Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Owen.
Holly, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It was March 2020, and I was living in New Orleans when everything shut down. I went from being really busy – decorating Airbnb’s, having an active social life, riding in a Mardi Gras krewe – to being out of work and going out of my mind. Right around the same time, things imploded with the guy I had been seeing, and I felt like I had nothing. Nothing but time.
Time for one of my favorite pastimes, exploring the city and taking pictures. Time to do a deep dive into my relationship struggles. Then I had an epiphany, and I began matching the quotes I was writing to the pictures I was taking. The project took on a life of its own, and “Quit Playing Yourself” was born.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Haha, not at all! I had never planned to write a book pre-Covid, and going from being an Airbnb decorator to writing/publishing/marketing a book was a big transition. I knew nothing about the industry – writing a query letter, trying to get an agent, the different publishing options – and there was a lot to learn. All I knew was that I had created something really cool and unique that could help others who have struggled in their relationships like I have, and I wanted to share it with them. Creating the book was the fun part – the rest of the process? Not so much.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I love design work, and I started doing it professionally after dabbling in vacation rental management back in 2017. I specialize in Airbnb/vacation homes, and one of the properties I decorated in Treme was featured in New Orleans Living Magazine in January 2018. https://www.chezhollidaydesign.com/
In addition to my coffee table book, “Quit Playing Yourself,” I am also working on my first novel! It’s a completely different animal, and I’m excited to write it. It’s shaping up to be a tragic romance with dark comedic elements.
https://www.hollidayhousebooks.com/
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I have a bunch of friends who live/have lived in and around L.A., and I think it’s awesome! I’m especially intrigued by old Hollywood and its haunted history.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hollidayhousebooks.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chezhollidaydesign/
- Other: https://bookshop.org/p/books/quit-playing-yourself-holly-owen/18777803
