Q&A with Brian D. Kennedy, authors of "My Fair Brady"

It’s winter in Brooklyn 🥶

The cold is seeping in through the cracks in my shoddily-made windows1 and it’s the perfect atmosphere in which to work on revising a picture book I wrote last year, all about indoor snowmen and finding warmth in art — literally and figuratively.

I have big plans for the next few weeks! I’m going to brainstorm the middle-grade project that I had a few breakthroughs on during my workshop at residency; I’m going to work on the aforementioned picture book and maybe a few others; I’m going to prep for my next revision of HEX, I DID IT AGAIN, my YA f/f witchy novel; I’m going to curl up with books and go to launches and in general enjoy winter in NYC.

Speaking of book launches and this newsletter, I am so delighted that not only do I get to host a Q&A with author Brian D. Kennedy today, but I’m also going to his book launch at Books of Wonder tomorrow! Buckle up, friends, and get ready for this interview!

Welcome to the interview 🗣️

Brian D. Kennedy is the author of A Little Bit Country, a 2022 YA debut about two boys falling in love that also centers a country music-themed amusement park (brilliant), as well as this month’s My Fair Brady, which is a spin on My Fair Lady and She’s All That and is super gay and frankly I can’t wait to hold my copy in my hands, lol.

Brian was kind enough to agree to an interview, so read on for his answers to my questions!

Karis Rogerson: How did you first get started writing and telling stories?

Brian D. Kennedy: I was a pretty voracious reader as a kid, so I think I’ve always been drawn to storytelling. I knew I liked writing as well, but for most of my young adult life it was something I only did as a hobby. Over the years I tried it all — poetry, playwriting, blogging, sketch comedy. It wasn’t until my 30s, when I was taking a writing workshop, that I discovered young adult literature. As soon as I started reading YA books, I knew I wanted to try my hand at writing one.   

KR: Why do you write — like what drives you?

BK: Looking back at the times in my life when I was the unhappiest, it often coincides with the times I didn’t have a creative outlet2. As difficult as writing can be, I also find it to be very fulfilling. I think part of the reason is because I’m an introvert, and writing a story is a way for me to put my voice out there and connect with the world. Writing is also how I figure out things in my own life — albeit through a fictional lens. 

KR: Let’s chat about My Fair Brady! What is your favorite thing about this book?

BK: Getting to revisit my love of theater while writing it. I was a theater major in college (focusing on playwriting and directing, though I enjoyed acting and stage crew as well). Living in New York, I still see plenty of theater. But I haven’t been involved in a production since my early 20s. It was fun to remember all the details that went into putting on a show — both onstage and off. 

KR: What is a secret dream you have for this book (that you’re okay sharing)?

BK: Honestly, just getting my book in the hands of as many high school theater kids as possible would be incredible. I was a giant theater nerd in high school, and I wrote this book for the kids like me. If I’m going to put on my marketing hat, and think a little more shrewdly, I’d say getting a big Broadway star — like Idina Menzel or Kristin Chenoweth — to share my book on social media would be great, too. 

KR: Is there anything about My Fair Brady that may surprise readers?

BK: One thing that has surprised me, is just how passionate people are about the musical Newsies! One of my characters (gently!) knocks the show, and when I mentioned this on social media, I quickly learned that it was one of people’s favorites. I’m going to stand by what I wrote…but very humbly and apologetically. 

 KR: What was the most challenging part of the publication process for this book?

BK: When I sold my debut novel, A Little Bit Country, it was a two-book deal. So this was my first time writing on a deadline. As someone who’s a pretty slow writer, I knew that was going to be a challenge. Despite constantly working on it, I still had to ask for deadline extensions just about every step of the way. Thankfully, neither my editor nor my publisher rushed me. They gave me the time to try to write the best version of this story that I could.  

KR: Is there something you’re celebrating lately, and how are you celebrating it?

BK: I’m definitely going to take a moment to slow down and celebrate this book being out in the world. I’m bad at relaxing, but when I do treat myself to a full day that has nothing to do with publishing or writing, my go-tos are usually a trip to the Strand Bookstore, The Met, or Central Park. Sometimes all three! More likely than not, cupcakes will also be involved. 

KR: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

BK: You have to find the love in the writing. Book deals are great — don’t get me wrong. But if you’re only writing for a book deal, or fame (ha), or money (hahaha), you’re probably setting yourself up for disappointment3. For the majority of traditionally published authors, there’s plenty of rejection (not to mention shelved manuscripts) along the way. From when I set out to pursue publication more seriously, to when my first book came out, it was almost a decade. Had I not loved writing books as much as I did (even the failed ones), I would’ve given up a lot sooner. 

KR: Can you recommend 1-3 books you’ve read and loved lately?

BK: On the adult side, I’m a little late to the party, but I’m absolutely loving Yellowface by R. F. Kuang. It’s very inside publishing (though I suspect anyone can enjoy it), and I’m finding myself cackling (and cringing) on every page. 

On the young adult side, I’m usually reading books that haven’t been published yet to provide a blurb. Two I recently enjoyed that are coming out this spring are Wish You Weren't Here by Erin Baldwin, and No Time Like Now by Naz Kutub. 

KR: Is there anything else you wish I’d asked that you’d like to answer?

BK: Well, I will gladly talk more about theater. My favorite musical — one that’s guaranteed to make me cry every time I see it — is Sunday in the Park with George. And one of my favorite songs from a musical is “On My Own” from Les Misérables. 

Alla prossima 👋

My heartfelt thanks — and massive early book birthday congrats!! — to Brian for this spectacular interview! I LOL’d more than once going through his answers, and if that doesn’t bode well for loving and laughing my way through My Fair Brady, idk what will!

On a more somber note, the US is still embroiled in a genocide across the world. We are actively funding and war-prepping Israel to kill thousands of Palestinians. This passt week, Benjamin Netanyahu declared he has no intention of pulling back the assault, and no intention of allowing a Palestinian state to exist in any capacity. Israel is a settler-colonial state and since the Nakba in 1948, has been pushing Palestinians further off their land and out of their homes, all culminating in this months-long onslaught. There are stories of children dying of heart attacks in Gaza; there are no more hospitals standing in the Strip; journalists are being killed in overwhelming numbers; famine is being spread, disease is rampant, and Palestinians have nowhere to go.

Why am I saying all this? Because it is unbelievable that many of us in the US, in Canada, in Europe, are sitting comfortably and carrying on with life as usual while our governments use our money to fund a genocide. We are complicit. It’s time for this to end. It was time for this to end months ago, but that didn’t happen, so it must end now. There are calls for a general strike this week (Jan. 21-28). Do what you can, whether that’s calling out of work or not shopping or calling your reps or protesting. Let’s be sure this ends.