Head to art school with debut novelist Antonia Angress today. We discuss the inspiration for her debut novel, Sirens & Muses, which was a best debut of 2023.
If you have ever dreamed of attending art school, you will want to tune in to today’s discussion and fictional art book stack.
Today, we are joined by debut novelist Antonia Angress as she shares her inspiration for Sirens & Muses and how pursuing an MFA program allowed her the time and resources to finally pivot from a career in teaching to her dream of writing.
Angress shares the surprising discovery that her novel, set during the financial crisis of the 2010s, has been deeply meaningful for Gen Z readers as they also face their own uncertainty and disillusionment.
We also discuss how success in the art world is often influenced by class, making it inaccessible to marginalized groups, and what we can learn from adding characters from different wealth spectrums to her dialogue to showcase the scarcity of artistic resources for many students.
Check out this BONUS LIST of 27 book titles that include the best books about art and artists for your month.
Patrons receive a printable version of today’s checklist as a thank you!
Meet Antonia Angress
Antonia Angress is the author of the novel Sirens & Muses, which was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award and was named a Best Book of 2022 by Glamour, PopSugar, and Debutiful. She is a graduate of Brown University and received her MFA from the University of Minnesota, where she was a Winifred Fiction Fellow and a College of Liberal Arts Fellow.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Costa Rica, she currently lives in Minneapolis with her family.
Let’s Head to Art School With These Amazing Books
Listen to the Book Gang Podcast:
Listen below or listen on your favorite podcast listening platform!
Mentioned in this episode:
Joining the Patreon community is an affordable way to support the show and gain access to a wealth of resources, including our monthly FULLY BOOKED buzzy new release show, exclusive author interviews, music playlists, and more!
Meet the NEW 2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books
Bluff by Michael Kardos
The Best Fiction Books of 2023
The Best Debut Novels of 2023 to Not Miss
Sirens & Muses by Antonia Angress
Sirens & Muses Book Club Guide & Cocktail Recipe
Life Drawing by Robin Black
Self-Portrait with Boy by Rachel Lyon
Zoe Kravitz & Thomas McKenzie to Lead Mona Fastvold’s Psychological Horror “Self-Portrait”
The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis
“The Masterpiece:” NYC’s Grand Central as One of the Stars
The Fiona Davis Interview You Need to Hear
My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok
Fake Like Me by Barbara Bourland
Shop the above (Amazon) links or through my Book Gang Bookshop Page!! They pay a 10% commission on every sale and match 10% to independent bookstores.
Connect With Us:
Connect With Antonia Angress on Instagram or Website
Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice
Buy Me a Coffee (for a one-time donation)