An Interview with JL DuRona

J.L. is the award-winning writer of the spooky middle grade series The Berge Sisters. When he was a kid, he used to spend recess in the woods surrounding his rural elementary school and read until the bell rang. It’s his dream to create stories that inspire kids the same way he was so long ago.

J.L. graduated in 2007 from Castleton University with a BA in Children’s Literature. In 2011, he received his MFA from the Center for Cartoon Studies. He currently lives in Vermont with his wife and three cats.

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

I was really shy when I was a kid, and books were my escape. When I discovered Goosebumps, I couldn’t put them down. Between those books and the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series, spooky stories were ingrained in my DNA at a young age.

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

I wanted a title that was weird, something that would make you stop and go, “Huh?” In hindsight, I wish I hadn’t chosen such a complicated one, but it’s unique at least!

What part of publishing your book made it feel real for the first time?

When the proof of my first book came in the mail. Seeing it with the cover and the spine and the barcode and all that “professional” stuff was just mind-blowing.

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

It would basically be a Danny Elfman score! Each of my books has a musical vibe, actually: my second book is all grunge, and the third I’d say is more goth rock.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

I want my characters to feel real enough that my readers talk about them like old friends.

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

I’m doing an after-school creative writing workshop with some 5th-8th graders. One of them told me recently that they didn’t like scary stuff until I came along. If I can even make one kid’s life a little better like that, it was worth all the work.

What creative projects are you currently working on?

I have a few projects in the works. I’m brainstorming the next book in my series right now, and I’m editing a separate book that I’m hoping to query to agents soon. And, of course, there’s lots of unfinished projects as well!

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