Nicole Lam on her Hollywood romance, For the Record, shortlisted for the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize.
Nicole Lam is a university student from Canada, majoring in English at the University of Calgary and writing an honours thesis on amatory fiction, an early form of the romance novel genre. Her self-published novel, The CEO & The Christian Girl, became a #1 Amazon bestseller in New Releases in the category of Christian marriage. In her leisure time, she enjoys playing the piano and trying new caffeinated drinks with friends.
Can you tell us about your book in three sentences or less?
For The Record is about life after unwanted fame. When the main character’s ex-boyfriend sings a song about her on a televised reality show, she’s launched into the spotlight and encounters sudden notoriety, Hollywood drama, and true love.
What inspired this book?
I was inspired to write this book while I was playing the piano, and its original title was actually “Piano Keys and Publicity.” I enjoy playing the piano, but I don’t have any natural musical talent, so I was wondering what it would be like to write a book from the perspective of a character who lacks any creative talent, like Skye.
Describe your writing style in five words or less.
Descriptive, humorous, dramatic, and witty.
What first drew you towards writing?
I can’t remember what first drew me toward writing because for as long as I can remember—this may sound cliché—I’ve always wanted to be a writer. My first story when I was a child was about a donut thief, though that mystery never got solved.
What do you wish you had known when you first started writing?
I wish I had known how to properly outline a novel and how to understand your characters.
Do you have any writing projects in the works right now?
Right now, I’m writing a small-town Christian romance and editing the sequel to For The Record, titled On The Beat, which is about Skye’s ex-boyfriend.
What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
The best book I’ve read recently would be a book I actually am beta-reading, which is Loving Gavin by Pixie Perkins.
The Kobo Emerging Writer Prize was created to bring literary recognition to Canadian talent and kick-start the careers of debut authors. A $10,000 CAD cash prize will be awarded to a book in each of three categories: Nonfiction, Literary Fiction, and a rotating Genre Fiction category. In addition, each winning author receives promotional marketing and ongoing communications support throughout 2022.
Nicole Lam is one of six authors nominated in the Romance category for 2022. Best-selling romance author Nana Malone will select this year’s winner, to be announced on June 22, 2022.
