Zoje Stage (Author of Baby Teeth)

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Zoje Stage

欧宝娱乐 Author

Website

Twitter

Genre

Suspense, Thriller, Horror

Member Since

September 2017

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Zoje Stage is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of the psychological thrillers Baby Teeth and Getaway, and the psychological horror novels Wonderland and Mothered. Her books have been named "best of the year" by Forbes Magazine, Library Journal, PopSugar, LitReactor, Barnes & Noble, Book Riot, and more. Dear Hanna鈥攖he follow-up to her international sensation Baby Teeth鈥攚ill be available Aug. 2024. She lives in Pittsburgh with her cats. ...more

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Baby Teeth was just so good! I wonder where the inspiration/idea for this book came from?

Zoje Stage Thank you so much, Renee! Maybe not surprisingly, it's a bit of a long story. I'll give you the highlights...

Several years ago, while I was still purs鈥辞谤别Thank you so much, Renee! Maybe not surprisingly, it's a bit of a long story. I'll give you the highlights...

Several years ago, while I was still pursuing a career as a filmmaker, I wrote a script that I wanted to direct called "Hands and Knees." It involved a family similar to BABY TEETH's, but the theme was quite different: it was about a woman who was becoming overwhelmed by what she perceived to be the horrors of domesticity. As an intended film, it was geared more toward mood (cool, detached) and a cinematic look.

I had the opportunity to take the script to Independent Film Week in 2012, where I discussed the project with nearly 20 producers. After people read the script I noticed a recurring bit of feedback: people wanted less implied horror and more actual creepy bits, and to know more about what was going on with the little girl. ("Hanna's" character in the script wasn't nearly as developed, nor was the plot involving her battles with her mother.)

I decided later that same year that I wanted to try learning to write novels, and I spent the next few years engaged in that process (I wrote five books before BABY TEETH). The concept of "Hands and Knees" stuck with me, and when I finally felt able to bring my novel-writing skills to the project, I started fleshing out the characters, mindful of the feedback I'd gotten from producers years before.

BABY TEETH as a novel took on a life of its own - wildly different from the screenplay - when I made two key decisions: 1) to give Suzette Crohn's Disease (to increase her vulnerability and give her a weakness that her daughter uses against her); 2) to write the novel in dual POV, making Suzette and Hanna each the protagonist of their own story, and each other's antagonist. With these two developments, the characters and story took on a life of their own, and it became my job to "listen" to what they were trying to tell me. (less)

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I really enjoyed your novel, Baby Teeth. Absolutely gripping psychological thriller. I am curious if you think you will write a sequel to it some day? I feel like the way it ended left it open as an option, which would be amazing.

Zoje Stage Thank you, Selena! Part of what I wanted to do with the ending is leave readers imagining for themselves what might happen next, or in the next couple鈥辞谤别Thank you, Selena! Part of what I wanted to do with the ending is leave readers imagining for themselves what might happen next, or in the next couple of years. One concern for writing a sequel is it would probably make the "resolution" too definitive - at least for me, and possibly for some readers as well. But many have asked about a sequel, and I certainly appreciate that people want to spend even more time with these characters and see what happens to them! (less)

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Zoje Stage鈥檚 books

Average rating: 3.54 · 105,258 ratings · 16,460 reviews · 15 distinct works 鈥� Similar authors

	Baby Teeth 3.60 avg rating — 79,503 ratings — published 2018 — 44 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mothered 3.30 avg rating — 11,490 ratings — published 2023 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Dear Hanna 3.61 avg rating — 5,026 ratings — published 2024 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Wonderland 3.11 avg rating — 5,266 ratings — published 2020 — 11 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Getaway 3.55 avg rating — 3,056 ratings — published 2021 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Baby Teeth: The First Ten Chapters 3.84 avg rating — 250 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Girl Who Outgrew the World 3.72 avg rating — 231 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast by Zoje Stage (欧宝娱乐 Author), J E Larson (illustrator) 4.65 avg rating — 48 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Getaway - Das Unheil: Thriller by Zoje Stage (欧宝娱乐 Author), Hans Schuld (translator) 3.71 avg rating — 7 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Wonderland - Ein Albtraum by Zoje Stage (欧宝娱乐 Author), Claudia Rapp (translator) liked it 3.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Zoje Stage is now friends with Catrina Maria
Apr 20, 2025 09:32AM · like
Zoje Stage and 1 other person liked Nancy's review of My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast: "Interesting was to incorporate higher level vocabulary into a book painlessly!"
Apr 02, 2025 10:15AM · see review · See a Problem? We鈥檇 love your help. Let us know what鈥檚 wrong with this preview of My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast by Zoje Stage. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you鈥檙e looking for? Preview 鈥� My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast by Zoje Stage <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Zoje Stage liked deannaturnsthepage's review of My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast: "Oh my goodness!! I absolutely loved this!! My 9yo son and I read this today and it was just such a sweet & fun story. It鈥檚 about a girl named Pru, whose idea of cleaning her room is shoving things under her bed and in her closet. She鈥檇 always wondere" Read more of this review 禄
Apr 02, 2025 10:15AM · see review · See a Problem? We鈥檇 love your help. Let us know what鈥檚 wrong with this preview of My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast by Zoje Stage. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you鈥檙e looking for? Preview 鈥� My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast by Zoje Stage <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Zoje Stage entered a giveaway Yellowface by R.F. Kuang (欧宝娱乐 Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 14, 2025 07:02AM · like · see giveaway · See a Problem? We鈥檇 love your help. Let us know what鈥檚 wrong with this preview of Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you鈥檙e looking for? Preview 鈥� Yellowface by R.F. Kuang <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Zoje Stage wants to read Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman (欧宝娱乐 Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 11, 2025 11:35AM · 2 likes · like · See a Problem? We鈥檇 love your help. Let us know what鈥檚 wrong with this preview of Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you鈥檙e looking for? Preview 鈥� Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Zoje Stage and 9 other people liked A.M. (岽嵤�.s岽樶磸岽忈磱蕪.岽♂磤蕪s)'s review of My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast: " My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast by Zoje Stage is a delightful and whimsical story perfect for readers of all ages. Whether you鈥檙e an adult who loves magical creatures or a child just starting to explore fun and spooky stories, this book is sure to ple" Read more of this review 禄
Jan 05, 2025 10:30AM · see review · See a Problem? We鈥檇 love your help. Let us know what鈥檚 wrong with this preview of My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast by Zoje Stage. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you鈥檙e looking for? Preview 鈥� My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast by Zoje Stage <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Zoje Stage wants to read Fumptruck: Open Letters, Essays, Fiction, Poetry, Artwork & Other Creations for & Inspired by the 47th President of the Divided States of America by Anonymous	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Dec 20, 2024 11:24AM · 1 like · like · See a Problem? We鈥檇 love your help. Let us know what鈥檚 wrong with this preview of Fumptruck by Anonymous. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you鈥檙e looking for? Preview 鈥� Fumptruck by Anonymous <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Zoje Stage wants to read Fumptruck: Open Letters, Essays, Fiction, Poetry, Artwork & Other Creations for & Inspired by the 47th President of the Divided States of America by Anonymous	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Dec 15, 2024 04:56PM · 1 like · like
Zoje Stage answered Ann's question: I loved Baby Teeth & Dear Hanna. Honestly I didn鈥檛 know Dear Hanna was a Baby Teeth continuation until I started reading it. When I finished Dear Hanna, I read Baby Teeth & Dear Hanna again and Baby Teeth was a whole new experience. I honestly feel some empathy for Hanna in Dear Hanna and when it ended, I was hoping for a 3rd Hanna novel. I love your writing. Do you think there will be a 3rd Hanna story? Thank you so much! After Baby Teeth was published the most frequent question I got was "Will there be a sequel??" And now that Dear Hanna has been published the most frequent question is "Will there be a third book??" :-) Hanna is still the child of See Full Answer
Nov 05, 2024 09:56AM · 8 likes · like
Zoje Stage rated a book it was amazing My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast by Zoje Stage (欧宝娱乐 Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast is written as a stand-alone story for young readers...but I think its appeal is ageless. I hope that kids appreciate Pru's curious and adventurous nature - and her creative way of coming to terms with the weird sounds she h ...more
Nov 04, 2024 12:18PM · 16 likes · like · see review · See a Problem? We鈥檇 love your help. Let us know what鈥檚 wrong with this preview of My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast by Zoje Stage. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you鈥檙e looking for? Preview 鈥� My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast by Zoje Stage <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

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Quotes by Zoje Stage (?)

“It was hard to pour endless love into someone who wouldn't love you back. No one could do it forever”
― Zoje Stage, Baby Teeth

tags: love, unrequited-love

33 likes

“She resented her body's betrayal. She still couldn't express how insecure it made her, how she lived on a precipice. The most basic parts of her could fail, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.”
― Zoje Stage, Baby Teeth

tags: chronic-illness, illness

9 likes

“Sometimes she struggled with resentment watching her family eat a meal that she prepared. People took eating and shitting for granted, like the continuous beating of their hearts, the inevitable protection of their skin. They didn't think about their intestines doing everything wrong, fucking up the basic process of digestion.”
― Zoje Stage, Baby Teeth

tags: crohns-disease, health

7 likes

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Zoje Stage鈥檚 Followers (2,682)

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Zoje Stage

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