Author Q&A with Chris Whitaker – The Bonus Chapter
Welcome back to another episode of the Bonus Chapter Podcast. In this episode, our host Charlotte, who also hosts the Volume One Club in Plymouth, is in conversation with best-selling author Chris Whitaker.
Chris's debut novel, Tall Oaks, was released around ten years ago and was quickly followed by his breakout New York Times bestseller, We Begin at the End.
In this cosy chat, Chris and Charlotte discuss how his early books were critically acclaimed but didn't sell in large numbers, until everything changed with We Begin at the End. Chris explains that as the book grew in popularity, fans constantly messaged him to ask what happened next to the main character, 13-year-old Duchess Day Radley. This inspired him to explore what happens to children who face trauma, and how that shapes their transition into adulthood and later life.
Chris also shares the inspiration behind his current novel, All the Colours of the Dark. He walks us through the core concept: two teenagers, Patch and Grace, falling in love in a pitch-black basement without ever seeing each other's faces. We won't give away any more spoilers, so you will need to listen to the podcast to find out what happens next.
We are always interested in what motivates writers and shapes their work. During this chat, Chris shares his perspective on genre blending, combining elements of crime, romance, and literary fiction. He also explains why he believes crime is actually the least interesting part of any book. Beyond that, we get a peek behind the scenes at what life as a best-selling author is really like, including the reality of Chris taking on a 100-city global book tour over a year and a half.
Chris reflects that he cares far less about sales numbers or being a bestseller than about his true mission as a writer – to reach readers by connecting emotionally with the heart of his characters.
If you have read Chris Whitaker's books before, you are going to love this conversation. If you are new to his work, this is a brilliant place to start.
Please subscribe to the Bonus Chapter Podcast using the links below. Enjoy the episode, and we look forward to seeing you next time.
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