Author Interview with The Unprotected’s Kelly Sokol
I’d like to welcome author Kelly Sokol to the blog today. I’m talking with her about her novel, The Unprotected. I hope you enjoy the interview and please read to the bottom of the page for a book summary and links on where to buy!
Your novel focuses on post-partum depression, and you’ve spoken about the topic in fiction in the past. What led you to this particular subject?
Where did the title The Unprotected come from? Did you have other ideas first?
Have you gotten feedback from people who have experience post-partum depression? If so, what did they have to say?
Did you have any say as to the book’s cover? What are your thoughts?
Do you see yourself writing more fiction in the future? Will you stay in the women’s fiction genre?
Absolutely! I’m well into a draft of another novel and am enjoying the discovery of new characters and new secrets and new obsessions.
They say motherhood changes you.
As a driven advertising executive, Lara James has always put her career before any plans for a family, preferring professional chic to stay-at-home style. But after her father’s death, she realizes she’s ready. More than ready, in fact. Yet pregnancy—something other women seem to accomplish effortlessly, even accidentally—doesn’t come easily to Lara. What began as an adventure quickly becomes a nightmare as she and her husband endure endless IVF treatments, hormone therapy, and devastating miscarriages.
When Lara at last becomes pregnant and gives birth to a daughter, Auden, she believes their determination has paid off. But Auden cries day and night, ear-shattering screams that strip Lara of her nerves and energy. Her life as a sleep-deprived new mother is unrelenting, and, guiltily, Lara can’t help but mourn for what she once had. With her marriage crumbling, Lara is increasingly driven to alarming thoughts and destructive actions she would never have imagined possible before now. Hanging on by a thread, it’s only in her darkest moment that Lara will discover the true depths of her love and devotion—and what she’s willing to face for the family she’s so desperately sought.
At times disturbing, The Unprotected is a bold, unflinching novel for anyone who’s ever wanted children—and wondered what they might have to sacrifice along the way.
Buy Links:
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-unprotected-kelly-sokol/1124244103?ean=9781510718326
About the Author (Kelly Sokol):
Kelly Sokol is a Pushcart-Prize nominated author and MFA-Creative Writing graduate from Goddard College. She has been featured on NPR, discussing the portrayal of motherhood and postpartum depression in fiction. She teaches creative writing and serves on the Board of Directors at The Muse Writers Center.
When she is not reading, writing or parenting, Kelly dreams, in color, of the mountains. She can often be found skiing or wandering the backcountry. The mother of two plucky daughters, she resides in Virginia.
Website: http://www.kellysokolonthepage.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kelly_sokol
Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15515451.Kelly_Sokol
I’m going to check out this book. Just finished the one I was reading and I’ve been looking for a new one to start!
This sounds like a great read. I didn’t have PPD but I have generalized anxiety disorder that was definitely increased after the birth of my son. I think I’ll have to give this a read.
As a postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety survivor – I am very leery when it comes to books that are written on it by someone who has not experienced it or who is not an expert in the field. Fiction or not. An author can further perpetuate the stigma that surrounds this very serious illness.
You really don’t know what this illness is like unless you’ve lived it.
Such an important point of discussion isn’t it, especially to let other women know they’re not alone and that postpartum depression is quite common. Even a work of fiction can help break that stereotype, that depression is something we simply snap out of and in now way is it a reflection on a woman’s ability as a mother or caregiver. Brilliant review Lauren and absolutely loving the new look for the blog. If you need any help with anything, like logos etc, please give me a yell <3 <3
This sounds like such a comfort and help to women (and their partners and family and friends) who are experiencing or have experienced PPD. Great interview! It’s always interesting to hear how an author responds.
I would be interested in reading this. I remember before having my kids, I figured I would never get Postpartum, but after both I struggled just a bit, mostly due to sleep deprivation, but still. We need more attention on this, and women need to realize they aren’t weak because they struggle with it. It is a natural part of the process and some have it harder than others. Great topic and interview, Lauren.
What a fascinating interview!
Fantastic interview and I love that this topic is being explored and shared in fiction. More doctors and females need to be aware of the symptoms.
Nice interview! I have seen this book several places today. What a great topic to write a book about. We need to be talking about this subject a lot!
Very cool interview! I love reading about other author’s thought processes and how they come to writing in their work.
I’ve never struggled with postpartum depression but can definitely see how some women do. Motherhood is completely overwhelming and challenging and the newborn days are rough!
This looks like a really good read!
Postpartum depression is a topic that really does need more discussion, so I’m glad she wrote a book about a character with it! This sounds like an awesome read!
It’s always so interesting seeing how an author came to write a particular storyline or character.
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