Rookie Wednesday: Daniel Nayeri, co-author of Another Faust

This week I'm also fortunate enough to have an interview with Daniel Nayeri, the other half of the Another Faust writing duo.

What's one random tidbit about yourself?

I still cry every time Mufasa dies.

What were you doing the moment you found out that Another Faust had sold?

I was actually working on the set of the filming of my first feature screenplay. So I got off the phone and went, "hey, guys, someone bought Another Faust!" and they all went, "Great. Get back to work."

What's the best book that you've read over the past six months?

The Raymond Chandler collection


Was the process of writing and publishing your first novel what you expected it to be?

I've worked in publishing for a while now, so the general stuff was familiar, but working with Dina was a completely new experience! I really had to re-learn everything I thought I knew and find new ways to do things. It was great working with D to come up with our own methods (everything from how we critiqued each other, to how we dealt with deadlines). Definitely unconventional...but I dig that.

What has it been like writing with your sibling?

More knife fights than West Side Story revival.

Give us one embarrassing author moment:

Oh man, so many already. My sense of humor is pretty lame (I'm really into stupid puns and corny jokes). So whenever I'm hamming it up, and someone in the marketing or PR department gives me the courtesy laugh, I always feel bad for them. They have to put up with me ALL day. Eeg. Not a fate I would wish on anyone.

What would you most like potential readers to know about you and/or your book?

Mostly, I'd like them to get into the idea of Faustian Bargains, and then try their hand at Goethe or Marlowe's work. I like to think of this series as a gateway drug into the great works that many young readers think of as boring or irrelevant (or they just don't know about them, cause they haven't had a proper introduction yet). But I'm hoping readers can see that the themes are timeless.

List 3-5 characters from The Hollow and do word associations.

Victoria - persnickety
Belle - Belle
Christian - Rogue, but a dude
Madame Vileroy - home appliances
Bice - unfortunately named

What's your favorite thing about Another Faust?

My favorite aspect is that it doesn't talk down to kids. I work with 6th grade boys, and man, they get so bored with smiley-face adults. They really appreciate it when you're honest with them, and I hope Another Faust does that as well.

What projects do you have in the pipeline?

Another Pan. The idea is that each book in the series incorporates one of these timeless themes in a story set in our NY prep school, Marlowe.

Any final comments?

Bok choy is going out of season, so, pick some up quick. Roast it with some salmon and teriyaki. Let me know how it turns out. Better yet, I'll bring dessert.

Thanks for the HILARIOUS interview Daniel!

Visit Dina and Daniel's website for more info about them and their work.