Luna Westish
Author Interview - Luna Westish
Author of Meet Me at the Ruins
It's 2003, and Margo, an introspective college student, is reeling from a bad breakup. She's looking forward to a mellow semester abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland. She wonders if she's ready to have an adventure, or if she's using the trip to run away from her ex. Things get interesting quickly: the first night in her new flat, she meets her neighbor, Ren, a beautiful and mysterious engineering student. Navigating her new city, she's overwhelmed by the beautiful architecture, centuries of history, and handsome university students in pea coats. Struggling with the pace of her courses and unsure of how to nurture her friendships, Margo's brain works overtime to make sense of her environment. She hopes that Ren will grow to see her the way she sees him, but she's unwilling to quietly pine away in the meantime. Instead, she throws herself into the social - and sensual - opportunities that studying abroad offers. Margo creates a life out of fragments: cappuccinos with fluffy foam, long runs to clear her head, museums with friends, and spicy encounters. Despite the existential crisis looming over the life she's building, Margo is determined to find her place in the world.
Your next travel read or Book Club pick, this compelling, vulnerable, and searching story will resonate long after you've finished. Perfect for fans of Normal People, One Day, and Thunder in my Heart.
Author Interview - Luna Westish
Author I draw inspiration from:
I loved Emily Henry's Beach Read - the tension between the characters and how she explores their inner worlds really resonates with me. It wasn't a direct inspiration, but I loved how it made me think and question what I knew about the characters. I read it a long time ago, but I've always loved the way A Year in Provence talks about travel and how we sink into new surroundings. I love it when a book or movie makes the city feel like its own presence, a full character, in the story, because that's how I feel about cities!
Author Interview - Luna Westish | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
On a beach, in the shade of a palm tree, with a nice breeze. Ideally with a not-too-sweet limeade or iced coffee and an airconditioned room to go back to!
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
I'd love to get stuck with Emira from Such a Fun Age (by Kiley Reid), about 5 years after the book ends. I'd want to know what of that period stuck with her, and did she feel like it changed who she was? I think she wouldn't want to talk about it! But I'd be so curious to see how she moves on and where she ends up.
Author Interview - Luna Westish | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I applied for a grant to travel to Bosnia for 3 weeks, to research and write my debut novel about the time I spent there after college. I didn't get the grant, and the story is still buried in my subconscious. I've been an occasional writer since I was a kid - poetry, non-fiction, etc - but applying for that grant was the first time I felt like I needed to write a book.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Hardback - too heavy to tote around while I'm walking 10 miles a day while traveling! Paperback - the struggle whether to keep or pass on. Ebook - (covers face) I've never read an ebook, I really dislike the digital format. Audiobook - when narrators try to mimic accents. I know it's controversial! But I find it quite distracting.
The last book I read:
I'm right in the middle of listening to The Best Way to Bury Your Husband (by Alexia Casale). I like the multi-character POV, even though it's not normally my style. I like the worldbuilding around Covid lockdowns and how they move the story along, since we know how Covid was a worsening factor for folks in DV situations.
Author Interview - Luna Westish | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
I daydream about my characters and where they're headed. I plan out a general arc with a few specific plot points, in a draft email (so basic!) But then I let the characters draw themselves on the paper - and they often don't go where I would expect. I write best in the morning, at a coffee shop, with headphones on, playing songs I know well but don't adore (so I don't get distracted and sing!)
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Can I choose a real person? I love Phoebe Robinson's snarky and thoughtful writing - especially Everything's Trash, But It's OK, and I like to thing we'd be friends in real life. She's very nice on social media, she sent me a nice message when I tagged her about how much I loved the book!
Author Interview - Luna Westish | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
Kid business teacher! This is what I actually do in my "day job," which is one of the reasons I use a pen name. I'd like to publish a kid business book, but don't want Meet Me at the Ruins to come up if someone searches for my kids book. (Meet Me at the Ruins is quite spicy in parts!)
Favorite decade in fashion history:
The 1920s when designers were experimenting with clothing that could be worn multiple ways, like zip off sleeves or collars, or adjustable lengths.
Place I’d most like to travel:
Croatia. I loved my time in Bosnia but didn't get to visit Croatia, and it looks so beautiful! Plus I speak a smidge of Croatian and already know I love the food!
My signature drink:
Oat milk latte with homemade vanilla syrup.
Favorite artist:
Mark Rothko. I could (and do) stare at his paintings for hours!
Number one on my bucket list:
Writing a second novel. When I started the first few chapters, it somehow felt more significant than finishing my first.
Find more from the author:
@lunawestish on IG, FB, TT, Bluesky
About Luna Westish:
Author Interview - Luna Westish
Luna Westish is a wanderer, always looking up at buildings and searching for their next coffee. In another life, they write about sustainability, business, motherhood, and their ex-cult experiences. Their study abroad trip and later visits to Scotland are a constant source of fond memories and inspiration. Learn more at www.lunawestish.com.
