Just One Thing with Kate Felix

Drawing by the author’s daughter, titled "Mom when she is writing something gross”

We love Kate Felix’s EXPLOSIVE memoir “A Modern Chernobyl” in our November issue! Here she shares just one thing about the piece:

“A small shadow passed over me when I realized Split Lip was about to publish my memoir about escaping a fake nuclear holocaust. At first, I had been hesitant to even submit it. Mostly because of the last bit. I mean what kind of person makes light of the potential demise of their own neighbors? What if someone who was actually affected by the Chernobyl disaster reads it? I’ll bet they will think that Alvin and I are a pair of Satans. Fair enough. I accept that. If I upset anyone, I am truly sorry for it. The thing is, people do say and think terrible things, and sometimes how they act in a moment of fear can be pretty instructive as to where they are at in the arc of their own personal development. If we only write about the times when we are as shiny and enlightened as well-buffed Buddha bellies, where will that leave reality? How can we examine our basest thoughts if we never share them? I mean everyone has a jerk-streak, right? Right? No? Kay. I’m outta here.”