Take a lover of fantasy stories, keen legal mind, strong sense of social justice, big heart and killer concept creator and you get debut author Helena Haywoode Henry. Some have compared her stand-out YA speculative fiction novel, LAST CHANCE LIVE!, to The Hunger Games and Squid Game. But Henry has created something that’s singular in its complexity, impact and resonance. We’re honored to salute her on Day 13.
The Backstory: How I Got “The Deal”
I began writing Last Chance LIVE! days after giving birth to my first child, in 2018. I rocked my newborn on our lawn, gripped by the idea of teens on death row who compete on a reality TV show in which America votes for one winner to receive freedom and forgiveness, and executes the rest. I asked a friend if this was a good idea, and if I should write this story. My friend said no. I wrote it anyway (we are still friends)!
I finished my final draft of Last Chance LIVE! In early 2022, after two more babies and in the middle of a pandemic. I began querying agents mid-January 2022, signed with my fantastic team (Alyssa Maltese and Holly Root of Root Literary) early February 2022, and after some additional revisions, Last Chance LIVE! went out on submission early May 2022! In May, Last Chance LIVE! was acquired by Penguin Random House/my immeasurably talented editor Stacey Barney (Nancy Paulsen Books).
The Inspiration:
Last Chance LIVE’s premise was inspired by real-world death penalty reform efforts to raise the
minimum age for capital punishment. In 2018, the American Bar Association passed a resolution encouraging death penalty states to reconsider the penalty’s application to offenders under the age of twenty-one, in light of emerging neuroscience that shows the human brain doesn’t reach full maturity until well past age eighteen.
Last Chance LIVE’s protagonist, Eternity Price, was inspired by a little girl I met during my undergraduate years at the University of Pennsylvania. While at Penn, I volunteered in Head Start classrooms in a West Philadelphia public school, and met a four-year-old girl whose vivacious spirit deeply impacted me. I spent years contemplating how she was growing up in an impoverished neighborhood right next to an Ivy League university, but she would likely be unable to access most of its privileges and resources—and the trajectory of her life would likely be very different than the lives of most Penn students. To my knowledge, that little girl has not experienced or done anything like what Eternity has, but she and Eternity both grew up in the shadow of power and privilege. My hope for this young girl, and all children, is that they have what Eternity never did—confidence in who they are and what they are worth, and a community that reinforces this truth.
The Process: How I Work
My writing process is outlines upon outlines upon outlines! I try to envision the book like a house–home construction begins with a foundation, frame, drywall, and doesn’t attempt to finish flooring or windows while pouring concrete. This visual helps remind me that, for me, writing is an iterative process–in each draft, I unearth, refine, until the final story takes shape. Another way I think of writing–clay. It’s much easier to sculpt clay (revisions) than to make the clay! I remind myself that early drafts are just making the clay–no one has to read them, and I shouldn’t expect to see a vase! Later drafts will create sculptures.
I categorize outlines by color and assign each color to a draft. Draft three might be a pass focusing on “green” outline sections only; draft four might cover yellow sections.
My books are research-heavy, so I try to make sure I’ve done all the research I can before writing. This helps the writing process go faster–often, plot and arc direction are informed by the research.
I have a go-to group of teen/young adult and adult beta readers from diverse backgrounds; it is such a privilege to share drafts with them!
Last–I try to swing for the fences, creating the best story I know how to write, putting aside commercial considerations while drafting. Markets will change, industries evolve–but a name is eternal. My name will forever be attached to the story, so I just focus on writing the story I want my name on!
The Buzz
An NPR 2025 “Books We Love” Selection
A 2025 Booklist Editors’ Choice
“Mixing the irresistible drama of reality television and the horrors of real-life socioeconomic issues, this propulsive novel puts readers on trial as they make judgements on death row inmate’s Eternity’s nuanced story. An incredible, unsettling, and powerful novel that makes an ironclad case for the indictment—and perhaps forgiveness—of all.” – Abby Hargreaves
“A compelling, emotionally raw, dark and thought-provoking story that digs deep, Last Chance Live! raises important questions about society, justice and humanity . . . a new voice in YA fiction willing to push the boundaries of storytelling.” – Denny S. Bryce
Excerpt reveal in People.com
Find me at:
Instagram: @helena.haywoode.henry
I’m cracking up that your friend said, “No.” Your book has that same immediate pull that reality TV has and adding in the Hunger Games vibes with its accompanying metaphors of the continuing carceral state in this country? Oh, yeah, I can see this one being a really impactful read, and I’m so looking forward to it!