Q&A with Myla Goldberg discussion

I'll be discussing my new novel starting October 18th. In the early days of our discussion, let's try to talk about the book in a way that won't give away anything to folks who might not be quite finished yet! As we progress, if you have a question or a comment that does reveal some of the book's surprises, just preface your comment with a spoiler alert. I'm looking forward to our discussion!

Congratulations on writing it! What sort of response have you gotten so far? I read your interview on the Diane Rehm show to get a sense of what it's about. At this point, have you collected more stories on bullying than you can even count?

Jamie wrote: "Congratulations on writing it! What sort of response have you gotten so far? I read your interview on the Diane Rehm show to get a sense of what it's about. At this point, have you collected more s..."

Thanks, Jaime! I have collected quite a few bullying stories, from both sides of the equation. People seem to be relating very strongly to the subject and the way the book covers it, which is gratifying, but they're also catching on to the many other themes and ideas the book engages with, which is even more gratifying, since some of those are less obvious and sometimes require some pretty careful reading.

Hi again Myla,
How timely is the debut of your novel?! I have actually been interested in the increase of "bullying" and decrease of empathy in our society for awhile now. I think it is a hard topic for me to stomach. I read Dr. Drew Pinsky's book "The Mirror Effect: How Celebrity Narcissism Is Seducing America" and although I was first turned off by it, it has some fascinating information about "bullying" through history and where it lays now. Do you see our society as more narcissistic and therefore more prone to maltreatment of one another? What do you think a solution to this problem could be? If you answer I promise I'll read the book! :)

Kristenyque wrote: "Hi again Myla,
How timely is the debut of your novel?! I have actually been interested in the increase of "bullying" and decrease of empathy in our society for awhile now. I think it is a hard t..."

Hi Kristenyque - I've honestly never thought about the possible linkage between less empathy and more bullying, and to be honest, I'm not sure there is more bullying, just more highly-publicized bullying, and bullying that can be broadcast farther than ever and to greater effect through modern technology. Bullying feels, to me, like one of those things that has been around for as long as people have, and always will be. I don't think there's any solution, just ways to mediate and lessen bullying's effects. Open lines of communication with children is a great first step, as well as an abundance of honesty, sensitivity, and awareness, as well as setting a good example through our own adult behavior.