Troy CLE, winner of the 2008 Essence Literary Award for Children’s Literature and author of the Marvelous World series, leads a charmed life. His YA fantasy novel and the story of how it came to be published is getting a lot of media attention — he’s been interviewed or profiled in Vibe, The New York Times, The Ave, Ebony, and on Tavis Smiley and PBS, just to name a few. Partially this is due to his wizard-like marketing skills, but a lot of it is due to the wild popularity of his books amongst kids. I asked Troy to tell me a little about Marvelous World and why he thinks kids are so crazy about it.
Troy CLE: I came up with the idea for Marvelous World when I saw the movie the Goonies in the movie theater when I was nine. I wanted to be a Goonie but I figured the only way I could was to write my own adventures. At first I could not find and agent or major publisher so I put it out myself and it made its debut at the 2005 Harlem Book Fair. It was an instant hit and I sold tons of copies. Everyone loved the book and students would fight over the limited books I brought to school with me. It still happens today.
K. Tempest Bradford: I imagine that’s due to the fact that it’s a fantasy book with black kids on the cover. Something that’s sadly rare.
Troy: Well it helps but that is not what gets them into it. They go crazy after the actual readings.
Tempest: What about the book appeals to the young readers you meet?
Troy: The Marvelous Effect is highly action intense and vivid. There are great fight sequences and the book reads like a poem at times.
Tempest: Action and adventure is generally a good way to draw kids in.
Troy: I try to develop my characters and plot around action. That way you get drawn into who the characters are and there is still much going on.
Tempest: Do you think that kids need a constant stream of action to keep their interest?
Troy: Not all. I need action to keep my interest. I know kids like different things, but ones like me need action.
Tempest: Booklist said about Marvelous World: “Louis’ adventures completely parallel those typical of computer games, and this title is clearly an attempt to capture the video-game world in prose.” Do you think that’s accurate?
Troy: Oh no, not at all. There is a great focus on action but these books rest on my formal training in literature. One of the reasons why teachers use my book in their classrooms is because I use many literary devices. Teachers have said there is an extreme use of allegory through my book, especially when one considers what the Crims are. It also touches upon themes found in classical philosophy.
But I will say my love of action movies and video games and hip-hop are greatly represented in my books. If you’re a gamer or action movie lover of any age there is a great chance you will be drawn into Marvelous World.
Tempest: Blending allegory and philosophy and video game sensibility and hip-hop seems a daunting task.
Troy: It was not to me because from high school I learned that there can be a meaning in everything depending on how you look at it. Most stories, movies, and video games have an underlying message or theme either intended or implied.
Tempest: How did Simon & Shuster come to publish Marvelous World?
Troy: I got a nice amount of press coverage about my book and I sent out a press release (via an alias) about all that I had accomplished and inviting publishers and editors to witness how the kids reacted to my book. The way kids loved my book got me the deal.
Tempest: So even with your book being self-published you were able to get a lot of attention? You must have been working your tail off doing promotion!
Troy: Yes, I hired a street team to help me market the book.
Tempest: Sounds like you had a lot of faith in it despite not being able to get a publisher at first.
Troy: I did. I am a big kid so I was my own audience. I knew it would work because it was truthful to who I was and based on true experiences.
Tempest: Was there ever a time when holding on to that faith was hard?
Troy: No–I am a positive person so I always feel if you work hard you will meet your goals. I don’t ever entertain the possibility of giving up.
Tempest: Tell me a bit about Marvelous World and the characters.
Troy: Book 1, The Marvelous Effect, takes place in East Orange, NJ, New York City, and the thought dimension. For the most part it takes place in the world we all know or at very least have seen on TV in the news or wherever. In Book 1 invaders from Midlandia come to Earth, seemingly not to take it over but to make us blissfully happy. Book 1.5, Olivion’s Favorites, takes place primarily on Midlandia, which is the center of all things known and unknown. It is a place of wonder and destruction beyond belief. That book is epic in its scope and the massive plot of the entire series is revealed.
The main character, Louis Proof, is 13 years old from East Orange, NJ. I would have to say the characteristic that defines him is his heart. He will risk everything for the well being of his friends and eventually the world. There is also another character who is central to the plot: Cyndi Victoria Chase.
Tempest: Is she Louis’ friend?
Troy: Well, readers get a clue as to what their relationship is in the first book and get a complete understanding in book 1.5. She is as significant as Louis.
Tempest: Did you feel it was important to have both a boy and girl as prominent characters?
Troy: Yes, that is why Lacey Proof is important in the series too. I wanted there to be an example of a strong little girl the book. Lacey is inspired by three of my younger cousins.
Tempest: How much of the scope of the world you’re building have you worked out?
Troy: About ninety percent.
Tempest: How many books, total, are planned?
Troy: Right now 6.5.
Tempest: What do you do when you’re not writing and promoting books?
Troy: For now this is my life, so I don’t have much time for much else. I do try to sneak in a few minutes of a new game or a movie now and then. But writing is my job.
Tempest: Do you see yourself doing it for the next 20 years?
Troy: I am trying to build something with Marvelous World that I can be proud of. A solid story that is a great reflection of my fans and efforts. In twenty years I would still like to see projects coming out of what I am doing now
Tempest: Movies, TV, toys, video games?
Troy: If I am lucky enough, yes. But I think all of that may be a bit closer than some may think.
K Tempest Bradford is a writer, blogger, and the non-fiction editor for Fantasy magazine.