INTERVIEW: Niceville High School Alumna to Publish Queer Rom-Com Novel for Christmas
In Brief:
•The Christmas Pick is a queer rom-com about a tech CEO and a small-town Christmas photographer who clash and later fall in love.
•Ella Schaefer co-wrote the novel with Reena Sopone-White, and the book emphasizes inclusivity, queer joy, and self-discovery.
•The novel will be released on November 15, 2024, with pre-orders starting November 1.
Niceville Native Ella Schaefer Set to Release New Queer Rom-Com “The Christmas Pick”
Niceville native and author Ella Schaefer is gearing up for an exciting November with the release of her debut book, The Christmas Pic, a queer romantic comedy that promises to bring a fresh and inclusive narrative to the holiday season. Co-written with her creative partner, Reena Sopone-White, this heartwarming and witty story takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, love, and the challenges of embracing one’s identity.
The book will be available to pre-readers on November 1st, with a wider release set for November 15th. Fans have supported the release via crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, which has almost reached its goal. Schaefer describes the support she’s received as “amazing,” a reflection of the excitement surrounding her work.
The Story Behind The Christmas Pick
Schaefer’s journey toward writing The Christmas Pic was not a traditional one. Originally conceived as a screenplay, the story took on new life as a novel after encountering pushback from industry professionals. “We kept coming up against feedback that our female lead was too unlikable,” Schaefer explained. “But we’re good writers and we believe that female characters don’t have to be likable to be compelling.”
Determined to tell their story their way, Schaefer and Sopone-White adapted the script into a novel. The story follows Ava, a sharp-tongued CEO of a tech company who, in true holiday rom-com fashion, is forced to visit the small town of Harmony Springs, Michigan—an imagined queer haven with a deep love for Christmas. After a heated radio confrontation with Jo, a local photographer who runs a photo truck, Ava must either save Jo’s business or face expulsion from her company. What begins as an enemies-to-lovers narrative blossoms into a heartfelt romance that explores the complexities of identity, community, and love.
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A Story of Inclusion and Self-Discovery
At its core, The Christmas Pic is about more than just holiday cheer and romantic hijinks. It’s a reflection of Schaefer’s own journey of self-discovery as a queer woman, much of which mirrors her main character Ava’s experiences. “Ava is not out. She’s been working so hard her entire life that she never took the time to discover herself,” Schaefer said, drawing parallels between her character’s story and her upbringing in Niceville. While, in her, view,the Northwest Florida area has become more accepting in recent years, Schaefer recalls the challenges of growing up in a place where being openly queer wasn’t the norm. “It took me to go to Los Angeles for ten years to figure out who I am.”
This personal connection to the story is what makes The Christmas Pic unique. Schaefer and her co-writer wanted to create a world where queer joy is at the forefront—a stark contrast to many stories where LGBTQ+ characters often struggle against societal norms. “We really wanted to create this gay Christmas paradise,” she said. In The Christmas Pic, the main conflict arises not from external pressures but from the characters’ own personal journeys, providing a fresh perspective on queer narratives.
A Message of Fun and Hope
Through The Christmas Pic, Schaefer and Sopone-White hope to inject more fun into the literary landscape. Their company, Smokeshow Entertainment, aims to provide uplifting and joyful content in what they see as an increasingly heavy world. “We want to show how queer women and queer love can be represented in a really positive and fun way,” Schaefer said. At a time when many are feeling the weight of global challenges, Schaefer hopes to offer readers a lighthearted escape filled with love, laughter, and holiday magic.
For those aspiring to follow in Schaefer’s footsteps, her advice is simple: persistence is key. “Keep going. It’s truly the long game,” she said, reflecting on her own decade-long journey in Los Angeles to find her voice as a writer. Schaefer’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and being true to oneself. Her hope for readers? That they will walk away from The Christmas Pic, understanding that everyone deserves to be seen and that queer love stories are just as valid, joyful, and complex as any other.
As Schaefer’s debut novel nears its release date, excitement is building within both the Niceville community and beyond. With its unique blend of holiday charm, romance, and queer representation, The Christmas Pic is poised to become a beloved addition to the holiday rom-com genre.
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