In our new series, Debut Discussions, we're asking debut authors to tell us their story -- not only the story in the novel they wrote -- but the journey they took to hold that book in their hands. On today's episode we welcome Amanda Churchill to discuss her debut, The Turtle House, a story of intergenerational friendship, family, coming of age, identity, and love. Told in dual timelines, The Turtle House moves between late 1990s small-town Texas to pre-World War II Japan and occupied Tokyo, and tells an emotional story about a grandmother and granddaughter who connect over a beloved lost place and the secrets they both carry.

We chat with Amanda about her early love of reading, her journey as a writer and the very personal inspiration behind her novel. Amanda talks about the process of writing The Turtle House, the significance of the dual timeline structure, and the role of the Turtle House as a unifying aspect of the story. We learn about Amanda’s path to publication, including the role of writing programs, getting an agent, and going out on submission while on a family vacation! Finally, we learn her astrological sign and Enneagram number and let’s just say one of us squealed.

Listen now to @amandagchurchill’s story wherever you get your podcasts. The Turtle House is out now -- buy it, read it, and share it (in other words, make a debut author’s dreams come true!)

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