Interview with Lorraine Devon Wilke

We’re delighted to feature this interview with Lorraine Devon Wilke, whose novel CHICK SINGER came out April this year!

Tell us about your beginning, where are you from?

Originally from the Midwest, I was born in Chicago, grew up in small towns in northern Illinois, and am the third oldest of eleven kids in a family that held responsibility, family contribution, and creativity in equal and high regard. Both my parents grew up in Chicago, which imbued them with a love of music, art, theater, and books, and they were committed to raising kids with an appreciation for the same. Music was everywhere, we read voraciously (spent a decade or so without TV); we put on basement shows and backyard carnivals, and, given our embrace of all things artistic, each of us emerged from our childhoods with a wide range of creative proclivities. I majored in theater at the University of Illinois, then hit the road with a rock & roll band, ultimately landing in Los Angeles where I happily remain.  

How did your childhood impact the writer you’ve become?

Considering my origin story, it’s likely that every element of my childhood—from being a responsible older sister in a large family, leaving the city to grow up in rural environments, being immersed in the arts and driven to succeed in them—impacted my worldview, defined the things I was interested in; the characters and plots I gravitated toward as a writer. My experiences and influences were eclectic, adventurous, sometimes dark and dramatic, sometimes joyful and whimsical, and I enjoy pulling all those disparate elements into the stories I tell.     

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I don’t know that it was ever “decided”; it just was. Since I read a lot, I understood how powerful words could be in stirring emotions, dissecting life, just telling a good story, so writing seemed a natural evolution for me. Mostly I enjoyed it, seemed to have a talent for it, and was always encouraged to express myself in that medium. So I did: essays, short stories, plays, songs, screenplays, articles, and, ultimately, novels.  

How has writing changed you as a person?

I feel like I’ve always been who I am, but writing has given me an outlet for my very active brain, my need to think, ponder, articulate, figure out, organize, conjure up, imagine, and make sense of things. I discovered early on that I wanted everything I wrote, whether lyrics for a pop song, short essays, op-ed pieces, or full-blown novels, to have meaning, a reason for existing; a message or theme of some kind, even if it was just to forget the world for a moment and dance! I often find that after I’ve set myself down and written an article, one of those op-eds pieces, or a story that captures my attention, I can more easily let go of things that trouble or confuse me, that tickle my brain to distraction or just demand that I get something out of the cerebral and into words. The act of organizing my thoughts around an idea, pulling apart a conundrum, or untwisting a twisty plot seems to bring clarity or calmness to my psyche, which is good for me … and one of the things I love most about writing. 

What inspired you to write CHICK SINGER? 

Given my many years in rock & roll as a lead singer and songwriter, I knew one day I’d incorporate the highs and lows of that life, that incredible, exciting, exhilarating, daunting, gut-punching life, into a novel. The story of Chick Singer was sparked by a “what if?”; in this case, a prompt that went something like: “What if someone secretly posted your old ‘80s music online and it went viral?” That seemed too good an inciting incident to ignore!

Originally written as a screenplay, I ultimately decided the story needed the kind of depth and breadth only a novel can offer. I wanted to more deeply explore the journey—mental, physical, and emotional—of a woman who’d had her young dreams shattered by circumstances she refuses to talk about, only to have her own daughter surreptitiously unearth her music and bring those dreams crashing back to life. The resulting tumult, between mother and daughter, current life and old dreams; new love and old longings, combusts in a dramatic narrative that touches on issues and themes that many of us face: aging (especially as a woman), loneliness, lost dreams, broken relationships, the pull of creativity, having to choose between practicality and one’s less practical impulses… you know… LIFE! 

It’s not my story (as some have asked), but it’s certainly infused with my experiences and perspective in both the world of rock & roll, and the realities of living and aging as a woman in the creative realms. 

What was your road to publication like?

Long and winding! I started and stopped the book several times, wrote another novel in between (The Weight of Fables, psychological suspense, Fall 2027 Sibylline Press), all while dealing with the pandemic and all that that entailed. After finishing The Weight…, I went back to Chick Singer, ready to get it done and out, determined to find a good agent and go for a traditional publishing deal. In fact, I was querying both novels at the same time (not with the same queries, of course!), and this evolved into a long and daunting exercise over many months and with countless agents. I’d queried two previous novels in the past, so I knew the drill, and though I didn’t land an agent for either of those books, I did get traction, interest; engagement. This time? For either book? Crickets. 

I think the pandemic systemically and intrinsically impacted the publishing industry in very challenging ways, leaving everyone skittish about what works and what doesn’t in this new post-pandemic era. My experience with agents was replicated by many other authors I know who’d written fabulous books, couldn’t get an agent, yet went on to successfully self-publish, hybrid publish, or small press publish those same books. The algorithm of traditional publishing gatekeepers is, I think, unpindownable (not a word, but you get it, right? ☺). Their sense of what they can or cannot sell to the industry, to publishers, seems based more on fear, on negatives, than literary wisdom. For example, I was told by every agent I met that my previous novel, The Alchemy of Noise (published by She Writes Press and recipient of countless literary awards), was one “no publisher will touch” because its story of a mixed-race couple was written by a white author. How’s that for fear? 

So I stopped querying cold turkey; couldn’t do it anymore, and just as I decided to self-publish Chick Singer, eager to get it out and promoted, I heard back from Sibylline Press with a contract offer. They’d recently formed their Digital First imprint, a business model that gets books out quicker than with a trade paper deal and does include a print option, and I was so ready to move forward, and really enjoyed the vision and energy of the company’s principles, I made the deal. Chick Singer came out on April 4, 2025, and I’ve been very pleased with its production, rollout, and the marketing assistance from the company.   

What would be your 6-word memoir?

I create because I have to.

What is the best writing advice you’ve ever had, and the worst?

Best: Listen enough, learn enough, implement enough advice to figure out when it’s time to listen to the voice that’s your own. 

Worst: Write every single day whether you feel like it or not. 

What is your writing process like? 

I can’t say I have a “process.” I’ve developed a fairly iconoclastic rhythm with my writing over the years, which doesn’t have any particular structure to it. I do a lot of speed walking, and that’s often when I’ll mull, ponder, think about ideas for either a new story/article, or one I’m already writing. Given my answer to “worst writing advice” in the previous question, it’s clear I do not subscribe to the “sit in front of a computer or a blank page even if you have nothing to say” theory of writing. That would drive me insane and make my creativity feel like punishment or enforced homework. I won’t do that to myself. Creativity is too precious to me.

I relish writing. I relish the relationship I have with my Muse, that space I get into when it feels like I’m channeling inspiration from outside of myself and it flows through me, through my fingers, and onto the page. That’s magic, and that happens without forcing it, without demanding it, without staring at a blank page, or a blinking screen. I simply go about living my life and when I’m struck with an idea, or just feel the urge to get to work, I sit in front of my computer, and open those portals and let ‘em flow. If it doesn’t happen; if I realize I’m not “feelin’ it,” or my attention is elsewhere, I get up and do something else, trusting that I’ll find the thread when it’s ready to reveal itself. And I always do Sounds a little airy-fairy, I know, but if you were to define it as a “process,” that would be mine!  

Are you part of a writing community or a writing group?

Outside of having wonderful relationships with many authors IRL and online, no; I don’t officially belong to any specific writing community or group.

What is your experience with social media as a writer? Do you find it distracts you or does it provide inspiration?

Social media is, to me, like working out: I don’t love doing it, I wish I didn’t have to do it, I wish it wasn’t required to achieve my goals, but I know it’s good for me, I know I need to do it, so I do … and with as much verve and enthusiasm as I can muster! When using it to promote my work, I try to be colorful and creative about what I put together so it doesn’t bore the hell out of people, or make their eyes roll with that, “aw, gawd, another book posting?!” energy. Not always easy to do; it’s a delicate line, but I mix it up as much as I can with completely unrelated content that doesn’t get eyes rolling… at least I hope it doesn’t! 

I also think it’s important for authors—or really, anyone—to use social media as more than just a billboard for their own work. I make sure to frequently share and comment on the posts of others I like and support; if it’s a book, a photograph, event that jumps out at me, I draw people’s attention to it, because I know how wonderful it is to have other artists, or simply followers and friends on social media, join in sharing and amplifying your work. It’s a gift to another artist, a thoughtful, considerate thing to do, so I’m a big believer in that, and obviously very grateful when others do the same for me. That’s where creative communities can thrive on social media, when they use that tool to shine a light on meaningful, worthy creativity. Then I love social media! ☺ 

Who are your favorite authors?

I tend to read novels above all else and enjoy authors like Barbara O’Neal, Jeffrey Eugenides, Donna Tartt, Barbara Kingsolver, and so many more. In creative non-fiction, my second favorite category, I’m a big fan of Sebastian Junger, Jon Krakauer, and Erik Larson. And if you move onto the next question’s answer, you’ll see the names of several authors from Sibylline Press that I have thoroughly enjoyed.  

What are you reading currently?

I have access to the work of a great many Sibylline Press writers, and I’ve been slowly and delightfully enjoying some of their books, which, it turns out, are some of the best books I’ve read recently. Authors like Julia Park Tracey, Suzi Vitello, Karen Nelson, Kate Woodworth, Pamela Reitman, and many more. It’s a great roster of literary talent that I cannot recommend highly enough. And there’s something very cool about being with a publishing company that has such high standards and celebrates the work of such creative, talented women.    

What’s currently happening with the rollout of Chick Singer? Any special events coming up?

I’ve participated in some great author events in bookstores and festivals, usually with a number of other Sybilline authors, and those have all been wonderful. Depending on when this interview publishes, I’ve got two up ahead in San Francisco: the Bay Area Book Festival in Berkeley on June 1st, and Bookstore West Portal in SF on June 4th. 

I’ve also got one coming up that I’m particularly excited about, as it’s combining my two favorite creative mediums: music and writing. Given the story of Chick Singer, I was invited by The Book Jewel in Los Angeles, a fabulous bookstore, to put together a presentation for my book that includes a music element. I’m bringing in members of my band and we’ll perform some of the ‘80s songs I wrote back in the day, songs that are inspiration for, and even referenced in, Chick Singer, making the night a very cool mash-up of “life imitating art imitating life”! I’ll be promoting that all over the place, but if anyone in the LA area wants to save the date, circle July 26 at 7:00 pm at The Book Jewel! 

I’ll be doing a similar music/book presentation at a private home in August and am hoping to put together more of those kinds of events. I think they’re a very refreshing and exciting way to promote a novel centered around the world of rock & roll, and conveniently, I still have a band I get to play with … which makes all of this great fun!   

Thank you, Barbara and Women Writers Women’s Books for all the great questions! I appreciate the interest. If anyone wants to get in touch, or just explore further information, they can visit my website at www.lorrainedevonwilke.com. To access my various social media sites, go to linktr.ee/lorrainedevonwilke.

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CHICK SINGER

Rock & roll stardom is something you dream about when you’re young, but for Libby Conlin the ‘80s and all their wild promise are ancient history. What pulls her attention now is the unexpected arrival of Bridget, her newly divorced daughter, home again despite their historically fractious relationship and the chaos it inspires. Life quickly turns upside down when Bridget’s application to a local art school involves anonymously posting Libby’s old music online, music that’s good enough to garner the attention of industry gatekeepers. When Libby’s mysterious past—and all its dark secrets—comes roaring into the present, the reconfiguration of everything and everyone in her orbit is both bittersweet and life changing. Chick Singer explores a complex mother/daughter relationship against the backdrop of music, dreams, and love—and the art of redefining all three.

BUY HERE 

About the Author

Lorraine Devon Wilke is a writer of screenplays, stage plays, articles, editorials, short stories and novels. In 2010, she launched her “arts & politics” blog, Rock+Paper+Music, and in 2011 became a popular contributor to HuffPost and other media sites. Her essays have been reprinted and excerpted in academic tomes, nonfiction books, and literary journals. She maintains a column at Medium and a popular Substack titled Musings of a Creative Loudmouth. Her previous novels include After the Sucker Punch (2014), Hysterical Love (2015), and The Alchemy of Noise. Devon Wilke lives in Los Angeles with her family, including her husband, attorney/writer/producer, Pete Wilke.

 

 

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Interviews, On Writing