Interview With Author Mary Ladd
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am The Long COVID Reader founding editor and have written about meat clothing, withered sexuality, and pizza champions for the San Francisco Chronicle, Playboy, Wildfire, and the best-selling 642 Things to Write About and Lit Starts books and the best-selling 642 Things to Write About books. I collaborated with Anthony Bourdain and created The Wig Diaries: An Irreverent Cancer Book (2019) with illustrator Don Asmussen. I am a proud We Wai Kai First Nation member and belong to The Writers Grotto.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Long COVID Reader came about because we can’t wait to get the word out about what it’s like to live with long COVID. This anthology provides an unprecedented glimpse into the lives of 45 American COVID-19 long haulers and reflects broad demographics. As the world stands on the cusp of recovery, this piece of living history is a poignant reminder of the millions of people with Long COVID worldwide. It uses a patient-centric, experiential literary approach.Long Hauler Publishing remains steadfast in its advocacy for improved treatments, comprehensive programs, and vital research. I am a one-timeAnthony Bourdain collaborator who has had Long COVID since March2022. The Long COVID Reader includes essays, stories, and poetry from Andrew David King, Pato Hebert, Nina Storey, Emily Pinkerton, Morgan Stephens,
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Tiny notebooks record my thoughts when I am out and about. I got into the habit of carrying a notebook when I did a lot of food writing and needed to record sensory details from elaborate booze soaked meals.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Anthony Bourdain, Stephen King, Amy Tan, Vanessa Hua, Julia Scheeres, Kathy Seligman, Beth Winegarner, Susan Ito, Paul Beatty, Belle Boggs, Kathi Kamen Goldmark, Francisco Goldman, Philip Roth, Marcia Gagliardi, Tamara Palmer, Astrid Kane, Alice Munro, Tara Duggan, John Freeman, Edan Lepucki, Fiona Lowenstein.
I am friends with many of these authors, and they continue to inspire me. Building community and helping other literary citizens feels good, helps others, and also leads to exciting opportunities for me as a creative.
What are you working on now?
Steamy romance stories, a fictionalized account of how dark it can be to be seriously ill.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Instagram seems to be a great way to get to know the community.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, read, read.
Write every day, make it a habit and work up to writing for three or more hours each day.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up. Writing is full of rejection, and you have to keep going.
What are you reading now?
King Rao by Vauhini Vara, which I highly recommend.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Do more public speaking because I am loud, sometimes witty/funny, and love helping people.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Alanon daily readers because this 12-step recovery program has saved my life many times and lets me focus on myself and take much better care.
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