:quality(85):upscale()/2025/11/14/872/n/49350580/4caca8a06917894e3c2a87.19480652_.png "2026 Book Releases: Meet the Authors You’ll Be Reading")
Navigating Grief and a Changing World: A Deep Dive into Kerri Schlottman‘s “Daytime Moon“
Kerri Schlottman’s upcoming novel, “Daytime Moon,” slated for release in May 2026, arrives at a pivotal moment. It’s a story poised too resonate deeply with a generation grappling with both personal loss and the looming reality of environmental crisis.This article explores the heart of Schlottman’s work, her inspiration, and the powerful message she hopes to convey.
The Power of Storytelling & facing Our Collective Anxiety
Schlottman,in a recent interview with Popsugar,emphasizes the unique solace she finds in reading. Unlike visual media, books offer a space for immersive experience, a quiet refuge for the mind. This ability to deeply connect with narrative is central to her work, and notably relevant in a world demanding our attention from all sides.
“Daytime Moon” isn’t simply a story; it’s an exploration of a pervasive feeling. Schlottman describes it as a blend of nostalgia and a profound “homesickness for Earth.” She’s tapped into a growing sentiment – a collective anxiety about the state of our planet.
Reflecting a Reality: Ecological Collapse and Underreporting
The genesis of “Daytime Moon” began in 2019 with a deliberate search for information on ecological collapse. Schlottman was immediately struck by the sheer volume of underreported crises. This realization became a driving force behind the novel.
Remarkably, during revisions, Schlottman discovered a disturbing pattern. events she’d documented in 2019 were repeating themselves, mirroring headlines from the present day. The recurrence of devastating events, like mass whale die-offs, underscores the urgency of the issues she addresses.
A novel About Connection: Family, Community, and Our planet
at its core, “Daytime Moon” follows Isa, a young woman embarking on a journey to uncover her family history along the California coast. Driven by powerful visions of her lost sister and absent mother,Isa’s quest becomes a search for belonging and healing. But the novel’s scope extends far beyond individual experience.
Schlottman hopes the book will foster a sense of unity. She envisions readers recognizing their shared experience of living through a time of profound change. This isn’t just about witnessing environmental degradation; it’s about feeling it on a visceral level.
The author believes that healing requires a basic shift in perspective. We must extend the same care and compassion to the Earth and its inhabitants as we do to our loved ones. “We are one family,” she states, “a huge, dysfunctional one, but if we could find a way to care for each othre and for earth…we could really heal so much.”
A Timely Narrative for a World in Transition
“Daytime Moon” isn’t a dystopian warning, but a nuanced exploration of how we navigate grief - both personal and planetary. The novel asks a crucial question: how can we heal when the world around us is falling apart?
Schlottman’s work offers no easy answers, but it provides a space for collective reflection and a powerful call for connection. It’s a story that promises to resonate long after the final page is turned, prompting readers to consider their own place within a rapidly changing world.
About the Author: Emma Glassman-Hughes is the associate editor at PS Balance, bringing seven years of reporting experience to her role. Her background spans diverse beats, including arts and culture, sex and relationships, and the critical intersection of food, climate, and farming.
