Thrice Interview: THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST

Hi! Today I’m celebrating the release of E.M. Danforth’s THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST, which launched on Tuesday! This book is getting some amazing reviews.I bought it on Tuesday when I was at B&N and I can’t wait to read it. I am a firm believer that everyone should be able to see themselves reflected in stories, and there are not enough books about girls who like to kiss girls!

When Cameron Post’s parents die suddenly in a car crash, her shocking first thought is relief. Relief she’ll never have to tell them that, hours earlier, she had been kissing a girl. 

But that relief soon turns to heartbreak, as Cam is forced to move in with her conservative aunt Ruth. She knows that from this point on, her life will forever be different. Survival in Miles City, Montana, means blending in and not making waves, and Cam becomes an expert at this—especially at avoiding any questions about her sexuality. 

Then Coley Taylor moves to town. Beautiful pickup-driving Coley is a perfect cowgirl with the perfect boyfriend to match. To Cam’s surprise, she and Coley become best friends—while Cam secretly dreams of something more. Just as that starts to seem like a real possibility, her secret is exposed. Ultrareligious Aunt Ruth takes drastic action to “fix” her niece, bringing Cam face-to-face with the cost of denying her true self—even if she’s not quite sure who that is. 

The Miseducation of Cameron Post is a stunning and unforgettable literary debut about discovering who you are and finding the courage to live life according to your own rules.

Now, on to our interview!

1. Describe your main character in 3 adjectives + a noun.

Cameron Post is an earnest, often-uncertain, sometimes-rebellious orphan.

2. Describe your book in 3 adjectives + a noun.

A voice-driven, realistic, place-based coming-of-age novel.

3. Describe yourself in 3 adjectives + a noun.

Ugh: this is a wretched task. It’s impossible not to appear either obviously self-deprecating or vain. Mehhhh….  I’m gonna have to overuse the hyphen, as with all of my previous entries. It must be done.  I’m a creative-minded, sometimes-funny, liberal, pop culture junkie.

4. If you could travel to any 3 countries, what would they be?

Italy. Greece. Spain. (JS note: I really want to visit all 3 of these places!)

5. If you could take any 3 non-writing-related classes, what would they be?
Cooking (Specifically pastry making and vegetarian-based cuisine. Oooooh: and pasta making.) Italian (language). Beginning guitar. (JS note: I want to take this cooking class too!)

6. If you could have 3 alternate careers, what would they be?

A picker–pretty much exactly as seen on American Pickers, but not based out of Iowa.  Filmmaker.  Chef.

7. What are 3 of your favorite flowers?

Hydrangeas. Orange blossoms (as in: those found on orange trees). Freesia.

8. What are 3 of your favorite foods?

Soup with a hunk of crusty bread. (I could narrow it down here, but I won’t. I love soup.) Pizza. (Again: really no need to narrow. Even “bad” pizza is usually good enough for me.) Pie. I’ll get semi-specific and say homemade cherry (with fresh, not canned, cherries), apple, or coconut cream. (JS note: now I really want soup for lunch! *searches cabinets*)

9. What are 3 of your favorite books?

To Kill a Mockingbird. (Harper Lee) In Cold Blood. (Truman Capote) Fingersmith. (Sarah Waters)

Thanks so much for stopping by, Emily, and congratulations on your new book!