One of this year’s featured authors at Savannah Book Festival is Savannah’s very own Carolyn Prusa, who will be sharing her novel “None of This Would Have Happened If Prince Were Alive” at her author presentation on Saturday, Feb. 18.
Born in Durham, NC, Carolyn studied literature and creative writing at Stanford University and Boston University, and has written for Savannah Magazine and the Charlotte Observer, among other publications.
We spoke with Carolyn about her career, her love of Savannah, and what it means to be invited to a distinguished festival in her own hometown.
When did you become interested in writing, and when were you first published?
I have been writing my entire vida loca. When I was in first grade, I started a series about a character named Julie who piles her suitcases to the sky and then climbs them. (Clearly, I struggle with establishing conflict.) I was first published in the Blue Review, my high school literary magazine, and then it only took 30 years after that to sell my first book.
How long have you been in the Savannah area, and what brought you here?
My husband accepted a position with Hugo Boss, which entailed making sure wildly expensive, super-tight suits made it to stores. We’ve been here 10 years! I feel lucky to live in Savannah. Whenever we have friends or relatives visit for the first time, I see the city through their eyes, and I’m reminded of its quirky potpourri of history, beauty, and stories.
How would you describe this book to readers?
It’s a rollicking road trip steered by an overwhelmed mama with guest stars Hurricane Matthew and Prince. There is humor and heart.
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
Hmm, let’s see. The book previously included a passage about sand gnats that got cut. My husband is a wonderful man who would probably prefer to stream a Phish concert than start an affair. My top La Croix flavors are pamplemousse, limoncello, and lime. My favorite restaurant in Savannah that’s no longer with us is El Coyote. I love Post Malone. I like buying candles from HomeGoods. There are so many writers on Festival Saturday who I’m excited to see that I might not even have time to be nervous about my presentation or people throwing tomatoes at me.
Perfect for fans of Maria Semple and Jennifer Weiner, the smart and witty debut novel "None of This Would Have Happened if Prince Were Alive" follows Ramona through the 48 hours after her life has been upended by the discovery of her husband’s affair and an approaching category four hurricane. Thoroughly entertaining and completely relatable it’s a hilarious, heartwarming story of a woman up to her elbows in calamities and about to drive off the brink of the rest of her life.
