Q&A with Author Erin Hahn

Author Erin Hahn. Credit: Hilary Nichols Photography

I love getting the chance to ask authors questions about their books because there are usually so many "behind the scenes" things I want to know (I'm nosy, sue me!). When St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books asked if I had any questions for Erin Hahn about her newest book, More Than Maybe (out on July 21, 2020​) I immediately said yes! 

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Q&A's about More Than Maybe

1. Both of your novels revolve around the music industry. I’d love to know more about what draws you to the industry and, besides country, what are some of your favourite genres?

​I grew up listening to my parent’s music, so a whole lot of singers and songwriters of the seventies and eighties… James Taylor and Carole King and Billy Joel. In the late eighties, pop music started to make the scene and so my very first cassette tapes were of the bubble gum pop variety… Tiffany and Debbie Gibson-style.

When I finally was old enough to buy my own music, I joined a CD delivery company and hit up record stores at every opportunity. From there on out, it was all grunge alternative all the time. so much angsty, gritty garage grunge was blaring from my little sound system in my room as a teen. I would fill notebooks with lyrics and dance in my bedroom and run to mix CDs. Music was everything to me, growing up. Instead of moving on from a genre, it’s like I just absorbed them all into an eclectic blend that drives my friends and family crazy to this day. I will literally listen to anything and everything. That’s not to say I’m not discerning. Like Vada, I most certainly am! But I’m not limited to only one kind of sound. I love them all. Turns out, that’s been an enormous blessing in writing music novels. I don’t have to search long and hard for the music that I incorporate into the stories… it’s all just there, waiting for me to give it a voice. ☺

2. MORE THAN MAYBE seems to be a slightly grittier novel than YOU'D BE MINE, with characters working in a bar and seating with real life, post-secondary problems (although the characters themselves are as well-crafted and wholesome as ever). What drew you to the “dirtier” rock and roll genre this time around? 

Ha. Well, to be honest, the grittier rock and roll genre is more my speed. I grew up in the time of record stores, radio mix tapes and the grunge movement. Back when MTV used to play music videos 24-7, it was my babysitter. The way that Vada and Luke feel about the Loud Lizard—how it’s their home and their family—that’s how I’ve always felt amongst the grittier dive bar crowds. I think it still translates well into the 2020’s since there still really isn’t anything like the live music experience! Whether you’re into EDM or country music or hip hop, experiencing music, “alone in a crowd” is all the same. 

​3. Completely random, but how did you come up with Vada’s name? And (because I say it definitely every time I read it in my head) how do you picture it being pronounced? 

Vada’s name came from a former student! But those of us who are older might remember the character Vada in My Girl and My Girl 2. Its pronounced that same way… “Vay-Duh”, though Luke and his family tend to make it sound like “Vay-der” with their British accents. 

4. Last question! Do you ever see yourself writing a companion novel to this book, maybe even with characters from both books interacting? I‘m sure I’m not the only one who would love to read about them again! 
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Yes! Actually, my third book, NEVER SAW YOU COMING, is out in 2021 and features Vada’s best friend, Meg Hennessey! Throughout Meg’s story, you’ll get glimpses of Luke and Vada as well as Luke’s twin, Cullen and his best friend Zack! You’ll meet a whole new cast of characters as Meg finds love and friendship in her story, but there’s plenty of the old gang there to make you smile. Those scenes were honestly some of my favorite to write. I love these kids so much!

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And that's all I have for you today! Erin seems like such an amazing person and I loved getting to ask her some questions (and I'm happy I finally know how to pronounce Vada's name :D). This was a great book and I was so excited to get more insight into what helped create this story - hopefully, you did too!

​My review will be posted soon, but to get a full synopsis of More Than Maybe or more information about Erin Hahn, please visit these links:

​Synopsis: Goodreads
Buy this book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250231642 

Author website: https://www.erinphahn.com/
Author Twitter: @erinhahn_author
Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17130322.Erin_Hahn
Author Instagram: @erinhahn_author