Eliza Knight
Author Interview - Eliza Knight
Author of The Mayfair Bookshop
From USA Today bestselling author Eliza Knight: a brilliant dual-narrative story about Nancy Mitford—one of 1930s London’s hottest socialites, authors, and a member of the scandalous Mitford Sisters—and a modern American book curator desperate for change, connected through time by a little London bookshop.
1938: She was one of the six sparkling Mitford sisters, known for her stinging quips, stylish dress, and bright green eyes. But Nancy Mitford’s seemingly sparkling life was really one of turmoil: with a perpetually unfaithful and broke husband, two Nazi sympathizer sisters, and her hopes of motherhood dashed forever. With war imminent, Nancy finds respite by taking a job at the Heywood Hill Bookshop in Mayfair, hoping to make ends meet, and discovers a new life.
Present Day: When book curator Lucy St. Clair lands a gig working at Heywood Hill she can’t get on the plane fast enough. Not only can she start the healing process from the loss of her mother, it’s a dream come true to set foot in the legendary store. Doubly exciting: she brings with her a first edition of Nancy’s work, one with a somewhat mysterious inscription from the author. Soon, she discovers her life and Nancy’s are intertwined, and it all comes back to the little London bookshop—a place that changes the lives of two women from different eras in the most surprising ways.
Author Interview - Eliza Knight
Author I draw inspiration from: I draw inspiration from many historical fiction authors like Ken Follett, Kristin Hannah (Click here for my list of Best Kristin Hannah Books), Jane Austen and the Brontes, but there's another author I've been fascinated with since I was a teenager, and that is Nancy Mitford -- whom I wrote about in THE MAYFAIR BOOKSHOP. I was first introduced to Nancy Mitford's writing in high school by a history teacher who was a fan of The Pursuit of Love, arguably Nancy’s most popular work (and has been adapted to tv/film multiple times). Later, I did some extensive research on the Mitford family while in college earning my Family Studies degree. Of particular interest to me was the intelligent, scandalous, and quick-witted sisters who appear in some form in most of Nancy’s writing.
I wanted to write a story about the Mitford’s complicated family dynamic for years, but it always seemed so daunting! They have extreme differences, but also own their unique identities, and each are dedicated to their beliefs. The scandals are almost unbelievable in their outrageousness. Stubbornness ran in the family, and though the sisters were close, supportive, and loved each other fiercely, they could at times be seen as each other’s worst enemies. Nancy once said “Sisters are a shield against life’s cruel adversity,” to which Jessica replied, “Sisters are life’s cruel adversity.” That sums up their relationship in a nutshell.
Author Interview - Eliza Knight | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book: On the beach under an umbrella with a cool breeze blowing. But at home, my favorite place is in my sun room with my feet propped up and my dogs surrounding me. Honestly, I will read anywhere, and I often do! I listen to audiobooks while I'm shopping which makes picking out salads and chicken much more enjoyable!
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: Evelyn Hugo -- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I just read this book recently, and I found Evelyn to be such a fascinating and complex character.
Author Interview - Eliza Knight | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: I was in kindergarten, stapling papers together to make books and illustrating them myself. By second grade I'd written a novel titled The Mouse Who Stole the Cheese, and in 3rd grade was published in a charity anthology. I think story-telling has always just been a part of me. Reading Rainbow was my favorite show as a kid. I wrote stories for my friends all the way through high school, where I was also the editor of my high school paper. I started out college as a Journalism major, but found all the factual writing with no interesting embellishments to be less than exciting. At the time I was taking several classes in Family Studies and so I changed my major. But after a few years of working in that realm, and continuing to write for fun, I decided to try my hand at publishing. My first book was published in 2008 and the rest is history!
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: All of the above. I always have something started in each, and I read multiple books at once.
The last book I read: The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey in hardback, and Still Life by Sarah Winman in audio.
Author Interview - Eliza Knight | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer: Computer for writing and editing my novels, and pen and paper for notes and research.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: Honoree Dalcour -- Wild Women and the Blues by Denny S. Bryce, if she'd have me! She was such a spunky woman with a personality that exploded from the page. I loved her determination, her drive, her wittiness.
Author Interview - Eliza Knight | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a: In my previous career I was a Behavioral Specialist, but I don't think I'd return to social work. A job I've always thought would be a lot of fun is a Book Curator, which is the job I gave Lucy in THE MAYFAIR BOOKSHOP. It was her responsibility to put together libraries for her clients, and I think it would be a lot of fun to do that. I enjoyed living vicariously through her.
Favorite decade in fashion history: The 1920s! I love a dapper man in suit, and the dresses with their frills and shine were so glamorous. Then again, I really do love yoga pants!
Place I’d most like to travel: I really love traveling so much! During the pandemic I wasn't able to travel while researching THE MAYFAIR BOOKSHOP, and one of the places I'd like to visit most is Chatsworth House in England.
My signature drink: I typically drink three things: water, coffee or wine! I think I'm well known for my wine glass choices!
Favorite artist: Degas -- I love how he depicted real people doing real things, and how much emotion he captured on the canvas.
Number one on my bucket list: To live by the beach so I can walk on the sand everyday and read by the waves.
Anything else you'd like to add: I am so excited for everyone to read THE MAYFAIR BOOKSHOP. It was an incredible journey writing the novel, that I will be forever grateful for having taken. While this book is a love letter to literature, an ode to our favorite bookshops, and a gritty exploration of family relationships and friendships, it also begs a very interesting question, one of which I ponder often and ask my friends and family – what is one thing you’re doing each day, or week, or month, that brings you joy?
Find more from the author:
Instagram -- @ElizaKnightFiction
Facebook -- @ElizaKnightFiction
Twitter -- @ElizaKnight
Author Bio: Eliza Knight is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author. Her love of history began as a young girl when she traipsed the halls of Versailles. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society and Novelists, Inc., and the creator of the popular historical blog, History Undressed. Knight lives in Maryland with her husband, three daughters, two dogs and a turtle.
