Get ready to learn more about the book Lost Treasures in this discussion with sapphic author Jazzy Mitchell.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Jazzy Mitchell about Lost Treasures, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Slow Burn category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write Lost Treasures?
This was originally a fanfiction story that I adapted to original fiction. I loved writing an old-fashioned romance, Slow burn, ingenue and a worldly woman, age gap, mentor/mentee, workplace romance, ice queen, celebrity romance, second chance—it has many of my favorite tropes.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
I love Evelyn Allbright. I mean, I’ve fallen in love with her. She’s brilliant, witty, and sardonic. She has a gallows humor, which helps her when she’s stressed, and she doesn’t suffer fools gladly. She shoulders a hefty weight of responsibility with grace and experience, yet she’s not jaded enough to be oblivious to new talent. What I love most about her, though, is how she falls in love with Torry’s work before ever having a meaningful conversation with her. Evelyn has a romantic soul. And although she never compromises her vision in the business world, she does learn how to do so while navigating a relationship with Torry. I may have some of the traits which reflect who Evelyn is, but you’ll have to guess which ones.
What part of Lost Treasures was the most fun to write?
I loved writing both main characters’ inner dialogues. Both approach life in different ways, and it was fun to exploit those differences. For example, Evelyn sees everything through the scope of a jaded businesswoman until she sees one of Torry’s window designs. When she views Torry’s display for the first time while driving past the small boutique, it’s as if her caustic thoughts screech to a sudden shalt. Torry’s thoughts, on the other hand, often reflect her incredulity and wonder that her work is championed by Evelyn, and then disbelief when Evelyn’s feelings develop into attraction. I enjoyed showing the progression of both their viewpoints changing over time.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
Lost Treasures is the name of the Manhattan clothing resale shop where she ends up designing the windows which catch Evelyn’s eye. I used that name to indicate how designer clothes sold at the boutique are treasures to those who buy them. The title also refers to Torry, whose mother died in a tragic accident. Evelyn attends the funeral, supporting her friend, who is Torry’s grandmother. After they meet again, Evelyn comes to believe Torry is a lost treasure she was fortunate to find again.
Do you have a pet who helps/hinders your typing?
I have a three-year-old Maltese/Shih Tzu mix (called a Mal-Shi) named Delilah. Under five pounds, Delilah loves to sit on my shoulder or lap while I pound away at the keys. When she feels I need a break, she entices me to play tug-of-war with one of her many toys. She’s a COVID pup, and she’s helped me in too many ways to list.
What are three words that describe your personality?
Hardworking—that’s a positive way of stating that I’m always working. I’m a practicing attorney, a publisher, a writer, a home loan auditor, an instructor, an executive board member for a nonprofit, a small business owner (separate from the publishing house), a mother…gosh, I’m getting tired listing some (not all) of my responsibilities. And I take each role seriously.
Supportive—not only to my family and friends, but also to my authors and to any and all who need support within the lesbian, WLW, and sapphic communities. I run livestream author sessions monthly for my press Launch Point Press and its sister press Desert Palm Press, and I always invite guest authors from other publishing houses to read their works. I want to help authors get more exposure, and I refuse to believe that I need to compete against them.
Fun—this is what my wife said when I asked her for a word that describes me. Even though I don’t get to play as much as I’d like, I do make the most of my time to do fun activities with my wife and children. We often have adventures, such as right after Thanksgiving last year, we and another family went on a two-day search for trolls in the Seattle area.
Have you ever cried when writing an emotional scene?
Ah, yes. I wrote about Torry’s mother dying in a tragic sailing accident, and how that impacts Torry and her family. To tap into their emotions, I imagined how I’d feel, and it tore me up, particularly Torry’s speech at the funeral.
Do you feel bad putting your characters through the wringer?
Not really. I love writing about characters who grow in some way, often through adversity. For example, in Musings of a Madwoman, an aging Broadway actress named Kiernan experiences a series of setbacks, partially due to the way she treats others. She really took the reputation of a diva to a new level. Her life implodes, and it doesn’t get better until she takes stock of her life and makes changes.
Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?
Since I began as a fanfiction writer, I’ve kept tabs on other fanfiction writers. When some of my favorite stories by them were adapted to original fiction and published, I felt inspired to try my own hand at it. Some writers I admire who wrote for The Devil Wears Prada fandom include Lee Winter, Lola Keeley, Milena McKay, and Roslyn Sinclair. In fact, Lost Treasures was originally a Devil Wears Prada fanfic.
Have you ever thought you’d hate a book, but ended up loving it?
I always shied away from post-apocalyptic stories since I believed they would be depressing. Instead, I’ve found that the main characters ultimately overcome the odds and act in heroic ways to survive and thrive, even when they make mistakes. I’ve enjoyed reading their journeys.
