Behind-the-Scenes: Doll Parts
October Updates and Glimmers
Hello hello! If you’re new to Mourning Pages, welcome! I am Penny Zang, an author and English professor. Start here to learn more about Mourning Pages. My debut novel, Doll Parts, will be published by Sourcebooks in August 2025. You can add it on Goodreads.
And if you’ve been around for a while, I’m glad you’re still here with me.
**Read through to the end to see some exciting book news! Hear me squeal through the screen.**
October Glimmers
October has been busy. But full of glimmers. I try to share glimmers at the end of each month (September’s hurricane was the exception, of course). As I’ve mentioned before, a glimmer for me is something that catches my eye and lingers. These are the things I jot down in my favorite notebook or in the Notes app on my phone because I don’t want to forget them.
If we’re friends on any other social media platform, you probably see me posting the silly, sweet, weird, wonderful little parts of life on a regular basis. Everything from graffiti to an overloaded Bloody Mary to my favorite books. I can’t help myself.
Here are my top 3 glimmers from the last month.
Glimmer 1: Spooky Everything
We didn’t dig out the old Halloween decor this year and I haven’t bought a cinnamon broom yet, but we do have a few new and delightful items to make it feel seasonally appropriate.
Mostly, I’ve been loving everyone else’s spooky season efforts. It’s fair to say this is my favorite time of year. Now, if only the weather would cool off here in the south in time for Halloween.
Glimmer 2: The Best Book Title Ever Ever
For the last week, I have told every human I run into about John Green’s new book (out in March 2025) called Everything is Tuberculosis.
Maybe it’s because I am obsessed with obsessions and John Green has followed his obsession to the length of a full book. Maybe it’s because I’ve been reading A LOT about Edgar Allan Poe lately, whose life was ravaged by TB. Or maybe I just love how simple and extreme this title feels all at once. It’s sheer perfection.
(Note: I also have told everyone I know about John Green’s book (nonfiction) that stole my heart and is equally wonderful on audio, The Anthropocene Reviewed).
I’m a Bookshop.org affiliate and may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links. Or so I’m told.
Glimmer 3: The Book Community
Not to get all sentimental here, but I’ve been thinking about how before my book deal for Doll Parts, I promised myself that I would enjoy every part of this process, even the inevitable failure and rejection and overwhelm. More than enjoying it, I wanted to constantly feel gratitude. And I’ve felt that gratitude so much this month.
From attending book events with other writers (and readers!) to enormous online support for my earnest little updates, I can’t say enough how lucky I am to be a part of a growing community of bookish people. As my creative community grows, I’m loving every minute of it.
And now some exciting book updates:
I have new author photos (curtesy of Mila Wilson Photography).
Doll Parts is available for pre-order! Listed publication date: August 26, 2025 (note: dates and a forthcoming cover image could still be adjusted).
My Dark Vanessa meets I Have Some Questions For You with a dash of the horrors of Nightbitch in this dual timeline suspense following one woman as she begins to uncover the truth of the death of her estranged best friend and the Sylvia Plath adoring sad girls they attended college with decades ago, all while holding a secret that will slowly unravel her new, suburban dream life. An exploration of girlhood, grief that haunts you, and failing institutions, all wrapped up in a taut literary suspense.
Pre-order Doll Parts at Bookshop.org
Pre-order Doll Parts at Target
Pre-order Doll Parts at Barnes & Noble
You can also add Doll Parts to your Goodreads to-read shelf and subscribe to Mourning Pages for more updates.
Fair warning: I’m going to write more about other people’s books and Edgar Allan Poe (obsession alert) for the next year.
Thank you again for cheering alongside me. I’m tackling copy edits right now and looking forward to sharing more updates soon.
XOXO—Penny
If I said I was excited for Doll Parts before, I was trying to maintain my chill. Having read the blurb for it I now have zero chill. This book sound f&×$ing amazing, and I can not wait to read it.