BB Alston
About Author
BB Alston started writing in middle school, entertaining his classmates with horror stories starring the whole class where not everyone survived! He had just been accepted into a biomedical graduate program when a chance entry into a twitter pitch contest led to his signing with his agent, 20+ book deals worldwide, and even a film deal.
When not writing, he can be found eating too many sweets and exploring country roads to see where they lead.
Interview
Amari and the Despicable Wonders (Amari and the Night Brothers, book 3) (Farshore)
August 2024
Men in Black meets the magic and myths of Percy Jackson in the spectacular series that started with Amari and the Night Brothers. In this month's feature with bestselling author BB Alston, we catch up with Amari's adventures as both a magician and a member of the supernatural Bureau in her third outing, Amari and the Despicable Wonders.
Review: "The plot twists, turns and is as wild as the winds and storms that Amari evokes." Read chapter one.
BB Alston introduces his bestselling series, Amari and the Night Brothers
"Amari is a story about myths and magic, but at its core, it's really the story about a young Black girl
learning to believe in herself and accept herself for all the things that make her different."
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you were doing before you started writing Amari and the Night Brothers? How are you enjoying life as an author?
Hi, my name is BB Alston, and I'm author of the Amari books. Before I became an author, I was working on becoming a doctor! I'd just been accepted to a biomedical science program at a medical school when I got my big break as an author. Sometimes I still think about how much my life would be different if I'd continued that path, but I have no regrets.
Writing books for kids is the best job in the world! Being an author has been great, and the best part is meeting readers, whether in person or through letters and emails.
"My all-time favorite book would have to be Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It's about a kid from modest means,
just like me, who still had these big dreams."
2. Were you a reader as a child? What kinds of stories inspired you?
I was a huge reader as a kid. Ever since a librarian placed Where the Wild Things Are into my hands, I've been a huge fan of fantasy books. My all-time favorite book would have to be Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It's about a kid from modest means, just like me, who still had these big dreams. The idea of a secret world within our own - a place that's both magical and mysterious - enchanted me as a kid and it's a big reason I chose to write Amari and the Night Brothers.
Amari and the Night Brothers Amari and the Great Game Amari and the Despicable Wonders
3. What can readers expect to find in your series about Amari? What happens in the latest book, Amari and the Despicable Wonders?
Amari is a story about myths and magic, but at its core, it's really the story about a young Black girl learning to believe in herself and accept herself for all the things that make her different. In the latest book, Amari and the Despicable Wonders, the supernatural world is at war, with Amari and her friends on the run. To save the day, they must find dangerous magical items called Wonders that will demand a steep price to wield!
"What if the secret agency from Men in Black handled more than just aliens? What if everything
from myths and legends were real, only kept hidden from the public?"
4. What was the original inspiration for these stories? Why do you think they have been so popular with young readers?
I got the inspiration for the first Amari book, Amari and the Night Brothers after watching the movie Men in Black. I thought, What if the secret agency from Men in Black handled more than just aliens? What if everything from myths and legends were real, only kept hidden from the public?
Soon I began to wonder how this version of a secret agency might work, and how much bigger it would need be to handle so many types of supernatural phenomena. It would need secretive Department of the Unexplained to handle strange and rare happenings, and maybe even a spooky Department of the Dead to wrangle stray zombies.
5. Can you tell us about the world you've created, where the magicians and the supernaturals clash? Are you also reflecting on today's society through their battles?
In the newest book, Amari and the Despicable Wonders, the supernatural world is at war with the magicians. These two groups have been at war before, and grudges have lasted the centuries. This means that magicians have had to live in secret and face harsh consequences when they are found. This leads magicians to feel persecuted and resent the supernatural world, causing a never-ending cycle of ill will between the two sides. With Amari being both a magician, and a member of the Bureau, she's caught in the middle.
"I'm so glad that kids today have books and characters like Amari to show them that
every kid deserves to be the hero."
6. Was writing Amari also about putting a young black hero on the cover? How important is representation in children's books to you personally?
It was super important to me to write story about a young Black girl. Because when I was a young reader, there just wasn't any kids' fantasy books that featured a Black main character. This meant that whenever I would dream up fantasy world of my own, I'd take myself out because I didn't feel like I belonged.
I'm so glad that kids today have books and characters like Amari to show them that every kid deserves to be the hero, and hopefully it will inspire them to accomplish great things in their own real life stories.
7. Which of the characters in Amari's adventures is most like you, and why? And which of the characters' powers would you most like to have - magician or supernatural, and which specific power?
Amari is definitely the character most like me. I was a kid from modest means, who went to a science camp on the more affluent side of town. And I felt the difference. It affected my self-confidence just as it does Amari. But I learned, just as she does, that things that make you unique also make you awesome!
And speaking of awesome, I'd love to have a supernatural ability from the Bureau. Because I read a lot, it would cool if I could touch a book and know everything inside.
"I think the first book, Amari and the Night Brothers, will always be my favorite
just because that's where it all began."
8. Do you have a favourite book in the series, or one you enjoyed writing the most, and why that one? Do you have more adventures planned for Amari? What are you writing currently?
I think the first book, Amari and the Night Brothers, will always be my favorite just because that's where it all began. That's where you get to discover the supernatural world right alongside Amari and it was a blast to write. Right now, the series is set at five books, so there will be two more after Amari and the Despicable Wonders! I'm hard at work on book 4!
9. How exciting that a film of Amari and the Night Brothers is on the horizon - are you involved in that at all? Do you have any insights about how it is being developed?
It's super exciting to have a film in development. There are some extremely talented folks hard at work to make it happen. This is a big year for us, so I'm hoping to have updates really soon!
"Honestly, this whole writing journey has probably been my biggest adventure so far."
10. We've heard you have a bit of a sweet tooth - what are your favourite writer's snacks? What keeps you at your desk, and what are you writing currently?
I do love sweets! I'm a huge fan of anything chocolate, and I've had a sweet spot for Boston Baked Beans for as long as I can remember! As far as writing snacks, I keep Nature Valley Cashew bars right next to my computer when I'm writing.
11. Amari's life is full of adventure - what has been the biggest adventure in your life so far? And what kinds of things do you enjoy doing to relax when you're away from your desk, and seeking out new inspiration?
Honestly, this whole writing journey has probably been my biggest adventure so far. It's taken me all around the States, and even to London!
I love to watch movies to relax, or even hop on the PS5 and play video games. But maybe my favorite thing is to hop in the car with my wife and just drive to someplace we haven't been before. Nothing beats a good road trip adventure.
Amari and the Despicable Wonders (Amari and the Night Brothers)
Amari and the Great Game (Amari and the Night Brothers)
Amari and the Night Brothers (Amari and the Night Brothers)
