This week we are joined by Sophie Stava! Sophie has loved to read as long as she can remember. Her passion for reading led her to study English Literature at University of California Santa Barbara, where received her B.A. She spent a number of years as (among other things) an event planner, executive recruiter, and ghostwriter before pursuing her own writing. She currently resides in Southern California with her family. When she isn't writing, you'll find her reading, acting as personal assistant to her children, and traveling. Count My Lies is her debut novel.This week, Sophie Stava shares her journey from California to Virginia and back, her love for literature, and how her upbringing influenced her writing career. We discuss the evolution of reading culture, exploring how social media has changed the way people discover books. Sophie also delves into her cultural identity, discussing her Jewish heritage and the balance between cultural and religious practices in her family. We also explore the transition from ghostwriting rom coms to writing thrillers and the challenges faced in the publishing industry. You don’t want to miss our discussion about the excitement of achieving recognition, including being selected for the GMA book club and having Lindsay Lohan star in the adaptation of Count My Lies. Give this episode a listen!Recommendations From This Episode: Mean GirlsMiseryFollow Sophie Stava: @sophiejstavaFollow Carly: @carlyjmontagFollow Emily: @thefunnywalshFollow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpodPlease rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends! Email us: aloneatlunch@gmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.