1--What is the title of your latest release?
THE RECALL PARADOX
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
The story picks up right where The Memory Index left off—our quartet of heroes return to Foxtail Academy, where they’re trialing super-technology that will supposedly end memory loss. But now, they’re thrust inexorably into the middle of a secret war, where everything they thought to be true about memory loss proves false.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I placed a lot of emphasis on atmosphere in The Memory Index series. While most of the story takes place at a boarding school, I was able to transport my heroes to other places via artificial recall. Creating a grounded sense of setting, of felt atmosphere, was critical to telling an engaging action/adventure story.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Oh heck yes. Freya kicks some serious butt in these books, but she’s also deeply flawed and human. Aren’t we all? Like most writers, I imbued Freya with elements of myself, so she and I would have a lot to talk about—like our shared interest in film/video cameras.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Loyal, determined, empathetic.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned how to be patient, though, it’s something I have to often relearn. Writing a story takes time. Writing a duology takes a lot of time. You spend countless hours in the heads of the characters, learning what they learn and asking the questions they ask. Often, you have to stare at the computer screen as you work through a problem or a scene, and that exercise requires a lot of patience.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
Unfortunately, I have found it impossible not to edit as I go. In a perfect world, the only thing I’d spend my time doing throughout the first-draft phase is writing. But sometimes, you have to ramp up into your writing, and that means rereading previous passages, and that—inevitably—leads to editing. Sometimes lots of it.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Tacos, it’s always tacos.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
It’s pretty uninspiring! I’m a firm believer in less is more, especially when it comes to workstations. I have my trusty MacBook Air, external keyboard, mouse, a steamy mug of coffee, and a notepad and pencil. The basics, you know?
10--Who is an author you admire?
Too many to count, but for this interview I’ll spotlight my pal Rob Rufus. He’s the ALA/YALSA Alex Award–winning author of several books, including a powerful memoir for young readers entitled Die Young with Me.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
If we’re talking fiction, I can’t not shout out John Green’s Looking for Alaska. Stylistically and tonally, that YA book made a huge impact on me. It’s definitely on my Mount Rushmore of all-time favorites. For non-fiction, it’s a no-brainer. The Bible changed my life and continues to be the most inspiring and challenging text that I return to.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I love this story so much because I am not the hero in it. In 2020, a longtime friend and editor of mine was hired at a non-fiction imprint at HarperCollins. She called me one day and encouraged me to blow the dust off my self-published books so that she could facilitate an intro with an acquiring editor in fiction. At the end of January, we passed along the manuscript, and it wasn’t until August that I received a response! They liked my writing, weren’t keen on publishing something I’d already released, and asked if I had any other stories in the works. The rest, as they say, is history. Six months later, in April of 2021, I inked my first book deal with a traditional publisher and haven’t looked back!
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
This is cheating, but anything Young Adult: YA sci-fi, YA coming of age, YA fantasy, etc.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
Edward Scissorhands. I just adore that movie, and the score is *chef’s kiss*
15--What is your favorite season?
Fall
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Eating. Definitely eating. I’m a foodie, and Nashville—where I call home—has some world-class restaurants.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I loved Wednesday on Netflix. It’s a dark, delightful procedural fantasy for teens that takes place at a boarding school. Oh, and Tim Burton directed a few episodes. I mean . . . c’mon!
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
As a Mexican American, can I even pick anything but Mexican food? (No, but really, tacos.)
19--What do you do when you have free time?
Free time is in short supply when you’re a writer, but I love to travel with my family (we took an impromptu road trip to see our friends in South Caroline last December).
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I just finished a contemporary young adult coming of age story that’s deeply personal. The heroine is a first-generation Mexican American who navigates voice confrontation. It’s definitely a departure for me, but I’ve loved spending every second with Flora and her friends. More to come soon!
The Memory Index #2
What if everything you remember is a lie?
Freya Izquierdo and Fletcher Cohen believe they’re done with top-secret memory knifing. After successfully hacking a terrorist’s memories and foiling the Memory Ghosts’ next attack, they spend their school break intending to clear Fletcher’s dad of being accused of colluding with the radical group.
Exposing the truth should be straightforward, if not easy. But Fletcher’s house is robbed, and Freya makes a shocking discovery about her flawed recall. When they return to Foxtail Academy, no one but the dean and Dr. Sanders seems to remember Freya, Fletcher, and their friends Chase and Ollie. Then the Memory Ghosts make contact, and everything the four students thought was true proves false.
As they struggle to shine light on the shadowy battlefield between Memory Frontier and the Memory Ghosts, their only option is to undertake the most difficult and risky knifing mission of their lives. But this time, more than their lives are at stake.
In this heart-stopping and gripping conclusion to the critically acclaimed Memory Index duology, the only way out is in, and the only way to safety is through reckless danger that could wipe Freya and Fletcher from everyone’s minds . . . forever.
Fantasy [Nelson Books, On Sale: April 11, 2023, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780840701152 / ]
Julian R. Vaca has been immersed in creative writing for over a decade. He’s currently a staff writer on PBS’s Reconnecting Roots, a nationally-broadcast show that drew in millions of viewers over its first two seasons. He is the co-writer of Pencil Test, a feature-length documentary that's being executive produced by Disney animation legend Tom Bancroft (Earnest Films, 2022).
Julian also has an extensive background in acting, earning a principal role in CMT's Still the King for two seasons. He also stars as the host of Lifeway’s “Gospel Project for Kids,” and dozens of other projects.
Julian is the Creator Community Manager for Soundstripe, a Nashville-based music tech company that serves tens of thousands of filmmakers worldwide.
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