exclusive submission, so we were in fairly close communication with my editor, Kat Brzozowski. Over the course of a few emails, I knew she liked it and was moving it along in the process. I also knew the day it went to acquisitions. Finally, the night it did, I was supervising my kids playing outside with neighbors—an activity I usually put my phone away for—but that night, I kept it out to refresh. I’m glad I did!
13–What’s your favorite genre to read?
I’m a mood reader, so I read across genres.
14–What’s your favorite movie?
I’m way too indecisive for one, but what keeps coming to mind is Get Out.
15–What is your favorite season?
Summer
16–How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
My daughter’s birthday is the day before mine, so I don’t really have one anymore J
17–What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
The Last of Us and Shrinking
18–What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Mediterranean
19–What do you do when you have free time?
I exercise, read, and plan dream vacations
20–What can readers expect from you next?
Working on two adult novels now, and one YA. More to come!
THE OTHER SIDE OF INFINITY by Joan F. Smith
They Both Die at the End meets The Butterfly Effect in this YA novel by Joan F. Smith, where a teen uses her gift of foreknowledge to help a lifeguard save a drowning man—only to discover that her actions have suddenly put his life at risk.
It was supposed to be an ordinary day at the pool, but when lifeguard Nick hesitates during a save,
seventeen-year-old December uses her gift of foreknowledge to rescue the drowning man instead. The action comes at a cost. Not only will Nick and December fall in love, but also, she envisions that his own life is now at risk. The other problem? They’re basically strangers.
December embarks on a mission to save Nick’s life, and to experience what it feels like to fall in love—something she’d formerly known she’d never do. Nick, battling the shame of screwing up the rescue when he’s heralded as a community hero, resolves to make up for his inaction by doing December a major solid and searching for her mother, who went missing nine years ago.
As they grow closer, December’s gift starts playing tricks, and Nick’s family gets closer to an ugly truth about him. They both must learn what it really means to be a hero before time runs out.
Young Adult [Feiwel & Friends, On Sale: April 25, 2023, Hardcover / e-Book, ISBN: 9781250843388 / eISBN: 9781250843371]
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About Joan F. Smith
Joan F. Smith is the author of The Other Side of Infinity and The Half-Orphan’s Handbook, a dance instructor, and a former associate dean of creative writing. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College. Joan lives and writes in Massachusetts, where she was the 2021 Writer-in-Residence at the Milton Public Library. When she’s not writing, she’s either wrangling her kids, embarking on a new hobby she will quickly abandon, or listening to podcasts on a run.
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