We chat with author Neal Shusterman about his latest release Gleanings, which sees the New York Times bestselling Arc of the Scythe series continue with thrilling stories that span the timeline.
Hi, Neal! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Well, I’ve somehow managed to make an entire career out of making stuff up, which I still find amazing. I’ve published 50 books, and hopefully have another fifty left in me. They vary in genre, but they’re all stories that challenge readers to think, from a surreal take on mental illness in CHALLENGER DEEP, which won the National Book Award, to the consequences of immortality, in the ARC OF A SCYTHE series.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
When I was in 9th grade, I really began to feel “writerly.” I had an English teacher who challenged me to write stories every month for extra credit, and by the end of that school year, I kind of got to be known as “the kid who writes,” and it stuck.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
First book I remember reading would be FOX IN SOX – which I still think I have entirely memorized. The book that made me want to become an author – that would be a four-way tie between CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, JAWS, LORD OF THE RINGS, and LORD OF THE FLIES. The one book I can’t stop thinking about… FEED, by M.T. Anderson.
Your latest novel, Gleanings, is out tomorrow! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Well, being that it’s a story collection within the world of SCYTHE, how about “Fourteen mind-bending takes on immortality.”
What can fans of the Arc of a Scythe series expect from this latest installment?
Origin stories of some of their favorite characters. Some dark stories, some funny ones. Stories told from unexpected perspectives, dreams, surrealism, butchered Shakespeare, and a homicidal dog.
Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing these stories and how you were able to overcome them?
I think the biggest challenge was knowing when to stop. Writing a story collection is different from writing a novel, or series, because each story is it’ own independent unit. There were SO many stories I wanted to tell in the SCYTHE world, I had trouble stopping. I still have half a dozen stories that I started but never finished.
Gleanings features collaborators David Yoon, Jarrod Shusterman, Sofía Lapuente, Michael H. Payne, Michelle Knowlden, and Joelle Shusterman. What was the process like?
I love getting the chance to collaborate – it was like inviting them all into my sandbox, and getting to play. Everyone added something fun and unique to the project. Jarrod and Sofía brought an international flare, because Sofía’s from Spain, and their story takes place in Barcelona between Scythes Gaudí and Dalí. Mike Payne specializes in anthropomorphized animal stories, so I knew I wanted to work with him in telling a story about pets in the world of Scythe. I love David Yoon’s work, and had collaborated with him on a movie pitch—he was so great to work with that I wanted to work on a story with him for Gleanings, and love the result! I’ve worked with Michelle before, but this Inception-esque story really pushed both of us into new, fun territory creatively. And I’m thrilled that my daughter Joelle wrote a piece that is perfect to open the book with!
Were there any favorite moments or characters you really enjoyed exploring further?
I loved getting the chance to explore Scythe Goddard as a creepy, vindictive teen. I also loved getting to see Scythe Curie in her first days as a scythe. Stylistically, I really enjoyed writing a story that’s a bit of an homage to Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death,” told by the Thunderhead as narrator.
What’s the best and worst writing advice you have received?
Best advice was given to me by a professor in college, who told me to step out of my comfort zone as a writer, and to try writing different genres, and stories that made me uncomfortable. Worst advice I ever got was the opposite: “Stick to what you know.” If you stick to what you know, then you’ll never learn anything new.
What’s next for you?
A mid-grade series I’m cowriting with Eric Elfman – the first book is called I AM THE WALRUS, due out in April, then in September, a Holocaust-themed graphic novel I’ve been working on for ten years, illustrated by Andrés Vera Martinez, entitled COURAGE TO DREAM. Then at the end of 2023, the first book of a brand new Sci-fi series – the title of the first book is ALL BETTER NOW. But you’ll have to wait to find out what it’s about!
Lastly, what have been some of your favorite 2022 reads? Any 2023 releases our readers should look out for?
I’m a little behind on my 2022 reads, but I can definitely say that two of my favorites are Sabaa Tahir’s ALL MY RAGE and Ruta Sepetys’ I MUST BETRAY YOU. For 2023 – I’m admittedly partial—but RETRO by Jarrod Shusterman and Sofía Lapuente!
