Podcast Summary: "Taylor Hutton, STRIKE AND BURN" on Totally Booked with Zibby

In the February 20, 2025 episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens welcomes Julie Buxbaum and Adele Griffin, the dynamic duo writing under the pseudonym Taylor Hutton. They delve into their latest dark romance novel, Strike and Burn, exploring the intricacies of their collaborative process, the themes woven into their narrative, and their future projects in the literary world.

Introduction to Taylor Hutton

Zibby Owens introduces the authors by explaining that Taylor Hutton is a pseudonym shared by Julie Buxbaum and Adele Griffin. Julie brings her extensive experience in writing for adults, young adults, and middle-grade audiences, while Adele is recognized as a New York Times Best Selling author and an Edgar Award finalist. Together, they have authored over 40 books, merging their unique styles to create compelling stories.

The Genesis of a Collaborative Partnership

The conversation begins with Zibby inquiring about how Julie and Adele teamed up to create Strike and Burn. Julie explains, “Sarah is the starting point of so many creative, amazing productions in the world. She set us up as friends, not as co-writers” (02:25). Adele adds, “Sarah was like, this is your person. She is going to ease your transition from Brooklyn to living here” (02:54). Their friendship, fostered by their mutual friend Sarah Blandowski, organically blossomed into a writing partnership.

Creative Process: One Hour a Day

Julie and Adele detail their unique writing routine—dedicating one hour each day to collaborate on their shared Google Doc. Adele shares, “I found myself at 2am looking on my phone to see if Julie had written anything new” (04:27). This disciplined yet flexible approach allowed ideas to flow seamlessly, fostering a creative environment where both authors could experiment and build upon each other’s contributions.

Adopting the Pseudonym: Taylor Hutton

When asked about their choice of pseudonym, Julie explains, “We wanted a name that felt really separate from us. Taylor is not at all connected to who we are as people” (07:00). The name Taylor Hutton embodies a persona distinct from their usual genres, allowing them the creative freedom to explore dark romance without the constraints of their established literary identities. They aimed for a name that combined “the badass powerhouse of Taylor [Swift] and the old-school glamour of Hutton” (07:50), crafting a unique authorial voice.

Exploring Dark Romance: Themes and Characterization

Zibby praises the writing style of Strike and Burn, noting its “propulsive and accessible” nature while balancing dark themes with engaging storytelling (09:15). Julie elaborates on the concept of “tromantasy,” a blend of trauma and romance, stating, “We don't mean fantasy as in dragons, fourth wing fantasy. We mean fantasy as an aspirational” (12:27). This approach allows readers to process trauma within a heightened, fantastical narrative framework.

Adele adds, “We knew we were writing about two very broken people and their brokenness complimenting each other” (12:45). The protagonists’ intertwined struggles and eventual acceptance provide a nuanced exploration of love amidst adversity, creating relatable and deeply emotional characters.

Balancing Darkness with Humor and Levity

While Strike and Burn delves into heavy subjects like loss and abuse, Julie and Adele intentionally infuse humor and lighter moments to balance the narrative’s intensity. Julie recounts a particularly edgy scene involving a cat, which they ultimately decided to tone down to maintain the story’s overall tone (16:18). This meticulous attention to detail ensures that the novel remains engaging without becoming overwhelmingly dark.

Character Development and Reader Engagement

Zibby highlights the protagonist Taylor’s resilience, noting her ability to function amidst significant loss: “She seems fairly, like, together” (14:03). Adele responds by emphasizing the importance of creating characters that mirror real human emotions and struggles, allowing readers to find solace and connection within their journeys. Julie adds, “It's like a reconnection with our younger writing selves” (19:43), underscoring the personal investment and authenticity woven into the characters.

Future Endeavors: Expanding the Taylor Hutton Universe

The authors reveal plans for a companion novel titled Axe and Grind, scheduled for release the following January. Julie explains, “It's another dark romance... a companion novel about two characters who are in Strike and Burn and their story” (20:34). This expansion signifies their commitment to developing a rich, interconnected literary universe for their readers.

Additionally, Julie mentions her upcoming middle-grade series, The 4th Area 51 Files, set to launch in the summer, showcasing her versatility as an author. Adele shares that she has recently completed a first draft of an adult novel focused on second-chance romance, highlighting their continuous creative momentum (21:26).

Conclusion: The Magic of Collaborative Creativity

Zibby Owens wraps up the episode by expressing admiration for Julie and Adele’s collaborative magic, remarking, “Creativity is like capturing something in a bottle. Like magic in a bottle” (22:39). The authors reflect on the “crazy alchemy” of their partnership, attributing their success to their complementary strengths and the foundational support from their friend Sarah (22:43).

Julie concludes with a heartfelt thank you, emphasizing the joy and fulfillment derived from their joint creative endeavors, while Zibby encourages listeners to explore their works and support their literary journey.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Julie Buxbaum: “Sarah set us up as friends, not as co-writers.” (02:25)
• Adele Griffin: “I found myself at 2am looking on my phone to see if Julie had written anything new.” (04:27)
• Julie Buxbaum: “We wanted a name that felt really separate from us. Taylor is not at all connected to who we are as people.” (07:00)
• Julie Buxbaum: “We knew we were writing about two very broken people and their brokenness complimenting each other.” (12:45)
• Julie Buxbaum: “It's like a reconnection with our younger writing selves.” (19:43)
• Julie Buxbaum: “It's another dark romance... a companion novel about two characters who are in Strike and Burn and their story.” (20:34)
• Zibby Owens: “Creativity is like capturing something in a bottle. Like magic in a bottle.” (22:39)

For fans of dark romance and collaborative storytelling, this episode offers an insightful glimpse into the creative process behind Strike and Burn. Julie Buxbaum and Adele Griffin demonstrate how friendship and shared passion can culminate in compelling, emotionally resonant literature. To stay updated on their work and future projects, follow them on their respective platforms and keep an eye out for the release of Axe and Grind in January.