Blog Tour & Interview: Destroy All Monsters by Sam J. Miller

Destroy All Monsters by Sam J. Miller released yesterday and we are thrilled to be hosting an interview with Sam as part of the Blog Tour! Check out all the book information below!

Author Inteview

1. You wrote a YA novel, then an adult, and now another YA. What were some things that changed through the different writing processes?

Not a lot has changed, I’m still the same hot mess whenever I try to figure out what the heck I’m doing with a new project! Young adult and regular adult books are both tons of fun in different ways, and I still rely heavily on the guidance of trained professionals, like my agent and editors! So I guess the short answer is ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

2. Your stories are contemporary with a twist. What were some of the books you’ve enjoyed reading that match your style of writing? 

Everything by Shaun David Hutchinson, and the work of Adam Silvera, too… They’re not usually classified as science fiction or fantasy, but they incorporate so many magical or strange elements into the realistic… That really matches my experience of how the world is – gritty and real and full of pain but also full of wonder!

3. Destroy All Monsters is a story of how friendship can heal trauma. Which of your friends do you reach out to when you’re seeking support? How have those friendships developed?

Well there’s my husband, who is not only my best friend but also contractually obligated to support my emotional well-being! I’m also really fortunate to count on a ton of great friends, especially my LGBTQIA chosen family, who understand a lot of struggles and pain that stress me out… As well as fellow activists who have worked on social change work with me; few things bond people together more than shared struggle and shared loss, and shared victory!

4. What type of research did you do for Destroy All Monsters?

Most of the research was just me having tons of experience supporting friends and family and loved ones through severe mental health challenges – and getting support from friends and family and loved ones through mental health challenges of my own – and learning a lot about what does and doesn’t help, and what friendship and love can and can’t heal! And where medication and other health interventions are necessary. But I did speak with trained professionals, and read specific articles to learn a lot about how family support organizations and government agencies intervene in and support and respond to youth trauma. 

5. If your books were food items, what would they be?

The same kind of food items I usually end up cooking –  big pots of vegetarian stews and soups I slapped together with no professional training. 

6.  What do you do when you’re not writing? 

Now that I’m unemployed, I read a lot more books, and watch a lot more television, and movies, and ride my bike around New York City and almost die on a daily basis in angry abrupt confrontations with taxi cab drivers, and cook, and eat, and spend time with my husband!

7. If you can tell us, what are you working on now? 

I’m trying to make some time to write more short stories!! I love novels, but short stories are also fun, and sometimes it’s hard to make time for both. Folks can check out my website to read a ton of my published stories for free: samjmiller.com/stories