Morgan Pager on Her Debut Novel 'The Art of Vanishing' and Building a Bookish Career

From Bookstagram to Debut Novel

• 💡 Morgan Pager, creator of @NYCBookgirl, shares her journey from working in Broadway to becoming a publishing professional and debut author.
• 🚀 She started @NYCBookgirl in 2017 as a creative outlet, initially aiming for 10,000 followers, but it unexpectedly grew into a significant part of her life and career.
• 📚 Pager emphasizes that her career, hobby, and passion all revolve around books, a sentiment echoed by host Zibby Owens.

The Genesis of 'The Art of Vanishing'

• 🧠 The idea for her novel, 'The Art of Vanishing,' began to form during the pandemic lockdown within a virtual writing group.
• 🔑 A key factor in pursuing this idea was the ability to envision the story from beginning to end, setting it apart from other projects.
• 🎨 The novel's premise was inspired by childhood summers spent studying art with her grandmother, who taught her to view art as storytelling.

'The Art of Vanishing' Premise and Themes

• 🖼️ The story centers on Claire, a new museum employee who discovers she can step into paintings, leading to a love affair with a subject named Jean Matisse.
• ✨ Within the museum at night, the subjects of paintings come alive, forming relationships and living vibrant lives, which Claire and Jean explore together.
• 🎭 Themes of visibility, growing up, art, and self-doubt are explored, reflecting real-life pressures and the feeling of life passing by.

Writing Process and Inspiration

• 🎨 Summers spent studying art history with her grandmother, who encouraged viewing art as stories of real people, deeply influenced Pager.
• 🕵️ Inspiration also struck while pondering the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist, leading to the idea that the people in other paintings might know what happened.
• 💖 The book delves into themes of desire and romance, drawing on the intense feelings of young relationships, while also acknowledging the pervasive self-doubt many creatives experience.

Navigating Career and Creativity

• ⚖️ Pager discusses the internal battle of balancing a full-time job, social media career, and writing career, while also maintaining personal relationships.
• 🗓️ Her writing process involves dedicating 6-8 hours every Saturday and Sunday to writing, a system she has also applied to her second novel.
• 🔮 Her upcoming novel is historical fiction about two real magicians who performed at the turn of the century, exploring an imagined friendship and rivalry between them.

The Power of Reading and Community

• 💬 The title 'The Art of Vanishing' was a collaborative effort, but the theme of women's often overlooked capabilities was a consistent element.
• 🌟 Pager's superpower is her ability to organize and streamline her thoughts and desires, fitting them into a calendar to achieve her goals.
• 🤝 The secrets to Instagram success include adapting to platform changes, telling stories in one's own voice, and building a strong community, which has led to lasting friendships.