Who would you be without your memories?
That’s the question at the heart of The Mechanics of Memory, the fabulous debut psychological thriller by Audrey Lee.
And I have to tell you—this book is a MUST READ.
I first met Audrey earlier this year at the New Author’s Breakfast at Left Coast Crime. I sat at her table at the New Author’s Breakfast and out of all the pitches we heard that day, her’s was by far the most captivating—and we’ll also talk about this during the episode. But it inspired me to grab her book, and I’m so glad I did. It was so good.
It’s a genre bender too—definitely psychological thriller/suspense, with sci fi and a little romance weaved in. It explores the power—and fragility—of memory, weaving real psychological research and new technology into a fast-paced, thought-provoking plot.
🎧 In this episode:
Audrey and I dive deep into the story behind her book, from the inspiration she drew from psychologist Dr. Julia Shaw’s research on false memories, to the creative challenges of blending genres and building believable characters. We talk about her transition from a 20-year career in public education to the writing world, and the nerve-wracking yet exciting process of pitching, finding an agent, and building her author brand. Audrey also shares what’s next for her—ghosts, sci-fi, and more psychological twists.
📝 Takeaways:
• The Mechanics of Memory is a psychological thriller that explores memory loss and psychological manipulation.
• Audrey was inspired by Dr. Julia Shaw’s research on false memories.
• A compelling pitch can make or break a publishing opportunity.
• Genre-blending stories are increasingly embraced in publishing.
• Research in psychology and technology can elevate story realism.
• Character depth drives reader connection and engagement.
• Every writer finds their own balance between plotting and pantsing.
• Discovering the right structure is part of the creative process.
• Condensing a novel into a short pitch is often one of the hardest tasks for authors.
• Research and brainstorming breaks fuel creative momentum.
• She always wrote for pleasure—this was her first foray into long-form fiction.
• The pandemic gave her the time and space to focus on her book.
• Attending writing conferences helped her build essential connections.
• Learning how to build a personal author brand was a steep learning curve.
• Her publisher has been hands-on and supportive throughout her journey.
• Persistence and patience are vital to a writer’s success.
• Writing communities and peer support are crucial.
About Audrey:
Audrey Lee started writing fiction at the young age of eleven, when she and her best friend co-authored a masterpiece about gallivanting around London with the members of Depeche Mode, Wham!, and Duran Duran. Unfortunately, these spiral notebooks have yet to find a publisher evolved enough to understand the genius buried within.
As a result, The Mechanics of Memory is her first work of published fiction.
Audrey lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, son, and Maltipoo, Luna. She spends her free time compulsively organizing and cheering for the Golden State Warriors with a dirty martini in hand.
Connect with Audrey: https://www.instagram.com/audreyleeauthor/
Website: https://audreyleeauthor.com/
Connect with Liz:
Instagram: @lizmugavero
Website: cateconte.com
🎧 Like what you hear? Subscribe, rate, and review the show to support more creative voices— and to kickstart your own writing journey.
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Chapters
04:10 Introduction to The Mechanics of Memory
05:30 The Inspiration Behind the Story
08:31 Crafting the Perfect Pitch
13:34 Genre-Bending: Blending Thrillers and Sci-Fi
17:20 Researching Technology and Psychology
21:50 Plotting vs. Pantsing: The Writing Process
26:12 Finding the Right Structure for Your Story
31:14 The Journey to Writing a Novel
35:51 Navigating the Publishing Process
38:00 Finding an Agent and Getting Published
45:27 Networking and Community in Writing
50:11 Upcoming Projects and Future Aspirations
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