Q&A With Amanda Eisenberg

Amanda Eisenberg is the author of her debut novel People Are Talking. I’m very delighted to be doing this Q&A with Amanda! On top of being an author Amanda is also a journalist whose work has been featured in Politico, InStyle, and the Washington Post among many other media outlets!

Q: Amanda would you please give a brief description of People Are Talking & talk about where the idea for the novel came from?

A: People Are Talking is a dual narrative, dual timeline story that centers on Mal and Dani, two best friends who join a secret vigilante society in college. Their personal politics get muddled when a boy in their friend group, Andrew Rosen, is accused of sexual misconduct. A decade later, the friend group reunites in Austin, Texas, for a wedding, and the friends are forced to confront their demons. People Are Talking is similar in tone and themes to Veronica Mars, one of my favorite TV shows. I was inspired to write this novel because I wanted to work out how a sexual assault allegation shapes a friend group. There’s so much great literature focused on survivors and perpetrators, but I wanted to explore the sociological impacts on friend groups and how women — both of whom identify as feminists — may have different perspectives on the aftermath of such a crime.

Q: How long did it take you to write People Are Talking & what do you hope readers takeaway whether they are lessons to be learned about life, relating to characters and emotions to be felt once they finish reading the book?

A: It took me about 3 years to write the book People Are Talking. I’m so proud of it and am excited for people to engage with Mal and Dani’s story. I hope the book makes readers think about their own experiences in the murky sexual waters and engage in critical thinking around how society, should handle sexual misconduct and assault. I also hope they have fun! People Are Talking deals with serious issues but has a lightness that will hopefully make it a fun and easy read. I’ve also heard from readers that the ending shocked them, so that’s something to look forward to!

Q: Are you currently writing another book? If so, can you reveal if it is a sequel to People Are Talking or if it is a standalone novel with different characters?

A: Great question! I’ve had some requests for a sequel, but right now I’m working on a romance set in Montauk. I grew up spending my summers out east, and I’m excited to write about a place I cherish, even if it’s changed dramatically over the last decade. 

Q: Is it fair to say being a journalist helped with writing People Are Talking? How do you juggle doing journalism and writing books?

A: I like to think I imbue a journalist’s eye when it comes to the details that make characters feel real, like they could have been someone you went to school with or perhaps used to be a close friend. The practice of writing every day gave me confidence that I could write a novel in the first place. I felt strongly that I had a story and if I could finish it, I could get it across the finish line. The first drafts are the hardest for me because you must come up with everything from scratch; with journalism, there’s an interview that serves as the basis of your story. But once I have a first draft, even if it isn’t so great, I’m confident in my ability to shape it into a version that’s ready for beta readers and an editor. In terms of juggling work, it’s really about time management. I wrote many entries of People Are Talking on apps (Notes, Gmail, Google Docs) during my work commute or on my way to meeting friends. All those moments of putting pen to paper eventually add up to a 300-page book.

Q: How did it feel when Publishers Weekly gave this amazing review of People Are Talking? “Eisenberg holds the reader’s attention with nuanced character work and tense depictions of the friends’ reunion while keeping the reader guessing until the final act. It’s a notable addition to the dark academia shelf.” Also congratulations are in order! 

A: I was out with my colleagues at an oyster bar in D.C. when my publisher sent the review over. I think I drained my martini in disbelief. As a debut novelist, you’re happy when one person reads your work. To get that kind of recognition from Publishers Weekly was beyond my wildest dreams.

Thanks for taking the time to chat with me about People Are Talking! I appreciate the support.