My target reader is anyone who wants to know more about the personal experience of suicide of family members, or more generally about surviving generational family trauma.
Hilary Plattner – 4 June 2026
The Back Flap
“Her mother was vibrant, complex, and gone too soon. Now, decades after her mother’s suicide, Hilary Plattner is finally ready to confront the ultimate mystery: Why? What follows is a daughter’s relentless, decades-long investigation, leading her through forgotten letters and fading memories to piece together the life of the woman she called “Momma.” Part detective story, part lyrical memoir, The Momma Puzzle is an unforgettable journey into grief, legacy, and the enduring love that finally brings peace.”
— Kathryn Dare, City Book Review
About the book
What is the book about?
In February 1968, Hilary Plattner’s mother died by suicide. It was the height of the Vietnam war and Hilary was six years old.
Years later, in an attempt to understand the mystery of her mother’s death, she studies the items her mother left behind: photographs and a file of papers from the 1950s when Momma worked as a Foreign Service secretary in Saigon. Hilary pores over letters written to her future father, her grandmother, and to her mother’s best friend.
She dreams of burning the pile of documents in a bonfire, and simply being done with it all. But she continues her investigation and eventually discovers an important piece of the puzzle: her mother’s medical records from a psychiatric hospital. Ultimately, she forms an image of who Momma was—and finds a way to release herself from the hold of her family history.
When did you start writing the book?
I started writing the book in late 2021.
How long did it take you to write it?
It took me about 2 years to finish this book, including one year of writing and one year of revising.
Where did you get the idea from?
Ever since my mother died when I was a child, I knew that I wanted to write a book about her.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Writing honestly about my feelings about my mother’s death by suicide was difficult for me.
What came easily?
I found it easy to write about my mother’s many letters.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
This is a non-fiction book, so all the characters are real people, although most of the names have been changed, along with some identifying details.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
My book is a memoir, but I have read a lot of fiction. One of my favorite books is The House in Paris, a novel by Elizabeth Bowen, in which the narrative structure tightly interweaves a central flashback with sections of current-day events.
Do you have a target reader?
My target reader is anyone who wants to know more about the personal experience of suicide of family members, or more generally about surviving generational family trauma.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I have a regular place and time that I set aside to write every weekday. I turn off my phone, and I don’t let myself do other things or make other plans during that time. I start by writing briefly in my journal. For whatever my current writing project is, I have the same series of personal writing reminders, one of which is: try to get one tiny bit done on this writing project today. This helps me to start, and to feel satisfied with whatever amount or writing task I accomplish each writing time.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
No, I don’t outline, but I make notes of thoughts, questions, and ongoing plans for my writing projects in my journal.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I try not to edit as I go, but I do edit extensively after finishing the rough draft of the manuscript.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
I don’t listen to music; I need a lot of quiet to write.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No, I did not submit my manuscript to Agents, but I did submit directly to small presses and University presses.
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 consulted an independent editor who recommended submitting to indie publishers and University presses, as a good fit for my manuscript.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
My cover was designed by people at Apprentice House Press.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
My publisher did not have a budget for marketing, so I hired an independent publicist (MindBuck Media).
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Wait until your work is in the best shape possible before sending it out to publishers. Don’t give up. I submitted my manuscript to over 50 small publishers before it was accepted.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Where do you live now?
I currently live in Brooklyn, NY.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I have two grown children and I’m happily married.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on a novel, and I also write poetry.
End of Interview:
For more from Hilary Plattner visit her website and follow her on Instagram.
Get your copy of The Momma Puzzle from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
