Home Baked Author Alia Volz & Successful Book Launches

San Francisco Writers Conference Podcast

Home Baked author Alia Volz talked about her book—a finalist for the 2021 National Book Critics Circle award for best autobiography—and offered advice about and lessons learned from launching during the pandemic. During the ’70s in San Francisco, Alia Volz’s mother ran the underground Sticky Fingers Brownies, delivering upwards of ten thousand illegal marijuana edibles per month throughout the circus-like atmosphere of a city in the throes of major change. Host Matthew Felix and Alia discussed what it was like for Alia to grow up with her parents running an illegal cannabis business. She also discussed telling her parents' stories and what she learned in the process. Alia talked about many of the socio-economic themes addressed in the book, including the HIV/AIDS crisis and its central role in fostering acceptance of medical marijuana; LGBTQ+ history; San Francisco then and now; marijuana criminalization and legalization; and much more. Alia discussed her journey getting the book published, including the importance of timing. She also shared the challenges of cohesively weaving together her personal story and the socio-economic events and themes of the time. Home Baked's launch was derailed by the pandemic. Alia shared how she pivoted and made the most of unexpected circumstances, ultimately having a successful launch. She offered advice to other writers for successful launches not only during but post-pandemic as well.