Arts & Entertainment

West L.A. Writer Linda Joffe Hull to Hold Book Signing at Diesel Bookstore

Copies of author's debut novel "The Big Bang" will be available at the Brentwood bookstore.

UCLA graduate and West L.A. writer Linda Joffe Hull will hold a book signing for her debut novel The Big Bang on Sunday, Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. during a publication party at in Brentwood.

In this dark and witty satire, Hull pulls back the curtain and exposes the secrets of not-so-blissful suburban life. The local residents are too busy with home shopping parties and each other’s business to notice their homes are literally rotting beneath them. Secret affairs, teen witchcraft, and a power-hungry homeowner’s board have their personal lives deconstructing even faster.

Patch interviewed Hull about her debut novel, and the following is a sample of question and answers.

Find out what's happening in Brentwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

So why did you choose to hold a signing at this book store in Brentwood?

I am a graduate of UCLA and lived in West L.A. for a number of years, so when my good friend and avid reader, Julie Goldsmith, mentioned Diesel was her favorite bookstore in the area, I was immediately interested in doing a signing at the store. When I started asking around amongst my writer friends, they all agreed that Diesel is a great independent bookstore with a reputation for putting on lots of successful events.

Find out what's happening in Brentwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

How will your book appeal to readers?

The Big Bang which I describe as a suburban satire/pregnancy whodunnit, takes place in Melody Mountain Ranch, a planned community of McMansions where everything from homeowners association politics, illicit affairs and teen witchcraft threaten what, on the surface, would appear to be an idyllic neighborhood. The novel was called, "a sexy suburban soap opera with a touch of mystery” by Library Journal and has been compared to both Desperate
Housewives and Weeds, but also American Beauty and Little Children.

What subliminal messages are you trying to send about suburbia and other aspects in this fiction?

When my husband and I moved from Los Angeles, we fell in love with a little house in a somewhat urban part of Denver. While in the process of closing, my brother-in-law, who lives in a nice but very homogeneous suburb, called my in-laws and begged them to talk us out of living in the city because it was, as he called it, "a war zone." His concern made me wonder about the less obvious but potentially more insidious dangers of living and raising children in an area where all the houses and the people look so very much the same. The Big Bang is an examination of suburban life, politics, religion, and upper middle class "problems."

How was it writing your debut piece?

Technically, The Big Bang is my debut in that it’s my first published novel, but like many writers, I have two finished but (as yet) unpublished manuscripts collecting dust in the drawer. It is, however, the novel in which I put the most work, time, and soul, so it’s been beyond gratifying to see my words in print. Publishing a book feels a lot like sending the child you've nurtured, loved and raised out into the world to seek his/her fortune, so I'm incredibly thankful The Big Bang has gotten such positive reviews.

What specific character or part in the book is your favorite? The reader's favorite?

I really enjoyed writing the Memorial weekend party segment of the book. In this section the main character, beautiful Hope Jordan, object of desire amongst the neighborhood men, goes solo to the community potluck. When she unknowingly indulges in some "special" brownies, she falls into the arms of at least one of three would-be suitors who’ve been pursuing her through the
first part of the book. As a result, her overriding desire to be pregnant is granted, but not by her husband and she must figure out whodunnit and what to do about it. I’ve been told by a number of readers that this section was also one of their favorite parts. There is an anything-but-G-rated home shopping party that gets a lot of mention as well!

Anything else you want to add?

In addition to The Big Bang, I’ve also written a mystery series. Eternally 21, the first title in the Mrs. Frugalicious Mysteries, is coming out in June 2013.

For more information. visit Hull's website.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Brentwood