Katie Cotugno: On Being Faithful to the Spirit of the Source Material
Katie Cotugno is the New York Times-bestselling author of Birds of California and Meet the Benedettos, as well as eight novels for young adults. She is also the coauthor (with Candace Bushnell) of Rules for Being a Girl. She lives in Boston with her family. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Katie Cotugno
In this post, Katie discusses the process of writing her new novel, Meet the Benedettos, how she chose to honor the spirit of the source material, and more!
Name: Katie Cotugno
Literary agent: Elizabeth Bewley
Book title: Meet The Benedettos
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Release date: December 5, 2023
Genre/category: Women’s Fiction
Previous titles: Birds of California, Liar’s Beach, You Say It First, 9 Days + 9 Nights, Top Ten, Fireworks, 99 Days, How to Love
Elevator pitch: Pride and Prejudice meets The Kardashians when an A-list movie star moves to Los Angeles—next door to a family of five eligible sisters.
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What prompted you to write this book?
My favorite thing about Pride and Prejudice (besides the Mr. Darcy of it all) has always been what strivers the Bennets are—how they’re members of the upper class, but only just; the ways in which they’re barely tolerated by polite society. It always seemed obvious to me that, had they existed in our day and age, they would have 100% been low-end reality stars.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
I had this idea years ago and had filed it away under Someday, maybe, but I began writing it in earnest in September of 2021. So, a little more than two years between “It is a truth universally acknowledged…” and publication!
Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
My beloved editor Mary Gaule left the imprint halfway through production, which was definitely a surprise—but I was so incredibly lucky to wind up in amazingly capable hands with Millicent Bennett, who is truly just brilliant and wonderful and perfect for this book.
Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
The novel didn’t really click into place for me until I gave myself permission to be faithful to the spirit of the source material rather than each individual plot beat. That decision gave the Bendedetto sisters the space to truly become themselves in the best possible way.
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
I feel strongly that my obligation as a writer is first and foremost to capture a reader’s attention for as long as I have asked for it. I write for people in waiting rooms at the hospital and up late with babies, folks who are riding the train on long commutes. I want everyone to read something absorbing and delicious. I want everyone to have a good time.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
Read everything. Be tenacious. Don’t be embarrassed about your weird loves.
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