The Writer's Shelf with Georgia Clark

Introducing the "most wonderful" new series 🎄✨

Photo credit: Phoebe Weekes

As readers, we often get swept away by captivating stories, complex characters, and vivid worlds. But what about the minds behind the magic? Welcome to The Writer’s Shelf, a new series where I chat with my favorite authors about their creative process, the moments that shaped their work, and, of course, the books they recommend reading.

We’re kicking things off with a festive conversation with Georgia Clark, author of the forthcoming Most Wonderful (out on 10/15!)—a book you should pre-order as soon as you finish reading this!

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Georgia, tell us about yourself! What would we find on the back flap of a dust jacket?
Hi! I’m Georgia, writer at large! I’m the author of Island Time, It Had To Be You, and a bunch of others. My next novel, Most Wonderful, will be released on October 15, 2024, by The Dial Press/Penguin Random House. I’m the founder and host of the popular storytelling night Generation Women, which performs monthly at New York’s iconic Joe’s Pub. I also teach the Romance Workshop, mentor a Writers Group (that Alexis was in!), host Writers’ Retreats, and create the monthly author newsletter, Heartbeat. I’m an Aussie, and I now live in Brooklyn with my amazing wife and our sweet toddler.

Describe your latest book in three words.
GAY. CHRISTMAS. ROMCOM. 

What was the 'aha!' moment or tiny seed that planted this story idea in your mind?
I heard about Happiest Season and was like, I WANT TO DO THAT. So, jealousy, I guess?! I just wanted to make Christmas supes gay!

What makes the holiday season the perfect backdrop for falling in love?
It’s both cozy and chaotic, merry and full of mayhem. It exists outside the ordinary world, is full of quirky traditions, and is centered around pleasure and connection. Also, there’s a lot of drinking. 

What’s your favorite holiday tradition that made its way into the book?
When I was growing up in Sydney, Australia, Christmas was a hot, low-key affair. It’s high summer in December Down Under, so Christmas lunch was often grilled prawns and a big salad served with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. My mum, a diehard environmentalist, refused to buy (i.e., kill) a tree, instead draping a ratty piece of tinsel around a potted palm to my teen mortification. After moving to America in 2009, I grew to love a very different sort of Christmas. A holiday filled with the festive decadence of hot cocoa in front of a crackling fire and fir trees tall enough to tickle the ceiling and drifting snow dusting everything white. And then, after I met my wife, a kiss under the mistletoe. It’s those sorts of traditions that are in this story. If I had to pick one specifically, who doesn’t love a balls-to-the-wall holiday bash? 

If your latest book had a theme song, what would it be?
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, DUH! Shout out also to All I Want For Christmas is You.

You’re doing a “12 Days of Pubmas” series on your Instagram. What’s the most exciting part of pub weeks for you?
Hearing from readers who connected with the story.

What's your ideal writing setup?
Somewhere dead quiet, with coffee, no distractions, phone off. Maybe it’s snowing outside; maybe there’s a crackling fire?

What’s the coolest or weirdest thing you've ever researched for a book?
I’ve spoken with a volcanologist to design a volcano eruption, traveled to LA to read original shooting scripts for silent movies, and assisted at a wedding to get a behind-the-scenes look at life as a wedding planner.

What’s your favorite way to celebrate finishing a draft?
I really enjoyed doing this Completion Ceremony! Otherwise, my wife and I might go for dinner—we’ve done Lilia for a few books. I get the malfadini and a big glass of wine.

In addition to penning your own novels, you teach romance writing and mentor up-and-coming writers. What’s one piece of advice you give that you wish you would’ve received when starting out?
The greatest reward and pleasure, for me, is in the act of creation, not what anyone else thinks about it.  

How can readers best support writers?
Buy books full-priced from independent bookstores and tell friends/family about books you liked (or gift them!)

• Your shelves—organized by color, genre, or author? Lol: none of the above! They’re a disaster… I’m a mum! No time anymore!

• A book on your shelf that means the most to you: I can’t say my own books, right?! Anything written by someone I know and love/admire means a lot. 

• A book you believe everyone should have on their shelf: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (a must for all creatives) 

• A book on your shelf you wish you could read for the first time again: Sweetbitter by Steph Danler, Red White & Royal Blue by CMQ, Seven Days in June by Tia Williams.

• A book on your shelf that you’d be excited to see adapted into a movie: Book Lovers by EmHen and Glamorama by Bret Easton Ellis. It’s a monster and was an impactful read for me as a teenager. 

• Quirky or unusual items on your shelf alongside your books: Thank you cards, novelty salt and pepper shakers, candlestick holders, ceramic figurines… One day, I’ll get it all organized! One day! 

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Where to find and support Georgia’s work:

• Check out Georgia’s website: www.georgiaclark.com 

• Subscribe to their author newsletter:

  Heartbeat by Georgia Clark

• Follow Georgia on Instagram: @georgialouclark

And another plug from me to pre-order Most Wonderful! 🎄✨