Author: Tom DeLonge, Suzanne Young
Genre: young adult, science fiction
Published: October 6, 2015
Publisher: To the Stars
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository | IndieBound
From the critically acclaimed transmedia project Poet Anderson: The Dream Walker, comes one of the most anticipated collaborations in YA literature this year: a thrilling, edge of your seat story written by award-winning musician, producer and director Tom DeLonge and New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Young.
Poet Anderson...Of Nightmares follows the epic journey of two orphan brothers, Jonas and Alan, who are Lucid Dreamers. After a tragic car accident lands Alan in a coma, Jonas sets out into the Dream World in an attempt to find his brother and wake him up. What he discovers instead is an entire shared consciousness where fear comes to life as a snarling beast called a Night Terror, and a creature named REM is bent on destruction and misery, devouring the souls of the strongest dreamers to get closer to the Waking World. With the help of a Dream Walker—a guardian of the dreamscape, Jonas must face his fears, save his brother, and become who he was always meant to be: Poet Anderson.
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{ Q&A with Tom DeLonge }
What inspired the storyline of Poet Anderson and is there a character that you most identify with?
I saw a fascinating documentary about the study of nightmares at Stanford University. It talked about nightmares preparing human beings for real world events. It instantly made me think of my already existing character Poet Anderson, a post-punk and introverted kid from a rainy downtown Seattle. He's a lucid dreamer, somebody that can see a better world, even if there is a myriad of conflict. Yes, a character that I see a lot of myself in. From the days of when I had much longer bangs. Ha.
Have you always wanted to write a novel? How was the experience for you?
When I was younger I could never find the desire to read. I cheated over and over and never read one book in school. Out of all of the books they had given us, in all of my years of school, I never read one of them.
As Blink-182 got popular, I started to realize what really made me excited about art was the way people felt when they came together, quite an epiphany for me. I became fascinated by the world of film, books, and music coming together. Hitting somebody with a 360° bat of art on the head. Angels and Airwaves was the genesis of that. Now, whenever I have any time at all, I find myself reading anything I can get my hands on, and trying to learn something of value.
Lucid dreaming plays a key part in the storyline, have you ever experience a lucid dream? What attracted you to the role that dreams play in our lives?
There are two main reasons that attracted me to dreams. I have had lucid dreams in the past where I can’t get these pictures out of my head to this day; wondering what they meant, and what the hell they were. I am also a daydreamer by trade, and I spend every waking hour thinking about how to improve my future, my environment, and my experience..
The novel is part of what you call a Poet Anderson TransMedia experience. Can you explain what other media assets you have created that help tell the story and how ...Of Nightmares novel fits into it?
I believe the future of art is the convergence of film, music, and publishing. This will create new ways for people's imaginations to be immersed into new worlds and new ways of thinking. This is called TransMedia, a cohesive mix of various mediums of art working together leading to a much grander experience for the audience.
Recently you’ve shifted your focus from your platinum platinum-selling band Blink-182 to your new company To The Stars. What can you tell us about your future plans?
As I’ve grown, I find myself wanting to do more things that involve other young artists. I get inspiration from talented people. I want to learn from them. I want to meet more people, try more things, feel new motions, and see more reactions on people’s faces.
I just don’t do well in a box. After 25 years of one thing, I've developed a really cool new view of the world. I am always looking for new interesting ways to share my ideas and exciting, innovative people to collaborate with The sky's the limit for To The Stars, and I get to be the captain.
ABOUT TOM DeLONGE
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Tom DeLonge is an award-winning American musician, producer and director best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the platinum selling rock bands Blink-182 and Angels & Airwaves. His home is San Diego, where he focuses on creating entertainment properties that bridge music, narrative and film through his multimedia company To The Stars. For the full experience of Tom’s work, visit www.tothestars.media.
ABOUT SUZANNE YOUNG
Suzanne Young is the New York Times bestselling author of The Program series. Originally from Utica, New York, Suzanne moved to Arizona to pursue her dream of not freezing to death. She is a novelist and an English teacher, but not always in that order. Suzanne is the author of THE PROGRAM, THE TREATMENT, THE REMEDY, and HOTEL RUBY.
{ GIVEAWAY }
Signed hardcover of Poet Anderson...Of Nightmares
Open Worldwide
Ends October 21, 2015
Prizing is provided by the publisher, hosts are not responsible.
Must be 13 or older and have parental permission if under 17. No purchase necessary to win. Void where prohibited by law.
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