In the literary world, some stories captivate readers with their depth and twists, and Megan Davidhizer's debut novel, Silent Sister, is no exception. With its dual timelines, unreliable narrators, and gripping emotional arc, the book has been hailed as “unputdownable.” Megan joins us to share the inspiration behind her thrilling debut, the challenges and rewards of the publishing process, and what’s next for her career.

Aspiring authors take note—her insights into storytelling and advice for navigating the writing world are as compelling as her fiction.

Nicolle: Your debut novel, Silent Sister, has been described as “unputdownable.” What inspired the story, and how did the idea first come to you?

Megan: I have always loved unreliable narrators and books with big twists at the end, so I brainstormed ways I could pull off a story of my own. The structure of two timelines and two narrators immediately took shape. Once I had that, I needed to figure out how one of the girls would go missing and what actually happened. When brainstorming a secluded area, I thought of a place I’d taken a field trip to as a senior, and that inspired the backdrop for Maddy’s past POV.

Nicolle: You’ve participated in Pitch Wars, which is such a competitive and rewarding experience for writers. How did it shape your approach to storytelling and publishing?

Megan: Pitch Wars changed everything for me. I’d studied all these different pieces of craft advice, and Pitch Wars locked them all together. It’s like I knew the midpoint was supposed to be a big turning point in the story, but I was making it a big turning point in the romantic subplot rather than the main mystery storyline. More than anything, Pitch Wars gave me a community. There are a dozen of us who still chat daily, encouraging one another, commiserating on the upheavals of the process, and laughing together too.

Nicolle: Grace’s journey in Silent Sister deals with memory loss and uncovering painful truths. What kind of research did you do to portray memory loss and trauma realistically?

Megan: As a teacher, trauma has been a big topic of professional development for several years, and as someone who had my own trauma during high school, it was really important for me to normalize therapy and go to a counsellor. It’s so important for everyone to know that getting help is important, especially for teens who don’t always have the resources to put the process in place themselves.

Nicolle: You balance being an author and a teacher. How has teaching influenced your writing, especially when crafting stories for young adult readers?

I truly don’t think I’d be an author if I hadn’t been a teacher first. I didn’t even start writing until I’d been teaching for almost a decade. I have heard authors say that their books are really for anyone, that they know it’s YA but that doesn’t alter the way they tell the story. For me, it’s different. Teens are very real and concrete to me; I see over one hundred of them in my classroom every day. I am also teaching them about messaging and finding themes, so I am very aware of what messages I’m sending in my stories. I also want to make sure I can defend my choices as a writer if ever confronted by a parent at parent-teacher conferences. 

Nicolle: What was the most surprising part of the publishing process for Silent Sister? Were there any moments that stood out as particularly challenging or rewarding?

Megan: I was surprised at how smoothly the subprocess and contract negotiations went, and for that, I credit my wonderful agent, Molly Ker Hawn. I was also surprised how far in advance everything is done. My book went to past pages a full year before release, which means the book was essentially done. A surprising challenge was nailing down the title and the cover. I brainstormed over 100 titles and my agent, editor, and I sent over 40 emails back and forth trying to pick one.

Similarly, with the cover, we narrowed it down from four options to one, and then that was nixed by the marketing team. We were given two more options, also nixed by marketing, and then finally we received the cover as it is now and that’s the one marketing approved.

Nicolle: Your writing has been compared to authors like Karen McManus and Holly Jackson. How do you feel about those comparisons, and what sets your work apart?

Megan: Honestly, those comparisons feel unreal. I was so excited when Delacorte Press picked up my book because they have published my favourite thriller writers, including McManus and Jackson, and I still pinch myself thinking that Jackson and I share an editor. It was after reading an interview with McManus that I switched from writing fantasy to thriller, a fact I was sure to thank her for when I met her this summer, and she was so incredibly nice. 

I do think both of those authors are a little edgier, whereas my book has also been called “wholesome.” I also think some people are surprised by the level of emotional depth in my book, which isn’t common in thrillers since they typically focus on pacing.

Nicolle: Can you share any insights into your next project? Are you planning another thriller, or will you explore a different genre?

Megan: I have a two-book deal with Delacorte, so my next book will be another YA thriller standalone, but this one is all one POV. I hope readers who enjoy Silent Sister for its emotional arc and unreliable narrator will love this one just as much, but I can’t say any more…yet.

Nicolle: What advice would you give aspiring authors, especially those hoping to break into young adult fiction?

Megan: I mentioned earlier that McManus inspired me to switch genres. Fantasy was my first love of reading, so that’s where I began writing. Once I saw some of my weaknesses there, I branched out and thought, “What other kinds of books do I enjoy?” and mystery/thrillers immediately came to mind. I’d never written a thriller, a dual POV, or a dual timeline before, but I jumped in. After years of revision, it all came together. My advice boils down to: take the writing risk you’re afraid of.

Megan Davidhizer’s passion for storytelling shines through in her thoughtful responses and the care she puts into crafting narratives that resonate with readers. Whether it’s her dedication to authentically portraying trauma or her excitement for her upcoming projects, Megan proves that great stories come from both courage and connection. Be sure to check out Silent Sister if you haven’t already, and stay tuned for her next gripping YA thriller.

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Nicolle Knapova is a little bit of everything. She is a freelance translator, content creator and social media executive for The C Word Mag. She loves indie music and is always browsing through Spotify to find the next amazing artist to obsess over. Her love for storytelling means she’s always writing something and she’s not afraid of any genre. Her biggest dream is to be a published author. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.