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WORK TITLE: The Summer List
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://amymasondoan.com/
CITY: Portland
STATE: OR
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Children: yes.
EDUCATION:University of California, Berkeley, B.A.; Stanford University, M.A.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Journalist and writer.
WRITINGS
Contributor to periodicals, including the Oregonian, San Francisco Chronicle, Wired, Forbes, and the Orange County Register.
SIDELIGHTS
Amy Mason Doan is a journalist and writer. She grew up in Danville, California and later settled in Portland, Oregon. After completing a degree in English at University of California, Berkeley, she obtained a M.A. in journalism from Stanford University. Doan has contributed articles to a number of periodicals, including the Oregonian, San Francisco Chronicle, Wired, Forbes, and the Orange County Register.
In an interview with Kimmery Martin in the Debutante Ball website, Doan shared what inspired her to turn her attention to writing fiction. Doan mentioned that she “started writing fiction a few years ago, after I turned forty. I’d always wanted to do it but never pushed through my fears. Then I won this contest and got to fly to the movie premiere of Tiger Eyes and meet Judy Blume, whose books I’ve adored for years. It was the strangest, loveliest turn of events.”
Doan published her first novel, The Summer List, in 2018. As teenagers in Coeur-de-Lune, California, Laura Christie and Casey Shepherd were always best friends. As they grew up, though, they became estranged from each other. Seventeen years after they finished high school, Casey’s mother comes up with a grand scheme to reunite them through a scavenger hunt. The narrative alternates between the current-day problems the woman face and the troubles of their teen years, particularly on Laura’s relationship with her adoptive mother. Eventually the story expands to show the rupture in their friendship and how they address it upon their reunion and through reliving some of the moments that are represented in pictures along their scavenger hunt.
In an interview in the Randee Green blog, Doan talked about how she initially got the idea to write this story. Doan recalled: “I was camping by the Oregon coast one summer and a bunch of kids ran up asking for a graham cracker for a scavenger hunt. I’d been half-heartedly plotting a story about two former girlhood friends reuniting after a mysterious rift, and suddenly I saw them going on an adult scavenger hunt together, following a list written by someone who wanted them to reunite. It would be initially awkward and sometimes loopy, but would help them heal old wounds.”
A contributor to Publishers Weekly commented that “Doan’s pleasant mix of mystery and high school nostalgia will please readers who grew up with the novels of Judy Blume.” A Kirkus Reviews contributor observed that “Doan builds toward the revelation by tightening the bond between Laura and Casey.” The same Kirkus Reviews contributor found the novel to be “a poignant tale of mothers and daughters finding their ways home to each other.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, April 15, 2018, review of The Summer List.
Publishers Weekly, April 9, 2018, review of The Summer List, p. 50.
ONLINE
Amy Mason Doan website, https://amymasondoan.com (July 9, 2018).
Debutante Ball, https://www.thedebutanteball.com/ (June 16, 2018), Kimmery Martin, author interview.
Randee Green, https://www.randeegreen.com/ (May 28, 2018), Randee Green, author interview.
Amy Mason Doan grew up in Danville, California and now lives in Portland, Oregon.
She’s written for The Oregonian, San Francisco Chronicle, Wired, Forbes, The Orange County Register and other publications. Amy has an M.A. in Journalism from Stanford University and a B.A. in English from U.C. Berkeley.
Her debut novel, THE SUMMER LIST, will be published by Graydon House on June 26, 2018.
My daughter is named after a character in The Tempest.
I type 90 words per minute.
I collect 99-cent VHS copies of 70s movies like The Turning Point and My Bodyguard and Little Darlings.
I won a contest and got to fly to a movie premiere to meet Judy Blume.
I learned how to ride a motorcycle on an outback ranch in Australia.
I live on Klickitat Street like Ramona Quimby from Beverly Cleary’s books.
*I don’t live on Klickitat Street. But I’m not far.
Interview with Amy Mason Doan, author of THE SUMMER LIST
Posted By Kimmery Martin on Saturday, June 16, 2018
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Two friends.
Ten clues.
One breathtaking secret.
I am so honored to be able to introduce the incredible book The Summer List—releasing June 26— to our readers! I was lucky enough to score an early copy and tore through it this winter, but whoever wins this week’s drawing is golden: this is the perfect book to enjoy lakeside or poolside or seaside with a cool drink in your hand and your best friend next to you. The story of Laura and Casey, two women who were inseparable in high school but haven’t spoken in 17 years, is gripping from the first pages. Laura reluctantly accepts an invitation to reunite for the weekend in their lakeside hometown, where she joins Casey in a scavenger hunt like the ones they did as girls. The clues lead them to their favorite summer haunts, revealing why their friendship fell apart one summer night—and unearthing a stunning family secret.
I’m a sucker for a beautifully written novels about female friendship, and this one delivers laughter, suspense, and and an unforeseen ending, all wrapped up in a gorgeous package. Please meet the author, Amy Mason Doan!
Kimmery Martin: Where and how did you get the idea for The Summer List?
Amy Mason Doan: I was camping by the Oregon coast one summer and a bunch of kids ran up asking for a graham cracker for a scavenger hunt. I’d been half-heartedly plotting a story about two former girlhood friends reuniting after a mysterious rift, and suddenly I saw them going on an adult scavenger hunt together, following a list written by someone who wanted them to reunite. It would be initially awkward and sometimes loopy, but would help them heal old wounds.
KM: No spoiler, but tell us something we won’t find out just by reading the book jacket.
AMD: Five of the scavenger hunt clues are physical items and five are Polaroids that Laura and Casey have to take in favorite places from their high school summers.
KM: If you could spend a day with one of your characters, who would it be and what would you do?
AMD: I’d spend the day roller-skating with J.B., Laura’s long-lost love. When they’re in high school he works at the old roller rink. He has to wear a silver shirt and run the games—Shoot The Duck, The Dice Game, The Hokey-Pokey. I spent half of my childhood making up skating routines to the Grease and Xanadu soundtracks in my garage in California, so I’m still a pretty mean roller skater.
KM: Tell us a bit about yourself and your path to writing.
AMD: I live in Portland, Oregon with my husband, Mike, my 11-year-old daughter, Miranda, and our rescue tabby cat, Leah Lilikoi McConagall Mason. I went to Journalism school and I’ve worked at a variety of newspapers and magazines up and down the West Coast.
I started writing fiction a few years ago, after I turned 40. I’d always wanted to do it but never pushed through my fears. Then I won this contest and got to fly to the movie premiere of Tiger Eyes and meet Judy Blume, whose books I’ve adored for years. It was the strangest, loveliest turn of events. She was so down-to-earth. It felt like the universe was telling me to stop messing around and write a novel.
KM: Is there a particular book that influenced you the most?
AMD: Jane Eyre. I love a good orphan’s tale.
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Amy Mason Doan grew up in Danville, California and now lives in Portland, Oregon.
She’s written for The Oregonian, San Francisco Chronicle, Wired, Forbes, The Orange County Register and other publications. Amy has an M.A. in journalism from Stanford University and a B.A. in English from U.C. Berkeley.
To learn more about Amy and the book, please join her on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or Goodreads. You can pre-order The Summer List here or at your favorite bookstore.
May 28, 2018
AN INTERVIEW WITH AMY MASON DOAN, AUTHOR OF THE SUMMER LIST
Interviews
TheSummerList.cover.jpg
THE SUMMER LIST is about Laura and Casey, two women who were inseparable in high school but haven’t spoken in 17 years. Laura reluctantly accepts an invitation to reunite for the weekend in their lakeside hometown, where she joins Casey in a scavenger hunt like the ones they did as girls. The clues lead them to their favorite summer haunts, revealing why their friendship fell apart one summer night—and unearthing a stunning family secret.
Blurbs About THE SUMMER LIST
A trip down memory lane becomes a hunt for long-buried secrets in Amy Mason Doan’s gripping and poignant debut about the bond between two compelling outsiders. The Summer List is an evocative tale of family, first love, and the unique and lasting gift of a friendship formed in girlhood.”
-Meg Donohue, USA Today bestselling author
“There is not a word or a plot line out of place in The Summer List, Amy Mason Doan’s fabulous debut. These characters and their stories are going to stick with you for a long, long time.”
-Meg Mitchell Moore, author of The Admissions and The Captain’s Daughter
amymasondoan.hedshot.jpg
An Interview with Amy Mason Doan
Amy Mason Doan’s debut general fiction/women’s fiction novel, THE SUMMER LIST, will be published on June 26, 2018 by Graydon House/HarperCollins. Prior to the publication, I was able to interview Amy about her novel and her writing process.
Question: Share a teaser from your book.
Amy Mason Doan:
Two friends.
Ten clues.
One breathtaking secret.
Q: Where did you get the idea?
AMD: I was camping by the Oregon coast one summer and a bunch of kids ran up asking for a graham cracker for a scavenger hunt. I’d been half-heartedly plotting a story about two former girlhood friends reuniting after a mysterious rift, and suddenly I saw them going on an adult scavenger hunt together, following a list written by someone who wanted them to reunite. It would be initially awkward and sometimes loopy, but would help them heal old wounds.
Q: No spoiler, but tell us something we won’t find out just by reading the book jacket.
AMD: Five of the scavenger hunt clues are physical items and five are Polaroids that Laura and Casey have to take in favorite places from their high school summers.
Q: Tell us about your favorite character.
AMD: Casey! She lives across the lake from my other main character, Laura. They’re close enough to see each other’s houses and swim back and forth, but they’re complete opposites. Casey is impulsive, fearless, completely secure in her skin. She’s a loyal friend, intensely protective of Laura. She practically lives in the water, and she has a weakness for old paperbacks like Queenie and Princess Daisy.
Q: If you could spend a day with one of your characters, who would it be and what would you do?
AMD: I’d spend the day roller-skating with J.B., Laura’s long-lost love. When they’re in high school he works at the old roller rink. He has to wear a silver shirt and run the games—Shoot The Duck, The Dice Game, The Hokey-Pokey. I spent half of my childhood making up skating routines to the Grease and Xanadu soundtracks in my garage in California, so I’m still a pretty mean roller skater.
Q: How long did you take to write this book?
AMD: I wrote for eight months, revised for four, and revised with my editor for six, including copy-editing.
Q: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
AMD: I need to know the main characters, the central conflict, the ending and the main emotional beats when I get started. Then I “pants” for a few months to nail the voice, setting, minor characters and scene-blocking. After that I wrestle everything back into story-board form, either using Scrivener or index cards laid out on my living room rap. Then I cut, cut, cut until it’s tight.
Q: What is your favorite part of your writing process, and why?
AMD: The days when seven hours of writing fly by like one because I’m in a trance-like state, completely taken over by my characters and their world. That feeling is intoxicating. I try to hold onto it to push through the “miserable slog” part of drafting, when I’m not sure what should happen in the next sentence.
Q: What is the most challenging part of your writing process, and why?
AMD: Sharing the work for the first time.
Q: Have you ever gotten writer’s block? If yes, how do you overcome it?
AMD: Yes! I run, read a favorite book, or write longhand.
Q: Tell us about yourself.
AMD: I live in Portland, Oregon with my husband, Mike, my 11-year-old daughter, Miranda, and our rescue tabby cat, Leah Lilikoi McConagall Mason. I went to Journalism school and I’ve worked at a variety of newspapers and magazines up and down the West Coast.
Q: How did you get into writing?
AMD: I started writing fiction a few years ago, after I turned 40. I’d always wanted to do it but never pushed through my fears. Then I won this contest and got to fly to the movie premiere of TIGER EYES and meet Judy Blume, whose books I’ve adored for years. It was the strangest, loveliest turn of events. She was so down-to-earth. It felt like the universe was telling me to stop messing around and write a novel.
Q: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
AMD: Make slime or bath bombs with my daughter, read, travel with my family, run, hike, watch old movies on TCM.
Q: Which book influenced you the most?
AMD: JANE EYRE. I love a good orphan’s tale.
Q: What are you working on right now?
AMD: I’m revising my second novel, the second book in my contract with Graydon House. I can’t say too much yet except that it’s set along the California coast and I’m really excited about it. I love the characters.
Q: What’s your favourite writing advice?
AMD: Richard Bausch’s from his “letter to a young writer” – “Ask yourself…did I work today? If the answer to that question is Yes, then no other question is allowed.”
Amy Mason Doan’s Biography
Amy Mason Doan grew up in Danville, California and now lives in Portland, Oregon.
She’s written for The Oregonian, San Francisco Chronicle, Wired, Forbes, The Orange County Register and other publications. Amy has an M.A. in journalism from Stanford University and a B.A. in English from U.C. Berkeley.
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Print Marked Items
The Summer List
Publishers Weekly.
265.15 (Apr. 9, 2018): p50.
COPYRIGHT 2018 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
The Summer List
Amy Mason Doan. Graydon House, $16.99
trade paper (384p) ISBN 978-1-5258-0425-0
This accomplished debut novel from Doan cleverly blends a coming-of-age tale, the story of a longsimmering
mystery, and a thoughtful study of relationships between childhood friends. Laura Christie and
Casey Shepherd were best friends as teenagers growing up in quaint Coeur-de-Lune, Calif., but they have
become estranged as adults. Seventeen years after they graduated high school, Casey's eccentric mother
reunites them with an elaborate scavenger hunt intended to prompt their reconciliation. The book toggles
between Laura's narration of her prickly 2016 reunion with Casey and their teenage years in the 1990s,
when Laura feels out of place in her strict adopted mother's home and intoxicated by the exuberant tenuous
life Casey and her mother, Alex, share. While the conceit of the scavenger hunt and the accompanying
tidiness of the mystery about what caused the rupture in Casey and Laura's friendship stretch the limits of
plausibility, Doan's layered storytelling moves readers slowly toward uncovering what happened to each of
the three women. As Laura and Casey move through the items on the list, they reenact previous moments
from their early friendship, like swimming in Jade Cove and ice skating at a local skating rink, which
slowly works to rekindle their friendship. Doan's characters leap off the page, believably struggling with the
conflict between resentment and tenderness. With lovable characters and a scenic small town, Doan's
pleasant mix of mystery and high school nostalgia will please readers who grew up with the novels of Judy
Blume. (June)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"The Summer List." Publishers Weekly, 9 Apr. 2018, p. 50. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A535099930/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=0c113b2b.
Accessed 24 June 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A535099930
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Doan, Amy Mason: THE SUMMER LIST
Kirkus Reviews.
(Apr. 15, 2018):
COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Doan, Amy Mason THE SUMMER LIST Graydon House (Adult Fiction) $16.99 6, 26 ISBN: 978-1-525-
80425-0
Seventeen years ago, Laura Christie suddenly fled her home on the lake of beautiful Coeur-de-Lune. But
she cannot resist an invitation back to see her estranged best friend.
Adopted by an older couple, Laura had chafed under her mother's strict, religious rules, not to mention the
school bullies. So when red-haired Casey and her artistic, flighty mom, Alex, moved into the run-down
house everyone called The Shipwreck, just across the lake, Laura was intrigued. Soon the girls were the best
of friends, and Alex--too young to remember she was supposed to impose rules--was included in most of
their shenanigans. With Casey and Alex at her side, Laura shook off her shyness, creating a new, vibrant
family yet fracturing her relationship with her adoptive parents. Now 35, Casey and Laura need to mend
their friendship, and Alex, with the help of Laura's ex-boyfriend J.B., has designed a scavenger hunt to help
them. The hunt sends them to all of their old haunts, including the restaurant where Casey first came out to
Laura and the roller-skating rink where Laura first met J.B. Looming behind their summer reunion,
however, is the question of Laura's biological parentage. Threading the tale of Laura's biological mother
throughout the novel, her debut, Doan builds toward the revelation by tightening the bond between Laura
and Casey, whose mothers turn out to have been friends, too. Resisting their own mothers' religious
constraints, these women of the 1980s found each other at summer camp, forging a strong bond. Without
judgment, Doan carefully portrays their living in a commune with one of Coeur-de-Lune's sons. Casey and
Laura learn how their own mothers faced parental disapproval, teenage pregnancy, and drug use to accept
why only Casey's mom could take on motherhood.
A poignant tale of mothers and daughters finding their ways home to each other.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Doan, Amy Mason: THE SUMMER LIST." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2018. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A534375231/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=016d5d26.
Accessed 24 June 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A534375231