The novel begins in the late 1950s and moves through the mid-1970s, a time when America was changing fast. The culture, the music, the Women’s Movement, the Vietnam War, and a country deeply divided.

Pat Black-Gould – 18 August 2025

The Back Flap

All the Broken Angels is about two cousins. Two paths. One unforgettable era.

This award-winning novel follows the transformative journey of Cate and Albie. Cousins and best friends, who are raised in 1960s New Jersey under the watchful eyes of their family and strict Catholic school nuns. Their bond seems unbreakable. Then the Vietnam War erupts, tearing them apart.

Albie, driven by faith and patriotism, enlists in the military and is stationed at a base nicknamed “Paradise.” Cate, spirited and questioning, protests the war and defies the expectations placed on women in that era. She immerses herself in the bohemian counterculture of New York’s Greenwich Village while enduring life in a low-rent tenement in the gritty Hell’s Kitchen district.

Tragedy strikes, and her world unravels. With the support of her family and an eclectic group of friends, artists, activists, and veterans, Cate embarks on a journey and begins to discover her voice and her purpose in a world being rewritten.

Told with heart, humor, and deep emotional resonance, this historical fiction novel is a powerful story of resilience, reinvention, and the messy, beautiful journey of becoming who you’re meant to be.

About the book

When did you start writing the book?

I started eight years ago on and off at first as a series of short stories until it gelled and came together.

How long did it take you to write it?

Seven years. I was also working on another book at the time, which got published first so there were a few short pauses but not many. My co-author, Steve Hardiman, joined me in the process. It worked out to be a fascinating collaboration.

Where did you get the idea from?

All the Broken Angels grew out of my family stories and my Jersey City roots. These were the people and the neighborhood that shaped me, and I wanted to honor that. The novel begins in the late 1950s and moves through the mid-1970s, a time when America was changing fast. The culture, the music, the Women’s Movement, the Vietnam War, and a country deeply divided.

The two cousins at the center of the story stand on opposite ends of that divide, politically and culturally, and the tension between them became a way to explore what was happening in the country at large. I also wanted to reflect on the traditional roles expected of women at the time, and how the Women’s Movement began to shift those expectations.

I was raised hearing that girls only went to college to meet a man and get married. So, I didn’t get that opportunity, at least not then. It wasn’t until I found my own voice that I realized I could change my path. I wanted younger generations to get a sense of what it was like, what we lived through, and what we pushed back against, personally, culturally, and politically.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I struggled most when I had to decide what would happen to one of the main characters. At first, I couldn’t do it. This may sound strange, but my characters speak to me, and this one told me what I needed to write. The interesting part is that what I chose for him in the story was exactly what happened to him in real life. When I finally had the courage to put it on the page, I knew I had a novel that would work.

What comes easily?

With a background in theater, especially as a playwright, the dialogue flows naturally. It’s the narration that took some time to get comfortable with.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real-world people you know?

All the Broken Angels is deeply personal. I was inspired by several real people, including my parents, my grandmother, and my cousin Albie. The lead character is largely based on me—though she’s far more vocal and tenacious than I was back then. The rest of the characters are drawn from a blend of people I’ve known. And as a psychologist who worked with Vietnam veterans, their stories became an important part of the book as well.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors who have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I don’t have just one favorite author or book. I’ve always loved reading a wide range of voices and styles. Every story offers something new, and that variety keeps me inspired and open to unexpected ideas.

While writing All the Broken Angels, I found myself thinking about Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. His book looks at the chaos and contradictions of war, and how people try to make sense of situations that don’t always have clear answers. That mix of absurdity and truth stuck with me. In my own way, I tried to reflect some of that tension, how people, including the young adults growing up in this era, navigate a world where the rules are shifting and choices aren’t always simple.

Do you have a target reader?

Anyone who’s drawn to this dynamic period in our country’s past is a potential reader. My co-author and I worked hard to bring history to life through these stories. But at its heart, the book is about love, the strength of family ties, growth, loss, forgiveness, resilience, and finding your place in the world. Those themes cross generations, so while the setting is rooted in the past, the emotions speak to readers of all ages.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

For me, writing takes time, discipline, and a lot of persistence. Even when things get tough,and they do, I try to stay with it and remind myself to connect with other writers when I need support. Writing doesn’t happen in isolation.

I also stay fully committed to my characters and to creating vivid, believable details. I want readers to feel like they’re right there in the story, not just watching from the outside. Whether it’s the scene, the atmosphere, or the relationships, I want it all to feel lived-in and real.

With my background in psychology, I pay close attention to each character’s emotional journey. Whether they’re changing, struggling, or staying stuck, I want their experience to feel honest. By the time I reach the end, it becomes less about where I planned for them to go and more about discovering where their journey naturally led.

Readers often tell me that what they connect with most in my books is how real the characters feel to them. They relate to their struggles, share in their experiences, and come away feeling like they’ve truly come to know them.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

If I had to outline, I’d never write the book! I generally have the overall storyline in my head. My books are character-driven, so I listen to what they have to say and follow through their stages of development as they navigate through whatever obstacles I put in their way.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished the first draft?

Both. It’s important to stay attentive to the work while writing, but not if it disrupts the creative flow. I try to get through a chapter first, then go back and focus on editing. I also bring chapters to critique groups for fresh feedback and perspective. Once the manuscript is complete, I always do a deeper revision before it heads into professional editing.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes. As I mentioned, for me it’s essential. I’m an author, but an editor brings a whole different set of skills to the table. I respect what they do immensely. Their insights are what help turn a strong draft into a polished, finished book.

Do you listen to music while you write? What gets the fingers tapping?

If I don’t have complete silence, I can’t work! I need a quiet space to hear my own thoughts and stay in the flow. That said, my book includes a lot of music from the 1960s and 1970s, so I do listen to it when I’m researching or trying to capture the mood of a scene. The music helps me connect with the era, but when it’s time to write, the volume goes all the way down.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to agents?

No. I would have considered it if I were younger, but at this stage, I didn’t want to invest the time the process often requires.

What made you decide to go indie—whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I worked with a hybrid publisher for my first book, and that experience went very well. But for the novel, my co-author and I wanted to try the indie route. It was partly about learning how the process works firsthand and partly about having more creative control over the final product.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

The cover was professionally done by a wonderful artist. She really captured the spirit of the story.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

For me, marketing starts when you start writing the book. That’s phase one. I move forward from there.

Are you working with a marketing company?

Yes, I’ve been working with a marketing company, and I’ve also teamed up with an organization that runs a variety of marketing workshops and seminars. Those have been especially helpful in expanding my understanding of book promotion and building an audience.

Any advice you’d give to writers considering the indie route?

Do your homework and learn as much as you can about the indie publishing and marketing process. I took a lot of classes and thought I had a handle on it, but there’s always more to learn. Honestly, it feels like earning a degree in marketing and publishing—it’s a whole different world from writing the book itself.

My advice? Connect with other indie authors. Join communities, follow indie-focused social media groups, and take part in workshops, whether online or in person. Keep learning, stay curious, and most of all, be patient with the process. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey, just across the river from Manhattan. Both places, and the people who lived there, play a central role in All the Broken Angels. It’s where my roots run deep.

Where do you live now?

These days, I’m in northwest Florida on the Panhandle. It’s the Sunshine State, though it turns dramatic when hurricane season rolls in.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I’ve had the unique opportunity to move through the worlds of theater, psychology, and now writing. Along the way, I’ve gathered tools that I love sharing with other writers, whether through critique groups, one-on-one mentoring, or leading workshops. Writing can be a solitary pursuit, but teaching and connecting with others keeps the creative energy alive for me.

What are you working on now?

I’m at the start of a new novel that continues the journeys of some characters from All the Broken Angels. It’s not exactly a sequel, but it picks up their lives as the 1970s unfold. This story continues to lean into women learning to speak up and reshape the expectations placed on them, especially as the Women’s Movement takes hold.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of All the Broken Angels from Amazon US or Amazon UK.