Chasing Courage:
Interview with Anastasia McIntosh
By Carin Chea

Anastasia McIntosh, author of the coming-of-age novel, Chase the Girl, not only writes about fearless women, she is one.

McIntosh works as a correctional officer to adolescents and young adults by day, and is a budding writer at all times.

Fueled with an overwhelming desire to inspire, uplift, and embolden, the author successfully parlays her personal and professional experiences into a heart-pounding thriller.

While entertaining her readers is a welcomed effect of Chase the Girl, McIntosh’s insistence on keeping her protagonist grounded and relatable is what truly draws and keeps audiences riveted.



You have a background in criminal justice and you currently work as a correctional officer. How did you get into writing?

I wrote this book before I became a guard in a prison. I wrote it 10 years ago and I’ve been working for prisons for about 10 years.

I had some really good mentors and people in my life who inspired me to take on a challenge. One person said I should write a book.

I guess, me being my young self at the time, agreed. A year ago today I published it.

Well, let me backtrack. How did you become a correctional officer, to begin with?

There was someone in my life, growing up, that was in and out of the criminal justice system. Never having gone to jail, but being arrested. I wanted to know more and I just happened to meet someone else who worked in the criminal justice system.

I do enjoy studying the criminal mind so I graduated from both Police Foundations and community and Criminal Justice. I ended up utilizing those years in school and applied to work in youth corrections.

I didn’t know you worked with youth!

I work with young persons as young as 12, up to the age of 24.

Tell us about your book Chase the Girl. What was the impetus in writing this book?

It’s my first published book. There were ideas bouncing around, but I just started writing the book and suddenly everything inspired me. I’d be driving down the highway and something would come to me. Or someone would say something and I’d be inspired.

While people have compared my book to Gone Girl or Mr. and Mrs. Smith, it’s really centered around a smart, wealthy yet troubled young woman, Alexia, who is on a journey of self-discovery.

At one point in the book, she wakes up on the floor with a knife embedded in her. Throughout the story, she’s not only trying to find out who did this to her but goes on a journey of self-discovery.

I would say 25% of the book is based on me and 75% of the book is Hollywood-ed up.

I try to write about things ordinary people go through. For example: Alexia struggles with alcohol, mental health issues, and picking bad men.



How has your work as a correctional officer influenced your work as a writer?

I wrote this book before I was a correctional officer, and now I’m working on other works.

I would say daily life as a prison guard – there are a lot of characters at the jail and a lot of personalities to write about. Many situations could inspire me.

It sounds like you’d never be short of ideas for quirky, interested characters.

That’s for sure.

Do you have any upcoming projects you’d like to talk about?

I’m working on Chase the Girl, part 2. I left off Chase the Girl with several unanswered questions that will eventually be answered in the second part.

What would you like to impart to your readers?

I want people to know that if you have the courage to pursue something, you’ve got to do it. Follow your dreams. Never, ever give up. Put yourself out there.

Alexia struggles a lot in the beginning. She’s with an abusive person; she struggles with addiction and mental health issues. She struggles with being triggered and even sees someone that may or may not be real.

She has to go through a journey of very deep self-discovery. I want people to know they can succeed at anything as long as they have the courage to pursue it; just like Alexia.

Who would play Alexia if your book were made into a movie?

I would actually love for my book to be made into a series. I came up with a list.

Wow, people usually are surprised at this question. But, you have a list.

Let me find it. It’s on my computer somewhere.

Here it is.

So, the top people I’d choose for Alexia would be: Margot Robbie, Anna Kendrick, Jennifer Lawrence, Scarlet Johanssen, Jenna Dewan, and Gemma Egerton.

And, true to form, the contenders for leading lady are strong, stalwart women, just like the author herself.

For more information, please visit pegasuspublishers.com/books/all/chase-the-girl.

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