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>> Sponsored by the institute
of Museum and Library Services.
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>> Brandon Marshall: Welcome
to the National Book Festival.
My name is Brandon Marshall,
and I'm an 11th grade student
at Duke Ellington School
of the Arts in Washington,
D.C. I'm interviewing
Katie Zhao,
author of How We Fall Apart.
Thank you Katie, for being here.
I haven't got the chance
to read your book yet,
but I read the blurb
and it sound phenomenal,
and I can't wait to
get my hands on a copy.
>> Katie Zhao: Thank
you so much.
It's an honor to
be here with you.
>> Brandon Marshall: So could
you please introduce yourself
and tell us about
your latest book?
>> Katie Zhao: Yes!
Certainly.
So I'm Katie Zhao.
I am the author
of the forthcoming young adult
dark academia thriller How We
Fall Apart.
I've already written and debuted
with middle grade fantasy.
It was a series called
The Dragon Warrior,
and I also have another
middle grade sci-fi coming
out in September, called
Last Gamer Standing.
But I believe today we're here
to talk about How We Fall Apart,
which comes out August
17th from Bloomsbury.
>> Brandon Marshall: How did
you decide to write a mystery?
>> Katie Zhao: That's
a great question.
So I feel like I've always
gravitated toward, like,
mystery thriller and
the contemporary genre.
Just because, like, I really
love fast-paced stories.
I love, you know, detective
stories where you try to figure
out what's going
on in the story,
along with the main character.
But I had never really
seen that many
with Asian main characters
before,
and I'd never seen one set
at, like, an elite high school
with an Asian main
cast, where, you know,
the characters are
trying to figure
out this murder mystery while
also, like, trying to stay
at the top of their class.
So I actually got the idea
for the book in my senior year
of high school, when I
was thinking, you know,
there's such great
young adult mysteries
or other stories set at, like,
these elite institutions where,
you know, these kids
who are very preppy
and very competitive are
all, like, trying to deal
with school, just like regular
school problems, but also,
you know, sort of like trying
to stay on top of their class.
So I thought it'd be
really cool if I did one
with Asian main characters,
because at least
at my high school, I always felt
like, you know, that the kids
who were really, really serious
about, you know, studying
and trying to get
into top universities,
they tended to be kids
who had immigrant parents.
And even though my high
school had I would say, like,
a pretty small Asian population,
I did notice that like,
a lot of the Asian students
who did attend my school were,
you know, the type that
were, like, really --
you know, they put
education first,
and they really wanted
to get good grades.
And I was a student like
that in high school.
So yes. I got the idea when
I was in my senior year
of high school, and then I
sat down to write the book
about three years ago finally,
when I felt like I
knew how to write it.
And now it's coming
out in August.
When I was in high school I
remember being like very intense
about my studies,
like, to say the least.
You know, my parents were
like the type of parents
who really wanted me to do well,
because they're both immigrants
from China, and when they were
in China, like, they were also,
like, very academically
inclined.
So it makes sense
that they would, like,
pass that along to their kids.
And I always felt this
additional pressure
because my parents, like,
were immigrants coming
to this country, where I felt
like I couldn't not get
good grades, or not like,
do what they wanted from me.
Because I felt like, you
know, our family owed so much
to them and their sacrifices.
So I wanted to, like, live up
to their high standards and try
to get, like, top grades at
the school that I attended.
And I mean, I feel like in
general young adult has a lot
of, like, school stories
where a murder happens.
And so I was thinking about
that, and I was thinking, like,
I've never really
seen one where there's
like a really solid reason
for why this murder
happening at these schools.
But I felt like if it were to
happen, it would make sense
that it would be the really
competitive students, like,
offing each other to
try to get to the top.
So yes. That's how
you go from like,
mystery at school to murder.
>> Brandon Marshall: Alright.
Awesome. Yes, I also
have gravitated --
started to gravitate towards
that [inaudible]
mystery genre as of late.
OK. Next question.
When was the first time you saw
a kid like yourself in a book?
And what did that mean to you?
>> Katie Zhao: I still
remember really distinctly.
It was Lisa Yee's book,
Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time,
I think is the name.
And then there was a
sequel called Millicent Min,
Girl Genius.
And I was -- I must have been
like 12, maybe 13 years old
when I discovered those books.
And it was the very first
time that I saw, like,
Asian American characters
on a cover.
Because those covers
have like, real,
like, Asian models on them.
And for me, it was like a shock
to even see books like that.
Like, I took -- I didn't even
know what they were about,
but I just liked grabbed the
book, because I was like, wow!
This is a book with a cover
that has someone like me on it.
So I ended up, like, really
liking the book, too, because --
the books because they
were really relatable
to me as an Asian American.
And that was the first time
where I felt like, you know,
maybe this writing thing
that I really love to do,
maybe there's something
to it and, you know,
if other Asian authors
are getting published
and writing stories about
Asians then maybe it's possible
for me one day.
>> Brandon Marshall: What
were some of your main goals
when you decide you
wanted to be an author?
And would you say that
you've achieved them,
or are you on your
way to doing so?
>> Katie Zhao: Ooh, this
is such a tricky question.
It's a good question, because I
feel like for me, I think a lot
of writers think this way --
like, the goalposts
are constantly moving.
So I really do feel like the
biggest goal that I've ever had
with my writing though,
is just for it
to touch the readers
who need it the most.
Because when I was a kid,
I read books for comfort.
Books brought me
a lot of solace.
In my loneliest moments,
in my darkest moments,
books always brought
me a lot of joy.
And when I read a book
that even, you know,
wasn't a joyful book, if I
could feel like I connected
to the character, then I
would just feel like I,
in reading this book, I've
understood some, like,
very important aspect of life.
So I think, yes.
Ultimately, my biggest goal is
being able to reach readers,
and feeling like, you
know, I've left some kind
of impact in their life.
And that, you know, we've
had some kind of dialogue.
Wherein I impart a message,
something that's
important to me.
Some kind of message that I want
to share, and they receive it
and they understand
what I'm trying to do.
That's the most,
like, fulfilling way
that I look at my writing.
>> Brandon Marshall: What are
some public opinions you've
received on your book?
>> Katie Zhao: So
I would say, like,
for the most part I've
seen good feedback.
Obviously with like
review journals like Kirkus
or Publisher's Weekly, like
they're some feedback that's
like this is done
really well in the book.
But then they'll also
say like, you know,
this could have been better.
But the feedback that
I remember the most is
like when I get emails
from young readers,
or sometimes they'll like,
message me on Instagram,
and they'll say I felt really
seen in this part of the book.
Or your book really
moved me in this way.
Or you know, just that I
really enjoyed this book,
and I can't wait for
what you write next.
That's probably -- I mean,
that is the best part
of being an author.
I've always really loved being
able to interact with readers,
and getting to see
their reactions.
I started off like writing
op/ed when I was in high school.
So I'm pretty used to,
like, being able to, like,
talk to readers, or at least,
like, hear their opinions.
And I consider that to be,
like, the most valuable type
of feedback that I've
received on my book so far.
>> Brandon Marshall:
So as you may know,
this theme for this year's
Book Festival is Open A Book,
Open A World.
So what book or author
opened a world
to you when you were a kid?
>> Katie Zhao: Such
a great question.
I want to say probably
Rick Riordan
with the Percy Jackson series.
Like, I remember when I
was young, I was really
into middle grade fantasy.
And Percy Jackson was
extra-exciting because, like,
it was a series that
really took off, obviously.
And everyone in my class was,
like, reading those books.
Even the kids who
didn't like to read.
And it was really cool, because
the first Percy Jackson book,
The Lightning Thief came
out when I was in 6th grade.
So I was Percy's age.
And so that was one reason
why everyone in my school was
so excited, because like,
Percy was, like, our age,
and we were growing up with him.
And I remember, like, every year
there was a new Percy Jackson
book until the fifth book.
And yes. I really feel like
that book series influenced me
so much in terms of, you know,
learning what makes a
book really exciting
for young readers and
for reluctant readers.
Because I think that's like
the highest compliment,
is if you write a book and even
like the most reluctant young
readers will, you know, say hey,
this was the book that
really got me into reading,
even though I don't
like it usually.
So yes. I would say, like,
that book really opened
up a whole world for me,
and it gave me such a love
for middle grade fantasy.
>> Brandon Marshall: You
know, Percy Jackson's one
of those series that
just kind of sticks
with you forever, you know?
And it's very, I guess
readable is the right word.
You know, I've read
it countless of times.
I always have fun going back
reading it again and again.
How might your book open
the world to others?
>> Katie Zhao: I feel like,
you know, with at least, like,
the middle grade books, I really
wanted to write with, you know,
a story that's somewhat
similar to Percy Jackson,
or just like middle grade
adventure, fantasy-type stories.
But I wanted to do it with,
like, Chinese mythology
and Chinese American culture.
So the books are set
across Chinatowns.
So for that series, I definitely
really wanted to, like,
open up the world of
Chinatowns to readers.
And you know, make
them think, like,
oh Chinatowns are really cool.
And they're places where magic
could potentially happen.
So yes, I really, like,
infused those books
with my love of Chinatown.
and with my upcoming thriller,
How We Fall Apart, I don't know
if necessarily there's
a world that I want
to open up to readers.
Although I would say, like,
I did do a good amount
of world-building with the
elite prep school in the book,
which is Sinclair Prep.
I think I would just
want to show the world
of competitive academics
with that book,
and show how these school
systems that, you know,
typically create this atmosphere
of, like, intense competition
with students who
are trying to get
into top universities,
they're very toxic.
And especially for
marginalized communities,
like the Asian students
in the book,
they feel as though they have
to compete against each other.
Which is something that people
of color I think
experience all the time.
We're just sort of, like,
pit against each other.
There's this mentality
of there can only be one.
And that was really the
mentality that I wanted
to capture in this book was this
world of competitive academics
where the students all feel
like there can only be
one, and it has to be me.
And even if I have to do
-- even if I have to, like,
commit murder, like, I'll do
it to try to get to the top.
>> Brandon Marshall: Now I'd
like to ask you a few questions
about your creative process.
So can you share with us and
example of an early draft
from your recent book,
or describe your
inspiration for it.
And explain your
process of seeing
that [inaudible] idea
in the final product.
>> Katie Zhao: So for
How We Fall Apart,
it was an interesting
writing process,
because normally what I do,
at least I try to do now,
is I will outline the
book once, you know,
I feel like I have a good
idea of how to write it.
And then, from the outline,
I will start drafting
and hopefully it will
be a clean draft.
But if not, you know, typically
it doesn't take me more than one
to two rounds of deep
revisions to get the book right.
With How We Fall Apart, that
was not the case [laughs].
I started out with an outline,
but then while drafting,
I deviated from it.
And it was really a book I feel
like where I was learning how
to write And I'd never, like,
really written thrillers before.
So it was kind of a
new experience for me.
So I ended up tossing out
the first draft completely,
and I probably rewrote it,
you know, once or twice more
with pretty deep revisions
before finally, like,
arriving at a draft that
I felt was good enough
to show my agent.
And then even after
my agent looked at it,
she pointed out all these
issues, and so I had to do
like a lot of revisions again.
And by the time we sold it
to Bloomsbury, my publisher,
my editor there said I like this
a lot, but we are going to have
to do some pretty
heavy revisions.
Like heavy revisions that
I'd done on my middle grade.
So I ended up doing like even
more big revisions again.
But ultimately it was
worth it, I think.
And all, like, the blood,
sweat, and tears that I poured
into this book, it was all worth
it for me, because I knew --
I knew this was a story
that I had to write.
Like, it wasn't a story
where, you know, I could just
like casually think about it,
and maybe get to
it down the road.
I really felt like after going
through my high school
experience, the story was like,
bursting to get out of me.
So yes. It was a bit
of a messy process,
but we got there in
the end [laughs].
>> Brandon Marshall: So what
are some rituals that are part
of your creative process?
Like, do you listen to a
certain genre of music?
Maybe drink something
specific while you work?
What do you use to get your
creative juices flowing?
>> Katie Zhao: That's
a good question.
I feel like I'm not
really a ritual writer.
Well, one thing I do
need is coffee or tea.
Like some form of caffeine.
Just to, like, get
my blood pumping.
You know, get me really
thinking about the book
and excited to write it.
I try to like fit in
some exercise before too,
because I feel like after I
exercise, like, I have a lot
of endorphins, and it just -- it
really helps my brain get moving
in thinking about my writing.
But other than that, I wouldn't
say I necessarily have a
routine, or one playlist
of music.
But usually with me and music,
it's just whatever I feel
like fits the vibe of the book.
Like for my middle grade, I
gravitate more toward, like,
fantasy soundtracks, you know,
just from, like, fantasy movies.
And then with How We Fall Apart,
I think I just listened to,
like, a random selection
of music while drafting it.
But even though, like,
it's a little later now,
and I'm no longer drafting it,
sometimes, like, I'll listen to,
like, Olivia Rodriguo's
album, Sour.
And just like, you know, when
I'm thinking about that book --
just because I feel like
she really captures like,
the angst of high
school really well.
And I do feel like if I were,
like, drafting this book now,
I would be having that album
on loop while drafting it.
Because it fits the vibe of
the story really well, I think.
>> Brandon Marshall: Yes.
I'm also -- I'm an artist.
I go to an art school.
And definitely like having,
like, a certain drink,
listening to certain
music is a very big part
of my creative process too, when
I'm coming up with a piece idea,
or even just drafting something.
OK. So what advice do you have
for aspiring young artists?
>> Katie Zhao: I would just
say read as much as you can.
I think for me, like yes,
writing is important.
And I practiced a lot of
writing when I was younger.
But more important than
that is reading widely,
reading voraciously.
And I mean, I do feel
like I got a lot of like,
my skill with writing just
from like reading
different kinds of books.
Like, I would go
from Percy Jackson
to like a young adult
thriller to, like,
a young adult romance to,
like, sometimes adult fantasy.
So my reading tastes have always
been, like, all over the place.
And I feel like it's really
helped me develop my own style
of writing, because I just
like, you know, immerse myself
in so many different writers',
like, voices and worlds.
And I really learned, you
know, what I like to read,
and what I like to write.
And so, you know, when I
was younger, I actually,
whenever I would write a
story or something for class,
every single time the teacher
would tell me, your voice
and style, is just
-- it's so distinct.
Like it's -- it really makes
your writing stand out.
And I really do feel like it was
because, like, I read so widely
that I was able to
develop a voice early.
So yes. I think, you know,
ultimately what helps
writers stand
out from each other is
just having, like, a voice
and style that's very distinct.
Having a very distinct,
like, writing style.
You know, kind of
story that you write.
And so, yes.
I would just advise any young
writers to keep reading,
and obviously keep writing
too, because that's important,
but I do feel like for me,
reading was the most important
thing that helped me get into --
to help me discover my voice
and become the writer
that I am today.
>> Brandon Marshall:
Can you talk
about how you develop
your characters,
and especially how
you develop a villain?
>> Katie Zhao: Yes.
That's a great question.
So for me, I feel like I have
to know the characters before
anything else in the story
in order for me to
write it properly.
I really, really love
character-driven stories,
and I feel like if you --
as a reader, I feel like if
the writer develops a character
who's really fascinating,
whether they're like, you know,
a very good character, or a
character who commits like,
you know -- or just like a
character who isn't very moral.
you know, as long as I feel
like I'm really invested
in that character,
like the world
and everything else
comes second to me.
So when I was developing
the characters
for How We Fall Apart, I had to,
like, really think about each
of the personalities, and
how they stand within, like,
the power structure in
the school in the book.
And I just wanted to
make sure that, like,
that the group felt cohesive,
but that everyone had
very distinct lives
and personalities.
And in terms of writing
villains, I feel like I just --
I tend to gravitate more
toward the villains,
just because they're more
interesting to write.
Because I don't know, I'm really
fascinated by characters who go
against the grain of what
should be considered moral.
And so with the villain
character in How We Fall Apart,
I honestly feel like you could
say there are multiple villains.
But yes, I just like, you know,
I sort of created
these characters who go
against everything that
I would believe is right.
And you know, who just,
like, continue to, like,
get away with whatever
they're doing.
Although they don't get away
with everything in the end.
I'll just say that much.
But yes -- I honestly like, the
reason why this book took me
so long is because, you
know, it took me so long
to really understand
the characters,
and feel like I understood the
development enough to, like,
write a well-rounded story.
>> Brandon Marshall: Who are
some of your favorite villains
in pop culture right now
that might have influenced
[inaudible] villain in the book?
>> Katie Zhao: So this is
a really great question.
The book Vicious by V.E. Schwab.
I really love that one.
And I think that's how I --
like, that's probably the
first book that comes to mind
when I think about books
with characters that are
like morally gray and
sort of villainous.
Because the book
really questions, like,
who in the story's a villain,
and who in this story's a hero?
I mean, for those
who don't know,
Victor and Eli are two boys
who I believe are
attending a university.
And they are doing like a
special college project,
and in doing that project, they
discover EOs, extraordinaries.
And they figure out a way
to develop superpowers
that requires them to like
essentially die and come back
to life in order to
get those powers.
And then -- but instead of using
those superpowers for good,
they sort of like,
don't [laughs].
And then, they were friends,
but they end up as enemies.
And in the beginning
of the book you see
that they're pitted
against each other.
And they're trying to track each
other down and kill each other.
But they -- the book
goes like back and forth,
and you see that they
used to be friends.
And so I'm really, really
fascinated by characters
like that, because I'm
fascinated by the idea of people
who have the ability to be good.
Like they're given
superpowers, and they could do
so many great things,
but they choose not to.
So yes. Those are probably some
of my, like, favorite villains.
>> Brandon Marshall: So
have you ever thought
about working in
any other mediums?
Like adapting your book
into a movie one day?
Or are you just sticking
to books only?
>> Katie Zhao: That's
a great question.
So I -- when I was in
college, I took a film course
that was like, Intro to Film, I
think that's what it was called.
And I actually thought about
screenwriting, because I felt
like it would be harder
to become an author
than a screenwriter,
and I knew I wanted
to do something with writing.
But I ended up hating
the film class.
It was just like a
very like, artsy, like,
classics-driven class,
and I just wasn't interested
in any of the films.
But I did end up, like,
taking more creative writing
classes while I was in college,
and I decided like, writing
novels was the best thing
for me.
I haven't completely
ruled out screenwriting,
but I just don't know how I
would get into the industry.
But I think for now -- unless,
you know, something changes,
or I get an adaptation for
my books, and they ask me
to write them for the
movie, I'm going to stick
with writing novels for now.
>> Brandon Marshall: OK.
Well, thank you, Katie for
your time, and everyone be sure
to check out How We Fall Apart,
coming out August 3rd this year.
>> Katie Zhao: Thank you
so much for having me!
>> Courtney: Hi,
my name's Courtney.
>> Christina: I'm Christina,
and we're at the Library
of Congress today.
>> Courtney: This summer
we worked with teens
from across the country to
learn more about the library,
and explore its unique
resources,
collections, and events.
>> Christina: This
building is so pretty.
>> Courtney: Yes, and it's
open to everyone to visit.
>> Christina: And you
can access its resources
from anywhere in the world.
>> Courtney: Yes.
>> Christina: This
is your library.
>> Courtney: Take it away, Emma.
>> Emma: Hi, I'm Emma
in Massachusetts.
The library's website has a ton
of digitized materials you
can access from anywhere.
Let's do a search and
see what you can find.
[ Typing ]
Whether you're completing
a project, or just looking
for a picture, the library
has hundreds upon thousands
of materials ready
at your fingertips.
You're on, Eti.
>> Eti: Hello.
I'm Eti from Texas, and one
of my favorite resources
on the library's website
is Chronicling America,
a searchable collection
of historical newspapers.
I was especially
amazed by this one.
College students'
activism during the Civil
Rights Movement.
This is a fantastic resource
for school research papers.
Your turn, Neena.
>> Neena: Hi.
I'm Neena in Ohio.
Do you have an undying curiosity
about all things
past and present?
The library's website features
lots of research guides.
Like this research guide
about past Olympics.
Did you know that the Olympic
Games were canceled during World
War One and World War Two?
And the 2020 Olympic
Games were postponed due
to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now they're ongoing,
which is great.
Take it away, Karen.
>> Karen: Hi.
I'm Karen from New Jersey,
and I found this film
of a Gay Pride march
from 1968 fascinating.
This was a year before
the Stonewall uprising.
There's so much to explore.
And if you love history
and want to do more,
you can help transcribe
and tag documents
to make them more accessible
for others with the library's
By The People project.
>> Christina: As you can
see, the library isn't just
for people who live
in D.C., researchers,
and members of Congress.
>> Courtney: And it has
more than just books.
It holds newspapers,
photographs,
video and sound recordings,
maps, manuscripts, and more.
>> Christina: And the library
isn't just about the past.
It celebrates things
about today.
Every year, the National Book
Festival features many authors
and the stories they
have to share.
You can connect with your
favorite authors and their work
by watching an interview, or
listening to a podcast any time.
Or by joining a live Q
and A during the festival.
>> Christina: And there are also
live events here at the building
if you're in the
Washington, D.C. area.
>> Courtney: So the library
of Congress is your library.
>> Emma: Your library.
>> Eti: Your library.
>> Neena: Your library.
>> Karen: Your library.
>> Christina: Your library.
>> [in unison] Your library.
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