Author Series: Maida Korte, "Gutted," in conversation with Della Leavitt and Iris Waichler

About the Book: What if the only way to rebuild your life is to begin by tearing down the walls? When a successful designer, entrepreneur, and lifelong city dweller hesitantly agrees to follow her husband’s dream of country living, she doesn’t expect to be undone by a sagging Victorian farmhouse and the relentless wind howling through uninsulated walls. But as holes are patched and rooms slowly take shape, something surprising happens: space opens up. Not just in their crumbling home, but in her heart. Told with humor, vulnerability, and the insight of a woman rebuilding more than just a house, Gutted: How an Old House Remodeled Me is a love story—not only between a wife and her husband but also between a woman shaped by fast-paced living and a slower, quieter way of life. With each creaky floorboard and stripped layer of old wallpaper, Maida Korte discovers unexpected beauty, remembers buried dreams, and finds strength in the women who came before her. For anyone who has ever wondered what lies beyond the edge of timelines and control, this is a warm, wise, and deeply human invitation to slow down, dig deep, and make peace with change—one shingle at a time. About the Author: Maida Korte loves to write about the intersection of interior design and family life, revealing the humor, heart, and lessons found in both. A midwestern native with a tireless work ethic, she raised four daughters while running a design firm—an experience she jokes qualifies her to run a small country. A former HGTV guest, she holds degrees in interior design and writing. Gutted is her debut book. Maida lives in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, with her husband. About the conversation partners: After careers in technology and math education, author Della Leavitt immersed herself within the vibrant Midwestern literary community to learn the art of writing fiction. A Newberry Library fellowship and a grant from the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events (DCASE) supported writing Vivian's Decision. In the early 1970s, when Della, a first-generation college graduate, encountered blatant female job discrimination, she joined the Chicago Women’s Liberation Union. Many years later, as her novel Vivian’s Decision took shape, Della wove the 1956-era pressures Vivian felt to become the perfect wife and mother against her dreams for an independent identity. Della lives in Chicago with her spouse of several decades. Iris Waichler, MSW, is a twelve-time award-winning author of three non-fiction books. She worked forty years as a medical social worker. Her most recent book, Role Reversal: How to Take Care of Yourself and Your Aging Parents, won eight major book awards. She has authored hundreds of articles on healthcare topics like infertility, aging, and caregiving. Iris has appeared in the New York Times, Good Housekeeping, and Next Avenue Magazine.