Carley Fortune, the author of the acclaimed debut novel Every Summer After, reminisced about her childhood lake cottage in Barry’s Bay, Canada, which she left over a decade ago. Like her protagonist, Persephone, Fortune returned to her childhood diaries during the COVID-19 lockdown, an experience she described as emotional and nostalgic. Reading through entries from her youth inspired her to write the novel, released in 2022, which tells the story of childhood best friends Percy and Sam, whose romantic path diverges and reconnects after a decade.
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Fortune has quickly become recognized as one of this summer's most notable new authors. In an interview, she shared her surprise at the book's success, noting that she originally wrote it for herself with no intention of publication. The moment her book was released was surreal, and she expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic reception from readers.
Transitioning from journalism to fiction was seamless for Fortune, who found the creative process liberating. She enjoyed the freedom to invent her narrative, contrasting it with her previous work in journalism, where she began to feel constrained by editorial demands. Throughout writing Every Summer After, she moved fluidly between past and present timelines, allowing her characters to develop organically.
When asked about her characters, Fortune expressed a clear vision for Percy ending up with Sam, although she found writing the secondary characters, Charlie and Delilah, particularly enjoyable. Fortune highlighted how relationships evolve over time, emphasizing themes of empathy and forgiveness in her storytelling.
Looking ahead, Fortune is set to release her second novel, Meet Me at the Lake, in May 2023. This story revolves around Will and Fern, who meet by chance in their twenties but lose contact, only to reconnect a decade later. The narrative oscillates between their past and present, exploring personal growth and unexpected life paths.
Fortune concluded the interview by sharing her recent reading recommendations, praising One Hundred Other Girls by Iman Hariri-Kia and The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston, both of which resonated with her for their relatable themes and engaging prose.