Interview with Steve Pizzolato, Author of Noah’s Ark

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Noah’s Ark?

Recently the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that IVF embryos are considered life. That decision has upended the IVF industry and terrified women who cannot conceive naturally, and IVF is their only hope. Now their hope may be a nightmare. The Alabama decision is foretold in my book, which I started writing in 2023 when the idea for this book came from a conversation I had with my daughter, who was going through IVF treatments.

She had successfully created ten viable embryos and was soon pregnant. When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, there was some quiet talk in conservative state legislative bodies (Alabama being one) that perhaps the disposition of unused IVF embryos would be treated the same way as an abortion. Criminal prosecution of the mother, the doctor, or the clinic. She asked me, concerned, “Do you think I could be charged with murder if I chose to donate my unused embryos for medical research?”

An interesting and scary question, made more so by the ruling in Alabama, for all women, partners, and fathers. Noah’s Ark hopes to educate you and let your mind think about the possibilities of a war on IVF embryos.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Murder/Mystery and history/biographical.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

None. I was an avid reader. My mother was a librarian, but I decided that I needed to write my own books instead of reading others. I do pick up a non-fiction book once in a while, and I recently read The Wager by David Gann and Anderson Cooper’s story on the Vanderbilts, but no other books are on my TBR pile.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Noah’s Ark has a false ending, so the best scenes are the chapters after the primary crime is solved, but then another crime and criminal closes out the book. They are Chapters 40-43, and they answer many questions but leave the door open for the 3rd installment of the series.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

No, but my black cat, Finn, does like to sit on or near my keyboard when I write. I don’t have a set regiment. I write when the mood strikes or I have an idea I need to get down on paper.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Listen more than you talk. Your friends will appreciate it.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

We are all entitled to make our own decisions in our lives, and we should fight like hell if people want to take away our right to choose.