Mystery author Lee Upton chats with me about her new novel, Wrongful.
Bio:
Lee Upton writes in multiple genres. Her mystery novel, Wrongful, is forthcoming in May 2025. Her comic novel, Tabitha, Get Up, came out in 2024. Her books include her seventh collection of poetry, The Day Every Day Is, two short story collections, a novella, four books of literary criticism, and an essay collection. Her poetry has appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, and Southern Review, as well as three editions of Best American Poetry. www.leeupton.com
Welcome, Lee. Please tell us about your current release.
Wrongful is a mystery in which writers behave badly. When a famous novelist goes missing at the festival devoted to celebrating her work, the attendees assume the worst—and some hope for the worst. Ten years after the festival, Geneva Finch, an ideal reader, sets out to discover the truth about what happened to the novelist. A twisty literary mystery dealing with duplicity, envy, betrayal, and love between an entertainment agent and a self-deprecating former priest, Wrongful explores the many ways we can get everything wrong, time and again, even after we’re certain we discovered the truth.
What inspired you to write this book?
My debt to Agatha Christie. During a difficult time in my life, reading her mysteries helped me to focus on something besides my own fears. I also wanted to write about how we sometimes need to forgive ourselves for getting things wrong. When we read mysteries we want to be wrong—at least for a while. If we guess the solution to the puzzle too quickly, we’re disappointed. Being wrong is inevitable often in life—forgiving ourselves for our mistakes takes more practice. Finally, I was inspired by my memories of the first literary festivals I attended.
What exciting project are you working on next?
I continually write poems, and I’m also working on a new novel about one artist’s belief that another artist ruined her life. As with Wrongful, there are mysteries about another woman’s life, and her own life, that compel the primary character.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I wanted to be a writer even in early childhood. I’ve thought of myself as a writer since learning to write. I’ve been very fortunate to have had kind people in my life who didn’t discourage me.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I do write full-time. I stepped away from teaching so that I could write for long periods each day. I tend to drink a lot of coffee and then head to my laptop to see if I can imagine myself into another life.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I still sometimes write on the dining room table that was in my family for many years. I wrote my first pieces as a child at this antique table, and sometimes I continue to draft my work on this table. I’m typing on this table at the moment
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but there was a period when I thought the best life would be that of a secret agent. I keep telling myself that writers are already secret agents.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Thank you for considering reading Wrongful and any other of my books. My other recent book, Tabitha, Get Up (2024), is a comic novel about a woman down on her luck who finds a way to change her life. My most recent book of poetry is The Day Every Day Is.
Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Thank you, Lisa, for these questions!
You’re quite welcome. Thanks for being here today.