Step onto the pages of the brilliant and magical world of Brandon Mull. This best-selling NY Times author captivates the reader like none other. Mull lures the reader into the land of mythical creatures from the onset and takes you on an adventure you will not soon forget. Come along and experience for yourself.
Your “Fablehaven” series is a pure hit with children and adults. While writing, do you try to keep in a particular mindset of what would please both?
I try hard to write a book I would enjoy. The premise of secret wildlife parks for magical creatures seems to make most people curious. Since the main characters are kids, and we’re dealing with high adventure and mythical creatures, that keeps the books really kid-friendly. And thankfully, like me, many adults like a smart story full of magical creatures and high adventure. Plus, I try to write my adult characters like adults, so I hope every reader will find relatable characters. Some of my happiest feedback is when I hear whole families have read and enjoyed the series.
Book 4, Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary, debuted March 24th. Are your launch parties the same for each book or do you mix it up?
We’ve only done major launch parties for Book 3 and Book 4, and those have been similar in venue and style but different in content. We try to make the launch party into a show. We perform live comedy, and I talk to the audience for a while, and we have lots of games and people in costumes. The goal is to create a concert atmosphere. We’ve had tons of positive feedback about the events.
On your blog you have a video that was used for the Fablehaven launch party. How did you develop the concept of what you would talk about and show in your home?
I just try to think of stuff that ties into the creation of my books and I try to give people glimpses of who I am outside my writing. People seem to take an interest in the creative process behind the stories, and wonder what kind of guy makes up such crazy books. Of course, if people want to know what I think is cool or funny or interesting or sad or brave or whatever, the best way is to read my stories.
Your lovely wife states in your launch party video she is privy to being the first editor of your writing. Please share with us an "ah-ha" moment she suggested.
The unicorn horn stuff in Book 4, Seth’s attempt to take it from the centaurs, grew directly out of a conversation we had about the story, and those ideas greatly influenced the rest of the book.
Many of the fan comments on your blog suggest ideas for your characters. Do you ever take their suggestions into consideration?
I like hearing feedback from readers. I don’t use everything, but I am interested in knowing what readers enjoy and what they hope to see. Visiting lots of schools and talking to students keeps me in touch with that as well. In the end, I just write something I think is cool and fun, but one of the ways my judgment improves is by understanding what others enjoy.
How exciting! Fablehaven and The Candy Shop War have been optioned for movies. What can you share with us on the development process and progress of the screenplays?
The process seems long and complicated. I have seen a screenplay for Fablehaven. Every now and then a project gets fast-tracked, but mine seem to be taking the traditional route of a slow, winding road to the big screen. I’ll post updates at BrandonMull.com and Fablehaven.com as I get them.
You state you were quite the daydreamer growing up. Did it pose a problem in school?
I was a little too spacey for my own good sometimes. It was often a challenge to concentrate. I managed to learn to focus enough by high school and college to get good grades, but my thinking has always been crowded with stories. Good for my writing, although it can sometimes distract from other aspects of my life!
Please share with us the collaboration process between you and illustrator, Brandon Dorman. Did you get a say in choosing him?
I did not pick Brandon Dorman, but I would have. He was selected by my publisher. When they showed me his work, I was thrilled. Very few people have his talent for creating whimsical images. We’ve worked together on all of my books so far. We also had our first picture book come out around the end of August called PINGO, about a kid whose imaginary friend becomes his imaginary enemy when he tries to stop believing in him.
Sounds a little psycho, but it ends up just being a funny story about friendship and imagination. His amazing art really makes the book outstanding.
Please share a memorable moment from one of your book tours/signings.
The best is when I hear my books hooked a kid on the notion that reading can be fun. All it takes is a book they connect with, that takes them on a fun ride, and you can flip reluctant readers into eager readers.
Do you always conduct your book signings with Brandon Dorman?
No, that is actually a rarity. He’s a busy guy. I’m near Salt Lake City, and he lives near Tacoma, Washington, so we’ve only signed together a couple of times.
Your fans are eagerly awaiting Book 5 in the Fablehaven series. Will you share the basic premise at this time?
Book 5 is called Keys to the Demon Prison, and will wrap up the series. We’ll be dealing with the ultimate threat that has loomed throughout the series, namely the Society of the Evening Star seeking to open the demon prison Zzyzx. I often hear from readers that the Fablehaven books build and get cooler as the series goes on, and I think I have a story planned that will end the series in a strong, satisfying way. Hope I’m right!
What can your fans expect from you beyond the Fablehaven series?
My next series will be a trilogy through Simon and Schuster. I expect the first book will come out a year after Fablehaven 5. I have been working on this series for years. It will be a fantasy about a kid who crosses over to another world. I’m really excited about it.
Sometime after that, I’ll also try to put out a sequel to The Candy Shop War. Speaking generally, I have lots of ideas, more than I’ll ever have time to write. If you like my work, keep an eye out. I think I’m getting better at what I do, and plan to produce a book or two a year for a long while.
Explore the world of Brandon Mull at:
http://www.brandonmull.com
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