From the acclaimed actor and Stonewall Honor–winning author of The Best at It, Maulik Pancholy, comes a new middle grade novel about a gay Indian American boy, the voice actor of a hit animated series, who learns the power of using his own voice after his family moves to a small town in Ohio.
Hi, Maulik! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Sure! Something that I love about myself — and my work life — is that there’s a lot of diversity in it. I’m Indian American, I’m gay, I was born in the Midwest, but I’ve lived in Brooklyn for so long that I think of myself as a New Yorker. I’m married to an incredible man. We have the most awesome puppy. My acting career has let me work in a range of mediums: from TV and film to animation and theatre. I’ve written two middle grade novels, but I’m also writing for television and scripted podcasts. So every day is very different for me!
When did you first discover your love for writing?
When I set out to write my first novel, The Best at It, I realized just how much joy there is in the writing process. Don’t get me wrong, I think writing is really hard and sometimes downright painful. But there are moments when I get lost in the page, when characters start to come to life and the world around them starts to feel full. And those moments are incredibly satisfying. And of course, seeing kids and adults light up when they talk about my books is beyond rewarding.
Lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, a book that made you want to become an author, and a book that you can’t stop thinking about!
Oh wow! Do picture books count? The first thing that popped into my head was when my sister and I were kids, my parents and grandparents had these books from India with colourful pictures of Hindu deities in them. More than teaching us about religion, I think my parents wanted us to know our culture. My mom and dad were the first in their families to immigrate to the US, so trying to assimilate while still retaining our heritage was important to them.
As a middle schooler, I read Encylopedia Brown, The Lord of the Rings, The Black Stallion and the Little House on the Prairie boxed sets.
When I set out to write The Best at It, I read a lot of current middle grade novels. From Wonder to Better Nate than Ever, to The School for Good and Evil and The Thing about Jellyfish — they each inspired me in different ways.
A few books that I’ve LOVED over the last few years are Jasmine Warga’s Other Words for Home, Kyle Lukoff’s Too Bright to See and Mark Oshiro’s You Only Live Once, David Bravo.
Your latest middle grade novel, Nikhil Out Loud, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Generations, Friendships, Finding your Voice!
What can readers expect?
Readers will follow thirteen-year-old Nikhil Shah, the star voice actor on a hit animated series, who has to move from Los Angeles to a small town in Ohio so he and his mom can help take care of his sick grandfather. Starting a new school, making new friends and meeting grandparents you don’t really know isn’t as easy as disappearing into make-believe worlds in a sound booth. And when Nikhil is faced with a group of angry parents protesting the fact that he’s the openly -gay lead of the school musical, Nikhil might just have to find the power in using his own voice to stand up for what he knows is right.
Where did the inspiration for Nikhil Out Loud come from?
When I went on tour for The Best at It, a group of parents got angry that an openly gay author had spoken to their students. I was particulary shocked because it happened after a really incredibly school visit where I got to connect with nearly 700 middle schoolers. These parents tried to shut down school assemblies and said some really horrible stuff about me online. A number of kids from the school started messaging me on social media to express how hurt they were, wanting to know what they could do to make things better. Which got me thinking…where are the voices of all the kids in this? Who’s listening to them?
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really love the relationship between Nikhil and his single mom. For most of Nikhil’s life, it’s been just the two of them taking on the world together. But when they move to Ohio, Nikhil’s mom has to find her own voice in standing up to her parents. It’s through this mirrored story line that a lot of the generational aspects in the book come to play.
What do you hope your readers will take away from Nikhil Out Loud?
Well, first, I hope young readers will be drawn into the story, and see themselves in Nikhil and his journey. I also hope that they’ll see that there are so many ways to live “out loud” – from quietly holding a grandparent’s hand, to expressing yourself through the art you make, to stepping up to a microphone at a rally and speaking up for what you believe in. Regardless of which path they choose, I hope this books shows kids that they have a voice, and that they deserve to be listened to.
As an actor, author, and Act To Change co-founder, along with the usual day-to-day, how do you find balance?
It can get really tricky sometimes. But I try to prioritize things. I make to do lists for myself and delineate how much time to spend on things, and then I do my best to stick to the schedule I create. I also make gratitude lists of specific things in the day I’m thankful for, which really grounds me. I like to exercise and get to the gym. And I make time to be with my husband and my puppy!
What’s next for you?
I’m creating and writing a scripted podcast series – it’s a murder mystery set at an Indian American family-owned motel. And The Best at It is in development for television, with myself set to Executive Produce and co-write the script.
Lastly, what have been some of your favourite 2022 reads? Any 2023 releases our readers should look out for?
Although it came out in December 2021, I just read Neel Patel’s Tell Me How to Be. I really loved his complex portrayal of not only a gay, Indian American man, but also of the character’s family. And Jasmine Warga’s A Rover’s Story, is so stunningly beautiful!
