What scene from your book were you most excited to see adapted to screen? 

“Before I wrote Lucky as a novel, I had pitched it to my agents as a TV series. I’m glad they encouraged me to write it as a book first, but I did work my way into the story by writing a pilot. That ended up helping me shape some of the most action-packed, emotionally intense opening scenes. I was especially thrilled to see how the creative team handled that setup, and to see so many details from the book carried over, right down to the dress Anya Taylor-Joy wears when we first meet Lucky. It all came from my imagination, so seeing it unfold on screen was a thrill.” 

Was there a casting choice that felt especially spot‑on—or unexpectedly perfect? 

“The first time I saw Anya Taylor-Joy—in The Queen’s Gambit—I knew she was my Lucky. I never let go of that vision, in part because she really is perfect for the role. Being on set, meeting Anya, and telling her she was always the Lucky I imagined was a beautiful moment. Honestly, the casting department nailed every choice. Annette Bening brings Priscilla to life in a delightfully unhinged way, while adding emotional depth. Timothy Olyphant inhabits John Armstrong (Lucky’s father) so completely that, as I wrote the sequel, I could hear his voice in my head whenever I wrote his scenes. Drew Starkey brings exactly the charm and darker edge Cary needs. It’s an excellent ensemble, and every choice feels perfect.” 

What is your favourite book-to-screen adaptation? 

“I’m really enjoying Margo’s Got Money Troubles, adapted from the novel by Rufi Thorpe. Family drama and dynamics are a recurring obsession in my writing, so books that explore that terrain are always my sweet spot—and this adaptation treats those relationships so well. Elle Fanning is terrific as Margo, and Michelle Pfeiffer brings such heart to the role of Shayanne, her mother. Nick Offerman is also a surprise favourite as Jinx; his portrayal of a retired pro wrestler and recovering deadbeat dad is unexpectedly endearing.” 

Which actor would play you in a movie adaptation of your life? 

“Kristen Bell—I think she’s very funny and charming, and on good days I like to think I am, too.” 

What book feels like home to you? 

“I used to reread books much more than I do now. There are so many books to read, and so little time. But Elizabeth Strout is always a comfort read for me, and I’ve reread Olive Kitteridge several times. There’s such sadness at the core of that character, and yet the book leaves me feeling happy and hopeful about the world, somehow. I loved Olive, Again just as much, which feels especially meaningful as I work on a sequel to Lucky that comes out next summer.” 

What’s the first thing you do after finishing a draft? 

“I take a very long nap. Then, I celebrate. I think it’s important to do this, no matter how many books I write, because writing a book is no small thing! I open a bottle of champagne and order takeout, since I’m usually too tired to go to a restaurant. I also try to gather as many immediate family members around me as I can, to toast the book’s future success and thank them for putting up with me while I was huddled in my bedroom, finishing a novel.” 

Where do you most like to write? 

“My favourite place to write is my Haliburton cottage, especially in winter. The view of the snow-covered trees and frozen lake is endlessly inspiring, and the cold weather keeps me inside and focused.” 

What moment in your life felt straight out of a novel? 

“The moment I was told I was a Reese’s Book Club pick. My agent had asked me to a summer patio dinner. When I arrived, I saw her sitting with my editor, who I hadn’t expected. Instead of thinking I was about to get good news, I catastrophized and assumed my next book had been cancelled, even though I hadn’t even signed a contract for it yet. Hearing the news felt like something out of a movie script. After losing my mom, who encouraged me to write Lucky and to whom the novel is dedicated, it also felt like the perfect Hollywood ending—although really, and lucky me, it was just the beginning.” 

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever researched for a story? 

“Most authors will tell you their search histories can get strange and alarming. When I was writing Lucky, I did so much research into con artistry and scams that I’m convinced I could pull off a few of them myself.” 

Which book is your most treasured possession?  

“I was a bookish, bespectacled child who disappeared into fictional worlds often. It makes me happy that I still have my hardcover copies of Anne of Green Gables (it says inside that if it is found, it should be returned to me at my address, because ‘this book means a lot to me’), Little Women, and Journeys Through Oz, all of which I read countless times.”