If you’re a fan of Mr. Robot or just love anything tech related you’ll love E. C. Meyers’ YA novel, The Silence of Six, which goes on sale everywhere on December 6. I got the chance to chat with him about the book, his knowledge about hacking, and more! You can read the full interview below and make sure to grab a copy of The Silence of Six when it’s released.
If you had to summarize The Silence of the Six in three words how would you summarize it?
Hacktivists versus government.
The Silence of the Six deals a lot with hacking and computer programming. Did you have any background in computer programming before you wrote this novel?
Aside from a basic class in high school, I have no computer programming experience. I’m not even particularly adept at maintaining or modifying computers, but I’ve always been comfortable with looking up whatever information I need to accomplish something and unafraid to roll up my sleeves and try it for myself. I’m familiar with much of the technology in the book, but not even remotely an expert on any of it!
What made you first start writing?
I’ve been writing since I was very young. I love stories in every form, especially books, and I’ve always enjoyed creating stories of my own and sharing them with others.
What is your writing process like?
My process is always changing, and every project is different. I usually have at least a rough idea of where things are going and I just start typing. I write wherever and whenever I have to, as long as I have a keyboard.
Are you working on any other YA novels for the future?
I have a completed YA novel I would still like to publish, but right now I’m focusing on a few short stories I’ve promised to various YA anthologies. My next long-form project will actually be a middle grade fantasy.
Who are some of your favorite authors right now?
It’s hard not to gush about so many authors! I’m a big fan of Jaclyn Moriarty’s Colors of Madeleine trilogy, though I haven’t had a chance to read the last book yet. I’m always a fan of Philip Reeve, whose fabulous book Mortal Engines is being adapted into a film by Peter Jackson, so I hope more people will discover his work. I am loving Gwenda Bond’s YA Lois Lane series, and Kelly Barnhill’s middle grade novels are enchanting; her book The Girl Who Drank the Moon is also being adapted into an animated feature.
Besides writing, what other hobbies are you interested in?
Besides writing and parenting and work, I don’t have a lot of time for other things, but I enjoy photography and playing video games. I used to collect old 8-bit Nintendo games, and lately I’ve gotten back into retro gaming. I just started streaming live sessions of me playing [Nintendo Entertainment System] games when I can. I am also actively exploring podcasting.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Read a lot, and read everything! When you start writing, don’t get caught up in worrying about whether it’s any good until you finish a draft — you must finish it, and almost everything can be fixed in revision. Set manageable, realistic goals: “I will finish writing a novel in three months” instead of “I will get a publishing deal this year.” Try to have fun and don’t lose sight of why you’re writing in the first place.
Zakiya N. Jamal 