Show Notes

It was an honour to speak with the talented, thoughtful, and truly lovely Emma Knight, author of the buzzy debut, THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE COMMON OCTOPUS (just announced as Read With Jenna’s first book club pick of 2025). A Toronto-based writer and co-founder of Greenhouse Juice (with two cookbooks under her belt), Emma’s debut novel takes place in Scotland, where Penelope Winters navigates her first year at Edinburgh University while untangling a family mystery. Striking every chord I love in a good book — coming-of-age, friendship, motherhood, romance, and intrigue — plus the introspection that comes with finding ourselves while unearthing the past lives of those who came before us — I think you’ll adore this one, too (trust 🤝)

We chat about everything from the publication process, to the imaginary characters living rent-free in our heads, to the advice she gave her daughters on what constitutes a good life: “choose something you always want to get better at and something that makes you feel like yourself.” Putting her own words into action, she finally plucked up the courage to put pen to paper and follow her dream of becoming a published author.

Emma is, without a doubt, a writer to watch 🐙🖋️🫶

The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus is available for pre-order now and will be out on January 7, 2025 (CAN/U.S.) and April 2025 in the U.K.

CONNECT WITH EMMA

Instagram: @emma.knightwrites

Buy the Book:THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE COMMON OCTOPUS

Word Weaver Podcast Links

Show Notes: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast/emmaknight

Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast

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