Interview: Jodie Shelley talks about Zoe & Mila

Jodie Shelley is an emerging Kiwi author, based in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, where she lives with her husband and son.  She has been releasing a book a year since she emerged on the writing scene with her debut novel, The Tūi Has Landed, in 2023. She released her second book, A Thousand Paper Cups, in 2024, and her most recent release, Zoe & Mila, is out now. Jodie talks to NZ Booklovers.

Tell us a little about Zoe & Mila.

Zoe and Mila is a comical Kiwi story about two friends. Zoe owns a boutique recruitment agency and is struggling to manage the awful young man she hired as her receptionist. Her best friend Mila finds herself accidentally pregnant with her fifth baby, despite her husband's vasectomy and her initial plan to have just one child.

Helping Zoe out at the agency is bold, buxom babe Layla who is living life as a solo mum. She entertains throughout as she experiments with a series of hilarious and disastrous cosmetic procedures.

Their lives take a turn toward the chaotic with the theft of the company foosball table, some hidden drugs, and the appearance of a gang member named Rage who would really like them back. 

What inspired you to write this book?

I was inspired by two conversations with friends. In one, my friend described her dear little baby in unfavourable terms. This became the opening scene of the book.

In the other, another friend questioned the so-called ‘beauty-duty’. We agreed we would be best served accepting our own unique beauty and that we should love ourselves just the way we are.  This became the underlying theme of the story.

What was it like writing your third novel? Was it easier or more difficult than your first two novels?

Writing this story was a lot of fun. The writing part of the process is the joyful part for me.

The harder part this time around was preparing to put it out into the world. I delayed launching for several months. Perhaps that is because I know what’s involved in hosting a book launch, now that I’m on to book three!  As it happened, the launch was a positive and uplifting event. I don’t know why I put it off!

What research was involved in your new book?

I found myself researching medical practices like vasectomies and abortions. And I spent time researching all manner of cosmetic procedures, including Brazilians, botox, lip filler and the like. I also researched slang and common ways that young kiwi men might speak, for the creation of the awful receptionist Owen and his sidekick Zion.

How hard is it to write books that are humorous?

The trick for me is noticing the humour in everyday happenings, then capturing those moments somehow. I record funny little notes on my phone when amusing things occur to me. Then it’s a matter of sorting through the notes and working out which might work in each book.

You have produced three books in as many years. How do you achieve this impressive output as a writer?

It’s about doing little bits, often. Just writing or editing every day. Or doing something that relates to writing each day. Pretty soon, a novel arises from the chaos. My books do tend to take about two years to write, it’s just that the timelines overlap as they are being developed. For instance, when one book is sent off to the copy editor, I start on the next. When the first comes back, I set the next aside. As I said, chaos!

If a soundtrack was made to accompany this book, name a song or two you would include.

I’d vote for ‘Best Part of Me’ by Ed Sheeran and Yebba. It’s all about being loved despite our many flaws.  It sits nicely with the undertone of the book, which is about abandoning the idea of an ideal type of beauty, and instead, just loving and accepting ourselves unapologetically.

If your book were made into a movie, who would you like to see playing the lead characters?

Zoe and Mila could be played by Rose McIvor and Shusila Takao, respectively. I think Alison Hammond would make a fabulous ‘Layla’. And despite the age difference, perhaps Tom Sainsbury could ham it up as a particularly loathsome ‘Owen’.

What did you enjoy the most about writing Zoe & Mila?

I remember the early days of writing this book and the feeling of elation when things were starting to come together.

I enjoyed working with my beta readers. Getting an early take on how readers might receive the novel and seeking out constructive feedback that would make the book better has been a rewarding part of the process.

What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?

I celebrated with a book launch at a local bowls club. With a speech, a little catering, and a glass of bubbles. It was the perfect way to spend a wintery Sunday afternoon.

What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?

I devoured ‘Verity’ by Colleen Hoover.  It features two writers and some delicious twists. One of the lead characters claimed to have been expanding her writing skills by imaginatively writing about the worst conceivable situations. It inspired me to think about writing darker elements to my novels. I did that a little with ‘A Thousand Paper Cups’, but my latest release is more light-hearted and fun.

What’s next on the agenda for you?

I have been working on a release for 2026. I am eager to get back to it, because it is in need of a lot of love and editing attention. It’s the story of a delightfully mischievous kiwi bloke named Barry who lives in a retirement village. Barry enjoys tormenting Sheryl, the GM of Operations. Barry is a nuanced character. He swears, he actively resists the rules, but he is also a wonderfully warm soul who goes about the home doing good deeds. The underlying theme of this book is the gap between the haves and have nots and the cruelty of dementia. I am looking forward to bringing this to readers next year.

Bank Street Publishing