“I wrote the whole of my book in bed”

An interview with publishing powerhouse Abigail Bergstrom

Abigail Bergstrom has worked in publishing for a decade as a book editor and agent and more recently, author. Her debut novel, What A Shame, is a sharp and darkly comic novel about heartbreak, grief and friendship. 

Last year, she left Gleam Titles where she had spent five years representing influencers and YouTubers turned authors, and founded Bergstrom Studio, a publishing consultancy and literary agency. A long-time champion of emerging female voices, Abigail has worked with authors including Laura Bates (Everyday Sexism) and Florence Given (Women Don’t Owe You Pretty).  

It was fun to hear from her about the real aftermath of publishing your first novel, the books she loves to read and how she achieves her trademark micro-fringe. Hope you enjoy!

What were the highlights and lowlights of writing your first book? 

There were so many of both. The highs came from those moments where the writing is easy and it feels like you’re getting something real down on the page. It’s almost an out-of-body experience, as if the writing isn’t coming from you. These moments are magic, they’re also fleeting. Most of the time you feel you don’t know where you’re going and it’s hard to keep faith in the idea. The lows come on days like those.

I also think writers are built up to think having a book published changes their lives, that it’s this life altering experience and once it happens things will never be the same again. But actually, that’s not the case. Well, at least that’s not the case for 95% of writers. I’ve seen a lot of authors have a real comedown post publication. It’s like, “What now?” And in an odd way, once the book is out in the world, it has less to do with you, it finds its readers and they have this experience that you’re not privy to.

There’s a deafening silence that falls after publication, one that can unnerve. I was more prepared for this than a lot of debut authors because of my career in the industry but I definitely felt it. My main highlight was having my niece come to my book launch, and having both my nieces come to events, to be able to say to them: if I can write a book, you can do anything. 

What did it feel like to be on the other side of the equation? (As the author and not the agent and editor) 

It was like completing the 360 point of view of the publishing experience and coming full circle. It was challenging at times because as an author I almost knew too much, but it’s definitely made me a more compassionate agent and a much better editor. I feel very lucky to have this perspective on publishing and its process. 

Are you working on a new book at the moment?  

Yes, it’s about sisters and it’s a dark family tragedy, but hopefully funny and light in moments too. It’s about family dynamics so I want it to be relatable. 

What are your writing habits? 

If I don’t write anything before midday, it’s not going to happen for me. I’m really responsive to scent, so I find lighting the same candle or incense before I start writing really helps me get into that space and focus. I can’t write where I work and run my business from, so instead of my office, I write in the living room or in bed. I wrote the whole of What a Shame in bed. 

Why do you think you write what you write? Is your novel the book you wanted to read? 

I wasn’t thinking about the reader when I wrote What a Shame, I couldn’t. Doing so would mean I’d come at it with my agenting hat on or through my editor’s lens and that would block and stunt all creativity. I had to write the story that came to me, the one that was inside me. All of my work, be it campaign work, publishing books or working with writers has centred around intersectional feminism and those issues, so I think it makes sense this book is about female shame, the shame women carry around with them every day, under their skin like prickly heat. 

Tell me about some books you love. 

All My Friends Are Superheroes Andrew Kaufman is a book I always give to friends and is the most beautiful little book that will get you back into reading if you’re having a slump. 

I’m Supposed to Protect Your From All This by Nadja Spiegelman is a surprising memoir and a hidden gem if you’re looking for something unexpected.   

Notes to Self by Emilie Pine is a word-of-mouth hit. It’s a book I always go back to and recommend to writers. 

Can you recommend a podcast?  

I’ve just started listening to It’s a Continent which is brilliant. 

How about a film?  

The Great Beauty, directed by Paolo Sorrentino is one of my favourite films and looks at a group of ageing artists disillusioned by the world. It’s an expressionistic opus and the most gorgeous and glamorous depiction of Rome. Rich and heavy, it will fill you up. 

What are your reading habits?   

I always fold over the pages that resonate with me and that are just a brilliant piece of writing so that I can go back to them at a later date. I have to create time for reading, just like I create time for a friend I care for. Some people default to reading if there’s nothing better to do, but I like to go on dates with a book, rendezvous, make it feel special. Otherwise, I’d never get around to it. 

From one fringed person to another: how often do you cut yours?  

Ha! Every three weeks or so… I have an amazing hairdresser, Brett Macdonald, but my boyfriend does the odd trim with a razor over the sink. He’s getting really good at it. 

What A Shame by Abigail Bergstrom is out now

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