THUNDER BAY - Award-winning author Amy Jones owes a lot to the place she called home for six years.
Originally from Halifax N.S., Jones lived in Thunder Bay and used it as the setting of her acclaimed debut novel We’re All In This Together in 2016.
The book told the story of a dysfunctional Thunder Bay family who watched in horror as their mother plummets over Kakabeka Falls in a barrel. Miraculously, she survives, but falls into a deep coma.
The book became a rapid success as it was placed on Globe and Mail’s Canadian fiction bestsellers list at No. 5 shortly after it hit the shelves. It was later shortlisted as a finalist for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour in 2017.
For her second novel, Jones veered in a different direction.
Every Little Piece of Me tells the story of two women who grow up in celebrity culture. One is a member of a family on a reality television show, and one is an up-and-coming musician.
“They’re both trying to navigate fame. Their stories are intertwined and then they meet up at very low points in their life. Then they become friends.”
Jones says she’s always been interested in music, so writing about a musician was a no-brainer.
As for the reality TV star, the process was a little different.
“I secretly watch a lot of reality television,” Jones said while laughing. “I thought it would be interesting to see what that world would be like from the perspective of someone whose inside of it.”
Through her relationships with people who are part of the television and music industry, and watching a whole lot of reality TV (which she was going to do anyway), Jones tried to capture the strange feeling of isolation in the wake of celebrity status.
“I was reading celebrities' social media, seeing how fans and the media treat them.”
From the emotional depths of a tortured Thunder Bay family, to the public vulnerabilities of celebrity status, Jones is hoping fans will welcome the change in direction.
“I’m hoping that people came to the first book because it was set in Thunder Bay, and then maybe enjoyed the writing so they’ll come back for that aspect of it.”
Ultimately, Jones couldn’t resist including one chapter that’s based in Thunder Bay.
“The band (in the novel) is travelling across Canada, so I just put them in Thunder Bay to see what would happen.”
On Saturday, Jones set up a table at the Chapters where she once worked, and signed books for her fans.
“I’m in Toronto, and I really miss Thunder Bay in the summer. I have a lot of friends and people in the community who are interested in the new book.”
Every Little Piece of Me is available at Chapters.