From Where We Are: Nicole Zelniker in conversation with Olivia Neal

Join us and our friend Nicole Zelniker to celebrate the launch of her new book from where we are.

About the book

Gabi Keefer flees Holocaust-era Germany with nothing but her husband, her nephew, and the clothes on her back, but that isn’t the whole story.

Over generations, her granddaughter, Lena, struggles with drug addiction and an unplanned pregnancy; her sort-of nephew, Zane, grieves for his wife three years after her death in an antisemetic mass shooting; and her great-niece, Miranda, advocates for Palestinian liberation against her family’s wishes.

Each character’s tale begs the questions: What does it mean to be part of a family, what does it mean to survive, and is that enough?

Trigger warning: Content in this book includes depictions or mentions of ableism, anti-semitism, characters struggling with mental health, death and grief, drug abuse, domestic violence, gun violence, homophobia, misogyny, racism, statutory rape, suicide, xenophobia, and Zionism.

About the Author

Nicole Zelniker (she/they) is the author of several books, including UNTIL WE FALL, which was a finalist for the Forward Indie Awards in LGBTQ+ adult fiction. Their forthcoming YA debut, ALL I KNOW SO FAR, comes out with Inked in Gray in May 2025. She’s also the founder and editor-in-chief of the literary magazine Knee Brace Press. In her free time, Nicole enjoys re-reading her favorite books, listening to musicals, and bothering her cat. You can keep up with them on TikTok at @nicolewritesbooks or Threads and Instagram at @nicolezelniker.

About the speaking partner

Olivia Neal is a writer, artist, and storyteller based in Durham, North Carolina. Her passion has always been using language and narrative-building to advance social change, and she has found a multitude of ways to move towards that goal personally and professionally. She has published work across genres, including fiction, poetry, essays, reviews, and multi-media projects (see Publications). Her debut novel BLUE RIDGE CALLING is currently in development with Running Wild Press.