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'Pretty In Pink' Actor Debuts New Novel, Plans Scarsdale Appearance

SCARSDALE, N.Y. -- Who knew?

Author, Travel Writer, Actor, Director Andrew McCarthy has a new novel, "Just Fly Away."

Author, Travel Writer, Actor, Director Andrew McCarthy has a new novel, "Just Fly Away."

Photo Credit: Submitted
"Just Fly Away" is about a family with secrets. It is written by Actor/Director Andrew McCarthy.

"Just Fly Away" is about a family with secrets. It is written by Actor/Director Andrew McCarthy.

Photo Credit: Submitted

"Pretty in Pink" actor Andrew McCarthy, who's also appeared in "St. Elmo’s Fire," and "Less Than Zero" has a new young adult book out -- his first novel.

The television director ("Orange is the New Black" and "The Blacklist"), and award-winning travel writer will be appearing on Wednesday, March 29 at 7 p.m.at the Vernon Hills Barnes & Noble to discuss the book.

The novel follows 15-year-old Lucy Willows and her discovery that she has an 8-year-old brother living just a few blocks away – the result of her father’s brief affair.

Daily Voice sat down with McCarthy to discuss the young adult genre and his thought process behind the story.

Daily Voice: Why did you write this book?

Andrew McCarthy: I’m fascinated by secrets in families – each family has them. And in the case of this book, I was interested in that moment in life when a young person realizes that their parents have a life that exists beyond them -- and that their actions have consequences.

DV: Is this your first book?

AM: In my other life, I’m a travel writer (and an editor at large at National Geographic Traveler magazine) and I wrote a travel memoir called "The Longest Way Home" that was published in 2012. "Just Fly Away" is my second book – but my first novel.

DV: What do you want readers to take away from it? 

AM: People, especially young people, often feel that they’re the only ones experiencing a certain feeling, particularly feelings of isolation and misunderstanding. I was interested in having people nod their heads in identification with Lucy’s struggles, feelings and discoveries.

DV: Based on your experience, are you thinking this could be a possible movie? 

AM: I’m a visual thinker, and as I was writing I was seeing the story unfold. So in my head, it already is a movie. Let’s see if it becomes one for others to see as well. 

Hear McCarthy talk about "Just Fly Away" at Vernon Hills Shopping Center, 680 Post Rd., Scarsdale, (914) 472-0689.

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