Q&A with Ciera Burch

  

Photo by Julia Xia

 

 

Ciera Burch is the author of the new middle grade novel Olivia Gray Will Not Fade Away. Her other books include Camp Twisted Pine. She lives in Washington, D.C.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Olivia Gray Will Not Fade Away, and how did you create your character Olivia?

 

A: Essentially, a Dungeons and Dragons inside joke helped inspire me! As we were getting to know each other in our group chat, we joked that I was “ace-coded” and when I took a look at my life, I ended up on a deep dive of the asexual and aromantic spectrum and the idea began to slowly form.

 

Olivia is different in that she’s sort of an amalgamation of my feelings as a kid entering puberty, the state of social media when it comes to kids, and the quintessential middle school feeling of growing and changing and watching your friends do the same, while realizing you might not have the same connection you used to.

 

Q: The Booklist review of the novel says, “Olivia’s experiences, while fantastical, are a creative and fresh approach to the idea of feeling seen, with an impressively supportive family that sets a great example for queer kids and their parents. A thoughtful and accessible addition to the criminally underrepresented realm of asexual middle-grade fiction.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I think it’s great! Very kind and complimentary, but also exactly what I’d hoped people would take away from Olivia. Kids deserve to read happy queer narratives where a character’s family loves and accepts them.

 

Asexuality is underrepresented in many things, including the queer community itself, and I’m happy to contribute to queer happiness in any way I can. I’m grateful that my efforts are coming across not just to reviewers, but also, hopefully, to kids.

 

Q: Did you know how the novel would end before you started writing it, or did you make many changes along the way?

 

A: I didn’t! I rarely do! Even though I make outlines and synopses, so many things can change as I write. There were plenty of changes made throughout—from Olivia’s interactions with her friends, to how things go between her and Jules—but I’m really happy with the ending and how we got there.

 

Q: What do you hope readers take away from the story?

 

A: Honestly, a lot of what was in the Booklist review.

 

I hope they take away acceptance of themselves whether or not they use, or even need, a label. I hope they take away that friendship can require some hard conversations and feelings, but they’re worth it in the end. I hope they take away that there is always someone there to see you, especially if you let yourself be seen.

 

And, perhaps self-indulgently, I hope they take away a curiosity about Dungeons and Dragons.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m actually working on an adult project right now. Exploring asexuality in the romance genre.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: D&D is a great game! Librarians are some of the best people out there! All identities are valid and you don’t need specific labels to be yourself!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Ciera Burch.