Costco, yes, tap dancing, no...The 5+1 Not-About-Writing Interview with Kate Spencer
The author of All's Fair in Love & Pickleball reveals the moment she fell for romances and how she writes sex scenes
When you’ve not put out a newsletter in many moons (unless you count that quick little announcement of Christmas People), it feels awkward to suddenly send one again. And I’m loathe to kick this off with an opener like, “Is this thing on?” So, okay, hi. Yes, it’s been a while since I put out one of these 5+1 interviews — the premise being that often writers field the same kind of about-writing questions in every interview, so I want to give them a chance to talk more about some of their interests and personal stuff, as writers are people, too… interesting ones! But yes, given my publication lapse, I feel a little rusty. And by lapse, I mean that several of the writers I’ve featured in the past have new books out since their interviews dropped.*
The subject of this edition is author Kate Spencer, whose books include In a New York Minute, One Last Summer, and her memoir The Dead Moms Club. Her latest book is a steamy enemies-to-lovers rom-com, All’s Fair in Love & Pickleball. Yes, folks, pickleball is sexy in this one.
The premise? Bex Martin runs a racquet club that she’s starting to worry is utterly doomed. Niko Karras is the bad boy of tennis who’s haunting Bex’s club as he works to come back from a career-ending injury (what’s not at all diminished is his supersized ego). When the chance to enter a high-stakes pickleball tournament presents itself, the pair unite as a real doubles team/fake couple to satisfy both their longings (prize money for Bex, a return to form for Niko; no other longings to speak of… yeah, right).
If you’re not already familiar with Kate Spencer’s work, she’s not only the author of charming, spicy rom-coms, she’s also an award-winning podcaster who cofounded and cohosted the Forever35 podcast with Doree Shafrir (Spencer has since stepped away but the podcast continues with Shafrir and Elise Hsu).
You can find Kate online on her Instagram and her Substack, where she recently provided some writing advice I really loved: Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your writing is not write. (Read in full here.)
So, please enjoy her 5+1 interview and her work!
IMP: You've talked extensively about your love of Costco. And while I know I'm a fan myself, I feel like you have some wisdom I've not yet unlocked. So,I want you to imagine someone who's Costco- uninitiated -- maybe someone who's never heard of Costco: How would you explain its appeal, and what advice would you give them for approaching their maiden voyage into the warehouse?
KS: I know Costco is very overwhelming because of the size of both its warehouse and products. It certainly is not a fit for everyone. I think what won me over is that once you get the lay of the land (pick ONE Costco and make it your regular spot) it is unfailingly consistent, and the deals are legitimately great. You can almost always count on the same products being available, in the same location of the store, and very good quality. Our family has really maxed out the membership offerings – we get prescriptions filled at Costco, we love their cheap gasoline, we’ve snagged amazing vacation packages, gotten discounts on cars and closet renovations. Costco has things like stamps and gift cards, at a discount! There’s a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, Costco is the best. Some advice for a first timer: Go and wander the store to see what they have without buying anything. Then go back with a list of what you need and try not to stray. If I can help it, I avoid Costco on the weekends at all costs. I actually find it to be pretty quiet mid-week, immediately after school pick-up. Costco pizzas are a great deal. Their food court is awesome! Don’t skip it.
IMP: Sorry, another Costco question. You're shopping there at closing time, and somehow, you avoid being noticed -- what is the From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankenweiler kind of adventure you have when you spend the night? (For all I know, Costco doesn’t ever really close as I can imagine some of its employees restock late in the evening but for the question, let's assume it's just you and the person of your choosing in the store for the whole night...)
KS: Honestly, I think it would mirror how I live at home. Slip into some Costco-purchased pajamas, go to town on a rotisserie chicken and one of their bagged kale salads, and pass out on whatever couch is on display on the floor.
IMP: You frequently share your favorite romance reads online. Do you remember your first romance novel experience -- how old were you and what did you read? And what was the first romance scene you read that really made you go, whoa?
KS: Probably The Babysitter’s Club: Logan Likes Mary-Anne, around 8 years old. I just remember being so thrilled that a dreamy hunk like Logan would fall for the shy girl I related to.
The first time I remember being really blown away by romance scenes, in general, was when I fell hard into the world of Twilight fan fiction, around 2008-2009. The University of Edward Masen was one of the first I read (after Master of the Universe, which the world now knows as 50 Shades of Grey, LOL). I can still remember the sensation of not being able to stop reading the fic because I was so swept up in the love story and yes, the sex scenes.
IMP: I love that your books give us a glimpse into the things you love and care about -- New York, summer camp, and now pickleball -- but what's a hobby you tried to pick up and abandoned?
KS: Oh god. Tap dancing. I have long felt, in my bones, that I am a dancer who’s just never properly learned how to do it, but I tried an adult tap dancing class offered at a community rec center and it was a disaster. I was terrible; it was an open level class so way too advanced for a true beginner like me. I just felt utterly ridiculous and not in a fun way.
That being said, I still kinda want to try it again?
IMP: I'm obsessed with what people like to carry around with them. I feel like you have a great summer totebag inventory. What's in Kate Spencer's ideal summer tote?
KS: Sunscreen, always. (I love the Biore mist.) Sunglasses. (Goodr is my go-to brand, though you can get great sunglasses at Costco!). Reading glasses. (Sigh.) A really good lip gloss; I’m currently loving Patrick Ta. I keep everything in pouches to try to stay organized, and Baggu makes my favorite.
IMP: Writing question: You've promised some very spicy scenes in All’s Fair in Love & Pickleball. I think even non-writers are frequently curious for how we authors approach writing sex scenes. So, what's your best advice for writing them and how do you know when it's time to put it all on the page -- do you plot it out in advance or are you more a pantser (or really, an unpantser as it were)?
KS: I am a pantser, though I try to work off of a loose outline because otherwise I get completely lost while drafting.
My best advice when writing a sex scene is: go slow! Try to pace yourself – sometimes I feel like I am rushing to get the romance out on the page – and also feel a bit giggly about it – and gloss over important moments, or specific actions or dialogue.
*Here are all the writers I’ve interviewed with new books out since they appeared on imp ish
- Goldy Moldavsky released several new books, most recently Of Earthly Delights
- Elissa Sussman has since made her adult debut and her third adult rom-com Totally and Completely Fine, arrives July 8
- Katie Cotugno has released four (!) books since her appearance here, the latest being the delightful Heavy Hitter
- Julie Falatko has put out several new picture books, the latest of which is Help Wanted: One Rooster (she also has a great Substack)
- Julie Buxbaum has released a best-selling middle-grade series, The Area 51 Files
- Emily Adrian has published a number of short stories, and has the upcoming Seduction Theory hitting shelves August 12.
I'm cracking up about "un-pantser"
Hi friend!! This is great but what I especially love is your reference to From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. ❤️