"When the darkest part of you meets the darkest part of me, it creates light." This is one of the many incredible lines readers will find in Coco Mellors's luminous debut novel Cleopatra and Frankenstein.In this riveting story, readers meet Cleo and Frank, two disparate characters whose chance encounter brings them closer in ways they couldn't have expected. Throughout the book, readers also meet Cleo and Frank's closest friends and family members, whose own stories add texture to Cleo and Frank's relationship and provide a nuanced portrait of what it means to come together, grow up, and in some cases, grow apart. Cleopatra and Frankensteinmay be a work of literary fiction, but for Coco, it also calls upon what she deems "emotional nonfiction." And her own story of transformation and curiosity is a reminder that slowing down—and looking inward—is often the only way forward. In this interview, Coco shared more about what led her to writeCleopatra and Frankenstein, her thoughts on gratitude and faith, and the importance of spending time doing what you love most. This episode also opens with a story by Alyssa Natoci. A transcript of this episode is also available on our website: https://www.slowstoriespodcast.com/community/slow-stories-podcast-show-notes-coco-mellors