Erin Crosby Eckstine is an author of speculative historical fiction, personal essays, and anything else she's in the mood for. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Eckstine grew up between the South and Los Angeles before moving to New York City, where she taught high school English for six years. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and their cats. Her debut novel is Junie and she recently talked about it with Daryl Maxwell for the LAPL Blog.
What was your inspiration for Junie?
I intended Junie to be a realistic and complex teenager. I wanted a flawed, yet hopeful, human character. Literature frequently reduces enslaved people to two stereotypes: the docile slave who accepts the white worldview and the suffering slave devoid of personal growth. This story reflects my time thinking about the harsh realities of slavery. American slavery lasted for over a quarter-millennia; it weighed on me that enslaved people lived the full spectrum of the human experience, good and bad, under this horrific system.
In your Author's Note, you talk about how several of the characters in the novel, including Junie, were inspired by your ancestors and their experiences. Do you remember how old you were when you first started hearing these stories? How old were you when they started resonating with you and you decided to write your novel?
I adapted Junie from a family story my grandmother, Callie Crosby, told me. My ancestor Jane Cotton escaped slavery in Alabama before the Civil War, settling in a rural community where many family members remain. I got the idea for the book on a visit to my grandparents' house in 2018 when I was 26. I want to write a multigenerational family novel about our town. I expected this project would die in my Google Drive, but I couldn't resist writing about Junie, the original ancestor in the story. I decided to fulfill my grandmother's lifelong dream of writing a family book.
How did the novel evolve and change as you wrote and revised it? Are there any characters, scenes, or stories lost in the process that you wish had made it to the published version? Were there any changes you made to your ancestor's stories for the novel?
The story stayed pretty consistent, but I did rearrange events throughout revisions. I did make a major change to my ancestor's story, but I can't share that since it's a spoiler! If you read the book and the author's note, you will know what it is.
How familiar were you with the pre-Civil War South, in general, prior to writing Junie? Did you have to do a bit of research? If so, how long did it take you to do the research and write your novel?
I wouldn't consider myself an expert, but I used some of my existing knowledge, coupled with research, to fill in the gaps. I read a lot of other fiction set during the same time. I focused most of my research on antebellum Montgomery to find little details I could add about the exact time and place. I did most of my research at the same time as drafting.
What was the most interesting or surprising thing that you learned during your research?
I don't want to say because I use them in the novel!
Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever had an encounter with something paranormal?
I don't 'not' believe in ghosts—I've never encountered one, but I've had some moments where I've questioned if something supernatural is going on.
Your biography says that you were born in Montgomery, Alabama, that you've spent some time in Los Angeles, and that you now live in Brooklyn. Do you have any favorite places in Montgomery, Los Angeles, and/or Brooklyn? Hidden gems that someone visiting should not miss, but would only learn about from someone who has lived there?
I wasn't born in Los Angeles, but my dad is a native Angeleno, so I've at least partially lived in Los Angeles my whole life. I went to 3rd-12th grade in LA, grew up in the valley, and still visit to see my family all the time, so I consider myself an Angeleno. Most of my LA hidden gems are questionable nonsense I got into with my friends as teenagers, which I would definitely not recommend publicly, so I'll stick with food. My family is very hardcore about Yucca's Tacos in Los Feliz. When I was in high school, I used to eat a salami sandwich from Larchmont Wine and Cheese nearly every day. I also try to always go to Lilly's in Malibu and Tony's Mexican Grill in Valley Village when I'm home. Otherwise, I usually spend as much time by the beach as I can—I'm a big ocean girl!
In your Author's Note, you also tell how you lost your grandmother before she had a chance to read Junie. If you had the chance, is there something you'd ask her? Something you'd tell her now that the novel is published and out in the world?
It's less than I'd want to say something to her, and more than that, I want to hear what she'd say. My grandmother was so opinionated and smart, and I know she'd have something to say, whether it be kind, insightful, or just funny. I'd probably have her out on interviews with me if she were still here!
As a debut author, what have you learned during the process of getting your novel published that you would like to share with other writers about this experience?
That it is worth taking the risk and sharing your writing! I was always so scared to share my writing with others, but once I did, it was life-changing!
What's currently on your nightstand?
The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Can you name your top five favorite or most influential authors?
Favorite is too hard, so I'll go with influential. Charlotte Bronte, Isabel Allende, Jesmyn Ward, Elena Ferrante, Octavia Butler.
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
Under 7, Yertle the Turtle. 7-13, Harry Potter. 13-18, The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Was there a book you felt you needed to hide from your parents?
No, my family was always pretty open with what I could read!
Is there a book you've faked reading?
I was an English major, I basically have a degree in fake reading… I no longer pretend I've read things I haven't since there's not much of a reason to, but I think the most shocking book I haven't finished is Beloved, since it has a lot of parallels with Junie, which are totally unintentional as I hadn't read it at all prior to starting the book. I love Toni Morrison, especially Sula and The Bluest Eye—I just need to pick up and start Beloved again.
Can you name a book you've bought for the cover?
Our Share of Night, by Mariana Enriquez.
Is there a book that changed your life?
Looking back, there’s a good case for A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray! I loved the Gemma Doyle series, and it ended up getting me into 19th-century literature and culture, and eventually into historical fiction. I met Libba recently and got to gush about this, which was really cool.
Can you name a book for which you are an evangelist (and you think everyone should read)?
I'll say Giovanni's Room, James Baldwin, but I have a lot of books that fall in that category!
Is there a book you would most want to read again for the first time?
Jane Eyre or Villette by Charlotte Bronte. I’m obsessed with Charlotte Bronte.
What is the last piece of art (music, movies, TV, more traditional art forms) that you've experienced or that has impacted you?
Severance! I couldn't stop thinking about all the literary allusions.
What is your idea of THE perfect day (where you could go anywhere/meet with anyone)?
Wandering around a foreign city (Paris and Madrid come to mind), going to a music festival with ample seating/VIP access (I'm in my 30s and am no longer trying to rough it) with all my favorite artists, and then getting to meet them afterwards and talk about books, writing, and songwriting.
What is the question that you're always hoping you'll be asked, but never have been?
Which musicians and songwriters have had the biggest impact on your writing? I grew up in a music family and find a lot of writing inspiration in music. I think if I hadn't ended up on the path I'm on with books and teaching, I'd probably have eventually ended up working in music.
What is your answer?
Phoebe Bridgers, SZA, Frank Ocean, Lucy Dacus, Julien Baker.
What are you working on now?
I'm moving into the editing phase of another historical fiction story—stay tuned!
