H.D Hunter talks young adult fiction and a writer’s impact

How does one judge the impact of their work?

It’s a topic that I talk about with author, activist, and teacher H.D. Hunter in the latest episode. He has a new book out on Aug. 20, “Something Like Right,” and it’s his first foray into the world of young adult fiction. We talk about what new lessons this offered after working primarily in elementary/middle school fiction and how he enjoyed the experience.

H.D. shares the origin of Zay, the main character of the book, and his role in the story, which touches on themes of love, broken families and healing from generational trauma. H.D. shares how Zay came to be, and their evolution during the writing process, as well as the possibilities of more books in this genre.

We also speak on the “Futureland” series, a trilogy which recently came to its conclusion. Set in a theme park where literally anything can happen, it’s focused on Cam Walker and his family, the park’s creators, and their many adventures over the three books. We dive deep into this, as well as what may be next for the series.

H.D. has had the chance to reach many young readers through this work, and we talk about what he hopes they have taken away from the experience.

A changing America: Cort Casady talks family and the nation in new memoir

Cort Casady, winner of two Emmies and three NAACP Image Awards, joins me to talk about his newest project, and one very close to his heart—his new book, set to be released on Jan. 17. It’s a weaving of two stories: he and his wife’s journey as the parents of triplets and seeing how the country they call home has changed across three generations.




“Not Your Father’s America: An Adventure Raising Triplets in a Country Being Changed by Greed” dives into the choice to have children and the struggles encountered—as well as their choice to utilize IVF and the unexpected results. Cort and I talk about America over the years, his feelings on current affairs, and the stories contained in the book and how the two subjects are intertwined.

Patry Francis' newest book follows the lives of a diverse foster family

 

Author Patry Francis' third book, “All The Children Are Home,” follows a foster family through 12 years of dazzling triumph and wrenching heartbreak. The book is full of wonderfully diverse characters, and we talk about the creation of each and what they bring to the table. Patry also looks at the real-life story that influenced the book.

This book is very different from her first two, and Patry talks about what brought about this change, as well as the new experiences that came with it.