By Kate Dwyer
Asha Elias’s debut novel is a social satire set in Miami. Photography by Courtney Rodwell.
“Pink Glass Houses” (William Morrow), out now, is a “Big Little Lies”–esque thriller set amid PTA drama at one of Miami’s most exclusive elementary schools.When Asha Elias moved to attend the University of Miami in the fall of 2001, she found herself “immersed in a whole new world,” she says. Though she had grown up in nearby Boca Raton, she was delighted by the Magic City’s heady mix of languages, aesthetics, cuisines, and customs. “For the first time in my life, I—as a mixed-race person—finally felt like I blended in,” she said, noting how welcoming the city is for newcomers. “Over time, I discovered that Miami is so much more than a merging of back- grounds. The city has its own distinct identity.”
Two decades later, during the spring of 2020, after jotting down notes for years, Elias, now 40, returned to an old forgotten passion and set out to write a book. Her debut novel was drafted within six months.
“Pink Glass Houses” (William Morrow), out July 20, is a “Big Little Lies”–esque thriller set amid PTA drama at one of Miami’s most exclusive elementary schools. Here, Elias talks about her writing process.
Where did you find the inspiration to write “Pink Glass Houses”? Why did you set out to write this book?
At the time (and still to this day), I was heavily involved in the PTA at my kids’ school and also in the larger Miami charity scene. While I truly believed in the work we were doing, the silly small organization politics drove me crazy. It was so easy for good intentions to get buried under personality differences and nonsensical rules. It made me wonder: Was I volunteering out of the goodness of my heart? Was anybody? Or were we all chasing some kind of validation because we didn’t feel useful enough? I wanted to understand it all better. That’s how the idea for the novel began.
In your author bio, you call yourself a “reluctant socialite.” What does that mean? How would you describe your social life around Miami, and how did it factor into your writing process?
I live with the constant internal struggle of Do I want to wear sweatpants in bed or get dressed up to go out? Honestly, it’s usually the former that hooks me, but the FOMO is real. We live in one of the most beautiful, vibrant, and exciting cities in the world. There are incredible things to do seven nights a week. I love being out and soaking in the energy of the town, but I also love quiet and a good book under the covers. Two decades into my life in Miami, I’m still trying to find a balance between saying yes and prioritizing quiet time, but I can’t complain. It’s an honor to be a part of the Miami community, and I’m lucky to feel as integrated as I do. There’s the other benefit of being out and about, too: collecting so much inspiration for writing social satire. As an active participant in all of it, I try to see the humor and criticism from both sides.
What was the publishing process like for you?
Before I started querying for “Pink Glass Houses,” everything about the publishing process seemed intimidating and shrouded in mystery. The game-changing moment for me happened when I took a novel-generator workshop with Catapult, taught by the great Jennifer Close. Not only did she provide the feedback I needed to make the book work, she also demystified the agent querying and publishing submissions processes. I’d literally give her a kidney if she needed one.
What kind of fiction do you like to read? Which books and authors influenced the writing of “Pink Glass Houses,” and how do you see this book as carving out its own niche?
I’m an avid fiction reader, and try to alternate between literary, commercial, and genre. I’ll devour the new Lauren Groff and then immediately pick up a thriller, or finish a cozy mystery, and then turn to Lisa See’s historical fiction. My taste is pretty broad. In terms of influences for my own writing, I usually lean towards voice-y, character-driven writers like Close, Liane Moriarty, Curtis Sittenfeld, and Gillian Flynn. I’m hoping “Pink Glass Houses” can build on what some of these incredible writers have done, while also standing apart, with its Miami-flavored satire.
How have your friends in Miami responded to the social commentary in the book?
So far, they seem to get a kick out of it. We are always talking about what a unique place we live in. Yes, it’s sunny and beautiful most of the year. Yes, people are abnormally attractive and always seem to be dressed to the nines. But also, there are just so many bizarre and questionable things we see in our day-to-day lives. Some of which we actively participate in. When I told my friend group that I was writing this book, their first response was, “We have so much material for you!”
Local Spotlight
Looking for more Florida-rooted writing? Here are three debut novels from Sunshine State authors—a literary satire, a coming-of-age saga, and an Everglades-set thriller—available now at Books & Books, Bal Harbour Shops.
