Author Annie McQuaid’s Debut Book, Crash Landing

The Raleigh-based writer releases her first novel this month, a romance set on a desert island that’s perfect for spring and summer reading
by Carsen Fessey

This month, Raleigh writer Annie McQuaid will release her debut novel, Crash Landing. Set on a deserted island, it’s an exciting and humorous romance about two ex-lovers, Piper and Wyatt, who find themselves stranded alone after a plane crash. Can they overcome their hard feelings and work together to survive?

McQuaid, an alumna of Elon University who works as a marketing director for an education technology company, never thought she would publish a book. But during the pandemic, she joined the National Novel Writing Month. “I started writing because I needed something to do so I wouldn’t go crazy,” she laughs. “But then I decided to keep working on this tropical, summery book — I just really needed an escape.” Eventually, McQuaid realized that what she was writing had potential and submitted it to the team at HarperCollins.

Originally intended to be a much darker story focused on the struggle for survival in the traumatic aftermath of a plane crash, McQuaid decided that she couldn’t “kill people off in a story about romance,” she says. Faced with crises like salvaging food and water, finding a way to be rescued and their own romantic feelings, the characters keep up a funny, sometimes playful banter that explores their evolving relationship. Piper and Wyatt are relatable and complex, McQuaid says: “I wanted to portray those kinds of relationships when you’re really close to your friends” — or, in this case, your ex-boyfriend. (And keep an eye out for some hidden Taylor Swift references.)

McQuaid hopes that readers will find comfort in the book: “I really hope it acts as an escape to a tropical island, whether you’re dealing with anything heavy or just want to take a break from the world for a little bit.”