Authors! with Jacqueline Friedland

About the event
Jacqueline Friedland is the New York Times bestselling author of several acclaimed novels, including Trouble the Water and Counting Backwards. Hailed for writing deeply felt contemporary and historical women's fiction that tackles complex social and emotional realities. She will share the personal inspiration behind her newest book, her transition from a career in law to creative writing, and how she builds relatable, multi-dimensional characters.
The event features a 45-minute discussion followed by a brief audience Q&A. Each ticket includes a copy of Breathing Under Water.
About the book
Breathing Under Water is a story of unexpected connections and found family. The domestic drama alternates between the perspectives of Berry, a private school vice principal juggling her career and the changing needs of her 16-year-old autistic son, Leo, and McKenna, a stressed college swimmer on the brink of losing her scholarship. When Leo starts working as an assistant in a swim class for autistic children taught by McKenna, the two form an unlikely and transformative friendship. The novel explores themes of parenting, resilience and the vulnerability required to stay afloat when life gets overwhelming.
About the author
Jacqueline Friedland is an award-winning author and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and NYU Law School. She worked as a commercial litigator before returning to school to earn her MFA in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College. Her interest in writing Breathing Under Water stems from her mother, a pioneer in autism teaching and research. Friedland lives in Westchester, New York, with her family and two dogs.