Q&A: Anna Fitzgerald Healy, Author of ‘Etiquette for Lovers and Killers’

We chat with author Anna Fitzgerald Healy about Etiquette for Lovers and Killers, which is a love letter to uncivilized behavior, blending mystery and romance into a witty, twisty, murderous delight that aches for better manners.

Hi, Anna! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Just a girl from the backwoods of Maine currently living in a miniscule apartment in Los Angeles. I love long walks on the beach, beachy reads, salty snacks, and champagne. Oh, and I wouldn’t be entirely opposed to all of those things happening at the same time. Ideally, in Greece.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I was extremely shy in middle and high school, to the point where some of my peers didn’t even know my own name, which takes talent at a small school on a tiny island. Reading was my social outlet, when I got to immerse myself in characters who were all devastatingly glib, intelligent, and glamorous—everything I wished I could be. I started writing plays in middle school, and my fascination with compelling characters and stories grew with every passing year. Finally, I gave in to the siren call of Microsoft Word and tried writing a story of my own. This is what happened.  

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: Little House on the Prairie
• The one that made you want to become an author: In middle school I fell head over heels for an romantasy series called The Last Herald-Mage. I read those books until the covers fell off and fell in love with the idea of creating characters that readers could fall in love with. That they would read over and over until the book itself falls apart.
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Dozens of books live rent-free in my mind. Among them: The History of Love, The Wind-up Bird Chronicle, Pride and Prejudice, The Paris Apartment, Rebecca, and The Silent Patient. Recently, I’ve been crushing on Katie Kitamura. I devoured her novels, Audition and Intimacies over a single weekend.

Your debut novel, Etiquette for Lovers and Killers, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

1960s flirty murder. Lobster croissant.

What can readers expect?

To be swept off their feet by a murder mystery and enjoy some New England kitsch and 1960s window dressing along the way.

Where did the inspiration for Etiquette for Lovers and Killers come from?

I had a moment where I said, “To hell with it!” and Etiquette is what happened. I was supposed to be writing teasers for an online travel magazine, and was feeling stuck and frustrated.

So I played hooky and went to the bookstore, instead. But nothing would do. I was looking for something sexy, funny, dark, nerdy, and mysterious. Maybe a little old-fashioned and strange. I ended up picking two books from opposing genres: a Jane Austen romance and a mystery novel, while wishing they were one book.

Then I took a nap and dreamt about my childhood in Maine. About an old house I hadn’t been to for a very long time. Then I woke up, and everything just clicked. I deleted the travel tips from my desktop, opened a new Word document, titled “Weird moody thriller/romance?” and started writing. I feel very lucky that that afternoon happened. Because it changed everything for me.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I’m a sucker for a heroine with a bold voice and useless facts, and the narrator of Etiquette really got my wheels spinning. I referenced several of Jane Austen’s leads while developing Billie. But I also kept thinking about the nameless protagonist from Rebecca. About how meek she was. And how devastated she was by the mystery unfolding around her. I wanted a main character who was her opposite in every way. Who got swept away by a mystery and loved every second of it.

Billie is irreverent, silly, and resourceful. Writing a character with that kind of confidence was transformative for me. I’m a little shy, although I’ve learned to hide it, and I’ve always struggled with my self-esteem. With Billie, I gave myself permission to “be a little bit mean.” And to make the first move. And to believe that maybe I was enough.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Challenging? Wait, writing books isn’t super easy?

To be honest, I’ve done several challenging things during my life. I’ve lived and worked all over the world. I’ve competed in endurance sports. I’ve climbed large mountains. But writing and publishing this book has been ten times more challenging than all of that combied. The tasks, goals, and obstacles involved with writing this novel have been quite a mountain for me to climb. Obviously, my expereinece isn’t comparable to the Himalayas or Kilimanjaro’s of the literary world, but they’re still a big deal for me. Writing Etiquette demanded a lot of self confidence, which has always been my greatest struggle. I’ve had to believe that I would reach the top someday, no matter what. Climbing this mountain has been a lot of work, but it’s also been a hell of a lot of fun. Some of the best moments of my life came from climbing the steepest parts.

I’d challenge any curious climbers to keep going. And to have fun while they’re doing it. And there are people you will meet along the way who will help you. Accept their help. And be ready to make some wonderful friends. This is challenging and grueling, but it’s also really fun.

This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?

It has been my favorite road, thus far. I’ve enjoyed running down it immensely. 5 stars for crazy roads with beautiful views.

What’s next for you?

I’m still on that road. Lol, I’m a sucker for a long, slow run.

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

I’m excited about the new Silvia Moreno-Garcia novel, The Bewitching. And I’m dying to read The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami. Manor of Dreams by Christina Li is on my nightstand right now. Lol. Apparently, I only read books with the word “dream” in the title.

Will you be picking up Etiquette for Lovers and Killers? Tell us in the comments below!