“I cried for about 10 days until I realized she probably had a point.”Ī lifelong writer – she wrote her first book at age 5 – Garmus wasn’t about to give up, and soon a moment of frustration in the workplace provided unlikely inspiration. “She said, ‘I love this voice, it’s really good, but who do you think you are to write a 700-page novel as a debut author?’ ” Garmus remembered. 98 was the first to write back, sending a “really harsh email” admonishing her for writing a book of such length.
Determined to find a publisher for that book, a 700-page epic, Garmus submitted it to nearly a hundred agents.
Though it’s Garmus’ publishing debut, it’s not her first novel: Garmus calls it “my 2.5.” Despite working full time as a copywriter and creative director, she wrote half a book in Seattle, years ago – “I knew it wasn’t going anywhere, so I stopped doing that” – and then another book while living in Switzerland. Taking place in early 1960s California, “Lessons in Chemistry” focuses on Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist frustrated by workplace sexism who unexpectedly finds herself hosting a cooking show. 23 for a “Lessons in Chemistry” event at Seattle Public Library, presented with Third Place Books, in which she’ll chat with Nancy Pearl about her book’s remarkable journey. Though she’s lived overseas for 12 years (due to a corporate transfer for her husband’s work), Garmus considers Seattle home the couple still own their Madrona house and spend Christmases here with family. An Apple TV+ adaptation, starring Academy Award-winner Brie Larson, has been filmed and will likely air later this year. 19 list, and recently sold its 1 millionth copy in all formats. Her acclaimed debut novel “Lessons in Chemistry,” published last spring, has spent 39 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list for hardcover fiction, as of the Feb. Speaking on the phone from her home in London, the 65-year-old former Seattleite is living a writer’s dream.
“If I could have dreamed it,” said author Bonnie Garmus, “I wouldn’t have dreamed it quite this big.”
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