This summer two award-winning authors of young adult fiction visit us to kick off our summer Second Saturdays: A.S. King and Andrew Smith.
We asked the two friends to catch up with each other before setting sail on their summer adventures.
KING: I have big plans for summer, which is rare. I'm taking the whole family back to Ireland so my kids can see family and friends and so Mr. King can eat a nice kebab. I know. Most people don't equate Ireland with kebabs, but you need to go to an Abrakebabra restaurant to understand.
SMITH: I plan on going to one of these trendy, hip "experience" hotels, where they treat you exactly like you're in a Maoist reeducation camp during the Cultural Revolution. That, and I'm also touring England and Scotland, and I'll be taking my family along, too.
KING: I also would really like to take my kids camping this summer but I'm not sure about sleeping on the ground anymore. I might be too old for that. You'll have to let me know how that works for you after you get back from the Experience Mao Hotel. So, are you touring a book in England and Scotland?SMITH: I am doing a book tour in England and Scotland, primarily for Grasshopper Jungle and The Alex Crow, but there may be some Winger events in there, too. I'll also be appearing at the Edinburgh Literature Festival. After coming back, it's just a short time to September, when you and I have new novels coming out. Can you give us any details about yours?
KING: My new novel is "I Crawl Through It" and it's about four teenagers who are trying to escape the world — standardized tests, school violence, their own trauma and loss — while the adults around them pretty much ignore them. It's a surrealist novel, and I always wanted a chance to work within that dream-like framework. Tell me a bit about "Stand-Off," your September book.
SMITH: "Stand-Off," the sequel to "Winger," is about Ryan Dean's senior year at Pine Mountain and how he copes — or fails to cope — with the things that happened to him. And there are some very funny, new characters introduced in the novel, too. And more cartoons! But, you know how, as writers, we're actually living, like, two years in the future. We've known about these books for a long time. To us, they're born old. Any hints about what Future A.S. King is working on?
KING: I come to you from 2017, where there will be two A.S. King books coming your way. But first, in 2016, a novel about a family in ruins, a vacation to Mexico and four versions of a person living in the same space. The title is still eluding me, but you'll see that one from Dutton in fall 2016. What about Future Andrew Smith? What's he working on?
SMITH: Future Andrew Smith is working on his 2016 release, also from Dutton. It's a strange thing about a cruise ship, drug addiction, robots, friendship, outer space and liquid people who can be used as gaskets. You know, realistic stuff. Also, I have a title for it, but haven't told anyone yet. I'll private message you and let you know what it is.
Keep an eye out for upcoming Meet the Author events where you can meet these and other stellar authors!
Second Saturday, July 11
2 - 3 p.m.
Leawood Pioneer Library
Second Saturday, Aug. 8
2 - 3 p.m.
Shawnee Library