Zibby Mag

Novelist Brenda Novak has been writing books for the past 25 years and on April 11, 2023, she reached a major milestone in her publishing career: her 75th novel, The Seaside Library, was officially released. To celebrate her 75th book, Brenda embarked on a “Bookstream Tour,” traveling across the country for six weeks in her vintage 1963 Airstream-turned-traveling-bookstore, making over thirty stops to promote The Seaside Library.

We caught up with Brenda to hear more about the inspiration behind this tour, and some of the stops she’s made so far. You can still catch Brenda and her Bookstream at these cities across the country. Check out the photo gallery below, and click here to purchase a copy of Brenda’s latest book!

First off, how does one write 75 books in a lifetime? What’s your secret? What’s your routine been like over the years?

I’ve written three books per year since I was first published—it’s the “eating an elephant one bite at a time” thing. If you’re consistent and work hard each day, you can write a significant number of novels in thirty years.

How did the idea for the airstream trailer come to fruition?

When my daughter first suggested it, I couldn’t see how we would bring it to fruition. But my husband overheard us talking and told me our neighbor had just sold his gymnastics business and his house to move to the country, where he’d have more room to start a new business renovating Airstreams. Serendipity, right? We called him, and he happened to have the perfect 1963 Globe Trotter Airstream. Once he quoted me a price, and I realized I could afford it, I knew I could make it happen. And when Ted agreed to take time off work to drive, I felt it was meant to be!

Was the idea for a traveling bookshop always something that appealed to you?

Ted and I have always wanted to drive coast to coast, so we combined that bucket-list item with the idea of renovating a vintage Airstream and turning it into a traveling bookstore/coffee shop to promote The Seaside Library. We haven’t had the Bookstream very long. We contracted it last October, watched it go through the renovation process and took possession of it in April.

What is your route for the trip, and how did you decide on it?

We purchased a big map at an office supply store and sat down with some pushpins and string—and a computer to calculate the miles between stops so we could gauge how far we needed to spread them out—and set up the tour. When we finished, our route looked exactly like the outline of the United States! And it was so ambitious we knew it wouldn’t just take one month, it’d take two!

What have been some of your favorite stops thus far?

They’ve all been great, so it’s hard to pick a favorite, but I really loved signing for Inkwood Books in Haddonfield, New Jersey. Julie, the store owner, was so enthusiastic and fun—such a team player. She added a lot to the vibe. But the signing in Franklin, Tennessee, with Landmark Booksellers was just as spectacular. Both store owners treated my readers wonderfully—and my team too! They fed us after the event, and Landmark Booksellers even cracked open a bottle of champagne!

Tell us a little about The Seaside Library. What makes this title special to you? Why is it a great summer read?

The Seaside Library is about three friends who’ve grown up together and vowed to protect each other even if it means lying for a teenaged Cam when he becomes the prime suspect in a missing persons case. Ariana and Ivy believe they did the right thing until, twenty years later, new evidence emerges on the case. Then everything is called into question—everything the friends thought they knew about that night and everyone they thought they could trust.

I love stories where people do the wrong thing for the right reason and have to reassess their own behavior. I also love books with forgiveness and redemption themes. Because this story incorporates women’s fiction along with some romance and mystery, I think it’s ideal for an escape read and would be best enjoyed while hanging on a beach!

Are you working on anything else at the moment?

I am working on a new beach read called Tourist Season, which will be out next April! Before that, I have three romance titles coming out: Talulah’s Back In Town, The Talk Of Coyote Canyon, and The Messy Life of Jane Tanner. It’s going to be a big year!