Barely Famous: One Golden Summer With Carley Fortune – Detailed Summary
Episode Title: One Golden Summer With Carley Fortune
Release Date: May 16, 2025
Host: Kail Lowry
Guest: Carly Fortune, Author of One Golden Summer
1. Introduction
In this episode of Barely Famous, Kail Lowry welcomes Carly Fortune, the acclaimed author behind the bestselling novel One Golden Summer. The conversation delves deep into Carly's latest work, her inspirations, writing process, and the journey from journalism to becoming a celebrated novelist.
2. Book Release and Excitement
Kail begins by expressing her enthusiasm for Carly's new book, One Golden Summer, highlighting her personal connection to the lake setting, which resonates with Kail's annual visits to her hometown lake.
Kail Lowry [01:30]: "I'm so excited you're here. I'm about two-thirds of the way through One Golden Summer."
Carly shares her profound excitement about this release, emphasizing that it's her fourth book and feels like a culmination of her growth as an author.
Carly Fortune [01:56]: "I think I'm most excited, like, more than any other book. This book... it's a companion novel to that book. It has characters from that novel."
3. Inspirations Behind "One Golden Summer"
Kail inquires about the inspirations that drove Carly to pen this particular novel. Carly reveals that reader demand played a significant role, especially requests for a happy ending for the character Charlie from her previous works.
Carly Fortune [02:44]: "People have been asking me for this book for years, and I finally felt like I was in a place where I could tackle it."
She reflects on her deep personal connection to the lake in Berry's Bay, the setting of her novels, and how it symbolizes her adult relationship with her hometown.
4. Character Development: Charlie and Alice
A significant portion of the discussion centers around the characters Charlie and Alice. Carly explains the challenges of developing Alice as Charlie's love interest, given his established presence in her earlier books.
Carly Fortune [05:09]: "Charlie was a name that I really loved... And Alice, like, one of my favorite girls' names."
Kail shares her admiration for Alice, likening her to herself and appreciating the unique nickname "Ali" used in the novel.
Kail Lowry [06:05]: "Heather calls her Ali, which I think is cute."
5. Carly's Transition from Journalism to Author
Carly discusses her 16-year career in journalism, primarily in editing roles, and how the overwhelming stress led her to pursue writing books.
Carly Fortune [08:55]: "I was a journalist for 16 years... in 2020, I got off a really stressful work call... I'm gonna write a book."
Her passion for storytelling and desire for creative freedom propelled her into the world of novel writing, culminating in her first published work, Every Summer After.
6. Balancing Writing and Family Life
The conversation shifts to how Carly manages her responsibilities as a mother with her writing career. She credits her husband's support for allowing her the flexibility to write from home.
Carly Fortune [30:10]: "My husband has pulled away from his work... he does the drop-off and pick-up in the morning."
Carly candidly shares the challenges she faced, including periods of ill health and the immense workload, leading to her husband's increased support during critical times.
7. Book Adaptations and the Entertainment Industry
Carly is thrilled to announce that Every Summer After is being adapted into a series by Amazon, with the first season set to commence filming soon.
Carly Fortune [20:46]: "Every Summer After is being adapted by Amazon as a series and that's greenlit. The first season is shooting very soon."
She also mentions that One Golden Summer has been optioned by Archewell, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's production company, in collaboration with Netflix, highlighting the positive reception of her work in the entertainment sector.
Carly Fortune [21:34]: "Meet Me at the Lake is being developed by Archewell and Netflix... there's a really important mental health story in that book."
8. Handling Criticism and Negative Reviews
Kail broaches the sensitive topic of book reviews, particularly negative ones on platforms like Goodreads and BookTok. Carly shares her past struggles with imposter syndrome and anxiety, especially after encountering a particularly harsh review.
Carly Fortune [13:27]: "I have read every single early review... it was so devastating."
However, she emphasizes her growth in handling such critiques, focusing on her writing rather than external opinions.
Carly Fortune [15:57]: "I let you know right now, this is publication day for me... these reviews are for the readers and the community."
9. The Importance of Setting: Barry's Bay
Carly underscores the significance of Barry's Bay, her hometown in Canada, as the backbone of her novels. Despite concerns from some agents about American audiences' preference for U.S.-based settings, Carly remained steadfast in showcasing her Canadian roots.
Carly Fortune [32:14]: "When I started writing the book, like, I wanted to write about where I grew up and how I grew up, and that was Barry's Bay."
She believes that authentic settings add depth to her stories and offers readers an escapist experience into a place they might not be familiar with.
10. Writing Process and Advice for Aspiring Authors
Carly details her disciplined writing routine, which involves waking up early to write several thousand words daily, ensuring she meets her drafts within four months.
Carly Fortune [45:57]: "I give myself about four months to finish the first draft... I just wrote 388 words a day. And it got done."
She advises aspiring writers to write for themselves without the pressure of external expectations, emphasizing the importance of completing a first draft before refining it.
Carly Fortune [47:36]: "Just write. Just write it as the thing that you... You need the words first."
11. Favorite Authors and Book Recommendations
Towards the episode's end, Carly shares her favorite authors and recommends several books. She praises Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent and The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, appreciating their unique storytelling and relatable characters.
Kail Lowry [51:13]: "Do you have a favorite author that you love to read?"
Carly Fortune [52:03]: "I love Tia Williams, Emily Henry, Annabelle Monaghan... Sandwich by Kathryn Newman."
12. Conclusion
Kail wraps up the conversation by highlighting where listeners can purchase One Golden Summer and follow Carly on social media platforms for updates.
Carly Fortune [54:01]: "I'm on Instagram at Carly Fortune and my website is carlyfortune.com."
Kail also promotes their online book club, Chapter 7 Book Club, encouraging listeners to join for further literary discussions.
Notable Quotes:
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Carly Fortune [01:56]: "This book... it's a companion novel to that book. It has characters from that novel."
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Carly Fortune [20:46]: "Every Summer After is being adapted by Amazon as a series and that's greenlit."
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Carly Fortune [47:36]: "Just write. Just write it as like the thing that you want to tell without all... You need the words first."
Key Takeaways:
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Reader Influence: Carly's latest book was significantly inspired by her readers' desires for continued stories and happy endings for beloved characters.
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Authentic Settings: Staying true to her Canadian roots, Carly emphasizes the importance of authentic settings in her storytelling.
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Personal Growth: Transitioning from journalism to novel writing allowed Carly to explore her creativity and address personal themes in her work.
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Balancing Act: Carly showcases the importance of family support in managing a demanding writing career alongside motherhood.
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Resilience: Overcoming negative reviews and embracing criticism has been pivotal in Carly's journey as an author.
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Future Projects: With multiple book adaptations in progress, Carly's presence is expanding beyond literature into the entertainment industry.
Follow Carly Fortune:
- Instagram: @CarlyFortune
- Website: carlyfortune.com
Purchase One Golden Summer:
Available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and local indie bookstores.
Join the Chapter 7 Book Club:
Find more details on Barely Famous.
This episode offers a heartfelt exploration of Carly Fortune's literary journey, her dedication to storytelling, and the profound connections she fosters with her readers. Whether you're an aspiring writer or a fan of heartfelt, escapist novels, this conversation provides valuable insights and inspiration.