Interview with Ashton Lattimore
Ashton Lattimore’s debut novel, All We Were Promised, caught my eye last year because it was set right here in Philadelphia. Having lived in the suburbs of this historic city my entire life, I realized that I knew less about the history of my city than most tourists. With the recent release of All We Were Promised in paperback form, it felt like the perfect time to do an interview with Ashton Lattimore and learn more about her book.
Below, you’ll find Ashton’s must-read books, her favorite part about writing, and the best place to picnic on the historic Main Line.
Ashton Lattimore on Philadelphia
What is your connection to the Philly area, and if you went to school here, where?
I moved here in 2017 for work, and have been living in Bryn Mawr since then.
What is your favorite restaurant in the Philly area?
What is your favorite hidden gem in the area?
Stoneleigh. It’s a beautiful set of gardens surrounding an old mansion near Villanova, it’s a lovely place to walk and picnic.
What is your favorite memory of this area?
Meeting lots of friendly neighbors and fellow families while trick-or-treating with my kids. I often think Halloween is the warm-spirited community holiday everyone thinks Christmas is, especially around here.
Ashton Lattimore on Reading
What sparked your love of reading?
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
What are some of your favorite reads?
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, The Witching Hour by Anne Rice, and The Mayor of Maxwell Street by Avery Cunningham
What is the last book you read and love?
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Where is your favorite place to read?
On the couch with a cup of tea
What’s on your nightstand?
Spare eyeglasses, an empty teacup, and a book
Ashton Lattimore on Her Job
What inspired you to become an author?
Reading lots of historical fiction, and then stumbling onto untold history that I wanted to share with the world.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The research! I love finding interesting historical tidbits and getting to share them with people.
Can you tell me about your new book?
Sure. The story takes place in 1830s Philadelphia, and centers on a housemaid with a dangerous family secret who conspires with a wealthy young abolitionist to help an enslaved girl escape. It’s a story that celebrates friendship and Black women’s courage and ingenuity during the antebellum era in a city that wasn’t always as progressive as it claimed to be.
What is the biggest challenge you face as an author?
Balancing historical facts with the freedom of my imagination.
What is the most surprising thing about being a writer?
For me, it’s been discovering how much my brain is still working out the story when I’m not physically writing. The best ideas often come to me when I’m walking or doing dishes.
Ashton Lattimore on the Great Coffee/Tea Debate
And most importantly, coffee or tea? Tell me your go-to order!
I lived in Boston for many years, so I’m a Dunkin Donuts partisan, and I always get a medium hot coffee with five creams and four sugars.
Find Ashton Lattimore’s book on the following list
- Best Historical Fiction of 2024 (All We Were Promised)
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Epilogue
I adored Ashton Lattimore’s All We Were Promised because it struck the perfect balance between entertaining and informative. It truly opened my eyes to the underbelly of slavery and racism that built Philadelphia. I’m looking forward to reading her sophomore novel whenever it comes out!
Have you read her novel yet?
