Notes and Links to Nick Fuller Googins’ Work

   For Episode 215, Pete welcomes Nick Fuller Googins, and the two discuss, among other topics, his early reading and writing and love of fellow Mainer Stephen King, the joys of unabated and carefree reading, how teaching informs his writing and vice versa, making climate fiction that is inherently hopeful, the “Green New Deal” and other seeds for prominent themes in his wonderful novel, including community and mutual aid, optimism, retribution, collective action, and more.

Nick Fuller Googins is the author of the novel, The Great Transition (Atria Books). His short fiction and essays have appeared in The Paris Review, Men’s Health, The Sun, The Los Angeles Times, and elsewhere. He lives in Maine, and works as an elementary school teacher. He is a member of the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, as well as the National Education Association, the largest labor union in the United States.

Buy The Great Transition

Nick's Website 

“A ‘Hopeful Climate Change Novel’ ”-An Interview with Chicago Review of Books

At about 1:30, Nick talks about his previously-published work in Men’s Health

At about 3:30, Nick discusses his feelings of IGAM, an acronym used in his book for music

At about 4:20, Nick talks about his early reading and writing

At about 5:20, Nick talks about recreating the lazy and beautiful childhood days consumed with reading this past summer

At about 6:15, Nick talks about early writing-”happy stuff” for local Santa Monica papers, like The Santa Monica Mirror

At about 7:25, Nick talks about books and writers that were his “gateway into real adult literature,” including Stephen King

At about 9:20, Nick reflects on how his writing affects his teaching, and vice versa

At about 12:00, Nick shares how he was able to do unboxing of his book with his students and share his journey with his students 

At about 15:00, Nick shares how he is able to talk climate crisis with his 4th graders

At about 16:00, Nick talks about the “challenge” of involving “such a unique figure” as Greta Thunberg in his book

At about 17:25, Pete gives background on Nick’s novel, compliments its greatness, and shares blurb

At about 18:30, Nick gives seeds on the book’s genesis, including how working with Los Angeles’ GRID Alternatives was a huge moment 

At about 22:50, Nick responds to Pete’s questions about “taking the long view” and opening up any creativity

At about 26:50, Pete lays out the book’s opening scene and asks Nick why he decided to start the book he did

At about 28:15, Pete traces some of the book’s opening scenes, leading Nick to give background on Christina’s character

At about 31:50, Nick discusses the “spectrum” of justice and injustice that propelled him forward in writing his book

At about 32:15, The two discuss discussions of guilt and burdens and expectations of successive generations as featured in the novel; Nick mentions recent migrants to his school and quick transitions and the work of Svetalana Alexievich 

At about 36:50 (38:20), Pete talks about a parallel storyline and asks Nick his thoughts about optimism and pessimism as expressed in the novel and outside of the novel

At about 42:00, The two discuss the differing world views of Larch and Christina in the novel, and Pete wonders if the two were a “good match,” and Nick expands upon their shared history and individual histories 

At about 46:20, Pete cites the book’s creative and skillful narration choices 

At about 47:20, Nick references Toni Early and her quote on “lighting fuses” in how he wrote his book

At about 48:00, Pete compares the reading experience of The Great Transition

At about 49:00, Pete asks Nick about the theme of community and expressed in the book

At about 53:50, Nick shares a story of a very hopeful time, and muses that similar movements will happen again

At about 57:00, Nick talks about exciting upcoming projects

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   Please tune in for Episode 216 with Kate Maruyama, whose novel, Harrowgate was published by 47North in 2013. Her novella Family Solstice was named Best Fiction Book of 2021 by Rue Morgue Magazine, and her short work has appeared in Asimov's Magazine, Analog SF among other journals.

   The episode will air on December 12.