The following is an interview with USA Today bestselling author Sally Kilpatrick regarding the recent release of her revenge novel, Little Miss Petty, through publisher Montlake. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Kilpatrick about her creative process in bringing the story and characters to life on the page, how she hopes that the story’s themes may connect with readers, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the release of Little Miss Petty! What can you share with us about the genesis behind this project, and how would you describe the story’s premise?
Sally Kilpatrick: This book was born of my frustration, a common one, that some people seem to skate through life doing despicable things without ever facing consequences. Like so many of my stories, it began with a question, in this case: “What if you could hire someone to get a very righteous, yet not utterly mean or life-threatening, revenge on someone who hurt you?” I’d just written a scene in Nobody’s Perfect, where a wife left rotten potatoes hidden in a closet in an attempt to convince her cad of a husband to leave, and the heroine of Little Miss Petty, Stella, decided to create a cottage industry out of such shenanigans. I’m hoping it’s as cathartic for readers as it was for me!
BD: How would you describe your creative process in bringing the story and characters to life on the page?
SK: As I mentioned, I often start with some kind of “What if…?” question. Then, a character will emerge, someone who seems willing to answer that question. From there I take notes and brainstorm to create a plan. Along the way, I keep research notes in Scrivener and create a Pinterest board so I can remember what my characters look like. After about 30,000 words, give or take, I realize I’ve taken a wrong turn at Albuquerque (just as Bugs Bunny did in the cartoons) and go back to my notes, redo my outline, and then start from scratch. Try as I may, I can’t seem to avoid this hiccup, so I’ve started embracing it. For Little Miss Petty, I actually rewrote a third draft from scratch. As resistant as we writers might be to redrafting, I’ve found it’s a valuable—albeit frustrating—tool.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums and genres. How do you feel that Stella’s story may connect with and impact readers?
SK: Pettiness seems to be rather universal, and I hope the reader goes on the same journey that Stella and I did, one that reminds us that we really can only control ourselves and the energy we put out in the world. Also, when I write a love story—and Little Miss Petty does meet her match in this book—I want to show a relationship built on kindness and mutual respect, as well as fireworks. Each and every one of us deserves to be loved for who we are, and I hold that philosophy in mind with each book I write.
BD: What makes Montlake the perfect publishing partner for Little Miss Petty?
SK: I gotta give credit to editor, Lauren Plude. She really championed Nobody’s Perfect, and she could immediately see what I was going for with Little Miss Petty. Once, we were brainstorming and I was hung up on something about Stella’s love interest, Malone. Lauren immediately identified what was bothering me and said of Malone, “He’s Captain America.” She was talking about the moral center of the character, but now I can’t see Malone as anyone but Chris Evans. I also adore the cover. Trust me when I tell you that the kind of pettiness I hoped to convey is very difficult to capture in one picture, but Montlake did it.
BD: Are there any projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
SK: Obviously, I’d love for folks to check out Nobody’s Perfect, the book before this one. I also have an older series that’s dear to my heart, which starts with The Happy Hour Choir. In it, a fallen-from-grace piano player falls in love with a minister then makes a church choir out of barflies. Come to think of it, Beulah walked so Stella could run; there’s one scene where she’s miffed about the handbells someone else bought, so she deliberately puts fingerprints on them.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Little Miss Petty and your work?
SK: Much like the Waffle House, the lights are always on at my website (www.sallykipatrick.com), and my monthly newsletter will keep everyone up to date. Beyond that, I think I’m most active on Instagram these days (@superwritermom), but I also have a Facebook author page, TikTok, and Threads (all also @superwritermom).
