Totally Booked with Zibby: Debut Fiction Based in New Mexico with Nancy Foley
March 18, 2026
Guest: Nancy Foley, author of I Am Agatha
Host: Zibby Owens
Episode Overview
In this engaging episode, Zibby Owens sits down with debut novelist Nancy Foley to discuss her first book, I Am Agatha, a literary romance set in 1970s New Mexico. The conversation dives into the inspirations behind the novel, the significance of New Mexico’s landscape, Nancy’s long road to publication, and the creative process behind crafting her formidable protagonist, Agatha. Foley also reflects candidly on her journey as a late-blooming author, the challenges of solitude in writing, and the unexpected joys (and anxieties) of launching her book into the world.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Novel: I Am Agatha and Its Origins
- Nancy’s Path to Publication: Nancy began writing seriously in her late twenties, amassing manuscripts over the course of three decades, most of which she never shared or pursued for publication.
- Quote: “Now I’m 58 years old, so it’s been a long time coming. I have been writing on my own basically for 30 years ... So this is all very exciting.” (01:14, Nancy Foley)
- Book Synopsis: The novel follows Agatha, a formidable abstract painter in her sixties, who seeks solitude in rural New Mexico but instead falls for Alice, a local widow struggling with dementia. Their relationship is complicated by the town’s suspicion of outsiders and the increasing challenges of Alice’s health.
- Quote: “She’s formidable. ... builds herself an adobe house and all she wants is to be left alone ... instead, she falls for Alice ... But Agatha is viewed as an outsider, an interloper ... there’s quite a few twists and turns.” (01:14–02:53, Nancy Foley)
Inspiration Drawn from Family & Local Lore
- The Spark Behind the Novel: Nancy credits a story from her grandmother about the real-life painter Agnes Martin and a rumored friendship with a local woman as a key inspiration, blending family history, gossip, and imagination.
- Quote: “It was a bit of unverified hot gossip about her best friend and the real-life painter Agnes Martin ... that really was the inspiration. I thought it was the mystery ... the kind of secret history.” (05:57–09:27, Nancy Foley)
New Mexico: Landscape and Longing
- The Power of Place: Nancy describes New Mexico as "the landscape of my heart." She speaks lovingly of its vast vistas, distinct colors, and the warmth and community of her grandparents’ home, contrasting it with her current life in Oregon.
- Memorable Moment: Nancy’s evocative description brings New Mexico alive for listeners unfamiliar with the region.
- Quote: “There’s so much space. The vistas are gorgeous. You can see everything coming ... I always miss it when I’m not there. I do long for it.” (04:21–05:48, Nancy Foley)
Agatha's Voice and Writing Through COVID
- Channeling Agatha: During COVID lockdowns, Nancy found herself drawn to Agatha’s character, tapping into her own artistic doubts and the “difficulty” of a protagonist who is both older and unapologetically complex.
- Quote: “It came to me very strongly, and it kind of just took off from there. I wrote the first draft pretty quickly in about four and a half months. Wow.” (09:27, Nancy Foley)
- On Writing Older, Difficult Women: Nancy relishes writing characters who are “difficult people, older people… when they come together, I’m really entertained.”
- Quote: “I just really like her difficulty as a person. She’s a difficult person. She’s an older person. That is my complete Venn diagram overlap of what I’m interested in.” (12:49, Nancy Foley)
The Long Road to Publication
- From Solitude to Success: Nancy candidly shares that she didn’t attempt publication for her previous four novels, instead favoring the process over the product. She emphasizes the importance of writing for oneself, not for external validation or even publication.
- Quote: “You really have to be dedicated to the process, not the outcome ... if I don’t write a little bit most days of the week, I’m pretty crabby.” (11:22, Nancy Foley)
- Breakthrough & Self-Belief: Nancy finally sought out an agent after finishing I Am Agatha, revising the book for nearly three years before selling it in the same week she took her daughter to college—a pivotal, emotional moment.
- Quote: “I sold the book the same week that I took my daughter to college for the first time. ... I woke up smiling. I went to bed smiling.” (09:33–10:41, Nancy Foley)
Reflections on Process, Praise, and Authenticity
- Staying True vs. Seeking Praise: Nancy discusses the perils of both criticism and praise for works-in-progress, advocating holding back work until it’s truly ready.
- Quote: “Unwelcome criticism can be difficult and damaging ... but praise, I have found, can also be just as damaging.” (14:22, Nancy Foley)
- Advice for Other Writers: Trust your own inner readiness rather than rushing to share or sell unfinished work.
Looking Ahead
- The Future of Nancy’s Writing: Energized by publication, Nancy plans to continue writing, exploring ideas outside of New Mexico for the first time.
- Quote: “I had a lot of confidence on the page, and so I’m going to continue. ... I have a couple of other ideas that I’m working on.” (11:22, Nancy Foley)
- Book Launch Apprehensions: Despite excitement, Nancy admits to a mix of “anxiety” and thrill at entering the public eye after so many solitary years.
- Quote: “I’m a pretty private person. So that, to me is ... feels like a big deal to me. But overall, I’m just ... very excited to share it.” (14:22–15:27, Nancy Foley)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“The landscape was richer, it was warmer, it was redder. I just felt very much as a New Mexican there in that landscape. And I always miss it when I’m not there. I do long for it.”
—Nancy Foley (05:48) -
“She was about 5ft tall, completely indomitable, and there was no more discussion. ... But that really was the inspiration. I thought it was the mystery of that sort of like the kind of secret history.”
—Nancy Foley (08:41) -
“To work by yourself for so long on your own, you really have to be dedicated to the process, not the outcome. ... If I don’t write a little bit most days of the week, I’m pretty crabby.”
—Nancy Foley (11:22) -
“I just really like her difficulty as a person. She’s a difficult person. She’s an older person. That is my complete Venn diagram overlap of what I’m interested in.”
—Nancy Foley (12:49) -
“Unwelcome criticism can be difficult and damaging ... but praise, I have found, can also be just as damaging because, you know, it's easy to follow praise. You want more praise. And so you might kind of get away from your true voice by trying to get more praise.”
—Nancy Foley (14:22)
Key Timestamps
- [01:14] Nancy describes I Am Agatha and its protagonists
- [02:53] Zibby asks about the inspiration—Nancy’s grandmother’s home and connection to Agnes Martin
- [04:21] Nancy evokes the landscape and culture of New Mexico
- [05:57] Origins of the story: family lore and artist Agnes Martin
- [09:27] Agatha’s voice emerges during COVID’s solitude
- [09:33] Nancy’s long writing journey and first attempt at publication
- [11:22] Reflections on process, inspiration, and future projects
- [12:49] What Nancy learned from writing Agatha and her affection for "difficult" women
- [14:22] Navigating the anxieties and thrills of launching a debut novel
Conclusion
Zibby’s conversation with Nancy Foley offers listeners an intimate view of a writer’s perseverance, the seductive pull of a unique landscape, and the thrill of finally sharing a lifelong creative vision. Nancy’s journey—marked by patience, self-trust, and a fierce love of both process and place—makes an inspiring case for trusting the story and waiting until it’s truly ready to be told.