The Isa Project by Gina R. Briggs - A YA/New Adult Mystery

Florida Book Feature

The Isa Project by Gina R. Briggs

K Statham has been haunted by the death of her high school best friend, Isa, for three years. On the precipice of college graduation, she's finally ready to uncover the truth behind Isa's carefully crafted exterior and own up to her own role in the unraveling of their friendship. 

Genre: YA/New Adult Mystery 

Subgenres: Coming-of-age 

Special category: BIPOC main character, LGQTB+ representation, mental health topics. My main character is half Pakistani. 

Author name: Gina R. Briggs 

Author location: Tallahassee, Florida

Publication Date: September 30, 2022 

Publishing company: Self-published 

Tell me about your book: How do you take your heart back from the past? This is the question that K Statham has wrestled with for three years following the death of her high school best friend, Isa. But that’s only the beginning of the never-ending line of inquiry that haunts K daily. Is she responsible for Isa’s death? Could she have stopped it? Will K herself ever be able to move on with her life? And what is waiting for her on the other side of college graduation? 

The Isa Project is part coming-of-age story, part mystery. Following the complicated soul-tie connection between high school best friends, Isa and K, this story examines the nuances of growing up, growing apart, and overcoming the trauma of both.

What was the inspiration for this book? I was largely inspired by having to process my own grief when my high school best friend passed away. I was a junior in college at the time that I found out about her death. I'm 31 years old now. There's still not a day that goes by where I don't wonder where she is in the universe and if she's found peace. 

What is one thing you would like the reader to know about your book or one of the characters in your book? I feel strongly that we shouldn't shy away from tough topics just because a book is labeled "YA" or "NA" and the characters happen to be teenagers/young adults. Traumatic experiences can and do happen to persons of all ages. 

Were you inspired by any specific Florida location for this book? Not for this one. I lived in Nashville for most of my childhood, so that location is represented in this book. However, my work-in-progress will be set in Port St. Joe, FL. 

Was there anything special about writing this book that you would like to mention? I started writing this book while my husband and I were pursuing adoption. I needed a creative outlet to distract me while I endured the waiting process, and this novel manifested from that! 

Unique facts about you: I have one infant daughter, Sofia Rose. She came to us through domestic adoption. Also, like my main character, I am an actor. I toured the country acting professionally for about five years before moving to Florida. 

Preferred pronouns when referring to the author: She/Her 

Author social media accounts: @ginarbriggswrites on Instagram 

Author website: Gina R. Briggs on Amazon

Other books by the author: How We Made Love Bloom: An Adoption Story (children's book releasing May 13th) 

List some of the places your book can be purchased: Amazon, My Favorite Books in Tallahassee, FL hosted the first book signing @mfbtlh, Common Ground Books (Tallahassee, FL). It is also available to borrow through Leon County Libraries. 

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