Mega-Bestselling Author Kathryn Stockett on Finding Her Voice Again After ‘The Help’

Subscribe: New York Times best-selling author Kathryn Stockett talks with Oprah about her long-awaited novel The Calamity Club. She reveals how daunting it was to write a second novel in the wake of the success and the criticism of her smash debut hit The Help.

The book sold over fifteen million copies, rose to number one and was on the best-seller list for more than two years. In 2011 it became a hit movie garnering four Oscar nominations and an Oscar win for Octavia Spencer as Best Supporting Actress.

In The Calamity Club Kathryn shifts her perspective and writes a coming-of-age story set in the Depression era South about its two main characters Birdie and Meg. Kathryn explains how the cast of characters live inside her and yearn for expression through her written word.

She shares her desire to tackle shocking challenges that women faced during that time. She says eventually the story evolved into an adventure about a group of bold, unbreakable women who overcome incredible hardships to reclaim their lives.

The camaraderie, courage, resilience and the love between these characters will have you crying one page and laughing out loud the next. Three readers zoom in from their homes with questions for Kathryn about the book.

BUY THE BOOK! 'Calamity Club' Chapters: 00:00:00 - Welcome Kathryn Stockett, author of ‘Calamity Club’ 00:02:58 - 17 years between books 00:05:00 - Kathryn on the criticism of ‘The Help’ 00:06:03 - How it changed her writing 00:08:15 - Getting fired by her publisher 00:09:30 - Characters and plot of ‘Calamity Club’ 00:12:20 - How Kathryn found her characters 00:13:40 - Reactions to ‘Calamity Club’ 00:17:20 - Will there be a sequel? 00:20:43 - How will ‘Calamity Club’ be received? 00:25:17 - Women in the 20s 00:27:10 - Theme of found family 00:28:02 - What she wants readers to take away 00:31:55 - Advice to young women 00:35:35 - Kathryn’s favorite character 00:37:00 - Writing this story kept her sane 00:38:08 - Finishing the book Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: Listen to the full podcast: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit