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Zoje Stage

Goodreads Author

Website

https://zojestage.blogspot.com/

Twitter

zooshka

Genre

Suspense, Thriller, Horror

Member Since

September 2017

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Zoje Stage's debut novel, BABY TEETH, was a USA Today and international bestseller. It was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award and named one of the best books of the year by Forbes Magazine, Library Journal, PopSugar, Barnes & Noble, Bloody Disgusting, and BookBub. Her follow-up novel, WONDERLAND, was described in a starred review from Booklist as a "beautifully choreographed and astonishing second novel." And with her third book, GETAWAY, the New York Times declared her "a writer with a gift for the lyrical and the frightening." She lives in Pittsburgh with her cats. ...more

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Baby Teeth was just so good! I wonder where the inspiration/idea for this book came from?

Zoje Stage Thank you so much, Renee! Maybe not surprisingly, it's a bit of a long story. I'll give you the highlights...

Several years ago, while I was still purs…moreThank you so much, Renee! Maybe not surprisingly, it's a bit of a long story. I'll give you the highlights...

Several years ago, while I was still pursuing a career as a filmmaker, I wrote a script that I wanted to direct called "Hands and Knees." It involved a family similar to BABY TEETH's, but the theme was quite different: it was about a woman who was becoming overwhelmed by what she perceived to be the horrors of domesticity. As an intended film, it was geared more toward mood (cool, detached) and a cinematic look.

I had the opportunity to take the script to Independent Film Week in 2012, where I discussed the project with nearly 20 producers. After people read the script I noticed a recurring bit of feedback: people wanted less implied horror and more actual creepy bits, and to know more about what was going on with the little girl. ("Hanna's" character in the script wasn't nearly as developed, nor was the plot involving her battles with her mother.)

I decided later that same year that I wanted to try learning to write novels, and I spent the next few years engaged in that process (I wrote five books before BABY TEETH). The concept of "Hands and Knees" stuck with me, and when I finally felt able to bring my novel-writing skills to the project, I started fleshing out the characters, mindful of the feedback I'd gotten from producers years before.

BABY TEETH as a novel took on a life of its own - wildly different from the screenplay - when I made two key decisions: 1) to give Suzette Crohn's Disease (to increase her vulnerability and give her a weakness that her daughter uses against her); 2) to write the novel in dual POV, making Suzette and Hanna each the protagonist of their own story, and each other's antagonist. With these two developments, the characters and story took on a life of their own, and it became my job to "listen" to what they were trying to tell me. (less)

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I really enjoyed your novel, Baby Teeth. Absolutely gripping psychological thriller. I am curious if you think you will write a sequel to it some day? I feel like the way it ended left it open as an option, which would be amazing.

Zoje Stage Thank you, Selena! Part of what I wanted to do with the ending is leave readers imagining for themselves what might happen next, or in the next couple…moreThank you, Selena! Part of what I wanted to do with the ending is leave readers imagining for themselves what might happen next, or in the next couple of years. One concern for writing a sequel is it would probably make the "resolution" too definitive - at least for me, and possibly for some readers as well. But many have asked about a sequel, and I certainly appreciate that people want to spend even more time with these characters and see what happens to them! (less)

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Zoje Stage’s books

Average rating: 3.56 · 75,088 ratings · 12,782 reviews · 9 distinct works • Similar authors

	Baby Teeth 3.61 avg rating — 61,326 ratings — published 2018 — 47 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mothered 3.33 avg rating — 6,735 ratings — published 2023 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Wonderland 3.12 avg rating — 4,220 ratings — published 2020 — 11 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Getaway 3.59 avg rating — 2,248 ratings — published 2021 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Hideous Book of Hidden Horrors by Doug Murano (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Annie Neugebauer (Goodreads Author), Sarah Read 3.88 avg rating — 193 ratings — published 2022 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Baby Teeth: The First Ten Chapters 3.76 avg rating — 195 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Girl Who Outgrew the World 3.79 avg rating — 140 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Chiral Mad 5 by Michael Bailey (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Stephen King (Goodreads Author), Josh Malerman (Goodreads Author) 3.67 avg rating — 30 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mörderische Aussichten: Thriller & Krimi bei Knaur: Ausgewählte Leseproben von Karen Rose, Lisa Jackson, Sam Eastland, Petermann/Fischer, David Morrell uvm. by Laura Benedict (Goodreads Author), Lisa Jackson (Goodreads Author), Axel Petermann 3.67 avg rating — 3 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Zoje Stage wants to read 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered by Sadie Hartmann (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 24, 2023 07:28AM · 1 like · like
Zoje Stage answered Caroline 🖤's question: I love your writing! I don't know what it is about it but it's satisfying to me, very very pleasing. I was wondering how you come up with the names for your characters? Some of them are pretty unique, and names I've never heard before! Thank you, Caroline! I love the process of naming characters, and many things factor into it: age, where they live, aspects of their personality, etc. For instance, with WONDERLAND I was dealing with artistic, highly individualistic characters so I w See Full Answer
May 18, 2023 12:07PM · 2 likes · like
Zoje Stage entered a giveaway Semiosis (Semiosis Duology, #1) by Sue Burke (Goodreads Author) 5 copies available, ends on June 06, 2023 Enter to win »
May 16, 2023 05:55AM · like · see giveaway · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Semiosis by Sue Burke. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Semiosis by Sue Burke <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Zoje Stage rated a book it was amazing The Girl Who Outgrew the World by Zoje Stage (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I'm jumping on here to rate THE GIRL WHO OUTGREW THE WORLD so it doesn't start with a 1-star review from someone who's never even seen the ARC. I legit have the ARC - and have read the book (multiple times, haha). ;-) A FAIRYTALE is not a psychologic ...more
May 12, 2023 09:54AM · 43 likes · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Girl Who Outgrew the World by Zoje Stage. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Girl Who Outgrew the World by Zoje Stage <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Zoje Stage and 5 other people liked Natalie's review of Mothered: "Were you, too, terrified of Zelda, Rachel’s sister who suffered from spinal meningitis in Stephen King’s Pet Sematary? Well, this book is for you! Life is great for Grace, a hair stylist who just bought her first home, and enjoys an unusual hobby of " Read more of this review »
May 02, 2023 10:44AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Mothered by Zoje Stage. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Mothered by Zoje Stage <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Zoje Stage and 3 other people liked Matt's review of Mothered: "Living in Pittsburgh, working in Oakland (next to Craig Street), and frequently visiting Squirrel Hill this book HIT HOME. Not just another cliche book about the pandemic, this story takes a dive into what isolation, fear, and repressed memories can " Read more of this review »
May 02, 2023 10:43AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Mothered by Zoje Stage. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Mothered by Zoje Stage <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Zoje Stage and 1 other person liked Natalie's review of Mothered: "Were you, too, terrified of Zelda, Rachel’s sister who suffered from spinal meningitis in Stephen King’s Pet Sematary? Well, this book is for you! Grace remembered playing paper dolls with Hope- “Take the scissors. Cut off an earlobe. It will be soft" Read more of this review »
May 02, 2023 10:43AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Mothered by Zoje Stage. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Mothered by Zoje Stage <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Zoje Stage wants to read All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 22, 2023 06:13PM · 4 likes · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Zoje Stage rated a book it was amazing Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Hello Readers! As more reader reviews are coming in it's becoming apparent that BABY TEETH elicits strong reactions from some people, and a lot of debate. I am all for strong reactions and unfettered debate, but I would like to clarify something that ...more
Jan 24, 2023 09:22AM · 216 likes · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Zoje Stage wants to read Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes (Goodreads Author) Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee in Best Science Fiction	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Dec 05, 2022 12:31PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

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Quotes by Zoje Stage (?)

“It was hard to pour endless love into someone who wouldn't love you back. No one could do it forever”
― Zoje Stage, Baby Teeth

tags: love, unrequited-love

32 likes

“She resented her body's betrayal. She still couldn't express how insecure it made her, how she lived on a precipice. The most basic parts of her could fail, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.”
― Zoje Stage, Baby Teeth

tags: chronic-illness, illness

8 likes

“Sometimes she struggled with resentment watching her family eat a meal that she prepared. People took eating and shitting for granted, like the continuous beating of their hearts, the inevitable protection of their skin. They didn't think about their intestines doing everything wrong, fucking up the basic process of digestion.”
― Zoje Stage, Baby Teeth

tags: crohns-disease, health

7 likes

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