Cielbert asked Jeff Zentner:

Hi Jeff! I'm about to read your debut novel and I was just wondering whether you're religious and or spiritual in person? (You can skip this question if you don't want to answer it btw :) ) Also, do you think religion is an important element to tackle in a young adult book? What can you say about the lack of diversity in YA novels in terms of religious characters?

Jeff Zentner I would consider myself a spiritual person more than religious. I do participate in a religion but I'm not a naturally religious person. I think religion is important to tackle in YA because young adulthood is a time when many young adults are coming to know their spiritual side.

When I wrote The Serpent King, I actually was not aware that religion had not been dealt with a great deal in YA. I've since heard that. I understand people's reluctance to talk about it. It's a sensitive issue with few definite answers.

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