A Box Full of Darkness – Book Excerpt

Happy Thursday, friend! Welcome to an interview with author Anushka Shiell about her debut novel, A Box Full of Darkness. Let’s welcome Anushka and learn more about this book!

---

Get to know the author: Anushka Shiell

Hi Anushka! Welcome to Armed with A Book. Tell me and my readers a bit about yourself!

Hi Kriti! Thank you so much for the opportunity to share about my novel and myself. I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the United States, and I’m a full-time nonprofit professional and Masters in Social Work student. I love spending time with my husband and my friends. When I’m at home, you can find me writing on the sofa with my beloved cat in my lap, in the kitchen trying out a new recipe, talking politics with my husband David at the kitchen table over a meal, or planting new flowers in the front yard. I also love solo traveling, listening to audiobooks, and the local theater scene in the Twin Cities.

What inspired you to write this book?

My interest in US politics dates back to when I was a kid in 2000, watching my mom’s favorite news show with her. I watched news stories about George W. Bush’s election as President, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the effect of the wars on civilians in those countries and veterans. In high school, my favorite class was US Government & Politics, and I interned for a congressional campaign in college. 

Stories about politics held equal appeal to watching real-life events unfold. Shonda Rhimes’ Scandal was a mainstay of my life during  grad school and the job hunt. Aaron Sorkin’s classic The West Wing brought me comfort during the pandemic. It was a delight to finally be able to write my own story with Capitol Hill and the White House as the backdrop. 

How long did it take you to write this book, from the first idea to the last edit?

The fledgling idea came to me in summer of 2021. I started work in earnest in November 2022, and I wrapped up my final edits in January 2024. It was a lot to manage while working full-time, and I’m proud and happy that I got it done! 

What makes your story unique?

The setting and the characters’ occupations. Women’s fiction is one of my favorite genres to write and read, and I rarely come across women’s fiction novels with politics as a key piece of the plot. 

Who would enjoy reading your book?

Fans of character-driven stories, politics, women’s fiction, and drama! My shorthand for describing this book is, “If you liked Scandal and The West Wing, this is a book for you.” 

Did you bring any of your experiences into this book?

Absolutely. My relationships with my husband, with my friends, and even with my cat all influenced how I wrote my main character Tessa’s relationships with the people (and animals!) around her. An important part of Tessa’s support system is her therapist, Taliyah. The scenes with Tessa and Taliyah, and the clarity that Taliyah helps Tessa find, were inspired by my own experience in therapy. My therapist was very empathetic and helped me make significant strides in my own journey of processing trauma and grief. 

What’s something you hope readers would take away from it?

Throughout the story there are themes of loss and trauma, but also healing and love. I hope readers relate to Tessa’s struggles and are left with a sense of hope.

Do you have a favourite quote or scene in the book that you find yourself going back to?

One of my favorite scenes in the book is the first Election Night party that Tessa experiences as her candidate’s campaign manager. It’s one of my favorite scenes because it captures the anticipation, excitement, and apprehension of Election Night. The stakes are so high. I’ve shared part of the scene in the novel excerpt that accompanies this blog post. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! 

What is something you have learned on your author journey so far?

Consistency is key. I love writing, and I treat it like my second job. I set aside time to write or edit 5-7 days a week. That helps me move the plot forward in a tangible way every week. Seeing that progress is incredibly motivating and makes me feel like I’m getting somewhere. 

What’s the best piece of advice you have received related to writing?

The importance of writing a detailed plot outline! That has kept me from experiencing writer’s block. Writing a detailed plot outline before I write the first sentence of my first draft helps me know where I’m going and how I’m getting there. Having a detailed plot outline makes it so much easier to write that first draft. 

If you could give a shout out to someone(s) who has helped in your writer journey, please feel free to mention them below!

My editor and dear friend, Kira. She is incredibly enthusiastic about my work, and her encouragement inspired me to take a spark of an idea and pursue turning that spark into a real novel. Writing can be difficult and lonely. Our regular check-ins to share progress on the novel, comments, and discussion about the characters’ actions and motivations kept me going. 

There were so many times I doubted myself, and Kira and my husband David relentlessly reminded me that I have written impactful stories before and I could do it again. I got to the finish line because of them, and I deeply appreciate them for that! 

Where can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can find me @lantur on Tumblr. 🙂 I would love to connect there! 

---

Book Excerpt from
A Box Full of Darkness

Win or lose, her first congressional campaign – the first campaign she has ever run, the product of four years of education – is over. She did it. Tessa freshens up, changing into a more formal outfit befitting a campaign manager on what could be an Election Night victory party, and takes the subway over to the hotel. 

The ballroom is packed to capacity with campaign volunteers, grassroots fundraisers, a couple dozen members of the New York State Democratic Party, community organizers, and staff at several Queens-based nonprofit organizations and small businesses. Hotel staff have wheeled in several flat screen TVs. Groups of people cluster around them, watching CNN and MSNBC’s breathless election night coverage. They chat with one another, sip their drinks, and eat from small plates of appetizers. 

It is loud in here, and too warm, especially after coming in from the chilly November evening. She doesn’t understand how all these party attendees look so cheery and animated, no trace of stress in their demeanors. Tessa forces herself to make the rounds anyway, to shake hands and smile and thank them for coming. As the campaign manager, she has to set a confident, cheerful tone. She gives a safe, stock answer to everyone who asks her if she’s relieved that her first campaign has drawn to a close. “It hasn’t sunk in yet. I think it will when I’m listening to Ryan’s victory speech later.” 

She finds all of her staff and volunteers, and checks in on them. “How are you feeling?” Tessa has to step close to be heard above the noise. “It’s been a long day. Everything okay?” They all affirm that they’re fine, even though they have been up since four in the morning and the exhaustion is starting to show in their eyes. 

Tessa retreats to the terrace after an hour, gratefully drawing in a breath of cold, fresh air. The street noise of the city’s traffic is a nice break from the loud chatter and cross-talk inside. She crosses her arms over her chest to warm herself, the wind whipping her ponytail and bangs. 

She realizes she isn’t alone on the large terrace. Ryan stands by the railing, staring out over the lit-up Manhattan skyline. He turns at the sound of her footsteps. “Hey.”

“Hi.” Tessa joins him. One glance reveals that this isn’t the Ryan she has spent months campaigning with. His camera-ready, constituent-ready smile is gone. The energy that normally brims from him is gone, leaving him strangely deflated. 

Stupid, Tessa berates herself. She spent all night checking up on her staff, and on everyone else here, and she forgot to check on her candidate. Just because Ryan has been resilient during the campaign doesn’t make him immune to the strain of Election Night. “How are you doing? I’m sorry I haven’t caught up with you today.”

Ryan waves that off. “You have nothing to apologize for. You and Matt have been so busy, doing all this for me.”

Tessa waits for his answer until he sighs, resting both hands on the railing. “I’m so scared that it’s not going to happen. That I’m going to – that I’m going to fail. That would be bad enough on its own, but that’s not it. All this effort you’ve all put in – all this time – you and Matt, this has been your life. If I don’t get elected, I wasted that. I let you all down.”

“Ryan–”

“Every ambition, every dream I have, hinges on this.” The cold has flushed Ryan’s cheeks pink. The energy is returning to him, but with the agitated spin she is familiar with. “Taking the first step here, and getting into the House. If I screw this up, I don’t know where to go from here.”

“Ryan.” Tessa speaks more firmly this time, and Ryan stops. “First – we’re not stupid. We knew going in that there would be a chance you’d lose this race. We chose to commit ourselves anyway. Win or lose, this hasn’t been wasted time. It’s been an even more valuable experience than anything we learned in college. And it’s time we spent working towards something we all believe in. This isn’t just your dream and we’re going along with you because you’re our friend. Everyone believes in your platform. Even if you lose–”

Ryan flinches. Tessa fixes her gaze on him, willing him to believe her. “Even if you lose, you won’t let us down. You put your heart and soul into this, for the right reasons. We can all see that.”

“Thanks,” Ryan says quietly. “But–” 

“Even if you don’t win tonight, that doesn’t tank your ambitions forever. There are plenty of people who have won Senate races without serving in the House first. I know you don’t like the idea of taking things slow, but you could also think of City Council, with your eye on running for mayor or governor someday. Those are valid stepping stones to the presidency too.”

She can tell these options don’t appeal to him, but Ryan doesn’t shoot her down. “Thank you for getting me this far. This alone is an accomplishment, for someone just out of college. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”

Tessa shrugs off the compliment. “The candidate is the heart of the campaign.”

“The heart is nothing without a brain. Your organization, your leadership, has let me focus on being the best candidate I could be. Your advice never led me wrong.” 

“It’s too soon to say that. I’ll take compliments after I know you’ve won.”

“Don’t be so modest. You have a good mind for this. Even if I lose tonight, the fact that I got this far… Anyone looking to break into politics will want you on their campaign staff after this. You have a future in this.”

Her bosses at her internships through college told her the same thing. Tessa’s face still heats up. “I’m not interested in working on anyone else’s campaign.” She helped Ryan develop his platform, and she has done research on Democratic candidates across the country. There are no candidates who are so aligned with her ideals.

Ryan rests a hand on her shoulder. It reminds Tessa of all the times he did this with her and Matt and Curtis in Iraq, and with her and Matt while walking on campus. He hasn’t done that in a while. The three of them haven’t hung out for fun and not work in a while. For the first time, she wonders if things will change between the three of them when Ryan is elected. If they will primarily be his staff, and not his best friends. It seems impossible, but…

Ryan looks just as preoccupied as she feels. He glances down at the street beyond the railing. A few cars pull up to the front of the hotel – maybe carrying attendees to their party. 

Her engagement ring sparkles, catching the light of the nearby lamp, momentarily distracting her with its beauty. She should get back to the party soon, but maybe she can take a break in an hour to call Owen. He wanted to be here tonight, but he got pulled into working a long-distance translation assignment via video conference. The time difference between New York City and Afghanistan is nine hours and thirty minutes, and a new day is already dawning in Jalalabad. 

The glass double door separating the terrace from the ballroom opens. Ryan releases her shoulder and takes a step away from her. “Vanessa.”

Vanessa is stunning in a midnight-blue silk slip dress, silver earrings glittering from her earlobes, a diamond pendant necklace hanging over her collarbones. She approaches them, and Tessa raises a hand in greeting, feeling awkward and – nonsensically – underdressed in her black pantsuit. 

Vanessa places a hand on Ryan’s arm, looking up at him. “Eddie Stafford and his wife just got here, and they’re looking for you.”

“I’m glad they made it. Have you seen Pak Seungri from the MinKwon Center yet?”

It is amazing how flawlessly and quickly Ryan slips back into his usual demeanor, his effortless smile on his face, his upbeat tone revealing none of the doubt and insecurity he showed her a moment earlier. Vanessa updates him on several pertinent tidbits of information she gleaned from conversations inside, and Ryan grills her for more. They really are a beautiful couple. 

The three of them head back inside together, Ryan and Vanessa arm-in-arm, Tessa trailing behind. 

***

This is one thing that never gets old – the mood on Election Night as results begin to roll in nationwide. Kahaan runs around turning half of the TVs to local election coverage. He leaves the other half on national coverage, reporting on House and Senate seats across the country and the presidential race. The hundreds of people in attendance gather around the smaller TVs and the large screens projected onto opposite walls of the ballroom. There are exclamations of joy as the Democrats hold onto contested House seats in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and as they pick up one House seat in Georgia. 

Normally, Tessa would stare at the national election coverage on tenterhooks, following close races around the country – not to mention the presidential race. Now, she stands unblinking in front of a local station, watching Stephanie Siang share her updates. “Romano and Martin are still neck-and-neck in the Thirteenth, and Chao is pulling ahead of Diaz in the Fourteenth…”

The crowd around Tessa cheers, drowning out the rest of Stephanie Siang’s sentence. Mari grabs her arm. “Oh my God.”

“It’s too early to say.” Tessa’s lips are numb. “Let’s wait and see.” 

The coverage cuts away to other local news. Every time it comes back to Stephanie for an update, her report has changed slightly. “Romano now has a two-point lead over Martin in the Thirteenth. In the Fourteenth, Chao now holds a five-point lead over Diaz…” 

The news ripples through the ballroom. Despite the uncertainty about the presidential election, unofficial celebrations start early. People pop bottles, making toasts to Ryan and the Democratic Party. Matt finds her in the crowd, hair standing on end like he’s been gripping it. “Tessa. It’s really happening.” 

“Wait.” A five-point lead – there’s no way Ryan will lose that, with so many precincts reporting, with this percentage of votes already counted. Still, Tessa can’t let her guard down. “Let’s just wait a second.” 

When Stephanie Siang returns to the screen and announces that the Fourteenth has been called for Ryan Chao, the ballroom explodes with noise. Tessa covers her mouth, staring at the scrolling ticker tape on the screen echoing Stephanie’s words. Matt hugs her around the shoulders. Kahaan is at her other side, literally jumping with joy. Booker and Javier escort Ryan through the crowd, all of their faces alight with triumph and relief. Ryan holds his arms out to her and Matt. They congratulate him as he hugs them tight. 

To Tessa’s surprise, people she barely knows start coming up to her and congratulating her too. Not just her friends and staff, but other people she recognizes. People from the New York Democratic Party, volunteers, donors. 

Someone – probably Matt – has handed Ryan a microphone. Tessa leans against the wall, exhaustion hitting her anew, her eyes stinging with tears, as she watches him give his speech. He beams from ear to ear, but he grows serious when he thanks the voters and his campaign staff for putting their trust in him. 

Ryan talks about how excited he is to get to Washington and start working for the people of the Fourteenth, but Tessa’s mind wanders. Back to Landstuhl in Germany, and the conversation they had in her hospital room. She thought Ryan was crazy. Here he is now, an elected member of the House of Representatives, just like he said he would be. He has come so far. 

So has she. 

---

Interested?

Add A Box Full of Darkness on Goodreads and Amazon. 

---

If you are an indie author and would like to do a book excerpt, check out my work with me page for details. Check out other book excerpts here.