Recently, the Los Angeles Inquisitor was given exclusive access to Chris Colfer’s book launch for his 20th publication, Roswell Johnson Saves The World!
Golden Globe winning actor and #1 New York Times Best Selling author, Chris Colfer, embarks on a new adventure after selling over 13 million copies of his series, The Land of Stories, and turns to a sci-fi young adult series centered around 11 year-old Roswell Johnson. After a hard day at school, he wishes to be taken away from Earth – and to his surprise, he is! Whisked away by a quirky crew of extra terrestrials, Roswell and his newfound friends must save the human race from an evil invasion. But can Roswell restore his own faith in humanity in time to save the world?
Taking over the entire second floor of the California Science Center in Downtown Los Angeles, the book launch welcomed guests of all ages to celebrate this momentous publication in the Air & Space Exhibit Galleries. A perfect backdrop with space themed pinball machines, arcade cabinets, custom cocktails, photo opportunities, and nothing but joy in the air! There was even a Glee reunion as Emmy nominated actor Mike O’Malley, who played Colfer’s father on the show, celebrated Colfer’s success with open arms.
Mike O’Malley and others celebrate the launch of “Roswell Johnson Saves the World!”
Colfer was kind enough to take time out of the festivities to give us an exclusive interview about his process, the story, and what he hopes readers come away with.
With Roswell Johnson being your 20th publication, how does it feel to have a whole generation know you for being an author first?
“You saw it tonight – it is such an honor! I was told so many times I couldn’t get book one to be a hit. Prior to publishing, I was told many times, ‘you’re an openly gay man – no one is going to buy this book. Good luck.’ So now that I am on book 20, it means a lot to me. And at the same time, it’s wild, the kids don’t know anything about Glee.” Colfer jokingly added, “I have some street cred there. But no, in all honesty, it’s the greatest. I’m just so honored and I feel like I have a second life now.”
With Roswell being a new series, was it a goal that you had at 20 publications to start a new series?
“I had done 18 novels in the fantasy genre, and I literally just ran out of ways to describe a sparkle. So, I knew that I needed to take a break. And, I have actually wanted to do this series for a while. Luckily my series did so well, my publisher wanted to do a prequel series. But for my own sake, I needed to write this book.”
What was the writing process like?
“This writing process was the easiest process I have ever had; and, I had more fun writing this book than I have ever had writing a book before. I think it’s because every character is based on someone that I know and they were all here tonight. They have no idea who they are based on. It’s actually funny there’s a non-binary pair of aliens in this book and they are based on a gay couple I have known for years. The tall one does all the talking and the short one just kind of mumbles. And they are in the book and they will never know that is who they are based on. They are some of my favorite characters.”
“That’s the reason I enjoyed this process so much, because it’s like hanging out with my friends. Every time I opened up my computer, I was with my friends.”
Since everyone was based on friends, what or who was the inspiration for Roswell?
“He’s definitely based on myself. I’m totally Roswell. I totally make a ton of bad ‘Dad Jokes’ in life as he does in the book. He’s also based on my nephew, and actually when I did the audiobook I tried to impersonate him. And it’s hard because when I started writing the book it was totally him, but now he’s a teenager. And that’s what is really weird to me. Kids that came to [my] first book signing now have kids themselves. It’s insane how time goes by.”
On the book jacket, it’s mentioned that Roswell needs to restore his faith in humanity in order for him to save the world, could you speak more on that?
“It’s one thing I have been going through. I will say, as a children’s book author, it is very hard. When you lose your faith in humanity, how do you encourage? So, that was the premise. How do I encourage myself to have faith in humanity? And I thought of my friends. My friends restore my faith everyday. So, I am going to write a book about me and my friends going through adventures in space and see what happens at the end of it.”
What do you hope people take away from this book?
“I hope, for kids, after seeing Roswell have all these adventures in space with all these different aliens of different backgrounds, different shapes, different sizes, and they watch them come together to save Earth – I hope they realize how pointless prejudice is. I hope it inspires kids to think outside the box. Honestly, if it inspires one kid to go outside, late one night, and look into the sky with a little more curiosity than they did before – then I have done my job.”
You can get your copy of Roswell Johnson Saves The World wherever books are sold. Check out the link for Colfer’s latest bestseller here!
