q&a | julie murphy
A natural fit
OF SUMMER
Julie Murphy’s first novel for adults is a fractured fairy-tale rom-com. ©CHRISTY ARCHIBALD
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Rom-coms are big, haven’t you heard? The first adult novel from YA superstar author Julie Murphy (Dumplin’, which was adapted into the hit Netflix film) is both right on trend and timelessly appealing. If the Shoe Fits (Hyperion Avenue, $26.99, 9781368050388) takes its cues from the iconic fairy tale Cinderella, but its buoyant humor and good-hearted outlook are all Murphy.
How does it feel to have written your first adult novel? I am so incredibly excited to be dipping my toes into the adult waters. It’s something I’ve hoped to do for quite some time, and this seemed to be the perfect crossover project to start with. Of course If the Shoe Fits is an adult book, but I think it’s a really good first step into adult romance for teenagers as well. The romance is exciting and steamy while still maintaining a lower heat level, so I’ve really found it to be the perfect access point for new romance readers. Why did you want to revise this fairy tale? The story of Cinderella was so iconic to me growing up. I spent so much time in a make-believe space pretending that my mom was forcing me into child labor (she wasn’t, I swear!), that my older sister and cousins were my mean stepsisters and that I could talk to birds and small, adorable rodents. But the spell of my childhood imagination always broke the moment I looked in the mirror and didn’t see a tall, thin blond girl staring back at me. Later on, I discovered my love for Ursula, and that really helped me reshape how I felt about myself, but she was also the villain. I never got the chance to see a chubby girl get swept off her feet by Prince Charming. Cindy’s appearance on the reality dating show “Before Midnight” throws her into the spotlight and makes her a body positivity icon. Do Cindy’s experiences and insecurities mirror your own as a writer who focuses on body positivity and diversity? There are so many incredibly talented and creative voices out there addressing body positivity and fat positivity (because they are truly two different things), but in some ways the success of Dumplin’ did make me and my work some people’s first interactions with the idea. If someone learns about body and/or fat positivity through me, I hope that I’m only the first step and that they continue to learn more and experience more. I’m only one fat white lady from Texas, and I can’t and will never speak for fat people as a whole. All that said, if all my work amounts to is widening a path for more plus-size creatives, then I’m happy. Lord knows someone came before me, and someone came before them. Would you want to adapt another, non-princess fairy tale or Disney property in the future? Are you kidding?! I would love to! I think a modern Peter Pan set in a skate park would be so fun—and I might be going out on a limb here, but I would absolutely die for a chance to see a Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog rom-com. —Amanda Diehl Visit BookPage.com to read an extended version of this Q&A and our review of If the Shoe Fits.
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