In this episode, Gare and I talk with V.A. Vazquez about her dark, twisty thriller The Death Row Club!

Listen to hear all about:

• The deeply personal experience that inspired The Death Row Club. V.A. Vazquez shares how discovering that a beloved high school teacher was secretly a predator sparked the question: What would it be like to be the child of someone capable of horrific crimes?
• Why writing this novel became an exploration of shame, identity, and inherited judgment. V.A. Vazquez discusses how growing up with two moms in a conservative Catholic school influenced the emotional core of the novel and the idea of being judged for your family rather than your own actions.
• The surprising publishing journey that intertwined with Ashley Winstead. Vazquez talks about moving to Scotland, writing her first novels while waiting for work authorization, landing in Pitch Wars, and how Ashley Winstead encouraged her to dream much bigger than she ever imagined.
• How real memoirs from the families of serial killers shaped the book. Instead of consuming true crime entertainment, Vazquez researched memoirs by children and spouses of serial killers to authentically portray grief, loyalty, denial, and trauma.
• Behind the scenes of building a thriller with an unforgettable cast. Everything from creating detailed outlines and character boards to debating book adaptations and dream casting.

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Gare Billings @gareindeedreads

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Erin Ashley @bellametaphor