Amy Gentry is the author of three psychological thrillers for adults, one 33 1/3 on Tori Amos, and a bunch of shorter stuff. Her latest book is Bad Habits, which is here to scratch all your dark academia itches and also make you laugh and cringe.

After chatting a bit about her book and her own background in academia, we dug into process and publication (and her #pitmad success story), the dead end of trying to be "a good little author," money and class and missing hotels. Amy also got me thinking differently about my standard weaknesses/obstacles question—nay, the very idea of weaknesses. And, I think she got me back onto Goodreads.

I loved Amy's energy and this conversation, and I hope you do, too.

• Amy online

• Small Axe // Lovers Rock

• Joe Pera Talks with You

• Morning [expletive] Pages

Produced & edited by me, Sara Zarr

Theme music by Dave Connis

Ye olde Bookshop shoppe