Best Review I've Ever Received...

"Intricately plotted and perfectly paced...With prose that moves from languid to sharp, Stage mimics infection through language, drawing us in, wringing us out. Each twist and turn is a feverish dance, drawing us deeper into Grace's nightmare. And the further we go, the less sure we are, until we reach an explosive end. And what a brilliant spike of horror that ending was."

"Stage writes difficult characters so well that even when I want to hate them, I can't help but like them. She cuts to their humanity, both the good and bad, and never apologizes for it...Mothered felt alive to me. This is the perfect kind of horror."

Okay, normally when I get a professional review I just add a pull quote and link to the book's page. But this Lit Reactor review for MOTHERED deserves its own post! I was first alerted to this review on Twitter, and as I opened the link I cautiously scanned the first paragraphs, trying to gauge the overall tone and enthusiasm of the review. And once I understand that it was going to be a positive review I read more carefully, with more interest. And when I got to the end of the piece I burst into tears. (Yes, truly.) This review made me feel seen and understood - and I'm incredibly grateful to Lit Reactor and Jena Brown! Whenever I'm having a bad day I'm going to go back and read the review in its entirety. :-) 

Zoje Stage at Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures

Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, before the event

In conversation with Gracie Doyle

MOTHERED had its official book launch on March 16, 2023 at the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall as part of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures Made Local series. This was a milestone event for me and I'm very grateful to Gracie Doyle, Ellie Schaffer, and the whole Thomas & Mercer team who made this possible. And I'm equally grateful to Stephanie Flom and the Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures crew - and our wonderful audience. And last but not least, thank you to White Whale Bookstore for being on hand to sell copies of my books. (If anyone is looking for signed copies of MOTHERED, reach out to White Whale.)

Given the size of the hall, I was a little concerned that no one would show up (ever the optimist, lol). But people showed up - in person and online - and I think it's fair to say that an enjoyable time was had by all!

You can watch the entire conversation here.  

With Stephanie Flom, signing books backstage
before the event

MOTHERED in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

This is a slightly unconventional way to share a book review, but the article is behind a paywall so I can't post a link. Fortunately, as I live here in Pittsburgh, I was able to go out and buy a copy of today's Sunday paper. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has done consistently professional reviews of my books, and I'm incredibly grateful for that. 

PUB DAY IS HERE!

It's officially Pub Day for MOTHERED and I'm excited to share some links that went live today!!

First up, my first ever interview with The Big Thrill (the magazine of the International Thriller Writers). I got to answer some legitimately interesting questions - which was, no pun intended, a big thrill for me.

I'm also quite proud of this essay I wrote exploring the usage and implications of the term "Unreliable Narrator." Check out Suspiciously Suspect: Who Is - and Isn't - An Unreliable Narrator?

And look at the March line-up for Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures!! 

EDITED TO ADD: My interview with Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle is now live (the print version goes on sale March 10, 2023). This was the first interview I ever did where I was encouraged to talk about personal things, so I feel like it's something of a milestone. Read the feature article here.

GOOD DAY PA

Here's something a little different: MOTHERED was featured on today's episode of Good Day PA! I love what Amy Impellizerri had to say about the book - and it looks like she's convinced one of the show's hosts to read it? 

You can watch the clip in its entirety (or fast forward to 3:22 to see MOTHERED's segment).

MOTHERED Launch Event

I am beyond thrilled to share that my first local event for MOTHERED will be at Carnegie Lecture Hall, as part of the "Made Local" program for Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures. I set a goal of appearing there someday while in the audience - a packed house! - for Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness. Now, I am not nearly as famous as Jonathan Van Ness so I'm sure it won't be standing-room-only, but I do hope that enough people show up so that it won't feel like a cavernous empty hall. 

As much as I'd love for you all to attend in person, you also have the option to attend virtually - and there are separate registration links for these options (and FREE either way). The event will be Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 6:00pm ET. White Whale Bookstore will be on hand to sell copies of my books - and of course I will be happy to sign them (or your previously purchased books). 

Click here to register to attend in person.

Click here to register to attend virtually.

Trade Reviews for MOTHERED

We are thrilled to have received so many positive trade reviews for MOTHERED! To read the reviews in their entirety, go to MOTHERED's press page, where you will find the corresponding links under Coverage Highlights. I've posted a couple of the expanded blurbs below:

"Each of Stage's books explore the dark side of family bonds, all in their own extraordinary way. This one lays bare the true horror inherent in fables and folklore, and what Pandora lets out of her box seems negligible compared to what Grace unleashes." - Booklist (Starred Review)

"Stage thrusts dread upon readers from her book's first sentences and continues to escalate the tension with every page. A great choice for fans of intense psychological horror where nothing can be trusted and no one can look away from the emerging nightmare." - Library Journal

MOTHERED is on a roll...

This week is off to a great start for MOTHERED!! The entire team is thrilled to have been interviewed for a feature article in Publishers Weekly, where we discussed the creation of MOTHERED in a piece titled Mother and Daughter Face Off in Zoje Stage's New Thriller. You can read the full article here. 

And we're very grateful for this new blurb from New York Times bestselling author, Heather Gudenkauf. Here is the blurb in its entirety:

"Zoje Stage expertly explores the blurred lines between memory and nightmare in this deliciously twisty and riveting page-turner. An eerily crafted chiller set against the claustrophobic isolation of the pandemic, Mothered is a must-read for psychological thriller fans. No one chronicles the complicated, sometimes perilous intensity of mother-daughter relationships like Stage. Absorbing, unsettling, and magnetic - don't miss this dark gem of a novel." - Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest 

Recent News...

I didn't mean to be such a slacker, but somehow I've neglected to post any recent updates...I guess I've been busy getting ready for Halloween?

Speaking of Halloween, I had the chance to contribute my thoughts to a KIDSBURGH article about the benefits of horror for young readers. You can read the article here. 

I'm also ecstatic to report that a dream of many years is finally coming true: MY UNDERSLUMBERBUMBLEBEAST - the children's story featured in BABY TEETH - is going to be a real book, published by Bad Hand Books. It will be illustrated by the incredibly talented. J.E. Larson. More info soon!

The PR machine is in full swing for MOTHERED (3.1.23). I can't reveal TOO much about that yet, but I'm excited to unleash this slightly batshit crazy novel on the world. Stay tuned! And in the meanwhile be sure to add it to your Goodreads To-Read list and/or Pre-Order it from Amazon or your favorite local bookstore!

And last but not least, I am now part of TWO anthologies, both published by small presses and both featuring the work of amazing fellow authors:

- I have a short story in THE HIDEOUS BOOK OF HIDDEN HORRORS 

- I have two poems in CHIRAL MAD 5

MOTHERED - Cover Reveal

 

Are you ready?? Here's the cover for MOTHERED - coming 2/14/23! Get ready for a deep dive into mother-daughter psychological horror...