Nina Foxx

Nina Foxx: Island Secrets

Interview by King Brooks of Black Page Turners

In 2000, Nina Foxx burst on to the literary scene with her debut novel Dippin’ My Spoon and has not stopped. It has been almost six years since her last book, and she is back with a new novel ‘Island Secrets;’ the first book in this series. So, sit back and enjoy this interview.

King Brooks: Hi Nina, how are you doing? Please tell the readers about ‘Island Secrets?’

Nina Foxx: Island Secrets is a mystery that takes place on the barrier island of Kiawah Island, near Charleston, SC. The main Character, Denise Martin, is looking for some closure around her husband’s disappearance. He has been declared dead, but there is no body, and his company’s 401 K money is missing.

KB: Where did the inspiration for ‘Island Secrets’ come from?

NF: The intersection of two things, if only in my head. First, Kiawah is magical. It FEELS like a place where crazy things happen. The first time I visited, I stood in the cove at the restaurant that the characters visit in the opening scenes, and I told my friend that I could FEEL the secrets that the waters of the cove held. I felt as if many lives had passed through there. Kiawah used to be a plantation and is now a luxury beach and golf destination. In addition, I knew someone that had mysteriously disappeared. Before that, they had been an upstanding citizen, husband and father. The. mystery was never solved.

KB: Why did you name the book ‘Island Secrets?’ Did you have any other names in running for the book title?

NF: The series is called Queens of Kiawah. That was the book name and my agent actually suggested Island Secrets.

KB: How long did it take for you to write ‘Island Secrets?’

NF: Awhile. The idea was solid.... but I dragged my feet while waiting for feedback from my agent. She was old school.... snail’s pace. Then I led the Writing Sisters Summit and was inspired to get it finished and out there.

KB: What type of research did you do for ‘ Island Secrets?’

NF: First, let me say that I spent many vacations on Kiawah Island with my friends. (And in other beach destinations over the years, Such as Martha’s Vineyard, and as a child Sag Harbor, NY). I actually considered buying property in Kiawah myself, which is kind of crazy considering I live all the way on the West Coast of the country right now.

Second, my family is originally from the south, so I’ve been watching closely the almost reverse- migration that’s happening, not just in places outside Charleston, but also in Atlanta and other cities like that.

Third, the women in the book are like my friends. Many of us, along with our partners, have worked hard at corporate jobs because that is what people our age did. Our parents laid the groundwork for us to go to school and grad school and get “good” jobs that they considered. These things may not have been our passions, but they’ve allowed us to have lifestyles that are solidly middle class and better. We can afford second homes and vacations, and these things make memories. All of these things are research. Lastly, after my friend went missing leaving his family behind, combined with doing my own estate planning during the pandemic, I realized that many of us just don’t do it, or we don’t understand our financial picture fully and sometimes that leaves us in a lurch. Denise, the main character is that person. She has no financial understanding at all because she has left at all to a man who has now disappeared.

KB: When you wrote the last word, what did you do afterwards?

NF: Sheesh. Made notes for the next book in the series...and probably bought shoes.

KB: Give the readers a brief bio on you and as a writer?

NF: I wrote my first book in 1999. I’ve been published by both large and small publishers in various genres. I’ve also written industrial design patents, plays and screenplays. I’m currently a writer in residence at Brown soul theater on the West Coast where they are developing my latest play, verified air. We were expecting a full theatrical opening in regional Theatre in the spring of 2023.

KB: What was life like growing up?

NF: I grew up in New York City, raised mainly by my father. My mother died when I was young. As a result, I spent summers from the day that school it out the day before school was supposed to start in my mother’s hometown in Bessemer, Alabama.

KB: What kind of dreams did you have for yourself growing up?

NF: That’s funny. I think I was an in the moment person and I am still that. I do remember telling my mother before she died at all of six years old that I wanted to be a psychiatrist. I didn’t do that although I was premed in college. I am a psychologist by trade. I work during the day as engineering psychologist in product development for major tech company. (The name starts with a G.)

KB: When did the writing bug hit you?

NF: I have always been a writer. And a reader. I remember in middle school right into Catholic Digest. I sent them a story for their Christmas issue about the last Christmas with my mother. They did not publish it. And high school had several editorials published in the New York post. I wrote to them because I was angry about things I said.

KB: What is your writing process?

NF: The pandemic turned my process on the edge. I write better when I have a deadline, but I’m always working on something. Sometimes more than once something at the same time. I usually end up having to set myself a personal deadline to finish things.

KB: You have been in the book business for 20+ years. What advice would you give to new authors/writers?

NF: Read everything. Do your research. The book business is constantly changing. You’ll have to make some choices about the things that are important to you in terms of getting a work out to the readership. Take the lessons you learn with each project forward to the next thing, and don’t be afraid to help others.

KB: Besides yoga, what are some hobbies that you like to do?

NF: I am a yoga teacher finishing my 500-hour certification. I do teach yoga online a couple of times a week and I teach at conferences. I’m even tired at work for team meetings. I’m a creative. I love to travel. I do that as much as I can. I’m also into investment real estate, and own a few properties in different places. I make things. I’m a fiber artist. I knit, crochet, spin, and weave. I test patterns for Knitwear designers which basically means I help them make sure their math is correct. I hope to publish my own pattern soon.

KB: Have you started working on your next book?

NF: There are three in progress. The next book in this series which right now is called “The Dead Don’t Speak,” but may also be called “Sisterhood Secret”. It should be done shortly. I’m also working on a coloring journal based on some of the things that I talk about in yoga and the third book in the series. Lastly, I have a couple of girls writing projects going right now.

KB: When this life is said and done. What do you want to be remembered for?

NF: Making people think and helping others. Nina Foxx, Novelist, Playwright & Yogi, www.ninafoxx.com, @writerninafoxx on IG.