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Zoje Stage

Goodreads Author

Website

https://zojestage.blogspot.com/

Twitter

zooshka

Genre

Suspense, Thriller, Horror

Member Since

September 2017

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Zoje Stage is a USA Today and internationally bestselling author of psychological thrillers (Baby Teeth, Dear Hanna, Getaway), psychological horror (Wonderland, Mothered), and offbeat books of dark whimsy (My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast, The Girl Who Outgrew the World). She's been a "Book of the Week" author in People magazine, and a Bram Stoker award nominee. Her books have been named "best of the year" by Forbes Magazine, Library Journal, PopSugar, Barnes & Noble, Book Riot, BookPage, Bloody Disgusting, and more. She lives in Pittsburgh with her cats.

(She is also the author of #AUTHORLIFE, written under the penname Joe Zagets.) ...more

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Popular Answered Questions

Baby Teeth was just so good! I wonder where the inspiration/idea for this book came from?

Zoje Stage Thank you so much, Renee! Maybe not surprisingly, it's a bit of a long story. I'll give you the highlights...

Several years ago, while I was still purs…moreThank you so much, Renee! Maybe not surprisingly, it's a bit of a long story. I'll give you the highlights...

Several years ago, while I was still pursuing a career as a filmmaker, I wrote a script that I wanted to direct called "Hands and Knees." It involved a family similar to BABY TEETH's, but the theme was quite different: it was about a woman who was becoming overwhelmed by what she perceived to be the horrors of domesticity. As an intended film, it was geared more toward mood (cool, detached) and a cinematic look.

I had the opportunity to take the script to Independent Film Week in 2012, where I discussed the project with nearly 20 producers. After people read the script I noticed a recurring bit of feedback: people wanted less implied horror and more actual creepy bits, and to know more about what was going on with the little girl. ("Hanna's" character in the script wasn't nearly as developed, nor was the plot involving her battles with her mother.)

I decided later that same year that I wanted to try learning to write novels, and I spent the next few years engaged in that process (I wrote five books before BABY TEETH). The concept of "Hands and Knees" stuck with me, and when I finally felt able to bring my novel-writing skills to the project, I started fleshing out the characters, mindful of the feedback I'd gotten from producers years before.

BABY TEETH as a novel took on a life of its own - wildly different from the screenplay - when I made two key decisions: 1) to give Suzette Crohn's Disease (to increase her vulnerability and give her a weakness that her daughter uses against her); 2) to write the novel in dual POV, making Suzette and Hanna each the protagonist of their own story, and each other's antagonist. With these two developments, the characters and story took on a life of their own, and it became my job to "listen" to what they were trying to tell me. (less)

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I really enjoyed your novel, Baby Teeth. Absolutely gripping psychological thriller. I am curious if you think you will write a sequel to it some day? I feel like the way it ended left it open as an option, which would be amazing.

Zoje Stage Thank you, Selena! Part of what I wanted to do with the ending is leave readers imagining for themselves what might happen next, or in the next couple…moreThank you, Selena! Part of what I wanted to do with the ending is leave readers imagining for themselves what might happen next, or in the next couple of years. One concern for writing a sequel is it would probably make the "resolution" too definitive - at least for me, and possibly for some readers as well. But many have asked about a sequel, and I certainly appreciate that people want to spend even more time with these characters and see what happens to them! (less)

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Zoje Stage’s books

Average rating: 3.53 · 121,344 ratings · 18,489 reviews · 21 distinct works • Similar authors

	Baby Teeth 3.59 avg rating — 91,227 ratings — published 2018 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mothered 3.29 avg rating — 12,373 ratings — published 2023 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Dear Hanna 3.59 avg rating — 7,106 ratings — published 2024 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Wonderland 3.10 avg rating — 5,705 ratings — published 2020 — 13 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Getaway 3.55 avg rating — 3,392 ratings — published 2021 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Something of a Calling 3.58 avg rating — 499 ratings — published 2026 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Baby Teeth: The First Ten Chapters 3.85 avg rating — 273 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Girl Who Outgrew the World 3.67 avg rating — 269 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast by Zoje Stage (Goodreads Author), J E Larson (illustrator) 4.54 avg rating — 65 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Something of a Calling 3.50 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Series by Zoje Stage

Hanna (2 books)
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Zoje Stage (Goodreads Author)

3.59 avg rating — 98,328 ratings

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Zoje’s Recent Updates

Zoje Stage and 1 other person liked Rourie Pollard's review of Something of a Calling: "This book changed me as a person. It convinced me murder was ok in under 20 pages and made me incredibly emotional after staying up late because I couldn't put it down. I will elaborate no further than telling you to please read this book right now."
Oct 23, 2026 08:25AM · see review
Zoje Stage and 2 other people liked Ed's review of Something of a Calling: "What an incredible, thriller, horror, suspense novel by the brilliant author, Zoje Stage. Read this book, and all of her previous. They are all🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 masterpieces."
Oct 23, 2026 08:25AM · see review
Zoje Stage liked Christine HorrorReaderWeekend's review of Something of a Calling: "Absolutely beautifully narrated by Jenn Lee, Stage’s book is a short yet impactful, quietly violent, eco-horror/specfic novel about grief, community, purpose, and man’s careless impact on EVERYTHING. Andy, a detective, is weeks away from retirement. " Read more of this review »
Oct 22, 2026 05:01PM · see review
Zoje Stage liked Bookish Trina's review of Something of a Calling: "Something of a Calling by Zoje Stage absolutely blew me away! The unique premise and incredible writing hooked me, while the wonderful character development made the story even more compelling. The idea of this evolving new world was both fascinating" Read more of this review »
Oct 22, 2026 05:01PM · see review
Zoje Stage answered S's question: Not a question - just finding out about next year's release today. I'll hang in there an ENTIRE year. On pins and needles for 'Something of a Calling!" Any recommendations? :) Just a note of support. Thank you! SOMETHING OF A CALLING will be available Sept. 15, 2026 -- so just under four months from now! (I have another book coming out in 2027, a kink novel/murder mystery called GOOD GIRL.)
May 21, 2026 11:15AM · 4 likes · like
Zoje Stage entered a giveaway The Sixth Nik by Daniel Kraus (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 10, 2026 07:52AM · like · see giveaway · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Sixth Nik by Daniel Kraus. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Sixth Nik by Daniel Kraus <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Zoje Stage rated a book it was amazing Silent Nightmares: Haunting Stories to Be Told on the Longest Night of the Year by Chuck Palahniuk (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I know I'm biased (I have a story in this book), but I really enjoyed this. It inspired me to want to write more short stories. ...more
May 08, 2026 10:49AM · 8 likes · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Silent Nightmares by Chuck Palahniuk. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Silent Nightmares by Chuck Palahniuk <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Zoje Stage rated a book it was amazing Something of a Calling by Zoje Stage (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Since moving into my house in 2020, I have fallen in love with my animal neighbors and I frequently see squirrels, deer, groundhogs, cardinals, blue jays, chipmunks, raccoons... I've discovered that they all love black oil sunflower seeds, and I feel ...more
Mar 20, 2026 11:15AM · 50 likes · like · see review
Zoje Stage wants to read Trad Wife by Sarah Langan (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 07, 2026 01:24PM · 3 likes · like
Zoje Stage wants to read Silent Nightmares: Haunting Stories to Be Told on the Longest Night of the Year by Chuck Palahniuk (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 07, 2026 08:33AM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Silent Nightmares by Chuck Palahniuk. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Silent Nightmares by Chuck Palahniuk <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

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Quotes by Zoje Stage (?)

“It was hard to pour endless love into someone who wouldn't love you back. No one could do it forever”
― Zoje Stage, Baby Teeth

tags: love, unrequited-love

34 likes

“She resented her body's betrayal. She still couldn't express how insecure it made her, how she lived on a precipice. The most basic parts of her could fail, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.”
― Zoje Stage, Baby Teeth

tags: chronic-illness, illness

9 likes

“Sometimes she struggled with resentment watching her family eat a meal that she prepared. People took eating and shitting for granted, like the continuous beating of their hearts, the inevitable protection of their skin. They didn't think about their intestines doing everything wrong, fucking up the basic process of digestion.”
― Zoje Stage, Baby Teeth

tags: crohns-disease, health

7 likes

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Zoje Stage’s Followers (2,899)

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Zoje Stage

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