With her debut novel, Emily has accomplished the rare feat of writing a book that is timely, incisive, and deeply affecting — all while being the kind of impossible-to-put-down read that audiences dream of finding.

The book, along with its author’s Substack, draws on Emily’s years of experience as a woman working in tech to offer cultural commentary that is both intellectually rigorous and emotionally honest. In one exchange, for example, we see one character confronting another, saying, “You’d think a woman that smart would know better.” The book’s main character, Edie, responds without hesitating: “Not at all,” she says. “Smart women look for challenges.”

She’s one of the few writers whose latest work I never miss. I’m thrilled we were able to connect over this interview.

Read the full interview at womenofletters.substack.com/p/emily-j-smith

—

Emily J. Smith is a writer based in Brooklyn. Her debut novel, NOTHING SERIOUS, is out now from William Morrow / HarperCollins. She has a BS in computer engineering from Cornell, an MBA from UC Berkeley. Her writing has appeared in The Rumpus, Catapult, Curbed, Slate, Hobart, The Washington Post, Vice, and elsewhere. She publishes regularly on Substack and runs the workshop From Corporate to Creative Writer.

——

Song: “Walk Through the Park,” by TrackTribe

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit womenofletters.substack.com