Author Lamar Giles is continuing to make young black kids the stars of his popular books. I recently spoke with him about The Last Chance For Logan County.
Tell me about your latest book.
My latest novel, The Last Chance For Logan County, which is illustrated by my fellow Virginian Derick Brooks (https://www.derickbrooks.com/), is the third book in my Legendary Alston Boys middle-grade fantasy series. The books star cousins Otto and Sheed who live with their grandma in a super weird place known as Logan County, Virginia, and they’ve garnered a bit of a reputation as the go-to paranormal detectives/heroes of the county (along with their rivals, a pair of twin geniuses known as the Epic Ellisons). In the new adventure, Otto and Sheed’s parents return to Logan County at the same time an evil corporation known as GOO arrives with an interest in buying up property in the county. It’s not a coincidence, and as usual in these books, things get WEIRD as Otto and Sheed face new threats to their home and their family. It’s a great book for anyone who loves adventure and heart. It’s gonna be in stores on 10/19/21.
What inspired you to write it?
The series came to be when I was given the opportunity to create books for kids a little younger than the YA audience I’d been writing for, and I recalled the sort of fun fantasies I loved as a kid that didn’t seem to love me back. I couldn’t remember any fun and funny books feature Black children when I was the age middle-grade books tend to target, so I simply wrote the sort of thing I would’ve liked to have seen back then starring kids who looked like me and my friends.
When did you fall in love with the written word?
I must’ve been five or so when I became obsessed with the Sweet Pickles picture books my mom bought me, and the comic books on the spinner rack at the local 7-Eleven. At first, it was art more than the words, but I quickly came to enjoy novels, or as I called them back then, “big books.” These days I tend to enjoy a mix of both, whether it’s thick, doorstep novels or a comic book before bed.
What’s the best part of being an author?
Connecting with readers who enjoyed your work, particularly young readers. Their enthusiasm is an incredible boost, particularly on days when the job feels really hard.
What’s the hardest part of being an author?
Writing the books. I’m not saying that to be facetious, it’s just that no matter how much you love doing it, or how many times you’ve done it, writing books is hard and you have to fight a lot of self-doubts all the time, particularly when a project isn’t coming together easily (happens a lot for me). But it’s a great gig, and I wouldn’t want to do anything else.
What books have you read lately and loved?
I’m really enjoying Colson Whitehead’s Harlem Shuffle and Tiffany D. Jackson’s White Smoke.
What book(s) are you most excited to read next?
I’m looking forward to Jason Reynolds/Raúl the Third’s Stuntboy, In The Meantime and Victor LaValle’s take on SABRETOOTH for Marvel Comics.
Who would you cast in a movie to play your main characters?
I apologize because I NEVER have a good answer for this question. My characters are young and Black and, sadly, I don’t know many actors of the proper age who are currently working/popular. So, I think it would have to be new or lesser-known actors, which I’d love because that might mean they’re getting their big break playing characters I created. How incredible would that be?
What’s next for you?
I’m currently revising my first foray into long-form YA horror. I can’t say much more than that, but I hope to be able to share more soon. Also, I’m working on a graphic novel that I also can’t talk about yet (a lot of secrets in publishing). Annnnd, I’m revising the first book in middle-grade series starring the Epic Ellisons from the Logan County books. I’m happy to be busy!
Do you have anything you would like to add?
Thank you for listening and for your support. I’m so happy I get to contribute to your platform.
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of The Last Chance For Logan County.
To learn more about Lamar Giles, reach him through the contact link on the ABOUT page of his website www.lamargiles.com. He is most active on Twitter (twitter.com/LRGiles) and Instagram (instagram.com/lamargiles).