It’s here: the October interview in the Debut-to-Debut Series! I’ve been talking to a fantastic group of debut young adult novelists this year, and that will continue throughout the rest of 2017, 2018, and 2019—the year leading up to, during, and following my own debut. I’m so excited to share these books, and insights into these authors’ experiences, with you. You can find all the interviews in the series collected right here.
I recently corresponded with Nic Stone about her debut young adult novel Dear Martin (Crown Books for Young Readers, October 2017).
From the jacket:
Justyce McAllister is top of his class and set for the Ivy League—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. And despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can’t escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates.
Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out.
Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it’s Justyce who is under attack.
KIT FRICK: Your main character, Justyce, embarks on an admirable yet difficult mission to “live like Dr. Martin Luther King,” writing letters to the civil rights leader and attempting to follow his teachings in the present day. This undertaking becomes increasingly challenging for Justyce as the narrative progresses—and as he and his best friend Manny become the target of racially motivated violence and the ensuing media fallout. What drew you to the idea of exploring the current proliferation of police violence against unarmed black men through the lens of Dr. King and his philosophy of nonviolent protest?
NIC STONE: First: hiiiiii! So the idea of examining current events and 21st Century race relations through the lens of Dr. King’s teachings and the Civil Rights Movement came from seeing people—from Joe Schmoe down the street to the mayor of Atlanta, where Dr. King grew up—use Dr. King’s words to oppose the largely nonviolent protests that sprang up around the country in response violence against unarmed black men and women. I remember the mayor saying something to the effect of, “Don’t take the highway. Dr. King would never take a highway,” and being baffled because there are literal photographs of Dr. King and his followers taking highways. It bothered me a lot that Dr. King’s words and legacy were being used in a way that prioritized order over justice, so I asked myself, “How would Dr. King respond to some of the stuff happening now?” Thus the concept for Dear Martin was born.
KIT: Justyce is one of the few black students at an affluent, mostly-white prep school. Among his classmates is Jared, a white student who believes at the novel’s outset that “America’s a pretty color-blind place now.” Jared’s assumption is challenged through the novel’s events—and his experience will equally challenge some readers to examine their own assumptions. Can you speak a bit about developing Jared’s character and your ideas for how the fictional experiences of your characters may impact the worldviews of millennial readers?
NIC: A question I get a lot in interviews is: “So Jared must’ve pretty difficult to write, right?” And the truth is, out of everyone in the book, Jared was the easiest to write because until very recently (read: Charlottesville, VA 2017) Jared was the epitome of White-America-On-Race. I spent a significant portion of my life as the token black kid, and man when I tell you I know a lot of Jareds. That’s why I felt compelled to include him and his perspective and to have that perspective contrasted on the page, not in a way that vilifies it, but just like, “Here’s perspective A, and here’s perspective B.”
The hope is that, if nothing else, readers will have multiple viewpoints kicking around in their heads after reading, and that they’ll have picked up on the importance of thinking critically about them. My only *agenda* in writing this book was getting readers to ask questions both of themselves and the world around them.
KIT: Tell us something about Dear Martin that isn’t apparent from the book cover or flap copy. We want the inside scoop!
NIC: Oh man. So Dear Martin used to be twice as long. Literally. The initial draft was 79,000 words and the final version is 40,000. There were eight points of view, it was non-linear, and Justyce had a sister. Also, Justyce died on like page three.
It was a totally different book, basically. Interestingly enough, what hasn’t changed between that version and the current one are all of the conversations. All the dialogue-only sections are exactly the same. Which is fascinating if you think about it.
KIT: What gives you the most joy about your life as a YA writer right now? What’s bringing you satisfaction at this moment in time?
NIC: This is a tough question for me because as of the time I’m answering these, I’m five weeks out from publication and presently a writhing, squiggly ball of anxiety? Reader responses—especially those coming from young African American guys—have been pretty uplifting though, I have to say. Nothing better than hearing someone in your target audience say “Man I loved this book.”
KIT: The publishing journey is unique for every author, but it’s safe to say that the road to book publication is filled with surprises, twists, and turns for all of us. What has surprised you most about the process of putting a first book into the world?
NIC: The length of time it’s taken, definitely. Dear Martin sold on proposal, so from the time I accepted my editor’s offer to the time I see it on a shelf will be thirty-two months. When I sold it, I had a two-and-a-half year old. Now he’s in kindergarten and I have a second kid… who is 16 months old. It’s been a long ride.
KIT: Drawing from your own unique experience, what advice would you to give to future young adult debut authors, or debut novelists in general?
NIC: Keep working. Write the next thing as soon as you turn the previous thing in.
Also, keep your expectations at zero. Massive auctions and huge deals and gigantic marketing campaigns are super rare on a debut. Just for a little perspective: there were something like 200 YA and MG debuts this year, and five of them have been bestsellers.
Oh, and stay off Goodreads. It’s seriously not worth it.
Nic Stone was born and raised in a suburb of Atlanta, GA, and the only thing she loves more than an adventure is a good story about one. After graduating from Spelman College, she worked extensively in teen mentoring and lived in Israel for a few years before returning to the US to write full-time. Growing up with a wide range of cultures, religions, and backgrounds, Stone strives to bring these diverse voices and stories to her work.
You can find her goofing off and/or fangirling over her husband and sons on most social media platforms as @getnicced.
Website | Twitter | Instagram
Kit Frick is a novelist, poet, and MacDowell Colony fellow. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, she studied creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College and received her MFA from Syracuse University. When she isn’t putting complicated characters in impossible situations, Kit edits poetry and literary fiction for a small press, edits for private clients, and mentors emerging writers through Pitch Wars. Her debut young adult novel is See All the Stars (Simon & Schuster / Margaret K. McElderry Books, August 2018), and her debut full-length poetry collection is A Small Rising Up in the Lungs (New American Press, fall 2018).
Dear Martin is out now and is available wherever books are sold. Allow me to recommend your local indie, in addition to Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
Stop back soon for future posts in the Debut-to-Debut Interview Series. I’ll be talking to Amy Giles in November, and more fantastic authors throughout the fall, winter, and beyond!