Today we’re lucky to have Pamela N. Harris here on the blog to answer some questions about her newest novel Through Our Teeth. The book will be released on September 16th and there will be many people who will enjoy this fast-paced thriller.
Publisher summary: Hope Jackson is dead. Everyone is convinced she took her own life, but Liv, one of Hope’s best friends, isn’t so sure. Hope’s boyfriend, Brendan, was always jealous and possessive, and his alibi doesn’t really check out. But in the town’s eyes, Hope was just some nobody who was going to drag down golden boy Brendan.
So with the help of Hope’s other two best friends, Kizzie and Sherie, Liv is determined to bring Brendan’s actions to light. Together, they vow to make him pay.
But as their plans keep escalating, Liv begins to have second thoughts—especially as she’s realizing that Brendan may not be the only one with the motive or opportunity to kill Hope. Is Liv really getting justice for Hope, or is she just helping one of Hope’s so-called friends cover up their lies?
Crystal: Thank you so much for your time and willingness to chat with us about your book. The author note tells a little bit about why and how the story came about. Can you share some of that background with our readers?
Pamela: Sure! The idea first struck me while I was working as a school counselor. I noticed a disturbing trend of how my students responded to the reports that Chris Brown had physically assaulted his then girlfriend, Rihanna. Instead of empathizing with Rihanna, so many of my students supported Chris Brown—even going as far as placing the blame on Rihanna. My initial draft of this story used this scrutiny as a starting point, but the heart of the story wasn’t quite there. I ignored this story for over a decade. During that time, I noticed this continued pattern of not only doubting Black females’ accusations but also stigmatizing their mental health needs. I realized that was the heart of my story, so I thoroughly revised it to integrate those themes (without being preachy!) into a twisty locked-room thriller.
Crystal: Full disclosure – I did have to take breaks when reading sometimes because things got intense and that intensity just kept increasing. What were some of the challenges to writing a novel filled with violence, murder, and betrayal?
Pamela: Okay, without hopefully sounding too creepy, those aspects were fun for me to write! When I felt like I hit a wall during the writing process, I’d think of the next fight, argument, or yes, even death scene I could draft instead. I think it’s because I loved (and still love) horror movies growing up. When I had more free time, you could find me at the movies every weekend catching the latest horror flick. In particular, I love locked-room horrors/thrillers, so I definitely wanted to take a swing at writing my own. There’s something about being in tight spaces that bring out the worst in people. As a writer, I felt like a kid in a candy store.
Crystal: Are there any books or authors that inspired you in this genre?
Pamela: I love a good thriller—and I’ve been reading them more and more in both the YA and adult categories. Some of my favorite thriller writers are Tiffany D. Jackson, Holly Jackson, Lamar Giles, Riley Sager, and S.A. Cosby. A common thread with all these authors is that they balance suspense and character development expertly. I have to care about a character enough so that when they hit obstacles, or even meet their demise, I feel for them.
Crystal: You have three books out in the world now. Has writing novels gotten easier over time and publication?
Pamela: Ha! Oh, how I wish I could say yes. If anything, I think I’m tougher on myself. It takes a lot for me to quiet self-imposed expectations, especially after reading a really strong (or even negative) review of a previous book. I always worry about raising the bar, which sometimes makes drafting difficult. Once I’m actually having fun writing the story is when I know I’m on the right track and I can stifle my inner critic.
Crystal: What is it that keeps you writing?
Pamela: Two things primarily: my readers and the stories in my head! I may not have the following of some of my peers, but it warms my heart to receive an email from a reader who truly connected with one of my characters. Or to have a reader tell me in person how my novel kept them up all night because they couldn’t stop reading it (sorry about that!). The publishing business is tough—and success is never guaranteed. But as long as I have readers telling me they love my writing, and as long as I have stories to tell, I’m going to keep pushing.
Crystal: If you also read YA, are there any books you’ve read recently that you think we should also put on our TBR pile?
Pamela: Yes, I read a ton of YA books! Some of my recent favorites are Ruin Road by Lamar Giles, Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams, and Five Survive by Holly Jackson. I also cannot wait to get my hands on The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson this fall.
Crystal: Is there anything else that you wish I had asked you about?
Pamela: Sure! How about: how do you get your story ideas? While many of my ideas come from current events, I cannot express enough that you can find ideas in other forms of art. For instance, a project I’m working on now stemmed from the lingering questions I had after the final scene of a movie. Another project that I’m toying with is started because I was so impressed by the actress, Emayatzy Corinealdi, from the TV series, Reasonable Doubt that I heard her voice as another character in my head. I make sure to always keep my phone’s Notes app nearby because ideas can strike me at any moment!
PAMELA N. HARRIS was born and somewhat raised in Newport News, Virginia — also affectionately known as “Bad News.” A former school counselor by day, she received her BA in English and a master’s in school counseling at Old Dominion University, her MFA in creative writing at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision at William and Mary. When she isn’t writing, Harris is re-watching Leonardo DiCaprio movies, playing with her two kiddos and pretending to enjoy exercising.
“When You Look Like Us,” an Odyssey Award winner for Excellence in Audiobook Production for Young Adults, as well as the SCBWI’s Golden Kite Award winner for Young Adult Fiction, an NAACP Image Award nominee (2022) for Outstanding Literary Work: Youth/Teens, and a 2022 Edgar Award nominee for Best Young Adult novel, is Harris’ debut novel. Harris’ second young adult novel, “This Town is on Fire,” is out now and was named a 2024 Golden Kite Honor Book. She lives in Williamsburg, Virginia.
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Instagram: @pamharriswrites | Threads: @pamharriswrites