Description:

The April 2025 JHBC selection, The Light Pirate, is a haunting, lyrical, and original story that takes place in the near future, set against the backdrop of climate-ravaged Florida, with parts of the state going underwater and being abandoned by those who used to call it home. The story follows Wanda—a luminous child born out of a devastating hurricane—as she navigates a rapidly changing world. With elements of literary fiction, speculative realism, and subtle magical undertones, The Light Pirate is a meditation on grief, transformation, resilience, and the relationship between humanity and the natural world. It’s both a warning and a whisper of hope—a reminder that even in the face of collapse, there is still beauty, connection, and light.

In this discussion with The Light Pirate author, Lily Brooks-Dalton, she and Jen discuss:

How the simple practice of journaling helped Lily evolve her craft and find her own unique voice as a writer
The ways in which Lily weaves unexpected, real-life texture into her work by marrying her passions in other hobbies and subjects
The evolving demands on a modern author
And Lily talks about her next book project titled 'Ruins' that explores the fascinating field of archaeology

Thought-provoking Quotes:

“I always wanted to be a writer. And it was just a matter of figuring out that that was a goal worth working toward.” – Lily Brooks-Dalton
“I always had a journal. I was so much better at figuring out what I felt through writing it down, as opposed to even thinking or talking out loud. It was just like my medium.” – Lily Brooks-Dalton
“That moment of preparation really stuck with me for a long time. And I couldn't get it out of my head. I was just thinking about all the different ways that a human being could react to that kind of energy, that kind of dread and fear and excitement.” – Lily Brooks-Dalton
“This is the conundrum of living in places that aren’t for us, places that aren't accommodating to us anymore in the way that maybe they used to be. It's so easy to be tucked into your safe home and be like, just move, just go somewhere else. But, I think you are able to put yourself in those shoes and realize these are people's homes. They invest their whole lives in these spaces. And it's no small thing to just move somewhere a little easier.” – Lily Brooks-Dalton
“I didn’t become a writer to be seen. It's not my comfort zone, so it's been a little bit scary at times and also really exciting.” – Lily Brooks-Dalton

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

The Light Pirate: A Novel by Lily Brooks-Dalton - https://amzn.to/42dGxCn
Motorcycles I've Loved: A Memoir by Lily Brooks-Dalton - https://amzn.to/4cEEavY
Good Morning, Midnight: A Novel by Lily Brooks-Dalton - https://amzn.to/4jy3S7v
The Midnight Sky on Netflix - https://www.netflix.com/title/80244645
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke - https://amzn.to/4jzVvZ6
Audition: A Novel by Katie Kitamura - https://amzn.to/42koxXa

Guest’s Links:

Website - https://www.lilybrooksdalton.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lilybrooksdalton

Connect with Jen!Jen’s Website - https://jenhatmaker.com/

Jen’s Instagram - https://instagram.com/jenhatmakerJen’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/jenHatmaker/

Jen’s Facebook - https://facebook.com/jenhatmakerJen’s YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JenHatmaker

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14: Care and Criticism