Time to Tackle Tough Topics - Erica Sherlock

As a former teacher and debut author, I am often asked a variety of the same fundamental questions when someone hears of my novel: Who is the target audience? What inspired Through Quick and Quinn? Two basic questions. Simple enough, right?

Wrong.

One would think that a question like the one about the target audience would warrant a quick and easy answer, and yet I struggle to answer any of these without providing a monologue that others may consider a short dissertation. I’ve grappled with the reason behind the complexity, and I settled on this simple fact: I cannot discuss one without the others. It’s nearly impossible for me to mention the target audience without talking about the purpose, the idea, the inspiration, all of it! In my mind, any question about the novel eventually points to one thing: its mission. And it’s a big one. So, settle in, folks, because I’m about to answer these biggies with a mouthful! 

Through Quick and Quinn is a realistic young adult fiction novel, with the majority of the plot taking place during the protagonists’ final two years of high school. It was written with the high schooler in mind, with adolescent voices for the adolescents themselves. Why that age group? Well, here’s the way I see it: High schoolers today are incredibly bright, but they’re bored. They haven’t been encouraged to ask questions about the world around them, and yet they sense that things are off-kilter. They’re intuitive. They’re underestimated. And they’re starving for truth. This book aims to address that boredom and those inklings, but in a way that encourages them to think critically, ask questions, and find answers before determining their own opinions. And in my own humble opinion, the whole world will benefit if this up-and-coming generation asks some really important questions. 

After all, questions spark conversation.

Conversations spark action.

Action sparks change. 

Now, back to the target audience. I do not believe it needs to be limited, and here comes the mouthful to explain why.

I truly believe that the audience for this book is quite broad, and would be enjoyed by anyone from the age of 12 to the 95-year-old sitting in her rocking chair on the wrap-around porch that we all dream about. (Or at least the one I dream about!) 

I know, I know… I’m the author and I’m pretty biased, so of course I would say this, but hear me out. There is one overarching reason that I strongly believe this book is meant for everyone.

The issues. 

We should all relate to the topics that are addressed throughout Through Quick and Quinn because they are real. They affect you and your loved ones every single day, no matter what age you are. But these issues are the tough ones that nobody wants to talk about. They’re the ones that make us uncomfortable, the ones we want to avoid, the ones we want to brush under the rug. 

Dozens and dozens of these tough topics are merely alluded to or just briefly mentioned in the book, and for a great reason: to pique the readers’ curiosities enough that hopefully they’ll do further research. There are, however, two primary issues that go beyond just a mention; they are boldly tackled from the first page to the very last. I pray that this novel allows the readers to engage with these difficult topics. To process them. To personalize them. To honor their significance.

And that is where the mission comes in.

To be completely honest, I crafted Through Quick and Quinn with the intention of forcing our hand. I wanted to remove the possibility of avoidance and make the reader uncomfortable. I wanted us to start talking about the issues of which we’re all aware, but rarely discuss. The ones that deserve to be examined and explored, and even more so, to be righted.

The entire mission of this novel is to provoke conversation. Well, I’m here to tell you that those conversations may not be pleasant, but they should be happening all the same. And not just among the targeted teenagers, but with parents as well. With teachers. With church leaders. With coworkers. With neighbors. With friends. With strangers. With you.

Conversation. Action. Change.

So, are you in the target audience? Yes.

Do I hope that Through Quick and Quinn makes it into your hands? Yes.

Do I pray that the novel inspires conversation and discourse in your life? More than anything.

I would love for the topics and issues that are tackled in Through Quick and Quinn to be discussed broadly and daily. And you know what else I think? That we all need this kind of story right now. A story of truth, of resilience, and of all types of love. As a collective, we need it now more so than ever. 

May we all face these difficult times with just that: truth, resilience, and love.

Erica Sherlock earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master’s degree in Education from Vanderbilt University. Her dedication to addressing the mental health needs of students led her to pursue a second Master’s degree in School Counseling from the University of LaVerne. With twenty-three years of experience teaching upper elementary and middle school students, Erica has seen firsthand the growing anxieties faced by today’s youth. Her passion for mindfulness and critical thinking motivated her to develop a daily curriculum that equips students with vital life skills.  Find out more at https://ericasherlock.com/.

Article published in The Relatable Voice Magazine - September 2025.

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