A Grand Valley State University associate professor’s first novel gets a good word from Oprah Winfrey’s magazine, “O”. Caitlyn Horrocks is an associate professor of writing and recently found out her novel was second on the list of books recommended by the magazine.
“This is such a wonderful surprise.” I’ve been working on this book for years.”
Grand Valley State University associate professor and writer, Caitlyn Horrocks has found herself right in the middle of a fairy tale, that not every new author gets to experience.
“To have a book featured in O magazine, which is reaching this whole, other audience, and having them say, pick up this book, we think you’d like it, is a total fairy tale for a debut author.”
Her debut novel, that’s actually not out until the end of the month, was recommended by “O”, The Oprah magazine, in the article, “10 July Books You Won’t Be Able to Put Down.”
“There’s lots of lists in the book world. And a lot are more understated, “books we’re anticipating” or books you might be interested in.” So to have O Magazine say here’s a book you won’t be able to put down is thrilling.”
The novel is titled, “Vexations”. The title, Horrocks says is inspired by a piece of music by French composer, Eric Satee, who lived from 1866 to 1925. It was music she played while taking piano lessons as a child. With a closer look at his work she says she found the other works to be quite different, unlike the first piece she played.
“And, I just held on to this question for a long time, of who is this person who created this really divergent range of art. As I worked on the book, it became less about Eric and more about his siblings, who had fascinating lives in their own right; also some of his friends and associates and others around him.”
Horrocks book release is set for July 30. She has a local book signing August 8th at Lions & Rabbits Gallery on Plainfield. She says she’ll also be working on a book of short stories series, due out in 2021.
