A Conversation with Rea Frey, a Bestselling Author

Rea Frey is the #1 bestselling author of several suspense, women’s fiction, and nonfiction books. Known as a “book doula,” she also helps other authors birth their books into the world. In the course of her career, she has helped over 500 first-time authors, celebrities, and public figures land agents, six-figure book deals, and become bestselling authors. To learn more, visit her website at www.reafrey.com.

Let’s get started with a quick rapid fire.

Q1. If you could be transformed into one mythological creature, which one would you choose?

Greek Sirens.

Q2. Favorite Dessert?

I don’t eat dessert! (I know, boring.)

Q3. What are the least-likely three words someone would use to describe you?

Passive. Sweet. Lazy.

Q4. Where did you go on your last vacation?

The mountains!

Q5. What is one thing you regret spending money on?

Any online course! Every time I purchase them, I don’t complete them. I dislike online learning immensely.

Q6. What object do you misplace or lose the most?

My wallet!

Q7. If you were a spy, what would be your codename?

Osprey.

Q8. TV Series you’re watching right now?

The Pitt. I think I’m going to pivot in my mid-forties to become an ER doctor. So. So. Good.

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Q9. What never fails to make you laugh?

My husband. And stupid people on reality TV.

Q10. Favorite Drink?

Light roast coffee with cream.

Q11. You are to go back 10 years without retaining any memory and you can only take a handful of Scrabble tiles with you – which ones would you take, that your past self would be able to decode?

W R I T E.

It’s time for a more detailed conversation, Rea.

You’ve answered our rapid fire so well, Rea. Now, it’s time for our readers to know more about the person behind the book.

Q. Tell us about your journey.

I grew up wanting to be an Olympic gymnast, but I loved reading and writing. Though I didn’t see anyone in my life making money at writing, I decided to pursue it anyway. I went to Columbia and majored in Creative Writing. I was desperate to be published, so I wrote a crappy first novel and managed to get a “book deal” by an even crappier publisher. I realized very quickly that while I’d taken four years of writing classes, there wasn’t one business class offered. So I took it upon myself to learn everything I could about the business of publishing. I became an editor, a ghostwriter, a book coach, and then pivoted to nonfiction. I had 4 nonfiction books traditionally published, then turned back to fiction in 2017. Because I better understood the business, I landed a 4-book deal and a movie deal for what I consider my true debut novel, Not Her Daughter. Then a 2-book deal with HarperCollins. Then a 3-book deal with Thomas & Mercer. All the while, I was working with authors as a book coach to help them get their books into the world. To date, I’ve helped hundreds of first-time authors land agents, book deals, and become bestselling authors. I’ve literally put all my eggs in the publishing industry basket, so, you know, this shit has to work.

Q. So, what books have you read more than once in your life? 

I very rarely, if ever, re-read books, because I love how they impact me the first time around!

Q. Interesting. Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing?

My hubby. He is my first reader and has been there for every single book.

Q. Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

I wish I was that cool, but no!

Q. Now comes the most anticipated question that every author must answer. How do you process and deal with negative book reviews? 

I’ve learned, over time, that the really nasty ones are rarely about you as an author. I find that when a reader is outraged and tears your book apart, it’s because you’ve triggered them in some way. A good thing to remember: your book is never going to be universally loved or hated. You will always have good reviews and bad reviews, so why put more weight on the bad ones? Also, a negative review is about your book, not you. That helps.

Q. What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?

The plot. I see everything I write unfolding like a movie. Once I know where I’m going, I can figure out who I’m bringing with me.

Q. You got 100 points. You need to divide (equally or not) them on the basis of how relevant and important they are to you for your book or someone else’s as a reader. Your categories are Plot/Story, Dialogues, Book Cover, Marketing, and, Reviews.

Plot/Story (40), Marketing (30), Book Cover (10), Dialogue (10), Reviews (10).

Q. So, now, about your book. Talk to us about it. No major spoilers.

Twenty-five years after her foster siblings died in a fire she believed her mother started, investigative journalist Isabelle Archer returns home to bury the woman she feared. But a new autopsy suggests her mother was murdered, forcing Isabelle to uncover if the two tragedies are linked—or if the real killer is still watching.

Q. What part of the book did you enjoy the most while writing?

I used to be a journalist for several death row cases, so it was fun to flex that muscle. I also loved writing from the children’s POVs the night they died. That sounds sadistic, but it was great to get to know those characters, to make them real.

Q. What is your kryptonite as a writer?

Outlines. Though I am getting better at mapping out the whole book before I start, I love leaving room to be surprised.

Q. Would you and your main character get along in real life? 

Very much so! Isabelle is a badass.

Q. What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?

I am a plantser. (It’s a thing.) I always know where I’m going, but I create more of a high level book skeleton versus an extremely detailed outline. I love to leave room to shift or be surprised.

Q. What do you hope readers take away from your story?

It’s so easy to judge mothers. To label them as good or bad. To look at them as only mothers instead of human beings. This book shows how far we go as mothers, what we do to protect our children, and sometimes who we become in the process.

Q. What was your hardest scene to write?

This entire book was hard. I had to rewrite it in two weeks (literally)! My editors did not love the first version of this book, so I had to ditch the whole thing and cobble this story together from thin air. As I was reworking it, my editors were in in a Google Doc with me, editing as I wrote! It was a wild experience.

Q. Well, this has been great. Now, before we wrap this up, do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers? If so, what are they?

Yes! As a book coach, I work with authors every single day on getting their world into the world. It is imperative to learn everything you can about this business. Your book is a product to sell. If you are an author, then you’re an entrepreneur. You need to do so much more than craft a good story. You must figure out what your goals are, what publication path feels right, how you want to market, and then understand your role in your career. The more you know, the more you can advocate for yourself and your work.

UPDATE:- Her book, Dear Mother will be available on Amazon starting April 28, 2026.

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