We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Deich, author of BECOMING BROOKLYN, a YA novel about 9/11 Babies who find out they’ve inherited their parents’ superpowers. The book was in the top ten in its category of Amazon new releases for weeks and is currently being considered in the film industry. With the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaching, Amanda introduces this tough topic to a new generation with a tender heart and renewed hope. We’ve shared our conversation with her below.

Hi Amanda, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
In every endeavor I take on, I am inspired by what this next generation of young adults is going to do and how they are going to impact the world.

Whether I am writing, teaching, coaching, or chatting with kids and teens, I see their gifts and the strength they carry, and I am obsessed with reminding them of the impact they will have as they continue to grow and discover their strengths.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I began writing my first novel ten years ago. I was agented and even out on submission with the Big 5 when I felt I had to end my agent/client relationship and pull that novel. And while I still have that book to release, I had to listen to God when He told me to release my novel about 9/11 babies with superpowers earlier this year.

I’d actually finished BECOMING BROOKLYN in 2017. However, when I sent it to agents and editors, their general response was, “This was an amazing read! However, our country isn’t ready for a unifying message.”

And honestly, I knew they were right.

So I shelved it and worked on a rewrite of my first novel instead. But in late 2020, I couldn’t ignore the burning conviction I had that I had to publish the book. These fictional 9/11 babies have hooked my heart, and I know they’ll speak to yours, too. Arising from the ashes of tragedy, they not only discover their own gifts, but give us hope for a better future.

Here is a little more information about the novel:

Eighteen-year-old Brooklyn Blackburn never knew her father.

Rex Blackburn died in the 9/11 attacks five months before she was born. And even though she never met him, she always daydreamed about what he must have been like before he died. In her mind, he was a hero.

Little did she know.

Brooklyn learns that her father had been a member of an elite military, anti-terrorism task force, made up of a very select group of people. The Army believes she inherited his same gifts, and suddenly Brooklyn is invited to train at West Point. She and five other 9/11 babies learn to hone their abilities in order to protect our nation.

While they’re training for war, war comes for them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Denver, so it’s not a trip here without a trip to the mountains! I feel so lucky waking up to the Rockies every day.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The families of the 9/11 victims and the heroes who died in the attacks are what inspired me to write BECOMING BROOKLYN, and the blessing and promotion done by the portion of that community continues to leave me in awe. They are the real heroes. It was an honor to depict them as such in this novel.

Website: www.amandadeich.com

Instagram: @AmandaDeich

Twitter: @AmandaDeich

Facebook: Author Amanda Deich

Image Credits
Author portrait by Mary Elizabeth Graff Photography Book Cover design by Sarah Anderson

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