Oprah Winfrey

The criticism from the help did shape how you started to approach this story and write this story.

Because you were still operating out of fear.

You're still going to write the book, even though you don't have a contract.

This success of this book is going to be the best revenge for the publisher that fired you.

I can't even believe it.

It was fun to write.

Hey everybody, thanks for stopping by the Oprah Podcast.

A warm welcome to you all.

I know millions of you read The Help, Kathryn Stockett's 2009 debut novel, which became a global phenomenon, selling over 15 million copies.

Not many authors get to say that in their lifetime, not in three lifetimes.

Back in 2011, the actress Octavia Spencer won an Oscar for her role

in the hit film, The Help, based on the book.

And now, Kathryn Stockett's long-awaited second novel, The Calamity Club, is finally here.

And I know so many of you are going to devour this book.

And it's already, I can tell you, runaway bestseller.

I knew that that was going to happen.

And I'm thrilled to be sitting on my front porch with the author, Kathryn Stockett.

I know you prefer everyone call you Kitty, so I will do the same.

Kitty, welcome.

So glad to be with you.