What’s worse than being stranded on a deserted island? Stranded on that island with your ex. That’s the idea that got Annie McQuaid ‘06 writing her debut novel, “Crash Landing,” published through Avon, an imprint of HarperCollins.
Like many people during the COVID-19 pandemic, Annie McQuaid ’06 was searching for something to keep her grounded.
“I’ve always loved to write, and I took a number of creative writing courses at Elon,” said McQuaid, who graduated with a degree in communications in 2006 and is now a marketing director at Cengage Group. “It really was a hobby and I was like ‘No one needs to read what I’m writing, I’m just doing it for fun.’”
But now plenty of people will be reading her writing in “Crash Landing,” her debut novel that’s part of a two-book deal through Avon, an imprint of HarperCollins that focuses on romance novels. Amid the pandemic headlines, McQuaid was looking for that “guaranteed happy ending” and sought refuge in romance novels, which led to writing her own.
“Crash Landing” tells the story of Piper Adams, who finds herself stranded on a deserted island with her ex-boyfriend Wyatt. The inspiration came from a story by author Taylor Jenkins Reid about a character who crashed on an island and was discovered to be alive a year later.
“I wanted to know more about that year he was on this island. And then I thought, ‘What would be worse than being stranded on an island by yourself? It would be being stranded with your ex, and that kind of got the juices going for this story,” said McQuaid.
Once McQuaid decided to focus on finishing and publishing the novel, she was accepted into a writing mentorship program, which helped guide her through the publishing process.
“They really held my hand through the process of writing a query letter, a synopsis, a pitch package, who to send it to, and prepared me for rejection, which is part of the gig,” she said. “And honestly, I am still learning.”
The isolation of writing and finding a community was challenging for McQuaid at first, as was putting her work out for critique and potential rejection. McQuaid also says the act of being a writer and an author is two different skill sets.
“Writing is solitary. You’re alone with your thoughts and your laptop, which, as an introvert, I love,” she said. “Being an author is much more public-facing—going on a book tour, doing interviews, and meeting readers. It’s a whole different muscle.”
While at Elon, McQuaid was able to have the “full Elon experience,” participating in Greek Life, working for “The Pendulum,” and having strong relationships with faculty, including Andrew Perrry, associate professor of English, and professor turned university president, Connie Ledoux Book.
“She was a great influence on me,” said McQuaid. “The experience you have in college sticks with you for your whole life and really builds a strong foundation.”
Now working on her second romance novel, McQuaid says the story will focus on an adventure race through the mountains of North Carolina. She encourages any aspiring writers to not let age, time or rejection limit them.
“I have always loved writing, and I feel like some people think if you don’t reach this publishing goal or start doing something in your career before you hit 30, then it’s over,” she said. “But you really can try anything at any age and be successful at it. I think Elon had a hand in inspiring that in me.”