An Interview with Andre Soares

Andre Soares, born September 6, 1990, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a Brazilian-American author, screenwriter, and actor.

A former U.S. Army officer, Andre was raised at the cultural crossroads of South America, Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe.

He is a disruptor of predictable tropes, a conqueror of unconventional timelines, and a slayer of one-dimensional perspectives.

With a profound and unwavering love for storytelling, Soares has crafted countless dreamworlds and narrated numerous stories.

As the author of the acclaimed Vice Versa Series, America is a Zoo, and The Sunflower Protocol, he continues to push boundaries with innovative narrative structures, multidimensional characters, and vivid, immersive worlds.

Nicknamed “Dre” or “C4,” Andre Soares resides in Atlanta, GA, with his two sons, with whom he shares a passion for reading and spontaneous strolls—preferably when sunny.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

Words have always been appealing to me. It is etched into my DNA.

You don’t just write; you tell. There is magic, emotional appeal, double (or triple) entendre, symbolism, and analogies. Beats. Patterns. Breaks in patterns. Writing is incredibly rich and complex. I wanted to be a part of this machine, however small.

I have many influences, but J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series was a major leap forward for me.

After maturing a bit, I fell in love with the works of Octavia E. Butler and N.K. Jemisin. There are plenty of others I look up to: James Baldwin, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood…

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I’m also a corporate drone (ha!). My concentration is in Big Data, Instructional Design, and Business Processes.

Additionally, I’m a former U.S. Army officer (infantry/artillery). Recently, I’ve worked for social services in state agencies.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The title, The Sunflower Protocol, came to me quite easily.

The word “Protocol” is a huge staple of my brand’s identity. It is part of my publishing imprint’s name (Process Protocol) and is used in my social media handles (@thesoaresprotocol).

Protocols dictate processes. They also drive my ambitions and the standards I uphold.

The sunflower is a symbol of loyalty, devotion, happiness, and optimism. It references the dynamic between our two protagonists in this particular story.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

It’s always a special feeling to know that you’ve committed thousands of hours to a project that eventually comes to life. No matter what the sales volume looks like, it is always encouraging and fulfilling.

This cover is very special to me. My designer chose a bold approach with a more “understated” color scheme that exudes elegance and luxury.

The loop patterns represent the timelines the protagonists venture into.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

I grew up in an Afrocentric community, mostly influenced by West African culture. All of my projects to date celebrate this heritage in some form.

The Sunflower Protocol is also an ode to love beyond labels.

Here are a few songs that could effectively illustrate the creative direction and tone of the story:

Zinoleesky – “Personal”

Ayra Starr – “Bloody Samaritan”

Ayra Starr – “Away”

Otis Redding – “You Don’t Miss Your Water”

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I hope the readership can resonate with the beautiful resilience of this love story. Many things will happen, but the ending, in particular, will challenge your views on what truly constitutes love.

Is it unconditional? Timeless? What does it truly require?

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

To me, it’s about putting my best foot forward and producing a quality story.

I love pushing the boundaries of modern storytelling and challenging myself. Knowing that my hard work has led to publication is an ever-present gift.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

I am currently working on a spy thriller that I will soon reveal.

It is my biggest project to date, in terms of scale, scope, and size. I’m very excited to share the news with you (coming soon).

There is also a very special project I oversee (in its development phase) in the fashion industry. This will be my next big thing, but I can’t reveal much right now.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.