Totally Booked with Zibby: Episode Featuring Anna Todd on "The Last Sunrise"

Host: Zibby Owens
Guest: Anna Todd
Release Date: June 5, 2025
Podcast: Totally Booked with Zibby

Introduction

In this episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens welcomes Anna Todd, a New York Times bestselling author known for her After series, Brightest Stars trilogy, Spring Girls, and After graphic novels. Anna Todd discusses her latest work, "The Last Sunrise," delving into the inspirations behind the book, her personal experiences influencing her storytelling, and her journey from writing on Wattpad to establishing her own publishing imprint.

Anna Todd’s New Release: "The Last Sunrise"

Anna Todd begins by sharing her excitement and nervousness surrounding the release of "The Last Sunrise." Describing the emotional turmoil that accompanies the final stages of publishing, she says:

"Every time I turn in a manuscript, I'm torn between thinking it's my best work and doubting its readiness. It's a constant loop of emotions until it's finally out in the world." (05:01)

Inspiration and Themes: "The Last Sunrise" originated as a film idea centered around a protagonist, Ariah, who lives with tuberous sclerosis—a condition Anna’s son faces. She aimed to balance the portrayal of this medical condition with a compelling love story to raise awareness without making the narrative solely focused on illness.

"I wanted to tell Ariah’s story delicately, ensuring it doesn’t come off as a PSA but still brings awareness to her condition." (07:51)

Character Development: Anna emphasizes the depth of the relationships in her book, particularly between Ariah and her mother, highlighting her passion for writing parent-child dynamics as children transition into adulthood.

"I love writing parent-children relationships, especially when the children are coming into the adult world." (06:28)

Personal Journey and Overcoming Challenges

Dealing with Personal Struggles: Anna opens up about her son Asher’s severe epilepsy and autism, conditions linked to tuberous sclerosis, and how these experiences have profoundly impacted her life and writing.

"My son's daily challenges with autism and epilepsy have been overwhelming, but they've also been the catalyst for my storytelling." (08:09)

Writing as Therapy: Writing "The Last Sunrise" served as a therapeutic outlet for Anna, allowing her to process her emotions and experiences related to her son's condition.

"Writing it was really therapeutic, but also really fun because it's not all just about his medical condition. There's also first love and other layers." (06:28)

Transition from Wattpad to Publishing: Anna recounts her beginnings on Wattpad, where she started writing during a challenging period as a stay-at-home mom. Despite initial low readership, her persistence paid off when publishing deals eventually came her way.

"I picked up writing on Wattpad as a hobby, not expecting it to turn into anything substantial. But eventually, publishers saw the potential." (18:30)

Building an Authorial Brand and Publishing Imprint

Establishing an Imprint: Driven by her success and desire to support emerging voices, Anna founded Frayed Pages Media. She discusses the motivation behind creating an imprint that bridges the gap between the free-for-all environment of Wattpad and the curated selections of traditional bookstores.

"We needed something between Wattpad and bookstores, where talented writers could have their work recognized and published." (30:18)

Challenges and Achievements: Anna shares insights into the challenges of starting her own imprint, including negotiating with publishers and building a team. She expresses pride in the diverse range of authors her imprint now supports.

"It's been incredibly rewarding to see our authors get their books into stores and reach a wider audience." (30:18)

Personal Life Updates

Marriage and Divorce: Anna provides a candid look into her personal life, discussing her early marriage at 21, subsequent divorce, and current relationship with a Korean partner. She reflects on the complexities of balancing personal growth with maintaining a long-term relationship.

"I've been married half of my life and realized that holding onto the ideal of a long marriage wasn’t fulfilling me anymore." (26:13)

New Relationship: She narrates the serendipitous way she met her current partner through a language app intended for Korean romance drama enthusiasts, leading to a deep and meaningful relationship despite initial language barriers.

"We met through a language app, and what started as a transactional relationship quickly turned into something inseparable." (29:00)

Future Endeavors and Reflections

Continued Writing and Production: Anna discusses her ongoing projects, including writing, producing, and expanding her imprint. She reflects on the importance of supporting diverse voices in the literary world.

"I'm committed to giving new voices their chance to shine in bookstores, bridging the gap between readers and undiscovered talent." (30:18)

Impact of Personal Experiences on Writing: Drawing from her personal challenges, Anna emphasizes how her experiences shape her storytelling, aiming to create narratives that offer both escapism and meaningful connections.

"I want my readers to escape, to feel like they're falling in love for the first time, and to connect deeply with their own lives through the stories." (36:00)

Notable Quotes

• "Every time I turn in a manuscript, I'm torn between thinking it's my best work and doubting its readiness." – Anna Todd (05:01)

• "I wanted to tell Ariah’s story delicately, ensuring it doesn’t come off as a PSA but still brings awareness to her condition." – Anna Todd (07:51)

• "Writing it was really therapeutic, but also really fun because it's not all just about his medical condition. There's also first love and other layers." – Anna Todd (06:28)

• "We needed something between Wattpad and bookstores, where talented writers could have their work recognized and published." – Anna Todd (30:18)

• "I've been married half of my life and realized that holding onto the ideal of a long marriage wasn’t fulfilling me anymore." – Anna Todd (26:13)

• "I want my readers to escape, to feel like they're falling in love for the first time, and to connect deeply with their own lives through the stories." – Anna Todd (36:00)

Conclusion

This episode offers an in-depth look into Anna Todd's journey as an author and entrepreneur, highlighting how personal struggles can fuel creative endeavors. Through "The Last Sunrise," Anna not only shares a compelling narrative but also sheds light on the realities of living with a chronic condition. Her transition from Wattpad to establishing her own publishing imprint serves as an inspiring testament to perseverance and the power of storytelling.

For listeners interested in exploring Anna Todd's work or embarking on their own writing journeys, this episode provides valuable insights and motivation.

Connect with Anna Todd:

• Website: AnnaTodd.com
• Wattpad: Anna Todd on Wattpad

Follow Zibby Owens:

• Website: zibbymedia.com
• Instagram: @zibbyowens

Note: Advertisements and promotional segments within the transcript have been excluded to focus solely on the substantive content of the interview.