While the rest of us vacationed (or binge-watched Netflix) over the summer, three alums were busy working on an exciting project – and that project is Literary Starbucks, now in book format!
Almost exactly two years ago, the Miscellany spoke to Jill Poskanzer (’15), Wilson Josephson (’16), and Nora Katz (’16) about their hilarious blog of the same name, which chronicled various authors’ and characters’ attempts at purchasing a beverage from the popular coffeehouse. In August, they published a collection of these blog posts, now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold. We had a chat with the three newly-made authors to celebrate their success:
First of all: Woo hoo! You did it! How does it feel being published authors?
Wilson: It’s unsettling! I manage to forget, most days, but then it sneaks up on me…I catch myself wondering if this is really behavior befitting a published author. The answer is almost always “no.”
Nora: It’s completely surreal. Nothing compares to the feeling of walking into a bookstore and seeing something you and your friends dreamed up in a Google Doc sitting on the humor section shelf next to Amy Poehler.
What has the transition from popular, but primarily informal, blog to newly released book been like? Did you have such grand visions when you started the blog?
Jill: The transition has been pretty smooth, actually. Over the past year we’ve been winding down production on the blog to a less strenuous posting schedule, so our focus has been primarily on the book– promoting it and providing as much information about it as possible. So far it seems like reviews are positive, which is really great to see. As for grand visions of works of future publication, when I started the blog, I hoped it would reach any and all bibliophiles, but I never imagined that the idea I had in an English class would manifest itself into a published work. It’s been a fascinating and humbling experience!
What is your process for writing one of these pithy anecdotes?
Wilson: Usually one of us takes the lead, inspired by a book we’re reading or an author we’re reminded of. Everyone is free to edit and comment, or, in the case of the book, to loop in other characters or authors that they think could potentially catalyze some real mayhem.
There’s probably less caffeine involved than you’d expect.
What is your own Literary Starbucks entry, now that you all are authors?
Wilson: You’ll have to get your hands on the book to find out!
Jill: Our bios in the back of the book are our own Literary Starbucks posts.
Tell us a bit about where you are now, and what you’re doing with your life beyond Carleton.
Nora: I’m living in Dublin, Ireland, studying for my Master’s of Philosophy in Public History and Cultural Heritage at Trinity College Dublin.
Wilson: I’m flitting around Minnesota–trying to figure out exactly where I want to settle in–and coaching for a local swim team. I still have my Northfield Public Library card, so I’m sure you’ll be able to find me haunting Division St every now and then!
Jill: I’m working as a writers’ production assistant in Los Angeles, which is the first step to eventually becoming a television writer. In the meantime, I’m writing a lot of scripts. But I am coming back to Carleton in October for the Sesquicentennial Alumni Author Talk/Book Signing. Hope to see you all there!
For those of you who are on the fence about purchasing the book and would like to see some of their witty examples first, the Literary Starbucks blog is still up and going strong.