Finding her voice: Jasmine Donaldson on her debut novel ‘The People I Know Now’
Published by Mary Egan Publishing
$30 | Paperback | 220 pp | ISBN 9781067087555
Publication Date: 7 October 2025
Today marks the official release of The People I Know Now, a powerful young adult novel about love, loss, and finding the courage to move forward. Set in the small seaside township of New Brooke, the story follows nineteen-year-old Lyla Strafford as she navigates grief, new beginnings, and the delicate process of healing.
To celebrate publication day, we sat down with Auckland-based author Jasmine Donaldson to talk about inspiration, transformation, and what it feels like to finally share her debut novel with the world.
Reina the dog, who features in Jasmine’s acknowledgements
What first planted the seed for The People I Know Now?
I started writing the book at a time when I was leaving a job I thought I would love but that didn’t turn out to be right for me. I didn’t know what direction I was heading in, and I felt the need to create something of my own — a world I could shape.
Working part-time gave me the space to focus on writing and reconnect with creativity. I kept coming back to how important it is to feel purpose, and to have the right people around you, especially when you’re young.
The sunlit chair where much of the book was written.
How would you describe the story in one sentence?
A thought-provoking summer read about love, loss, and finding yourself.
What do you hope readers feel when they turn the final page?
I hope readers come away with a sense of understanding — both for the story and for themselves. Beneath the romance and mystery, this is really a story about finding your place and finding your people. I think that’s something everyone can relate to.
Is there a line that still hits you every time you read it?
For all of our opinions and issues unresolved, we don’t speak another word the whole way home.
The scene this line belongs to carries so much weight between two key characters. It hits my heart every time I read it.
Jasmine Donaldson is a 25-year-old author from Auckland, New Zealand. She works in a library, where she’s surrounded by books every day, and loves stories that are character-driven and grounded in real life. When she’s not writing, she enjoys anything that sparks creativity — from pottery to film to long afternoons spent reading in the sun.
Which character did you enjoy writing most?
I really enjoyed writing Theo. He didn’t necessarily surprise me, but he became a rock in Lyla’s turbulent world, and I found that quite grounding.
What did writing this book teach you about yourself?
It reminded me to follow my passions and to enjoy the process. For a long time, I thought I couldn’t write a book because I was too young or didn’t have enough life experience. I’ve learned that it’s okay not to know everything — you can still have something meaningful to share.
If The People I Know Now had a soundtrack, what song would be on it?
“Healing” by FLETCHER. It immediately takes me back into that world.
The monarch butterfly on the cover feels so symbolic. What does it represent for you?
The monarch butterfly symbolises transformation, hope, and new beginnings, which are all central themes in the story. I’ve always loved butterflies, and I knew from the start that one had to feature on the cover.
What moment are you most looking forward to on release day?
I’m excited to see where this next part of the journey leads. Writing the story was such a joy, and now I’m thrilled to be sharing it with readers. It feels like a full-circle moment — I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and ready for whatever comes next.
Can you give us a hint of what might be next?
I’m gently working through ideas for a new novel. It’s early days, but I can feel a story starting to take shape. For now, I’m just letting inspiration strike when it wants to.