Q&A with Bryan Reilly

  

 

 

Bryan Reilly is the author of the middle grade novel The Junkyard.  

 

Q: What inspired you to write The Junkyard, and how did you create your character Maytag?

 

A: The Junkyard was primarily inspired by a moment of sheer and utter disgust. In 2007, a news story covered a professional football player who’d been arrested for running an illegal dog-fighting ring. This man and his associates subjected these poor dogs to atrocities that were tough to think about.

 

Still, I couldn’t get the story out of my mind. And through all the nauseating images and thoughts of, why didn’t anyone in the group of “friends” put a stop to this?

 

I found a story that made me feel rebellious—one that put me in the corner of mistreated dogs everywhere. I found a rebel in Maytag, a pacifist pit bull who would rather die than hurt another dog.

 

I knew her refusal to fight would shine a light on the disgusting and villainous people organizing and cheering on these brutal fights. And I knew her anti-violence stance would spark opposition and make the story interesting.

 

Q: What do you think Rich Denver’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: Rich’s illustrations capture the grittiness I always envisioned for The Junkyard. And in a world where AI can create illustrations in seconds, Rich has given The Junkyard a level of originality and craftsmanship I’m extremely proud of.

 

As his illustrations came in chapter by chapter, they were great, as I’d expected, but what surprised me was that he hand-painted each one! He didn’t even use graphic design software! Every illustration in The Junkyard was hand-painted in brilliant watercolor on its own canvas.

 

Rich really took the time to pour his heart and soul into each illustration, and the book is better for it.

 

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

 

A: Yes, it was always important for me that the story ended with Maytag staying true to her newfound pacifism—that she showed how kindness could be a form of courage. As I wrote, her nonviolent stance sparked a creative windfall of ideas for how other characters could oppose her, emulate her, and take part in the story’s action-packed conclusion.  

 

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

 

A: It’s okay to stay true to yourself. In the face of peer pressure, bullying, and all the negativity that can creep into a young reader’s (everyone’s) life, it’s okay to stay true to your values, stick to what you believe in, and say “no” when it feels right.

 

The friendships or “found families” that last and are the most rewarding are with people who love us for who we are. In my experience, “staying true to you” inspires people, too.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I am currently outlining the sequel to The Junkyard. What happens to these characters next? Should the sequel take place among the same piles of junk? Or should the dogs somehow be transported to, say… The Shipyard, meet new characters, and have new discarded vessels and aquatic-themed piles of junk to explore, hide, and survive in?

 

These are questions I’m going back and forth on—should the sequel leave the world I created?

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: The book’s dedication is to my son, Jack, and it features the lyrics to a famous song followed by an ellipsis. The message I wanted to impart to Jack doesn't appear in the dedication, but in the uncited lyrics that follow the ellipsis.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. This Q&A was conducted in partnership with Bryan Reilly. Readers who follow along on this virtual book tour will have the chance to win one of three signed paperback copies of The Junkyard. One lucky grand prize winner will receive the ultimate book-lover’s bundle: a signed paperback copy of The Junkyard plus a $50 Amazon gift card and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card!