Jed Alexander is the author of the new middle grade novel The Black Market. His other books include Olive. He lives in California.
Q: What inspired you to write The Black Market, and how did you create your character Martin?
A: As a kid, hearing the phrase “black market” made me imagine an actual marketplace with black tablecloths that sold things that were strange and forbidden. That image stuck. At the black market, my protagonist finds a bag of dirty tricks, another evocative phrase that has a mysterious literal meaning.
I discovered Martin in the writing process. The characters of Martin and Jess revealed themselves through their relationship with one another. That dynamic is at the center of the book.
Q: How would you describe the relationship between Martin and his great-aunt Gabby?
A: Martin admires and idolizes her. He's her favorite nephew, and she trusts him with a great secret.
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Q: What do you hope readers take away from the story?
A: Though the major theme is power corrupts, I'm not big on stories that give lessons. I hope kids have a great time reading it. I hope they relate to the characters in the story.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m working with my editor on a book of short scary stories with an ample helping of dark humor. Writing those has been pure discovery, and honestly, I enjoy writing more than drawing.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: That the book is on audio and has a great reader, Amir Levi, who does a fantastic job!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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