Not knowing the publishing rules helped Austin Taylor sell her debut, Notes on Infinity. From lab notes to spreadsheets, learn her data-driven approach.

In today's Book Gang episode, debut author Austin Taylor joins me to discuss her dazzling new novel Notes on Infinity. This high-concept campus novel follows Zoe and Jack, two brilliant students whose late-night collaboration leads to the development of an anti-aging drug, a billion-dollar startup, and a powerful reckoning.

Austin brings a unique blend of rigor and vulnerability to her work, drawing from her dual background in chemistry and English, as well as personal experiences with chronic illness that reshaped her academic trajectory. Notes on Infinity may ask how far we'll go to chase our dreams, but this conversation dives into how far Austin went to write them.

In this insightful conversation, Austin and I discuss:

• How not knowing "the rules" of publishing gave her the freedom to query an ambitious debut.
• The thoughtful strategies she used to distill complex scientific ideas without losing her novel's credibility—or alienating readers.
• The importance of chronic illness representation and how her own health challenges added urgency and emotional authenticity to the story.

BONUS BOOK LIST:

This week, I'm sharing a companion list of 32 Unforgettable Campus Novels With All the Drama—from ivy-draped secrets to heady student-faculty dynamics to the unsettling thrill of starting over. If Notes on Infinity sparked something for you, these book titles will keep the conversation going.

Meet Austin Taylor

Austin Taylor graduated from Harvard University in 2021 with a joint degree in chemistry and English. Notes on Infinity is inspired in part by her undergraduate studies, peers, and lab work in Harvard’s chemistry department. She has also worked as a public speaking coach and in science policy. Austin is a private pilot, a registered Maine guide, and a bassist. She grew up in central Maine, where she now lives and writes.

Mentioned in this episode:

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BONUS BOOK LIST: 32 Unforgettable Campus Novels

Notes on Infinity by Austin Taylor

CRISPR

The Epic of Gilgamesh

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

https://www.instagram.com/austintaylorwrites/

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