Today I’m talking to Ryan Hill. Best known for The Book of Bart CQ are about to release May 22.
Hello Ryan. Thanks for agreeing to this short interview. Firstly, I just want to say I’m looking forward to the release of The Book of Bart.
Ryan: Thank you so much! It’s definitely an exciting/thrilling time.
Tell us a little bit about The Book of Bart. To someone who doesn’t know your work, how would you best describe it?
Ryan: The Book of Bart is sort of a genre mash-up. It’s a Paranormal Young Adult novel, about a demon who must begrudgingly work with an angel. Think a paranormal John Hughes high school comedy with a narrator in the vein of Fletch.
You’re best known for [Top Selling Title/Series]. What’s on the horizon for you? A continuation of your recent work, or something new?
Ryan: I have Dead New World, a zombie novel, coming in October, then after that I have a new manuscript I’m finishing up, along with a sequel to The Book of Bart.
If you were to talk to your readership in person, and you only had one shot at it, what would you say?
Ryan: My readership is a collection of the finest minds the planet has to offer. Anyone who considers themselves a fan of my work clearly has a lot of taste.
There’s a lot of discussion, both online and in the press, about the ‘state of publishing,’ and the ‘rise of amateur writers.’ What do you think? Has the advent of independent publishing really just handed a loaded weapon into the hands of amateur hobbyists, or is it all about empowering authors more than ever? What are your thoughts?
Ryan: I think it empowers authors. People are reading now more than ever, just not necessarily in the traditional sense. Independent publishing has given authors a chance to let the world see their work, which may have been passed over by an agent or larger publishing house for whatever reason, be it because that genre isn’t considered “in” at the moment or what-not. It helps make the “business” of publishing less a business and more artistically driven, putting the power in the reader’s hands, not the publishers.
Getting away from books for a moment, what else are you up to at the moment?
Ryan: I’d love to say something non-book related, but that’s just not true. It’s all writing for me these days.
For the other writers reading this, what advice do you have to offer them? What works for you when it comes to setting pen to paper?
Ryan: Sadly, the same advice most other authors have to give. Write. Write again. Then, write some more. Learn how to edit. Learn how to take criticism. Learn as much as you can about publishing. Network on Twitter. Write some more.
Lastly, I used to do something like this a few years ago in my interviews. I’ve adapted it for this latest batch.
I have five questions for you. Ready? Here we go. Give me your honest answers.
1. If there were to be a film of your life, who would play you in the lead role?
Ryan: My celebrity doppelganger, Joel McHale
2. Following the same line of thought, if there were to be a film made of any of your work, who would you cast in the roles of the main characters?
Ryan: To be honest, I have no idea. For The Book of Bart, the main characters would have to be teenaged versions of Michael Fassbender and Greta Gerwig.
3. What are you reading at the moment?
Ryan: Sacre Bleu, by Christopher Moore
4. What are you listening to at the moment?
Ryan: Real Estate’s latest album, Atlas
5. This is stolen directly from James Lipton, but what the heck. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Ryan: “Welcome.” Pretty much anything except, “Um…you’re not on the list.”
Lastly, where do you see yourself in twelve months time? What will you be doing? Where will you be in life? Where do you hope to be?
Ryan: I have no idea, hopefully writing and enjoying life as a published author.
Well, that’s the end of our little interview. Thanks for participating. I’m sure everyone will love The Book of Bart.
Ryan: Thanks!
Growing up, Ryan Hill used to spend his time reading and writing instead of doing homework. This resulted in an obsession with becoming a writer, but also a gross incompetence in the fields of science and mathematics. A graduate of North Carolina State University, Ryan has been a film critic for over five years. He lives in Raleigh, NC, with his dog/shadow Maggie. Ryan also feels strange about referring to himself in the third person.
Tony Healey 