“I think the reason to start here was because this is the inciting incident that led to all the madness that is going to unfold.” – Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman, Authors of GIRLS WITH BRIGHT FUTURES

Abigail K. Perry sits down with co-authors Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman to discuss the first chapter of their debut novel, GIRLS WITH BRIGHT FUTURES. Abigail considers their book one of the most chilling and stunning debuts she’s read in the last few years, and particularly marvels at Tracy and Wendy’s execution of the prologue and first chapter that start the story. Tracy and Wendy share how everything takes editing, and how to apply story essentials in the first pages of a book.

About Tracy and Wendy:

Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman have been great friends for nearly twenty-five years. Their debut novel, GIRLS WITH BRIGHT FUTURES, is a dark, suspenseful journey into the cutthroat world of college admissions.

Earning starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Library Journal, it’s currently in development as a limited TV series with Discovery+. Tracy and Wendy both live in Seattle and between them they have two husbands, four kids (three of whom have survived the college admissions process without a single parent landing in jail), two dogs, and a cat.

GIRLS WITH BRIGHT FUTURES Blurb:

Three women, three daughters, and a promise that they'll each get what they deserve...

College admissions season at Seattle's Elliott Bay Academy is marked by glowing acceptances from top-tier institutions and students as impressive as their parents are ambitious. But when Stanford alerts the school it's allotting only one spot to EBA for their incoming class, three mothers discover the competition is more cutthroat than they could have imagined.

Tech giant Alicia turns to her fortune and status to fight for her reluctant daughter's place at the top. Kelly, a Stanford alum, leverages her PTA influence and insider knowledge to bulldoze the path for her high-strung daughter. And Maren makes three: single, broke, and ill-equipped to battle the elite school community aligning to bring her superstar down.

That's when, days before applications are due, one of the girls suffers a near-fatal accident, one that doesn't appear to be an accident at all.

As the community spirals out of control, three women will have to decide what lines they're willing to cross to secure their daughters' futures...and keep buried the secrets that threaten to destroy far more than just college dreams.

Find us on our socials:

Twitter: @abigailkperry @katzndobs

Instagram: @abigailkperry @katzndobs

Website: www.abigailkperry.com | https://www.dobmeierkatzman.com

Read the book discussed in this episode:

GIRLS WITH BRIGHT FUTURES

Represented by Carly Watters