What we leave behind can still shape what moves us forward. This idea is at the core of Kayla Maiuri's poignant debut novel, Mother in the Dark. 

In this quietly captivating story, readers follow Anna, a young woman who finds herself at a crossroads as her complicated past converges with the present. As Anna's family life unfurls, we meet various characters who inspire deeper reflection about what it means to be a daughter, sister, and friend. 

For Kayla, fiction is a lens to understand reality, and her book is a powerful reminder not to turn away from the people we love. In this interview, Kayla shared more about the origins of this story, her relationship with nature, and what she's learned about family, leaving, and time. This episode also opens with a story by Kate Litterer.

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Episode Transcript: https://slowstoriespodcast.com/kayla-maiuri 

Learn more about Kayla's work: https://www.kaylamaiuri.com/ 

Purchase MOTHER IN THE DARK: https://bookshop.org/p/books/mother-in-the-dark-kayla-maiuri/20078457?ean=9780593083291 

Follow Kayla: https://www.instagram.com/kaylajosefine/ 

Learn more Kate's work: https://katehenry.com/ 

Purchase TEND TO IT: https://bookshop.org/p/books/tend-to-it-a-holistic-guide-to-intentional-productivity-kate-litterer/16072031?ean=9781735802206 

Follow Kate: https://www.instagram.com/thetendingyear/