Ten questions with Nicole Hackett
Nicole Hackett’s debut, described by Kirkus Reviews as “a cleverly constructed thriller … with many detours and surprises” comes out May 2. Don’t forget to pre-order The Perfect Ones after you read this interview!
1. Please tell us about your debut novel.
The Perfect Ones tells the story of three Instagram influencers who take a promotional trip to Iceland, where one of them—Alabama Wood—goes missing. While the mystery of Alabama’s disappearance drives the plot, I think the heart of the story is the events leading up to the tragedy, particularly how each woman’s demons ultimately play a role in Alabama’s fate.
2. I’ve read that only 4% of the people who start a novel, finish writing it. Why do you think you beat the odds?
I think it was a combination of enjoying the process and having the time. Writing is not always fun (and pursuing a career in the publishing industry definitely isn’t), but I do find satisfaction and genuine joy in writing. I also didn’t have kids when I started, so my brain worked much better. (Hah!)
3. Was your debut novel the first book you wrote? (Any prior efforts hiding on your hard drive?)
Oh, it is not even close to my first! The Perfect Ones is the sixth book I’ve written. It has been a long journey for me to get here. I actually spoke about it at length recently on Episode 36 of Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke’s podcast, We Fight So You Don't Have To. My story could probably fill a book itself!
4. What helped you become a better writer? Any books or resources you found helpful?
This might be an annoying answer, but I truly think the only way you can become a better writer is to write as much as you can. The second most important thing, I think, is to read as much as you can. I learn something new with every book I read, whether it’s something I want to emulate or something I want to avoid. Of course, I have read craft books as well. I still refer to Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody every time I start a new project.
5. What was your process like getting an agent?
I’ve actually had two agents, both of whom I pitched the old-fashioned way via a cold query email. Like so much in publishing, it was much slower and more agonizing than I would have liked, but in the end, it worked out!
6. How did you celebrate when you learned your book would be published?
I honestly don’t remember! I must have blacked out from excitement - hah!
7. What was the most exciting moment involving the publication of your debut novel? (The moment you first saw the cover? The call when you learned when it was being published? When you cashed your advance check?)
Definitely receiving the email from my agent with the offer from my editor. I cried, and I’m not a crier. It was a peak life moment, for sure.
8. What’s your best advice for someone who wants to be published?
Find a way to constructively (or at least not destructively) handle criticism and rejection, which are unavoidable at every step of the publishing process. Publishing is hard because the writing is so deeply personal, but the business of selling books is so deeply not. It’s critical to find a way to balance that.
9. What are you currently reading? Or, what's one of the best novels you've read lately?
I recently finished Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, and I adored it. Currently, I am reading Liane Moriarty’s latest book, Apples Never Fall. Liane Moriarty has always been one of my favorite authors as a reader, and as I writer, I find so much inspiration every time I read her work.
10. What are you working on now? Any projects coming out soon?
I am working on a new project, but I’m not supposed to talk about it. (So secretive, aren’t I?)