David Levithan is the author of Boy Meets Boy, Are We There Yet, Realm of Possibility and Marley's Ghost. Most recently, he and Rachel Cohn collaborated on Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, one of the hottest books of 2006. He is also the founding editor for Scholastic's Push imprint.
Site: http://davidlevithan.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/davidlevithan
1. I know you have a website and a blog, and I found Rachel’s playlist for N&N at yerlittlesister.com – or, at least, part of it. Are there other ways you’re using technology to reach out to readers – maybe
for your other books as well?
On the most basic level, I think having email with which to communicate with readers has revolutionized the role of the author, especially in teen literature. So that's a major part of it. I also have an author profile on Myspace which has allowed me to network with a lot of readers and other authors. The website is crucial as far as getting the word out and providing information for readers. I don't actually have a
blog, by design. (see #3 below)
2. Were you involved in the creation of the playlist, or was that exclusively Rachel? If you weren't, what songs might you include on your playlist - or do you agree with hers? (Just a few-you don't have to
generate a whole list!)
Oh goodness, I can't even begin! While writing N&N, I was listening to more "boy music" than Rachel, since that's where Nick's head was at. So I'd probably throw on some Blink-182 and Jack's Mannequin, as well as
the classier stuff, like The Sound of Music.
3. Do you enjoy adding to your books in this way, or would you rather concentrate on writing/editing?
It can be fun... to a point. I don't want to continue the story with anything that appears on the web, just provide some amusing sidenotes.
While many authors put them to very good use, I have absolutely no desire to do a blog. My life has absolutely nothing to do with my work, and I don't see how details about the former will add to an appreciation of the latter.
4. Are there any other enhancements/promotions in the works for Nick & Norah as its publication date approaches?
Random House is doing a fabulous site that should launch soon.
Check it out now: http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/nick&norah/
5. How do teens respond to these enhancements (website, blog, etc)? When you do appearances & receive email or comments, do teens comment on your blog, your website, etc?
Well, the teens always want more info -- more biographical information, more personal details, more stories behind the stories. I have a fairly elementary site, but I don't mind that -- it really exists just to
give news and as a portal through which readers can contact me.
6. What effects do you hope it has on their reading experience? How do you think you would have responded as a teen if these kinds of materials have been available for your favorite book/author?
That's a really good question -- I'm not sure what I would have done as a teen if websites had been around. I didn't write a single fan letter when I was a teen reader, and I think that might have been different if it had involved hitting send instead of using stamps. I'm sure I would have used author sites to find out more about the story and to link to interviews -- in the same way (boy, this is going to make me sound ancient, and I'm only 33!) I would go to the library and look up old interviews with my favorite authors on microfilm.
Editing
7. How do all these “extras” become part of a book today? Do editors/publishers make recommendations to authors about how they can enhance a book, or do authors often take it upon themselves to create these
enhancements? As an editor, do you think about ways books for teens can be enhanced when you edit them?
Honestly, I'm focussed on the book. With my imprint, PUSH, I'm very involved in the website, conducting Q&As and providing supplementary materials. But for most of the other books I work on, it's really the
marketing department that spearheads the website. At Scholastic, they've done amazing things -- especially for younger kids, games and activities can really generate excitement that translates into excitement for the books. I'm all for that. But while editing...I'm only concerned with the words in the book.
8. Have you edited any other books that have done cool things with technology – any that stand out?
Scholastic's site for The Gatekeepers, a series I work on by Anthony Horowitz, is very impressive. Also, the one we did for Patrick Carman's The Land of Elyon books really expanded its fantasy world. Pat was
heavily involved in that, and his passion for it shows -- you really learn some interesting things by exploring the site.
9. Finally, why bother with all this? Isn’t the book the most important thing?
Yes and no. For a writer, the book is the most important thing. For an author, the reader is the most important thing. When I'm writing, I couldn't care less about websites or the internet. But when I'm seeing my books take on a life of their own in the hands of readers, I'm completely plugged into their reactions and concerns and (if I'm lucky) praise. And I really have the internet to thank for that.
-David Levithan to Anita Beaman
May 2, 2006**
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