Ask the Author: Brent Hartinger
Answered Questions (28)
Brent Hartinger
I would never say never, but not in the next few years anyway. This makes me sad, because I love Russel. But I did write nine books! And truthfully, the last few books (the two Otto books) didn't sell as well as I'd liked.
Mostly, there are just so many other stories I want to write! I'm really excited by my latest book, INFINITE DRIFT, which is out soon.
Mostly, there are just so many other stories I want to write! I'm really excited by my latest book, INFINITE DRIFT, which is out soon.
Brent Hartinger
Well, it's a bit awkward to write about, but I couldn't find a publisher!
I finished the first draft of INFINITE DRIFT more than five years ago, and I was pretty sure I’d written something special: a roller-coaster ride of a book with a provocative theme and some truly unexpected twists.
And sure enough, my agent loved it and said, “This is the most cinematic book any client has ever sent me.”
So you’d think it would be an easy sell, right?
But (IMHO) YA publishing has been in a weird place for more than a decade now: too trend-driven, too socially and politically insular, and too paralyzed with fear about “offending” someone online.
Sure enough, we received lots of fear-driven feedback from editors, all of it concerning race and sexuality. One editor said to us outright: “Right now, we’re only picking up new books from authors who are from ‘marginalized’ communities — and Brent’s being gay just isn’t ‘marginalized’ enough.”
But honestly, I think the bigger issue is that I don’t think there’s ever been much of a place for me in traditional publishing: I think my books are too fast-paced and plot-driven to be considered “important” or “literary,” but they’re also too quirky and/or wonky to be overtly “commercial.”
So I decided to self-publish.
But I did wonder: Am I fooling myself? If none of these editors want to publish my book, maybe it isn’t as good as I thought!
So I entered the book in two major book-to-movie publishing contests, both with blind submission processes. No one knew my name, race, gender, or sexuality. Each contest received thousands of submissions, but the judges were from Hollywood, not New York publishing.
My book made the top ten in both contests.
So I think I’m good. But I guess we'll see what actual readers think!
I finished the first draft of INFINITE DRIFT more than five years ago, and I was pretty sure I’d written something special: a roller-coaster ride of a book with a provocative theme and some truly unexpected twists.
And sure enough, my agent loved it and said, “This is the most cinematic book any client has ever sent me.”
So you’d think it would be an easy sell, right?
But (IMHO) YA publishing has been in a weird place for more than a decade now: too trend-driven, too socially and politically insular, and too paralyzed with fear about “offending” someone online.
Sure enough, we received lots of fear-driven feedback from editors, all of it concerning race and sexuality. One editor said to us outright: “Right now, we’re only picking up new books from authors who are from ‘marginalized’ communities — and Brent’s being gay just isn’t ‘marginalized’ enough.”
But honestly, I think the bigger issue is that I don’t think there’s ever been much of a place for me in traditional publishing: I think my books are too fast-paced and plot-driven to be considered “important” or “literary,” but they’re also too quirky and/or wonky to be overtly “commercial.”
So I decided to self-publish.
But I did wonder: Am I fooling myself? If none of these editors want to publish my book, maybe it isn’t as good as I thought!
So I entered the book in two major book-to-movie publishing contests, both with blind submission processes. No one knew my name, race, gender, or sexuality. Each contest received thousands of submissions, but the judges were from Hollywood, not New York publishing.
My book made the top ten in both contests.
So I think I’m good. But I guess we'll see what actual readers think!
Brent Hartinger
My latest book is called INFINITE DRIFT, and it's the story of a teenager who gets in one of those "sensory deprivation" tanks, and when he gets out, he notices that the world is different that how he remembers it -- but only in little ways: it's the story of "Hansel and Greta," not "Hansel and Gretel."
So he wonders: "Did I cross over into another dimension? Or am I going insane?"
Problem is, when he gets back in the tank again, the world is even *more* different. And yes, each time he goes back, the world gets more different still.
And yes, I had this idea once I walked by one of those "sensory deprivation" tank stores.
The truth is, I LOVE speculative fiction, and I love stories that don't go exactly where you expect -- lots of twists and turns.
At the same time, INFINITE DRIFT is the story of a person, Ollie, who has had something traumatic happen to him -- the death of his little brother that he accidentally helped cause -- and his world has changed all around him anyway.
So the story seemed to be a pretty good expression of his character! One way or another, even with reality constantly shifting all around him, he needs to figure out exactly who HE is.
So he wonders: "Did I cross over into another dimension? Or am I going insane?"
Problem is, when he gets back in the tank again, the world is even *more* different. And yes, each time he goes back, the world gets more different still.
And yes, I had this idea once I walked by one of those "sensory deprivation" tank stores.
The truth is, I LOVE speculative fiction, and I love stories that don't go exactly where you expect -- lots of twists and turns.
At the same time, INFINITE DRIFT is the story of a person, Ollie, who has had something traumatic happen to him -- the death of his little brother that he accidentally helped cause -- and his world has changed all around him anyway.
So the story seemed to be a pretty good expression of his character! One way or another, even with reality constantly shifting all around him, he needs to figure out exactly who HE is.
Brent Hartinger
Wow that's a really good question! In fact, my book BAREFOOT IN THE CITY OF BROKEN DREAMS is based on something that really happened to me. It wasn't until after it was over that I realized it was basically the plot of the movie SUNSET BOULEVARD, which is why the book ends up having so many nods and Easter eggs to that movie.
Brent Hartinger
Contact me via email please, and explain your situation. brentsbrain@gmail.com
Brent Hartinger
Hmmm, they should all be available. You don't see ANY of the books there?
Brent Hartinger
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Brent Hartinger
I just read a very good book: THE ONLY CHILD by Andrew Pyper. Gothic thriller. I read an okay book: WHEN SHE WOKE. Dystopian fiction about a girl who has an abortion and is forced to be turned "red" for 16 years. And I read a disappointing book: LAST YEAR by Robert Charles Wilson (who I normally love).
And I have a TON of other books downloaded and ready to go!
And I have a TON of other books downloaded and ready to go!
Brent Hartinger
Well, I still have fond feelings for Xena and Gabrielle. I also love Sam and Frodo, because let's face it, they're TOTALLY a couple.
Brent Hartinger
Well, in fairness to me, plenty of people really like the new books (sales have been fantastic). And I'd argue the new Russel trilogy is actually very different from the earlier books.
But your feedback is noted. And you'll be happy to know I have lots of other projects in the works -- both novels and movie projects.
One thing you should know is that authors usually don't have a lot of control over what actually gets released, and when. It can take 2-3 years for a publisher to release something once they buy it (and it can also take at least that long for my agent to sell it). And that's after I spent a year or two writing it.
The point being, a lot of what I've written in the last five years is sort of in a "holding pattern," as my agents and publishers decide exactly when to put it out there. I have no say.
The Russel books are completely different, because I published them myself. That's how I was able to release these three latest books in a little over a year. Plus, I wanted everyone to have the whole trilogy as soon as possible.
But as I said, your feedback is noted!
Brent
But your feedback is noted. And you'll be happy to know I have lots of other projects in the works -- both novels and movie projects.
One thing you should know is that authors usually don't have a lot of control over what actually gets released, and when. It can take 2-3 years for a publisher to release something once they buy it (and it can also take at least that long for my agent to sell it). And that's after I spent a year or two writing it.
The point being, a lot of what I've written in the last five years is sort of in a "holding pattern," as my agents and publishers decide exactly when to put it out there. I have no say.
The Russel books are completely different, because I published them myself. That's how I was able to release these three latest books in a little over a year. Plus, I wanted everyone to have the whole trilogy as soon as possible.
But as I said, your feedback is noted!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
Oh! Thanks so much for letting me know. I've let the Simon & Schuster online folks know about the typos, since they're the only ones who can correct them.
Thanks for taking the time to alert me. :-)
Brent
Thanks for taking the time to alert me. :-)
Brent
Brent Hartinger
I used to. But the more I write him, the less like me he seems. We definitely have a lot in common: we're self-conscious, generally optimistic, and too neurotic. But he's funnier than I am, probably more of a risk-taker, probably less neurotic (!!), but maybe more self-absorbed.
In terms of looks, he's a little taller, and isn't losing his hair (as I was at age fricking 21!).
One way I've put it in the past: he's not me, now or when I was his age. But he might be like me if I was his age in 2015.
Either way, I don't think of him at me at all. He's definitely his own person, with his own life and his own friends and travails.
Thanks for asking!
Brent
In terms of looks, he's a little taller, and isn't losing his hair (as I was at age fricking 21!).
One way I've put it in the past: he's not me, now or when I was his age. But he might be like me if I was his age in 2015.
Either way, I don't think of him at me at all. He's definitely his own person, with his own life and his own friends and travails.
Thanks for asking!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Brent Hartinger
Oh, that's a great question!
Russel is like all of us: *sometimes* he's happy, and hopefully he's changing and becoming more sure of himself as he gets older. But he's human, so nothing ever stays the same. Emotions are fleeting, even the positive ones. Onto the next challenge in life! I actually think that's one of the major themes in the series: nothing lasts forever, so cling to the good times when they're here, and look for the beauty and excitement in the mystery that is the future.
Russel tends to be happy at the end of most of my books about him, and here's why: I think he's ultimately an optimist. Because he's the one "telling" the stories, it makes sense to me that he would generally want to leave them on a positive note.
Thanks for the question!
Brent
Russel is like all of us: *sometimes* he's happy, and hopefully he's changing and becoming more sure of himself as he gets older. But he's human, so nothing ever stays the same. Emotions are fleeting, even the positive ones. Onto the next challenge in life! I actually think that's one of the major themes in the series: nothing lasts forever, so cling to the good times when they're here, and look for the beauty and excitement in the mystery that is the future.
Russel tends to be happy at the end of most of my books about him, and here's why: I think he's ultimately an optimist. Because he's the one "telling" the stories, it makes sense to me that he would generally want to leave them on a positive note.
Thanks for the question!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
I love Em too, but alas, she's gone for good (at least she's not in THE ROAD TO AMAZING). Gunnar has a pretty fun storyline in the book (IMHO!), but, unfortunately, he's still single.
Part of the problem with a writing a series of books is that after a while you have too many characters to include, so some have to be cut. I guess Em was one of them. :-/
But thanks for asking!
Brent
Part of the problem with a writing a series of books is that after a while you have too many characters to include, so some have to be cut. I guess Em was one of them. :-/
But thanks for asking!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
I'm finishing THE ROAD TO AMAZING right now, which is the third book in the Futon Years trilogy. The first four-book Russel YA series, that is seven books total. THE ROAD TO AMAZING will be the last book for the time being.
But I would very much like to write about Russel again, and hopefully I'll get a chance in a couple of years.
It will probably be the next stage of his life. The first series (four books) was his teen years, the latest series was his early to mid 20s (three books), so the next series (when and if I write it) would be Russel in his late 20s. I have a pretty good idea what it would be about, but I haven't written anything out yet.
But if and when I start, I will definitely post all about it on social media, and on my website. :-)
Oh, and I definitely have lots of other book and movie projects coming up that I think you'll like too.
Thanks for asking!
Brent
But I would very much like to write about Russel again, and hopefully I'll get a chance in a couple of years.
It will probably be the next stage of his life. The first series (four books) was his teen years, the latest series was his early to mid 20s (three books), so the next series (when and if I write it) would be Russel in his late 20s. I have a pretty good idea what it would be about, but I haven't written anything out yet.
But if and when I start, I will definitely post all about it on social media, and on my website. :-)
Oh, and I definitely have lots of other book and movie projects coming up that I think you'll like too.
Thanks for asking!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Brent Hartinger
Good question! I was thinking lots and lots of things. Remember, the book was written back in the 90s, so there weren't a lot of other books like it.
But mostly I was thinking:
(a) about my own life as a gay teen, years before.
(b) about my work with gay teens.
(c) about how I thought it would make a good story, especially since it hadn't really been told yet. Who doesn't love an underdog story? And (especially back then), there are no greater underdogs than gay teens. The whole world -- their friends, schools, families, religions, and government -- sometimes really IS out to get them! Or at least disapprove of them.
If you're curious to hear the whole story of how the book came to be written, here it is:
http://brenthartinger.com/2013/05/07/...
Thanks for the question!
Brent
But mostly I was thinking:
(a) about my own life as a gay teen, years before.
(b) about my work with gay teens.
(c) about how I thought it would make a good story, especially since it hadn't really been told yet. Who doesn't love an underdog story? And (especially back then), there are no greater underdogs than gay teens. The whole world -- their friends, schools, families, religions, and government -- sometimes really IS out to get them! Or at least disapprove of them.
If you're curious to hear the whole story of how the book came to be written, here it is:
http://brenthartinger.com/2013/05/07/...
Thanks for the question!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
Oh, sure, Kevin is a LOT like Michael (my husband) in many MANY ways, and our relationship is a lot like theirs. It didn't start out that way when I was writing the first Russel books -- in fact, Kevin was more like a different guy I had dated. But Kevin has grown up, and sort of evolved in Michael in major ways. Meanwhile, I've been IN a long-term relationship for almost 20 years, so I draw upon what I know.
There are so many things Michael does that make me go, "Awwww," from the way we cuddle, to his sometimes "colorful" taste in workout clothing. He's a keeper!
And I don't mind questions. That's why I'm here!
Brent
There are so many things Michael does that make me go, "Awwww," from the way we cuddle, to his sometimes "colorful" taste in workout clothing. He's a keeper!
And I don't mind questions. That's why I'm here!
Brent
Brent Hartinger
Yup, that's Russel and Kevin. Or at least one version. And they're definitely the same models.
Since the new books are a series, I wanted the covers to all look similar. So we chose a photo shoot of one set of a models. If you'll notice, Russel is wearing the same shirt in both photos! But maybe he just likes that shirt, right? Ha!
Brent
Since the new books are a series, I wanted the covers to all look similar. So we chose a photo shoot of one set of a models. If you'll notice, Russel is wearing the same shirt in both photos! But maybe he just likes that shirt, right? Ha!
Brent
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more