Blank: A Novel

By: Zibby Owens

Narrated by: Sharon Freedman

A wife, mother, and frustrated writer faces an impossible deadline for turning her life around in a hilarious debut novel about family, friendship, success, and exhilarating self-(re)discovery.

Pippa Jones is a fortyish former literary sensation who fears she will be a one-hit wonder. After the follow-up book she was almost done writing, Podlusters, had to be tossed (it ended up sharing a plot and title with superstar author Ella Rankin’s summer blockbuster!), she couldn’t write a thing. Months of staring at a blank page made her confidence vanish like a one-night stand. When she finds out that she has only five days left to finish (or rather, start) or repay an advance she’s already spent, Pippa has a brilliantly original idea. Okay, fine, her twelve-year-old son came up with it as a joke, but Pippa and her teenage daughter approved.

Pippa’s not only going to make a bold statement, but she’ll change the book world while she’s at it! Can she pull it off? At this point, she doesn’t have a choice.

When Pippa’s publisher gets intimately involved, it unlocks a series of plot twists she never saw coming. From the courtyards of posh Beverly Hills hotels and Malibu mega-mansions to Brentwood and Santa Monica bookstores, Pippa races against time—in her used Volvo—and discovers more about her career, marriage, family, friends, and herself than she ever could have dreamed up.

©2024 by Zibby Owens. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Owens clearly understands the publishing industry…. An enjoyable read full of book industry antics and plenty of dramatic surprises.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Owens’s depiction of Pippa’s angst feels genuine, especially given the convincingly portrayed demands of marriage and motherhood…”—Publishers Weekly

“Owens' depiction of a neurotic writer on the brink is presented with comic zeal, but the plot elements focused on Pippa’s personal life are likely to resonate most with readers.”—Booklist

The plot twists

Blank by Zibby Owens
Meet Pippa Jones, once a best selling author, now struck with writer's block. She had a new novel almost finished when another author published first, the exact story and title. She is devastated, unable to write anything new. Five days away from defaulting on her contract, Pippa comes up with a bold idea at the suggestion of her son.
Pippa sets out to make a statement in the publishing world and stumbles upon twist after twist with her own friends and family.
This is a brilliant novel! I really enjoyed it. I loved the advise given to Pippa's teenage daughter at the end. It is inspiring and can be applied to anyone looking for love.
This was a light fun book with well developed characters. Read it! 5/5⭐s

Warm and funny

Beautiful, timely storyline. It warms the heart and brings the chuckles too. The book brings outrage at bad behavior toward good people, but also satisfaction that the good wins out sooner or later.

so SO GOOD!

Brilliantly written! Ethan and Kelly are awful though lol IYKYK- The FMC was written perfectly!

The plot of the story is good, the blank book aspect spoke volumes.

The end of the book felt rushed. The narrator was fine with female voices and the kids. The adult male voices were not great.

Great story

Loved this book and author. Pleasant surprise from someone I’ve never read before. Can’t wait to see what else she has.