Author Rebecca Stead on Her New Novel "The Experiment" and Literary Career

Collaboration Between Author and Agent

• 🤝 Rebecca Stead and her agent, Fay Bender, have a 20-year literary partnership, beginning when Stead was writing her debut book and Bender was starting her agency.
• 💡 Stead credits a critique group member for introducing her to Fay, calling it an "incredible stroke of luck" that launched her career.
• 🌟 Bender immediately recognized Stead's "extraordinary talent" upon meeting her.

"When You Reach Me" Success

• 🏆 Stead's second novel, "When You Reach Me," was a breakout success, becoming her first New York Times bestseller and winning the Newberry Award medal.
• 📚 The book has a unique quality that compels readers, both children and adults, to reread it immediately after finishing.

The Novel "The Experiment"

• 👽 Stead's new book, "The Experiment," features an 11-year-old alien named Nathan who is part of a scientific experiment on Earth.
• ⚠️ The story takes a turn when Nathan, whose job is to appear human, begins to grow a tail, leading to unexpected discoveries and a call back to the mothership.
• 🌌 Bender describes the novel as a coming-of-age story with aliens that explores "how we figure out who we are in the world and how we want to be in the world or galaxy."

Advice for Aspiring Writers

• 📚 Read widely outside your chosen genre and create a literary community, whether online or in person.
• 🛍️ Spend time in independent bookstores and libraries, observe what's popular, and talk to booksellers.
• ❤️ Remember the feeling of being a reader, engrossed in a book, and write to that feeling.
• 🗣️ Be brave, step out of your comfort zone, attend conferences, and connect with other writers who can serve as an anchor.