Debut Novel

HOW TO FLY

“Who are you when you are not being ‘good’?”

Twenty-nine-year-old Chelsea Pearl is thrown for a loop when her therapist asks her that one simple question. Always a helper, Chelsea isn’t one for self-reflection. She’s fooled herself into believing that planning social events for graduate students at elite Swank University and hanging with friends is enough. But is it? Even her two best friends—Raquel, a globe-trotting stunt woman, and Matteo, a former love interest—are worried about her lately..

Chelsea’s most challenging student, Ivana Volkov, has issues of her own and isn’t into Chelsea’s so-called help. When Chelsea finally meets a great guy, her ability to keep playing by the rules is threatened. He’s off limits, and she runs the risk of losing her job. But if she doesn’t take a chance, she fears she’ll stay stuck and miss out on growing into who she is really meant to be.

If things are ever going to take off for her, Chelsea needs to get honest, get over herself, and admit that life is way more fun when she’s not being so good. 

How to Fly is a love letter to late-bloomers and anyone who feels like they are somehow bad at life-ing. It’s proof that it’s never too late to come of age and be more than just good.

How to Fly Olivia Martel Cover Art

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About Olivia Martel

Olivia Martel is a writer who has worked extensively in higher education at Princeton University, Northeastern University, and Villanova University from which she holds a Master’s degree in English.

She was born and raised in New Jersey (where she still lives). She loves to relax at the beach, enjoys vegan carrot cake ice cream, and can do a mean robot dance.

How to Fly is her first novel.

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