Author Interview Questions – Holly Lipovits

About the Book

1. A Rewrite in New York follows Zoe as she navigates career, love, and old heartbreak. Can you introduce us to Zoe and the central story of your novel?

Zoe is without a doubt a bookworm at heart and an aspiring writer, writing short stories at cozy coffee shops sipping her favorite white chocolate mocha iced coffee. She works as a freelance editor and writer all while juggling her last semester of her master’s in creative writing. Focusing on her career and writing, life decides to throw a plot twist she never saw coming: bumping into her ex who broke her heart years ago. While she’s barricaded her heart after that relationship, the past has a way of showing up when you least expect it.

Around the same time, one of Zoe’s short stories is published in a national literary magazine, and she’s invited to New York for an interview about it. That trip ends up changing a lot for her—both in her career and her heart. While in the city, she meets Ben, an editor who challenges how she sees herself, her writing, and what she wants out of love.

At its core, A Rewrite in New York is about new beginnings, self-discovery, and the idea that sometimes the stories we’re scared to revisit are the ones that help us finally move forward.

2. Running into an ex while pursuing a big career opportunity is never easy. How does that encounter shape Zoe’s journey?

Running into her ex definitely shakes up everything Zoe thought she had under control. She’s in this stage of life where she’s trying to stay focused—finishing her degree, building her career, and keeping her heart off-limits—and suddenly, the person who hurt her most is right in front of her. It forces her to face a lot of things she’s been avoiding, especially how much of her life she’s built around not getting hurt again.

That encounter ends up being a turning point. It makes her question whether she’s been protecting her peace or just hiding behind fear. So even though it’s uncomfortable and messy, it’s the push she needs to open herself up again—not just to love, but to the kind of life she actually wants to live.

3. Zoe meets Ben, a charming editor. How did you develop their chemistry and relationship in the story?

I introduced Ben early in the story, but not in the way of where the reader knows what he looks like, illustrating his personality, etc. There were moments where I was like, “Oh, maybe a FaceTime moment would be something to explore,” but I opted for more hints here and there, playing with the slow-burn vibe throughout the story. I dropped moments of Ben first emailing Zoe, which is their first interaction, and then sprinkled in a few texts between them.

I really wanted their relationship to build through subtle, everyday communication—the kind of connection that sneaks up on you. Their chemistry isn’t built on grand gestures but on quiet understanding and shared words. It felt more true to who they both are—two people who connect first through writing, through language, before they ever fully realize what’s happening between them.

4. Without giving spoilers, what do you hope readers take away from Zoe’s journey of love and self-discovery?

When I wrote Zoe, it took me a minute to realize “Oh wait, this is me. I’m Zoe, someone who thought she had her life on track and focused on herself and her goals” and then bam, your past squeezes back into your life and you somehow lose sight of all you’ve worked so hard for, you know? While you may have backtracked for what feels like life-changing decision, it’s merely a fleeting moment. Writing her journey reminded me that it’s okay to stumble, to feel thrown off, and even to let your heart surprise you.

I hope readers walk away knowing that starting over—in love, in career, in life—doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Sometimes the most meaningful chapters happen after the ones you never expected, and it’s those moments that help you grow into the person you’re meant to be.

5. If you could describe A Rewrite in New York in three words, what would they be?
   
   

Inspiration & Process
6. What inspired you to set the story in New York and tie it to Zoe’s career as a writer?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to live in New York. I love the energy, the hustle, the feeling that everyone’s chasing something big and head-on. Writing Zoe, it clicked that the city was the perfect place for her too—a way to push her out of her cozy small-town life in Ohio and throw her into something bigger than herself. And for her as a writer, it just made sense—cute coffee shops, bookstores, that creative buzz everywhere. It’s the kind of place that forces her to grow, both in her career and in her heart, even when she doesn’t expect it.

7. You focus on emotionally real, cozy romances. How do you balance heartwarming moments with the tension of old heartbreak and new love?

I think the key is giving characters room to be human—messy, uncertain, and sometimes stubborn—while also letting the reader feel those quiet, heartwarming moments that make you sigh or smile as you kick your feet. With Zoe, for example, she makes choices that aren’t perfect, like sleeping with her ex, and she has these little quirks, like when she gets anxious her nostrils flare, that make her feel real and relatable.

For me, it’s about layering the story: letting tension and vulnerability build naturally, then giving readers moments of comfort or sweetness that feel like little breaths between the emotional waves. It’s cozy, but it’s honest, because life, and love, is both tender and complicated at the same time.

8. Did you draw on any personal experiences or observations in crafting Zoe’s character or her journey?

I definitely drew on personal experiences when crafting Zoe and her journey. Writing a book has always been a dream on my heart, but I never quite felt confident enough to go for it—until I went through a very similar tough chapter in my own life. They say the books inspired by your own experiences are often the ones that resonate most with readers. My ex pushed himself back in, and I melted into him, letting him closer and closer, until he chipped away at my dreams and who I really was. That experience made me realize, “This is the story I need to write,” whether it’s just for me or for other women who’ve been through something similar.

Zoe’s journey is really about that tension, about protecting your heart but also letting yourself grow, holding on to your dreams while life tries to throw you off course. Writing her reminded me that even after someone tries to define you, you get to reclaim who you are.

Characters & Themes
9. What do you hope readers will see in Zoe that they can relate to in their own lives?

I hope readers see parts of themselves in Zoe—the messy, human little moments that don’t always make sense but feel so real. Like her love of cozy coffee shops, getting completely lost in writing, her quirks when she’s nervous, little things like her nostrils flaring when she’s anxious, or how she sometimes lets people in too quickly, even when she knows she probably shouldn’t. Those everyday, imperfect moments are what make her feel alive, and I hope readers recognize a bit of themselves there and feel comforted knowing it’s okay to be exactly who you are, even when life gets messy.

10. Beyond romance, are there themes of self-discovery, healing, or career growth that you wanted to highlight?

Absolutely. I wanted to highlight all three because that’s really what Zoe’s story is about. She’s figuring out who she is after heartbreak, learning how to trust herself again, and trying to balance her dreams with everything else life throws at her. For me, it was important that readers see her grow not just in love, but in confidence and in figuring out what she really wants for herself. The romance is fun and heartwarming, but her own journey is what makes it feel real.

11. Were there any surprises in how Zoe’s story developed as you wrote it?

When writing Zoe’s story, I went through four drafts before the last one really felt like her, fully capturing her personality, goals, and voice. In the earlier drafts, I thought the story would be a bit spicier; for example, Zoe and Ben would have slept together shortly after meeting. But as I reread it, I was like, “What was I thinking? Absolutely not!” As an avid reader of cozy, emotionally-driven romance, I realized that leaning into the slow-burn, heart-first vibe really fit the story I wanted to tell.

Writing & Publishing Journey
12. This is your debut novel—what has been the most rewarding part of publishing A Rewrite in New York?

Honestly, the most rewarding part has been seeing readers connect with Zoe and her story. All the late nights, the revisions, and the moments of doubt feel worth it when someone tells me they laughed, cried, or just felt seen in her journey. It’s also incredibly fulfilling to hold the physical book in my hands and know that something I dreamed about for so long is out in the world, reaching people I’ll probably never meet, but who somehow care about Zoe as much as I do.

13. What challenges did you face while self-publishing and how did you overcome them?

Self-publishing was, and is, a lot. Cover design, figuring out distribution, and just trying to get the book out there? Total chaos. Formatting was easy enough thanks to my previous job, so at least one thing didn’t make me panic, but everything else had me Googling and scrolling TikTok for hours—okay, maybe days—of “research.” It was a lot of trial and error, a lot of panicking, and a lot of caffeine, but honestly? Holding my finished book in my hands made every stressful, messy, ridiculous moment completely worth it. It still doesn’t feel real that I wrote a full-length novel. I did that, and I couldn’t be more proud of myself for not giving up.

14. Are there upcoming projects or stories that readers should be excited about?

Yes! I’m currently expanding a short story I wrote back in community college, She Tasted Like Strawberries, into a full contemporary romance novel. As I was rereading it, I was like, “Hmm, I think I can turn this into something,” and here we are! This time, I’m writing it from Charlie’s perspective, a male POV, which has been totally new and challenging for me but also so much fun. The story follows Charlie and Olivia as they navigate love, heartbreak, and figuring out who they are in ways they never expected. It’s a little rawer and more emotionally textured than my debut, but still cozy and heartwarming, with a slow-burn romance I’m so excited for readers to fall in love with.

Fun & Quickfire
15. Favorite cozy romance or contemporary novel that inspires your writing?

I'm a huge fan of B.K. Borison's First-Time Caller. It’s a charming, Sleepless-in-Seattle-inspired love story that blends humor, heart, and a touch of nostalgia. I love how it captures the magic of unexpected connections and the warmth of finding love when you least expect it.

16. Writing fuel—coffee, tea, or something stronger?

Just like Zoe, I can’t resist an white chocolate mocha iced coffee, 100%. Always. It’s basically my writing BFF at this point!

17. One word to describe Zoe.

Resilient

18. One word to describe Ben.

Steady

19. One word to describe the book.

Heartwarming

20. If you could describe A Rewrite in New York in three words, what would they be?

21. One thing you hope readers feel as they close the final page.

Honestly, I just hope readers close the book feeling a little spark of hope, like maybe it’s okay to start over, trust themselves, or believe in love again, even if it feels messy or scary. That’s really what Zoe’s journey is all about, and I want them to carry a little piece of that with them when they finish.