The Notes

“A compelling exploration of art, identity, and falling in love.” —Kirkus Reviews“This novel shines as an earnest examination of belonging, loneliness, artistic and personal growth, self-doubt, and mental health struggles (including self-harm) among high-achieving performers.” —Booklist“A work that hits notes of high drama but is ultimately lullaby sweet and comforting.” —The Bulletin“A captivating musical coming-of-age novel that sensitively explores racial identity, belonging, and mental illness.” —School Library Journal

Catherine Con Morse was one of the inaugural Writers in Residence at Porter Square Books. A Kundiman fellow, she received her MFA from Boston University, where she taught undergraduate creative writing for several years. Her work appears in Joyland, Letters, HOOT, Bostonia, the Racist Sandwich podcast, and elsewhere. The Notes was shortlisted for the CRAFT first chapters contest and is her first novel.

In high school, Catherine attended the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, a public arts boarding school, where she was as intrigued with her teacher as Claire is with Dr. Li. Catherine continues to play and teach piano today. Most recently, she taught English at Choate Rosemary Hall, and lives in the Connecticut River Valley with her husband and daughter.

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