Amy Sue Nathan
Author Interview - Amy Sue Nathan
Author of The Last Bathing Beauty
About The Last Bathing Beauty by Amy Sue Nathan:
Everything seemed possible in the summer of 1951. Back then Betty Stern was an eighteen-year-old knockout working at her grandparents’ lakeside resort. The “Catskills of the Midwest” was the perfect place for Betty to prepare for bigger things. She’d head to college in New York City. Her career as a fashion editor would flourish. But first, she’d enjoy a wondrous last summer at the beach falling deeply in love with an irresistible college boy and competing in the annual Miss South Haven pageant. On the precipice of a well-planned life, Betty’s future was limitless.
Decades later, the choices of that long-ago season still reverberate for Betty, now known as Boop. Especially when her granddaughter comes to her with a dilemma that echoes Boop’s memories of first love, broken hearts, and faraway dreams. It’s time to finally face the past―for the sake of her family and her own happiness. Maybe in reconciling the life she once imagined with the life she’s lived, Boop will discover it’s never too late for a second chance.
Author I draw inspiration from:
It’s different for each book. For The Last Bathing Beauty I drew inspiration from a host of historical fiction authors, since I’d never written histfic before. A few of my favorites are Susan Meissner, Beatriz Williams, and Jamie Ford.
Author Interview - Amy Sue Nathan
Favorite place to read a book:
I’m an audiobook junkie and I listen everywhere!
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
I’d love to be stuck in an elevator with young Abe from The Last Bathing Beauty—of course I’d be young too and the reason would be obvious. <BLUSH>
Author Interview - Amy Sue Nathan
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I wrote my first book about my Barbies when I was ten!
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Audiobook
The last book I read:
I’m in the middle of The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. It’s narrated by Tom Hanks and set where I now live.
Author Interview - Amy Sue Nathan
Pen & paper or computer:
Laptop all the way!
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
I know I’d be best friends with Boop. I sort of am!
If I wasn’t an author, I’d be a:
I always want to be a mom and an author. I have two grown children and four book babies (and one on the way).
Favorite decade in fashion history:
Right now I’m writing about the early 60s, and loving the similarity to the 50s and also how the fashions are changing.
Place I’d most like to travel:
I’m a homebody!
My signature drink:
I love bubbles. Seltzer is my beverage of choice!
Favorite artist:
I am George Seurat fan and have loved seeing some of his paintings in person
Find more from Amy Sue Nathan:
@AmySueNathan on FB, Twitter, and IG
Website: amysuenathan.com
About Amy Sue Nathan:
Author Interview - Amy Sue Nathan
I’m Amy Sue Nathan, and my fifth novel, WELL BEHAVED WIVES, will be published by Lake Union in November 2022.
THE LAST BATHING BEAUTY, LEFT TO CHANCE, THE GLASS WIVES, and THE GOOD NEIGHBOR, published between 2013 and 2017, are available through your favorite online or brick-and-mortar bookseller. My first three books were published by St. Martin’s Press. I’m lucky to be represented by Danielle Egan-Miller of Browne & Miller Literary Associates.
I’ve been blogging since 2006, and launched the Women’s Fiction Writers blog in March 2011. I teach writing workshops and freelance as a fiction editor and writing coach and am trained in the Story Genius method.
My stories and essays have appeared in print and online in over two dozen publications such as The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Parent, Writer’s Digest, Huffington Post, and online in New York Times and Washington Post blogs.
I was born and raised in Philadelphia and am a graduate of Temple University with a Bachelor’s in Journalism (a degree I actually use). I am back in the ‘hood after twenty-six years away, and am the proud mom of two grown children and a willing servant to one rescued grey cat named Riggins aka Good Boy. In addition to being a writer and book coach, I’m a former-vegetarian, not-so-secret crafter, chocolate enthusiast, and lipstick collector.
