Notes and Links to Kerri Schlottman’s Work

Kerri Schlottman is a writer of literary fiction novels, most recently Daytime Moon, out with Unnamed Press as of May 12, 2026. Her novel Tell Me One Thing was named a 2025 Storytrade Literary Fiction Finalist, a two-time 2024 PenCraft Fiction Award Winner, a 2023 American Book Fest Best Literary Fiction Book Finalist, and a Shelf Awareness Best Book This Week.

She works to support artists, performers, and writers in creating new projects and is a part-time graduate professor at NYU in arts administration. Previously, she was a massage therapist, a factory worker, a copy editor, and briefly enrolled in law school.

Kerri Schlottman’s Website

At about 2:00, Kerri talks about early feedback for Daytime Moon

At about 3:00, Kerri outlines her arts administration university job

At about 5:00, Kerri gives background on her early reading and writing

At about 6:20, Kerri talks about transformational and formational works and writers

At about 7:20, Kerri expands on the particular greatness of Vonnegut

At about 8:30, Kerri responds to Pete asking about Detroit and Michigan and any connections to “Midwest Nice”

At about 9:30, Kerri cites contemporary writers who push her own work forward, include Charlotte McConaghy and Christie Hodgen

At about 11:20, Kerri shoots out publisher Unnamed Press and places to buy her book, as well as book events, one with Meagan Woods

At about 13:35, Kerri talks about seeds for the book and gives interesting background on the history of the Salton Sea

At about 16:30, Kerri details a New Yorker article about Hannah Upp and its influence on her work

At about 18:45, Pete shouts out Tod Goldberg’s stellar Salton Sea writing, and Kerri expands on the “fascinating” life in the Salton Sea “plots”/flat and Slab City and “off the grid” living

At about 21:50, Pete outlines the book’s exposition, and Kerri responds to Pete’s questions about the symbolism of this part and its setting up later plot

At about 25:50, Pete outlines more of the book’s opening and main characters, and Kerri speaks to the combination of the “artsy, countercultural" Isa and the business-oriented Merce

At about 30:00, Kerri expounds on connections between Isa and her brother

At about 32:30, Kerri responds to Pete’s questions about Ella, Isa’s sister, and the reason for Isa’s fleeing the Salton Sea

At about 34:45, Kerri talks about Isa’s “culture shock” in NYC, and talks about Dane’s sending them on a quest with letters left behind

At about 36:00, Pete highlights the later age for the coming-of-age in the book-a resounding success

At about 36:55, Kerri responds to Pete’s question about different expectations for men and women and their treatment and/or neglect of their children

At about 41:10, Isa’s Lizzie and her cancer diagnosis are discussed, as Kerri discusses her last days and promises

At about 45:00, Pete asks Kerri about ideas of tarot and the future and belief in some or all of the process/precepts; Kerri talks about “escapism” in its many forms

At about 48:00, The two discuss Isa’s sadness after her friend’s death and Isa’s interactions with her father

At about 49:00, Kerri gives background on a tarot reading scene that Pete highlights as so well-drawn

At about 49:50, Pete stumbles into a classic Faulkner quote and the two discuss the past’s impact on the characters’ present

At about 52:15, Pete references a great Alice Elliott Dark line when talking about the book as a moving “elegy”

At about 53:40, Kerri discusses the “cascading effect” as Isa and Cole begin to meet new/undiscovered family members

At about 55:10, Pete mentions the book as a great “road trip book” in response to Kerri’s reflection on “found families”

At about 57:45, Pete remarks on how masterfully Kerri deals with time span, and she reflects on her mindset in writing about this as she did

At about 1:00:00, Kerri talks about “allusion[s]” in the book to environmental dangers happening in real time

At about 1:02:45, Pete gives kudos to Kerri for the book’s pathos and overall greatness

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