This month, we’d like to introduce you to Juliet Philip and her debut YA/Crossover novel, The Prostitute’s Daughter.

The Prostitute’s Daughter is a coming-of-age story about a young Indian girl who makes life-changing discoveries about herself on her quest to go study in America. If you loved Life of Pi and The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, you will love reading about Kamada’s journey.

We asked Juliet some fun questions so you can get to know her better…read more below:

 What inspired you to write The Prostitute’s Daughter?

I was a very angry teenager. My angry outbursts brought me immense relief but it wasn’t long before I noticed that an angry outburst wasn’t enough for me. So, I started to maintain an angry diary and record provoking events that really ‘pushed my buttons’ to release free flowing and stagnant anger. I just said everything that was on my mind in my angry little diary. As I was releasing my anger, I realized I could also use writing as a creative form of self expression and I began to write some random short stories. Kamada’s story The Prostitute’s Daughter began as a short story inspired by my love toward my own massive anger release.  

Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

Yes. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up.

Whoever you are and whatever your situation, just don’t give up on yourself. You might be all you have but you are more than enough and you are magic.

Describe the experience writing your first book.

I experienced powerful emotional catharsis, pure joy and throughout the writing process, I felt like I was evolving from being a troglodyte into someone who started to see the world through a different lens and in a different light. It was an insightful experience and a creative breakthrough which changed me.   

What was the hardest part of writing for you?

Some writers prefer outlining their chapters and some like to see where the story takes them. Like the latter group, I did not like thinking about how the story would unfold. I just wanted to write and see where the characters took me. The outlining approach did not work for me. I tried outlining one chapter and that was the hardest part.

What questions have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer those questions?

• Did you think you would ever write a book? If yes, why?

Yes, I did. I always wanted to write a book. Because I love to write. Besides writing, I love doodling. If I don’t write or doodle every once in a while, I become an angry, confused, frustrated person. I feel like I must write and doodle if I am to stay sane and find any meaning to life.

• What is the one thing about writing that you love the most?

I love those moments of sudden creative epiphanies. I love when I’m writing and a desperate creative thought maneuvers its way into the writing without my permission. I love to imagine what never existed. I love to translate my caffeine intake into the sheer freedom of made up stories.

Bottomline: I love to write because it makes me feel powerful and free.