Kathryn Stockett, the author of “The Help,” sat down Wednesdsay with Little Rock Soirée to talk about her life since the 2009 publication of the smash hit book — her first — and prospects for a follow-up.
Stockett was the guest speaker at the 2012 Bolo Bash luncheon hosted by Baptist Health Foundation. The sold-out event was held Wednesday, April 18, at the Gilbreath Conference Center at Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock. Proceeds benefit the eICU and Telehealth.
Stockett’s novel, which has sold more than 5 million copies, was made into a 2011 Oscar-winning film starring Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and native Arkansan Mary Steenburgen. Famously, the novel was rejected by 60 literary agents before publication.
In the interview, Stockett talks to Soirée about the best parts of her career and what’s ahead, which includes the task of following up one of the most successful books of the last 10 years:
Sometimes I forget about the pressure, and then a reporter will ask me about it and remind me! I try to set it aside if I’m doing events and speaking. I go on the road and try to encourage other writers to stick to it — to just be ready for the rejections. I think I’ll have to go through that very humbling process all over again. The rejection will come in a slightly different form — they’ll come in notes from my editor. But eventually the book will be written. I’ll get there.
You can watch the complete interview with Stockett above.