Q&A: Turning the Pages of “Pink Glass Houses” by Asha Elias

Miami, FL – July 30, 2024 – “It turns out that all the inspiration I needed was right under my nose.”

Asha Elias — writer, mother, and an observant Miami Beach socialite — turned to her life raising children on the island as a source of inspiration for her debut novel, “Pink Glass Houses”. Elias classifies the novel, which chronicles the lives of wealthy PTA moms of an elite elementary school in Miami Beach, as “a social satire” — “expect over the top antics and a fast paced ride”, she shares. “I will say in advance that none of these characters are perfect! By the end, however, some might come across as more redeemable than others.” As Asha celebrates the release of her very first novel and gears up for her next release the following summer, we sat down with the author to talk all-things “Pink Glass Houses”.

WRE: What inspired you to write Pink Glass Houses?

Asha Elias: I’d always wanted to write a book- the hard part was latching onto an idea I’d be willing to explore and spend years writing and revising. It turned out that all the inspiration I needed was right under my nose. Being a parent in Miami Beach has been my greatest source of joy, but has also presented me with countless moments that have left me scratching my head. Motherhood can sometimes turn us into our worst versions of ourselves, and I wanted to explore that trait in a satirical way.

WRE: Tell us about your experience writing your first novel. How was this process? What was the most challenging part?

AE: I started writing Pink Glass Houses having no idea whether it would ever see the light of day. I just knew I wanted to write it. Along the way, I took some workshops to revise my pages with other professional writers. Those were immensely helpful in finding my blindspots and also suggesting plotlines and character moments I never could have thought of on my own. Once I felt the manuscript was in a strong place, I began querying for agents, which was torture! I don’t know of any published novelists who have enjoyed that part of the process. There are so few literary agents out there, and they are all inundated with requests from aspiring novelists. It’s rare to hear back from them at all and, when you do, it’s usually with a form rejection email. I was luckily enough to sign with the perfect representative for my book, Helen Heller. She understood immediately what I was trying to do with the story and, also, the had best possible home for my book in mind. After another quick round of revisions together, she sold it to HarperCollins/William Morrow. They were the first and only house to whom she submitted.

Pink Glass Houses is a social satire, so expect over the top antics and a fast paced ride

Asha Elias

WRE: How would you describe this book, and what can readers expect?

AE: Pink Glass Houses is a social satire, so expect over the top antics and a fast paced ride. There is a rotating cast of characters, each with their own distinct perspectives and motivations. I will say in advance that none of these characters are perfect! By the end, however, some might come across as more redeemable than others. 

WRE: What message or themes do you hope readers take away from Pink Glass Houses?

AE: More than anything, I hope readers have fun with the book and find little pieces of resonance here and there. It’s meant to be more observational than a searing socially commentary. If anything, I’d like readers to come away feeling like we can all make mistakes, sometimes big ones, and still be good parents and members of our community.

WRE: With your background in Miami’s social scene and lifestyle journalism, how much of Pink Glass Houses is drawn from real experiences?

AE: Oh, it’s all completely made up (said with a wink). The characters are all their own people and not based on real life characters, but the action- on the other hand- is inspired by actual events or things that could absolutely happen in this town.

WRE: Can you tell us a bit about the characters, Charlotte Giordani and Melody Howard, and what makes their dynamic central to the story?

AE: Charlotte is our PTA alpha mom and the queen of Miami Beach. She’s unapologetically herself, which rubs some other parents the wrong way. Enter Melody Howard, recent Kansas transplant who poses a threat to Melody’s dream of becoming PTA president. She has the professional background to ace the job, and a faction of disgruntled Sunset Academy parents in her corner. At the end of the election, there can only be one winner.

WRE: What’s next for you? Are you working on a follow-up to this book or any other projects in the future?

AE: I’m thrilled to announced that my second book, The Namaste Club, will be out in summer 2025, also with HarperCollins/William Morrow. It’s a Florida satire that takes on the wellness community, invasive wildlife, book banners, and yoga bros. I love living in this state, with its endless sources of inspiration!

More than anything, I hope readers have fun with the book and find little pieces of resonance here and there

Asha Elias