I was back at Politics and Prose Monday to see Ashley Woodfolk talking with Tiffany Jackson about Woodfolk's The Beauty That Remains. Woodfolk had a number of family members in the audience which I always find fun. Jackson asked her to detail her whole journey to getting published so they could all appreciate the work and time that had gone into it. Jackson said she had had a debut event with a lot her friends and family where she did that, so that people would understand and hopefully not do that, "I've always wanted to write a book" thing, like it's something you could knock out some long weekend.
Woodfolk's book is about grief, three teens who all just lost someone close to them and the different ways they handle that. Jackson said Shay was her favorite. Woodfolk said each was an interesting character to write. Shay is trying to make everyone else see that it's all okay, Autumn is confused and guilty, and Logan is mad and destructive. So each was a different aspect and outlet to write.
Her brother asked about the title change. The book was originally titled Unraveling Lovely after the band that connects the three characters. But her editor was concerned that the title sounded a little too romancey, and while there is some smooching, it's not the focus of the book. However Woodfolk really didn't like the alternate titles suggested so had done a lot of work coming up with an alternate title, which was what they went with.
It was a great night, and apparently Woodfolk's mom was the one who helped set it up, so thanks.
