With warmer days on the horizon, it’s time to get your beach reads ready—and Sunny Hostin’s (sunnyhostin.com) second novel, Summer on Sag Harbor, is the perfect addition to your list. We sat down with the multihyphenate maven to talk real-life inspiration, her writing process and what readers can expect from this Hamptons-set page-turner.
Hostin’s second novel, Summer on Sag Harbor (William Morrow), is set to release May 2.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SUCCESS OF YOUR FIRST BOOK, SUMMER ON THE BLUFFS! WHAT CAN YOUR READERS EXPECT FROM THIS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FOLLOW-UP? At the end of Summer on the Bluffs, Olivia was left with less of a happy ending than her two godsisters, so it was important that her story was continued and explored on a deeper level. Her journey and time in Sag Harbor is full of surprises and unexpected twists and turns. Readers can expect an emotional and immersive experience that delves into Olivia’s personal growth and challenges, while also exploring the beautiful town and community of Sag Harbor.
Even though the books are part of a series, Summer on Sag Harbor is absolutely a stand-alone novel that can be read without knowing what happened over in Martha’s Vineyard from the last book.
You may know her as co-host of The View—or as a renowned attorney and journalist—but now, Sunny Hostin stuns her fans with the sequel to her Summer Beach series.
WHERE DID YOU DRAW MOST OF YOUR INSPIRATION FOR YOUR SECOND NOVEL, SUMMER ON SAG HARBOR? Lin-Manuel Miranda once told me to ‘write what you know and write what you love.’ I love the beach and I love beach reads, but I realized that there was a gap in representation for people of color in this genre. I also found inspiration from reading Lawrence Otis Graham’s book, Our Kind of People. Overall, I drew from a combination of personal experiences and influences that in turn motivated me to create the series. I wanted to write what I wanted to read.
DID YOU PULL FROM ANY REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCES? ANY SIMILAR STORIES TO SHARE? In the book, Mister Whittingham is an older man who has a wealth of knowledge and a passion to keep SANS away from developers to preserve the rich African American history within the neighborhood. That character is based on my dear friend Mr. William Pickens III, the real-life unofficial mayor of Sag Harbor Hills who began summering in Sag Harbor in 1946. He was the one that introduced me to SANS and welcomed me into the community that now means so much to my family and me.
CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH YOUR WRITING PROCESS? ARE YOU WRITING EVERY DAY OR WHEN INSPIRATION HITS? I’m a night owl and thrive during the late hours of the night. My preferred writing spot is my home office where I can enjoy a peaceful and uninterrupted writing environment. I find that being away from the hustle and bustle of daily life helps me tap into my creativity and unleash my best writing ideas. In essence, my writing process involves retreating to my home office at night, where I can focus free from distractions and allow my imagination to flow.
HOW DO YOU THINK THIS BOOK CAPTURES THE SAG HARBOR SOCIAL SCENE? One of the most important things when writing this book was that I wanted to be sure to capture the sense of community and the captivating atmosphere that exists within the town, because it’s what made me fall in love with it. The pages bring to life the magic and charm of Sag Harbor, painting a vivid picture of the thriving social scene and the unique bond shared by the people. Overall, the essence of Sag Harbor is captured by immersing readers in its beauty, history and sense of togetherness that makes SANS so special. It comes down to the people and my summer family.
WHAT MAKES THIS BOOK THE ULTIMATE SUMMER BEACH READ? This book is the ideal choice for a summer beach read because not only does it whisk you away to the warm beaches in the Sag Harbor hills, but it also delves into thought-provoking themes and sheds light on pertinent societal issues. It’s a captivating novel that not only has the juicy plot and scenic backdrop but also stimulates meaningful discussions. An elevated beach read.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR READERS TAKE AWAY MOST FROM THE NOVEL? The book follows Olivia and her search for her own, authentic identity, which leads to her exploration of love, friendship, community and family. I hope that readers walk away with the inspiration to have faith in themselves and foster the relationships in their own lives, as Olivia does.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE SAG HARBOR HOT SPOTS? Sag Harbor is such a magical place. You can get the best of everything—breakfast, coffee, doughnuts, clams, crab, lobster, the list goes on, but my favorite spot is the block party on Labor Day! We’ve been going to that for years, and it’s such a special memory for my family.
Photography by: PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLIAM MORROW; PHOTO BY JEFF LIPSKY
