Ossining-based author Hope Engel published her debut novel At Your Pace on July 8, a college sports romance novel set at the fictional Hudson Valley State University.
At Your Pace synopsis:
Junior year of college should be perfect for a guy like Emerson Davies: baseball star, dialed-in athlete, ironclad routine. The only thing missing? Any kind of love life — and that’s exactly how he’s kept it.
When his best friend gives him an ultimatum, Emerson has one shot to prove he’s ready to take a risk: ask out Valeria Rivera Betancourt — the driven, quietly confident girl in his project group — or she’ll step in and do it for him.
Valeria has her own plans. Her own goals. A future she’s working toward with the same focus Emerson brings to baseball. She knows what she wants, and she knows how to get it.
Study sessions turn into gym sessions. Gym sessions turn into friendship. And before either of them realizes it, the lines between classmates, friends, and something more begin to blur.
But for Emerson, wanting something is the easy part. Keeping it is where everything could fall apart. Because if he can’t break free from the expectations that have shaped him… he might lose the only person who’s ever been worth making space for.
River Journal caught up with Engel to find out more about her novel and writing style.
River Journal: How long have you been writing?
Hope Engel: I started writing novels in January 2025, though I have written poetry, short stories, and essays going back to 2012.
RJ: How long did it take to write your book?
HE: It took about one year to have the final draft locked in, then proceeded to minor tweaks during proofreading. It took me about five months to have the first draft done, then about seven months of rewriting and editing.
RJ: For the benefit of other writers, briefly describe your writing process.
HE: I wrote At Your Pace mostly in the early mornings or after work, sitting on the couch in my living room, writing two to three hours a day. My new writing process is to voice dictate a first draft while walking outside. It helps me tell myself the story, and I get a lot of ideas down quickly. Then, I rewrite the scene and focus on the writing craft once I already know what needs to happen to move the story forward.
RJ: Any advice for those who may struggle with writers’ block or other writing challenges?
HE: Don’t let perfectionism get in your way. Lean into the “rough” draft. Use placeholders to keep the ideas flowing. You can always edit it later. (And you will!)
RJ: Is your book self-published?
HE: I self-published it, but I had an offer from a new indie publisher to release it; I decided to go independent to maintain creative control as romance series following the same characters are less common, but I knew that Emerson and Valeria’s story did not end with this novel. I hope to work with that publisher or another one for a future standalone novel.
RJ: What attracted you to this region to raise a family?
HE: My husband is originally from Westchester County. We moved here from California a little over three years ago because we love the scenery and small-town community, yet we have access to job opportunities and entertainment in New York City.
RJ: Do you have favorite local hangouts to dine, shop, socialize, escape, chill?
HE: Benny’s Brown Bag in Peekskill and Blue Pig Ice Cream in Croton-on-Hudson are two of my favorite places – great food and vibes.
RJ: Do you belong to any local civic or social or volunteer organizations?
HE: I volunteer with the Friends of the Ossining Public Library. Check out our book sales which I hope to resume after the retaining wall construction is complete.
Price: Paperback – $15, eBook – $4.99, Available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited
