Juliet Izon
Author Interview - Juliet Izon
Author of The Encore
In 2003, at the prestigious Brookfield Conservatory in Boston, a chance encounter sparks an inimitable friendship between driven pianist and singer Anna Buckley and composer wunderkind Will Pendleton. As they strive toward careers as professional musicians, their bond deepens both from shared skill and the inexplicable sense that they’re kindred souls. But soon after graduation, one night forever alters the trajectory of their lives, destroying their relationship in the process.
Twenty years later in New York, sixteen-year-old piano virtuoso Lottie Thomas is grappling with the rigors of her elite prep school and the confounding disappearance of the woman who gave her up at birth. When Lottie suddenly discovers the startling truth of her identity, the revelation catalyzes a chain of events that not only reunites Lottie with her birth parents, but forces them together on a rock tour-bus for a careening cross-country journey. It is there, trapped in these tight confines, that the three must finally reconcile with irrevocable choices from the past.
Author Interview - Juliet Izon
Author I draw inspiration from:
Like most writers, I draw inspiration from a wide variety of authors—some have the sparkling dialogue, others the immaculate pacing. But there are very few whose stories captivate me so fully on all levels that I’ll reread them again and again. After all, any book I’m choosing to revisit means another that I’m not reading for the first time, right? And in the last few years, this honor has only gone to one author: Sally Rooney. I don’t need to sing her praises—if you’re reading this you’re probably familiar—but I will, anyway. I’ve never read anyone else who captures the very specific mix of pain and joy within a complicated relationship as she can. And her characters are alive in the best possible sense: they’re fallible and messy, but also charming, witty, and loveable. Intermezzo, her latest book, is one that I’m still recommending to friends on a weekly basis.
Author Interview - Juliet Izon | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
In my bed, under flannel sheets, and with my cat Biscuit purring while tucked in next to me.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
My first thought is Sylvia from Intermezzo but since I just waxed poetic about Rooney above, I’ll give you another. I would happily spend hours in an elevator with Lucrezia de’Medici from Maggie O’Farrell’s The Marriage Portrait. I would love to hear her firsthand account of what her life was like in Renaissance Italy, and talk to her about her art. And there are many other questions I’d love to ask, but won’t write them here so I don’t spoil this (excellent) book.
Author Interview - Juliet Izon | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
Unlike some of my author friends, I don’t have a specific past moment or memory that I can point to. Like many writers, I wrote a prolific amount of “books” as a kid, but my dream profession throughout high school and college was journalism—and that’s where I ended up soon after graduating. I always figured if I wrote a book, it would be nonfiction: ghostwriting someone’s cookbook or interior design memoir. But a few years ago, the characters of what is now The Encore started swirling in my head, and I wrote down a few scenes, just for fun. And letting my imagination run free in that way, instead of writing the researched and fact-checked articles that I was used to, was so exhilarating that I didn’t end up stopping until I had a whole manuscript. Whoops. So, in a weird way, I think the first time I knew I wanted to be an author was when I started writing my book.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
I love a new release, so I buy a lot of hardbacks (and I love how pretty they look on my shelves, too). But lately, I’ve been reading a lot of galleys, which has made me realize how much easier it is to both read from and carry around the much lighter paperback. I live in New York, so I’m always lugging a lot of stuff (and reading!) on the subway.
I have to say that I’m not a huge ebook person because I enjoy physically holding what I’m reading, but having access to books on my iPad is handy when I’m on a long trip and don’t want to bring a ton of physical copies with me.
I enjoy listening to memoirs as read by the author on audiobook, but otherwise, I don’t utilize them much. I find my mind wanders if I’m listening to fiction.
The last book I read:
The last book I read that’s already been published (like I said, I’ve been reading a lot of friends’ galleys!) was Heart the Lover by Lily King. It had been on my radar as any new book of hers is generally hotly anticipated, but then two of my good friends whose reading taste I trust immensely both said it was one of their favorites of the year. I went out and bought it that day, basically. And they were right! Similar to my girl Sally Rooney, Lily King is also a master of sculpting heartbreaking, messy, and beautiful relationships. I tore through it nearly without stopping.
Author Interview - Juliet Izon | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
Unfortunately I’m so out of practice with pen and paper that my hand gets tired after I write more than a thank you note. But even if I did have better stamina, longhand is not for me: I enjoy being able to edit and move chunks of texts around so easily with a computer. And, for the record, I draft in Google Docs. A few friends have begged me to switch to Scrivener, but I find I end up writing bits on the subway fairly frequently, and it’s easier to sync to your computer using Docs than any other program.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
This is such a fun question. I recently read my first Emily Henry book and I loved the main character of The People We Meet on Vacation. Poppy Wright, like me, is a travel writer, and is also high-energy, curious, and extroverted. I think we’d have a great time exploring a place like Paris or Tokyo together, and she wouldn’t care if my list of restaurants was like a hundred places long.
Author Interview - Juliet Izon | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
Honestly, after researching the music industry for my novel, I’d want to be an indie rock singer. There are definite downsides—weeks or months on end of tour, trying to survive as a creative in a capitalist society—but to get to perform in front of thousands of people who love your work? How cool would that be?
Favorite decade in fashion history:
Oooh, I’d say late ‘40s. I love Dior’s New Look with the nipped-in waists and full skirts. I’m a sucker for that very feminine, flouncy silhouette.
Place I’d most like to travel:
As a travel writer, I’m lucky to be bopping around to various corners of the globe on a near-monthly basis. In fact, as I write this, I’m in Puglia, a part of Italy I’ve been dreaming of coming to for probably a decade. But I have yet to visit any part of India, so that’s probably the country I most want to see. Apart from salivating over all of the regional cuisines, I’m also equally fascinated by the various styles of Indian architecture and music. It’s hard to think of a place that would delight all my senses in the same way that I think India will.
My signature drink:
I’m not a huge drinker, but when I do grab a cocktail, I love anything sparkling, fruity, and just a little bit spicy. My favorite non-alcoholic drink is definitely a cookies and cream milkshake, ideally the one from Creamline in Chelsea Market.
Favorite artist:
I have been a lifelong fan of Tori Amos; no one’s music has ever had the same effect on my soul as hers does. And if you, too, are a fan, there are plenty of Easter eggs in my book for other Ears With Feet, as her fans are known.
Number one on my bucket list:
I’m in the early stages of planning a trip to Kyoto for March, just after my book publishes. I figure not only will it be a wonderful vacation to look forward to after the craziness of the launch, but I am so excited to eat my way through that city. I’ll take any recommendations if anyone has one!
Anything else you'd like to add:
In addition to my work as a journalist and author, I’m also an aspiring playwright. My first play, a one-act called Tracking, was chosen for a staged reading festival in LA last summer; that was one of the coolest professional experiences I’ve ever had. I’m hoping to eventually see it produced somewhere.
Find more from the author:
Instagram: @julietizon
About Juliet Izon:
Juliet Izon
Juliet Izon is a journalist and author who has written for publications including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Condé Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, and Architectural Digest. She lives with her husband, daughter, and two Ragdoll cats, splitting her time between New York City and the Hudson Valley. When she's not writing, you can usually find her at a show: Broadway, ballet, art, or (naturally) a concert. The Encore is her debut novel.
