Julia DeVillers on 'Meet Me at Wonderland,' Cancer Survival, and Writing Authentic Voices

The Genesis of 'Meet Me at Wonderland'

• 🎡 The middle-grade rom-com 'Meet Me at Wonderland' was inspired by the author's real-life summer job as Morty the Moose at Chuck E. Cheese.
• 💔 The book's central meet-cute, where the protagonist's mascot head falls off, is based on a personal experience that led to a relationship.
• 🎢 The story is set at a family-owned amusement park called Wonderland, featuring creepy animatronics and a rivals-to-lovers romance.

A Life-Threatening Cancer Diagnosis and Unexpected Inspiration

• 🏥 In August 2022, Julia DeVillers was diagnosed with anal cancer and given a 48-hour prognosis, leading to a five-week ICU stay.
• 💡 The idea for 'Meet Me at Wonderland' emerged during her hospitalization, sparked by a moment where she jokingly identified herself as Chuck E. Cheese.
• 💪 The author's recovery and subsequent writing of a personal essay for Newsweek marked her return to writing and emotional processing.

Crafting Authentic Voices and Relationships

• 🗣️ DeVillers emphasizes the importance of capturing authentic tween and teen voices, drawing on her own experiences and a teen focus group.
• 👫 The novel explores themes of family, friendship, and healthy romantic relationships, aiming to provide an aspirational model for readers.
• ⚽ Dual point-of-view writing, including a male perspective, was a key element in developing the characters of Cocoa and Henry.

A Career in Writing and 'On Being Jewish Now'

• 📚 DeVillers' writing career began with a non-fiction advice book, followed by a Disney Channel movie adaptation of her first novel.
• 🇺🇸 She and her identical twin sister co-authored books for the American Girl '90s historical line, sparking viral discussions about nostalgia.
• 🙏 DeVillers contributed to the 'On Being Jewish Now' anthology, finding it a meaningful way to connect with her heritage and combat antisemitism.

A Sweet Romance and Bonus Recipe

• 💖 'Meet Me at Wonderland' culminates in a sweet romance, with the possibility of a first kiss, resonating with adult readers through nostalgia.
• 🍫 The book includes a special bonus: a chocolate mousse recipe contributed by author Ally Rosen, whom DeVillers met at a Zibby event.