Bestselling writing duo Ali Brady (a.k.a Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey) joins Zibby to celebrate their new pitch-perfect rom-com, BATTLE OF THE BOOKSTORES. They share the inspiration behind their rivals-to-lovers story set in dueling indie bookstores, the joys and challenges of co-writing, and how real booksellers helped shape the authentic behind-the-scenes details. The conversation also touches on the importance of independent bookstores, Jewish representation in fiction, and the balance of joy and creativity even in difficult times.

Transcript:

Zibby: Welcome ladies. I'm so excited to be with quote unquote Ali Brady, the pen name for the two of you. So excited, Battle Of The Bookstores. Congratulations. 

Ali: Thank you so much. 

Brady: Thank you so much. 

Zibby: I know this isn't coming out on Pub Day, but it's just so nice to be here with you on Pub Day, so Yay.

Ali: You can't think of a better way to start the day. So thank you for having us. 

Zibby: Aw. Okay. Both of you introduced yourselves and I will have already read your, I already read your bios, but just like, so people know who's talking and, and, and, and all of that. 

Ali: Perfect. Well, my name is Allison Hammer and I am the Allie, half of Allie Brady.

Brady: And I'm brady godfrey. And I'm the Brady Half. 

Zibby: Amazing. So excited to have you together. Tell listeners what Battle of the Bookstores is about. 

Ali: So we, the, the shortest version is that it's the Hating Game meets You've got mail, that's how we've been describing it, but it is about two bookstores that have existed side by side for decades.

One Happy Endings is a romance only bookstore, and then Tabula and Script sells more literary fiction. So they've, you know, coexisted fine until one day the same person buys both of them and wants to combine them into one bookstore, but only one person can be managers. So suddenly the managers are at co in competition.

But things get more complicated when.. 

Brady: Things get complicated because, um, unbeknownst to these two managers of the different bookstores, they have struck up an online friendship on an anonymous bookseller forum and they've been chatting for months. And as their rivalry gets hotter in real life, their online friendship gets softer and sweeter and more vulnerable.

And at some point the truth has gotta come out. And then, you know, we'll have to see what happens. 

Zibby: Oh my gosh, I love it. Even. I, I didn't actually know until, because you don't reveal that they are actually emailing with each other until a little bit later. And then I was like, oh my gosh, stuff really? I couldn't believe it.

And then I'm like, of course I should have seen that coming, but I didn't. But anyway, that was great. And also, I love, as a bookstore owner, love the bookstore stuff. You know, every, all the details, the how much. You're carrying stuff. I mean like, like all the things, like the boxes of books, but also the excitement of like opening a new box of books and just all the details.

'cause so much of course obviously goes into owning a bookstore. How did the two of you gather all that? Insider intel on bookstore life. 

Ali: You know, we have gotten to be friends with a lot of booksellers, including you, and just we're very, we had some conversations and we paid attention to what, you know, when we would have events, what they were dealing with and, and just, um, you know, we did a little bit of research talking to people, but I don't know.

It just, and we had, 

Brady: We got, we had beta readers also. Mm-hmm. And we specifically asked for beta readers who have been booksellers. And that was really helpful too. 

Ali: Yeah. I'll tell you, one of the best reviews that we got was from a bookseller who was like. They, these guys got it right Because, you know, my day jobs in advertising and advertising is the job that they give, like almost everybody in like Hollywood movies and things like that.

And they always get it so wrong for how it actually is. So the fact that they, that, you know, people think it's authentic, you know, we felt really good about that. 

Zibby: No, I love it. And of course, just highlighting bookstores in general is so smart and awesome, um, particularly indies and like, this is literally the consolidation, the, you know, story, the what happens when we make conglomerates and what do you lose?

So I feel like yes, it's about a one relationship, but it's really about, so it's a societal commentary as well. Like what do you all think about, about. Small versus big and the, you know, and also the sort of the greed, because that's also a piece of this. 

Ali: You know, I, we say all the time that booksellers are the unsung heroes of the industry.

My, so Brady and I both have solo books, and my debut came out in, in April of 2020, and the biggest loss of that was not having booksellers and bookstores being opened to hand sell books, like.. 

Zibby: Mm-hmm. 

Ali: They're trusted, they're voracious readers and you know, whether they're at a bigger store or a smaller store.

We think they're heroes. 

Zibby: Yep. 

Ali: But there's been a trend with romance only bookstores and we are here for it. And the romance, romance reads in general have just like, they've always been like the lifeblood of the publishing industry, but it feels like they're getting more respect now. 

Brady: Yeah, absolutely. And I think it's so fun.

We've traveled along around to a bunch of different bookstores, including your adorable bookstore. Yay. And seeing how so many, they all have their own personalities, they all have their own little quirks and they all make their own communities and it makes it really special. 

Ali: You were actually the inspiration for something in it.

We talked about this on another, in another interview. Um, so one of the things that I love about Zibby's Bookshop is how you organize the shelves and how you do it in like, you know, these are stories about sisterhood or for recently divorced women, or all those different things. And so that was the inspiration for how Ryan organizes happy ending.

By, you know, there's a big conversation with between him and Josie, over our, our friend Shelby Van Peltz book. Like where do you shelve it? And, and to Josie, it's like, well in the alphabet, but Ryan thinks like just of creative ways to categorize books. So it was, you guys were the inspiration for that.

Zibby: That's amazing. Wow. Our shelving in fiction, that's, that's one for the books. So you tell the story from two perspectives, alternating. When did you make that decision? Like what? Tell me a little bit about that. And do each of you write one of the characters? How is. How do you do that? 

Ali: Yeah, so this is our fourth book together.

Um, and we started out as critique partners before we wrote together. And so we have just a very natural, you know, way of working together. But the way that we do it is we each take one character that like we own. Um, we were gonna do it a little differently this time, but like, it really does help to just like embody that character and to really think about them.

Zibby: Mm-hmm. 

Ali: And so, we'll, we plot. Like, we have like crazy plotting sessions and we do a lot of work on the character growth and development and wounds and like all that stuff. And then, um, do you wanna talk about how we do the actual, like writing? 

Brady: Yeah. So we create a really, really detailed, um, outline and then we divide up the characters.

Like we said, one will take the point of view of the other one and the other, and the other of the other. Um, and then we'll each, typically we draft like a chapter a week, and so we'll each draft a chapter from our character's point of view and then swap it, and then we edit each other. So we're constantly drafting and then editing, and then drafting and editing and back and forth and back and forth.

And so it really, by the end, we have touched every single word on every single page. Multiple times, both of us. 

Ali: But it's interesting because our, you know, as we've gone, our characters have gotten closer and closer and closer. In our, in our debut, the Beach Trap, they were half sisters who were estranged and didn't have a ton of chapters together.

And then in the comeback summer, they were sisters who lived and worked together. And then in this one, they're like a couple who ends up, you know, sleeping together. So it was very like, but it's interesting because our characters have more page time with each other. 

Zibby: Mm-hmm. 

Ali: So like when I would write a scene with her character, she would go in and be like, well no, they wouldn't say that.

And, and vice versa. So it really is a collaboration in every sense. 

Zibby: Do you? You don't disagree. You're just basically on the same page most of the time. 

Ali: All the time. No, no. 

Brady: Yeah. Oh yeah. No, we never, of course we disagree. Yeah, of course we disagree. I mean, I think that's part of the, anytime you work with any per other person that you like, love and trust and respect, like yes, you're still gonna disagree, but also you love and trust and respect them, and so you're like, all right, I guess if this isn't working, then we're gonna have to figure out another way to make it work.

So I think it makes it stronger. I think our drafts, by the time we finish our drafts, I think are much stronger than if we were on our own. 

Ali: And we both like, you know, if there are. If we both have a different idea about something or we don't agree on something, then we'll find a different way. 

Zibby: Mm-hmm. 

Ali: Or sometimes if it's like that's not working, then that means we haven't done the best job of explaining what was in our heads, like on the page.

And I really think we had an event last night where someone was asking about, about the plot, and we really do co-create the plot together. We go chapter by chapter, coming up with it.

Zibby: Mm-hmm. 

Ali: So if there are. Like disagreements. We usually are pretty good at working through it. And Brady had a really, um, good idea.

We've only used it once, but we each get one veto on each book. So a change,.. 

Brady: No questions asked. 

Ali: No questions asked. 

Brady: No discussion. Just veto. 

Ali: Yeah. 

Zibby: Whoa. 

Ali: And we've only used it once, but like again, you wait. 

Zibby: What was vetoed? 

Brady: We could tell, we, we could tell you if you want. 

Zibby: I wanna know. 

Ali: So in our, in our first book, um, the Beach Trap, we had, uh, like not even a side character.

She was like on the page for like a page, a few pages, very few pages. 

Brady: And she was the real estate agent trying to this house help these girls sell this book or sell this house that they inherited. 

Ali: And Brady wanted to name the character. 

Brady: I wanted to name the character something funny and random. And so what did I pick?

Ali: She picked Randy Beaver. 

Brady: Randy Beaver. Yes. 

Ali: So, 

Brady: So the joke was that, you know, if, if somebody is, you know, brave enough to put that on her business cards, then you know, she'll do a great job selling this house. So Randy Beaver. 

Ali: Except that my dad is Randy Hammer. And like, I just was like, it just feels too similar and like it just, you know.

I was uncomfortable with it, and then I asked my dad, he's like, yeah, I don't know about it. And Brady's like, no, it's funny. And then we had a beta reader who read it and was like, like Randy Hammer. And I'm like, see, so we, we ended up naming her Harriet Beaver, which is still funny. 

Zibby: Mm-hmm. 

Ali: But just not, um, not, not Randy with my dad.

So really big disagreements we have. 

Brady: Yeah. Disagree. 

Zibby: Oh my gosh, that's really funny. Well, I'm glad you found your way through that mess and Yeah, got got to the other side of it. So how do you do the pacing of like your own careers versus your joint projects and various publishers and like, how are you managing that?

Ali: Well, we each have a different agent, um, and they work together, which is, which is really great. And so. It, I think it creates more opportunity with, because they both have different strengths and they both have different networks and, and things like that. And honestly, it's a little bit, you go where the energy is going.

Zibby: So like mm-hmm. 

Ali: We've been very, very lucky with, um, the Ali Brady books having, this is our fourth one in four years. 

Zibby: Wow. 

Ali: Um, and we both have other books and we're always working on the side. Like, I've got a project I'm working on, and Brady has a project she's working on. And a lot of times we still critique for each other on our, on our separate projects.

And we also both have full-time jobs and Brady has four kids and two dogs and a, and a stray cat who is now her cat. Um, so we, you know. We're creative people and I think that, you know, you know, I mean you have like the Yeah. 

Brady: You know how it is where you can't stop doing the things that you love, you know, 

Zibby: it's I know, but I'm like, wait, you also have full-time jobs?

Go back to that part. 

Ali: Yeah. And, um, and artists against anti-Semitism, like there's, there's so much stuff and so, but we love it and it's, we both have a crazy work ethic. And, um, having a deadline and being accountable, I think it really helps that, like, I will let myself down no problem, but I don't wanna let her down.

Mm-hmm. And so we keep on, we keep on track, we keep on schedule. We write nights and weekends and yeah, 

Brady: Just find time for it. 

Ali: It's so fun. Like we, it's hard, but it's just, I feel like we're so lucky to do it so that we put the work in when we need to. 

Zibby: Wait, four kids, full-time job books on your own. Not to minimize at all.

I know Al like Allison, you have so much on your plate too, but just the logistics of the kids. When are you doing this? Are they asleep? Are you doing it before they wake up? Uh, do you have a great partner who takes them? 

Brady: I'm a great partner, yes. Have a great partner. 

Ali: Nate is wonderful. 

Brady: My kids are older now.

I mean, I've been writing for, you know, a good eight years or something. Seriously. 

Zibby: Mm-hmm. 

Brady: And working on this. And so when they were younger it was like, you know, naps and late nights, and now they're older, so a lot of times it's like, you know, they have friends over or they're playing in the backyard or whatever.

And so I'm just had my laptop and I'm just hanging out. So now I feel like it's easier to just. They need like the mom around to kind of, but you don't have to watch them or entertain them anymore really. 

Ali: And it's been fun for me. I don't have kids, I just have, I have two nephews who are amazing, but like, I feel like an aunt to Brady's kids and like, you know, we would be on Zooms all the time and like the kids would come in, you know, and say, Hey mom.

And I'm like, hi. And it's just been, been really fun. Her kids are awesome and so is her husband. 

Zibby: Amazing. Oh my gosh. And Allison, talk a little more about artists against Antisemitism, which of course is how we've really connected more in the space you know, when all of that started. 

Ali: Yeah. Um, we, I had reached out to you on Instagram in the days following October 7th, and we wanted to have just a support group of other Jewish authors and like it, what it has become is beyond anything that I can ever imagine. And on our very first Zoom, you were the one who was like, 'cause we started with doing an auction. And you're like, guys, this is bigger than this. Like we have so much combined power and connections and talent, like there's more we can do.

And from that Zoom, we are now officially a 5 0 1 C3. Um, we have a lot of amazing stuff in the works and then of course we, a lot of, um, us were able to contribute to on being Jewish now, which you came up with and edited and are generously donating the prophets to artists against anti-Semitism. And I just have to say it is, has been such a silver lining in this really hard time.

And, and your support and friendship and community that you've created. Um, I'm gonna get emotional. It just really means a lot. 

Zibby: Oh, it means a lot to me too. It's been quite a time, and you are, it has, you are no fearless leader of, you know, really taking this nonprofit to the next level. It's just been amazing to watch.

And, you know, 

Ali: Brady's been an ally throughout the whole thing. Thank you Brady. Um, she, and she wrote Josie, the character who's Jewish, and so, and she, she passed a TikTok quiz on, on Jewish stuff. 

Brady: So like I did, I have picked up things along the way. 

Ali: Yeah, yeah. Um, it's been so funny. Really great. And, and you know what's interesting?

'cause this is. Our pub days is June 3rd and it's following the incident, the attack in Boulder. And I had a moment where it's like, how, how can I, how can I pub like promote this book when like my heart is breaking and we're scared and all these things. And somebody commented about right now we're all living double lives and like this book, we worked too hard on it.

We're too proud of it to like, not do our job and like promote it. But I'm like, so like, you know, my heart is breaking, but we're. You know, excited to be able to share this book and it has Jewish representation and, and there's, you know, so just the life we live right now. 

Zibby: I think there should be no conflict about putting a book into the world.

I was just saying this to the Summer Reeds party that unfortunately couldn't come to. But if somebody was like, how could I go out with my pub day and dah, dah? I'm like, people need escape more than ever right now. I mean, we all have to find our ways to get through the day and remember the joy of life and love and work we care about, and joy and literally happy endings.

So, I mean. The book is a, a tonic, it's a, a respite from, from the storm. I was literally thinking about posting like I think I've decided to be the person who plays the violin on the Titanic. Except that sounded like too bad 'cause I don't believe we are on the Titanic. You know, I think we can repair and get better. But I've decided like, you know, you still have to take the joy of life when you have it and whatever comes next make it a party. So I feel like books are all about that. 

Ali: I love it. And I would, if a party is hosted by you, I will be there in a, but you know what we, I, I sat in a post the other day that like, there's nothing more Jewish than celebrating joy and life and love and like.

That's what this book is. So it's an honor and it's exciting and we're, we're so happy to talk to you about it. 

Zibby: Yay. I'm so glad. Do you have a, and you can't say mine, but I would love it, but you know, a favorite or go-to bookstore that you would just be devastated if it were to be gone. 

Ali: All of, I mean, all of them.

I think that we have, we love so many indie bookstores, like we love, like the ideas of them and they're all so different. I, we usually say our locals. Um, for me it's, it's volumes in, um, in Chicago. 

Zibby: Mm-hmm. 

Ali: And then I work in Annapolis, so park books out there. Um, and 

Brady: I, my local is the King's English in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ali: But I have to tell you, we might have a new favorite. This coolest thing happened to us this weekend, a romance bookstore called the HEA boutique in, is it Marion? I think it's Marion, Iowa, um, issued a challenge on social media to another bookstore in their community and challenged them to see who could sell more copies of our book before Pub Day.

Brady: Oh my gosh. 

Ali: It was literally a battle Yeah. Of the bookstores. 

Zibby: Oh my gosh. 

Ali: And it benefited us. And it benefited. 

Brady: Yeah. It was amazing. 

Ali: And I think in three days they sold like 60 copies between them. That's amazing. For honors like us, it's huge. And for them, so yeah. Um, h It was HEA boutique and swamp box. 

Zibby: And I That is so cool.

Ali: So cool. 

Zibby: Now all these people in Iowa are reading the book. It's I know. Who knew? Who knew? Oh, amazing. So what's your next collaborative project gonna be? 

Ali: We're still figuring that out and working on it. We're, um, on this, on this tour, we're taking a lot of train rides. We're doing a plane, a couple trains, and a, and a road trip.

And so we've got, um, we've got our idea that we're really excited about and we're, um, in the, in the early stages, but it'll be book bookish and romantic and bantry and anything else we can say about it. 

Brady: Yeah, no, I think it's gonna be, yeah. 

Ali: Yeah. 

Zibby: Amazing. Well, I must say I really connected to your characters.

They were so fun to read. I'm kind of sad to be done with them for now. So thank you for creating such, it's like a hard to put down type of read where with such accessible voices and fun and delight and all the bookstore stuff that's thrown in, it's just what a package. So congratulations. 

Ali: Thank you and thank you for the inspiration of Zibby's books because it, you know, we love the store.

Zibby: Yay. All right. Enjoy the pub day and the tour and everything and I'll be cheering for you. 

Ali: Thank you. 

Zibby: Okay. All right. Bye.