Hello there, and welcome back! I want to start with a heartfelt expression of gratitude. Thank you for checking back in with the website and for continuing to show an interest in the upcoming novel. To say that I am deeply touched and honored would be an understatement of epic proportions. Through Quick and Quinn is so much more than just a book to me. It’s the culmination of decades of beautiful experiences in the classroom, combined with lonesome years of late-night, passion-driven, independent research. This novel became the vision of what I feel God’s purpose is for me, and it warms my heart in a new and indescribable way to know that others are invested in reading it. Thank you, from the deepest depths of my soul.

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Now, before we get too far into this blog, allow me to give you ample warning… SOAPBOX. Ok, consider yourself officially warned! 😉

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Let’s dig in, shall we?

As you might expect, I get these couple of questions quite a bit: “Erica, who is the target audience?” and “Where did you get your idea for the book?” Add to that last week’s question, asked through “Q&A with Q&Q,” where someone wondered what inspired me to write Through Quick and Quinn. Three fundamental questions. Simple enough, right?

Wrong.

One would think that a basic question like the one about the target audience would warrant a quick and easy answer, and yet I struggle to answer any of these without providing a monologue that others may consider a short dissertation. I’ve grappled with the reason behind the complexity, and I settled on this simple fact: I cannot discuss one without the others. It’s nearly impossible for me to mention the target audience without talking about the target purpose, the idea, the inspiration, all of it! In my mind, any question about the novel eventually points to one thing: its mission. And it’s a big one. So, settle in, folks, because I’m about to answer these biggies with a mouthful! 

Through Quick and Quinn is a realistic young adult fiction novel, with the majority of the plot taking place during the protagonists’ final two years of high school. It was written with the high schooler in mind, with adolescent voices for the adolescents themselves. Why that age group? Well, here’s the way I see it: High schoolers today are incredibly bright, but they’re bored. They haven’t been encouraged to ask questions about the world around them, and yet they sense that things are off-kilter. They’re intuitive. They’re underestimated. And they’re starving for truth. This book aims to address that boredom and those inklings, but in a way that encourages them to think critically, ask questions, and find answers before determining their own opinions. And in my own humble opinion, the whole world will benefit if this up and coming generation asks some really important questions. 

After all, questions spark conversation.
Conversations spark action.
Action sparks change. 

Now, back to the target audience. I do not believe it needs to be limited, and here comes the mouthful to explain why.

Let’s start on the younger side of the target. Is it appropriate for middle schoolers? 

You may have seen through “Q&A with Q&Q” that there isn’t much profanity, and there aren’t any saucy scenes that would be deemed inappropriate for preteens. In that regard and on the surface level, the novel is absolutely appropriate for middle schoolers. However, I would describe the layered content of the book as “heavy.” Because it is a work of principled fiction, there are real-life topics sprinkled throughout the entirety of the book that are difficult to read about, difficult to wrap our brains around, and difficult to discuss. I would completely understand and fully respect both sides of the coin here: Some parents may not feel that their 12-year-old is ready to be exposed to such topics quite yet, whereas others may believe it’s the perfect age to begin or continue such conversations in the home. 

What about people in their 20s? 30s? Beyond?

Yes, yes, and yes. I truly believe that the audience for this book is quite broad, and would even be enjoyed by the 95-year-old sitting in her rocking chair on the wrap-around porch that we all dream about. (Or at least the one I dream about!) 

I know, I know… I’m the author and I’m pretty biased, so of course I would say this, but hear me out. There are two fundamental reasons that I strongly believe this book is meant for everyone.

Reason #1: The perspectives. 

Through Quick and Quinn touches upon various generational perspectives in regards to the events in the book—whether it be intrapersonal or interpersonal struggles, things happening on a societal level, or even global matters. As the protagonists process through their own thoughts, feelings, and actions, characters of different generations learn to empathize with the impactful experiences and resulting viewpoints of others. In turn, the readers are challenged to find compassion for and gain understanding of others’ opinions as well. It is my hope that whoever the reader and whatever the age, he or she will be able to connect with at least one character from the novel. Even more so, though, I’d love for the reader to relate to the issues… 

Reason #2: The issues. 

We should all relate to the issues. The topics that are addressed throughout Through Quick and Quinn are real. They affect you and your loved ones every single day, no matter what age you are. But these issues are the tough ones that nobody wants to talk about. They’re the ones that make us uncomfortable, the ones we want to avoid, the ones we want to brush under the rug. 

Dozens and dozens of these tough topics are merely alluded to or just briefly mentioned in the book, and for a great reason: to pique the readers’ curiosities enough that hopefully they’ll do further research. There are, however, two primary issues that go beyond just a mention; they are boldly tackled from the first page to the very last. Addressing these two particular topics became a major passion of mine several years ago, so much so that it became difficult for me to converse with friends without bringing up the issues. As a result and understandably so, my social circle shrank, but my urge to raise awareness did not. This novel allowed me to engage with these two topics. To process them. To personalize them. To honor their significance.

And that is where the mission comes in.

To be completely honest, I crafted Through Quick and Quinn with the intention of forcing our hand. I wanted to remove the possibility of avoidance and make the reader uncomfortable. I wanted us to start talking about the issues that we’re all aware of, but rarely discuss. The ones that deserve to be examined and explored, and even more so, to be righted. This was the inspiration. This was the idea behind the book.

The entire mission of this novel is to provoke conversation. Well, I’m here to tell you that those conversations may not be pleasant, but they should be happening all the same. And not just among the targeted teenagers, but with parents as well. With teachers. With church leaders. With coworkers. With neighbors. With friends. With strangers. With you.

Conversation. Action. Change.

So, are you in the target audience? Yes.

Do I hope that Through Quick and Quinn makes it into your hands? Yes.

Do I wish that the book nestles its way into your heart and stays there? Absolutely.

Do I pray that the novel inspires conversation and discourse in your life? More than anything.

I would love for the topics and issues that are tackled in Through Quick and Quinn to be discussed broadly and daily. And you know what else I think? That we all need this kind of story right now. A story of truth, of resilience, and of all types of love. As a collective, we need it now more so than ever. 

May we all face these difficult times with just that: truth, resilience, and love.