If you’ve been on BookTok, Bookstagram or in a book club over the past few years, you’ve likely heard about TJ Klune’s hit cozy fantasy novel, The House in the Cerulean Sea or his Green Creek series. The former, a bestselling story, transported readers to a fantastical island full of magical orphans and found family—and its popularity skyrocketed online. “It’s been tremendously humbling,” Klune tells FIRST. “I never expected that book to do what it has.”
The novel’s audience grew during the pandemic—offering fans a safe, otherworldly and much-needed escape. Now, the New York Times bestselling author is releasing a new edition of his historical fantasy novel, The Bones Beneath My Skin. (Klune originally self-published this novel in 2018, but it’s since gained a devoted online fanbase so he’s officially releasing it via Tor Books today.)
Here, First for Women caught up with Klune, who does so much to showcase the LGBTQA+ experience through his storytelling, to discuss today’s book release, what he hopes readers will take away from the story, how he really feels about his success as an author and more. Keep scrolling to find out all the details.
What is ‘The Bones Beneath My Skin’ about?
Set in 1955, the story follows journalist Nate Cartwright, who gets fired and moves back home to Roseland, Oregon. Upon his arrival, Nate is shocked to learn that his family’s summer cabin is occupied by a man named Alex and a powerful 10-year-old girl who claims to be Artemis Darth Vader. Soon, it’s clear they are hiding from dangerous forces who want to control her. As Nate battles against time to help Artemis and Alex, he also battles his own heart. Filled with sci-fi thrills, heartwarming moments and unique characters you can root for, The Bones Beneath My Skin is truly Klune at his best.
First for Women: Congratulations on your latest book, ‘The Bones Beneath My Skin!’ Where did you find inspiration for this story and what do you hope readers take away from it?
TJ Klune: I thought back to certain films from my childhood: Escape From Witch Mountain, E.T., Fire In the Sky and many others. The sense of danger and adventure those films have are wonderful, and I wanted to try my hand at it in book form.
First and foremost, I hope that readers love Nate, Alex and Artemis. They are an extraordinary trio, and I was so lucky to be able to tell their story. And, I hope readers appreciate a different style of my writing. I think it’s important to challenge myself as an author so I don’t fall into a rut. Telling different types/genres of stories helps to keep me on my toes and mostly helps me from getting stuck in a rut.
FFW: All your books have moving and heartfelt motifs of found family and discovering who you are. What about these tropes is so special to you—and why do you think you tend to gravitate toward them?
TJK: It’s the queer experience! So many of us did not—or do not—grow up in homes that appreciated us for who we are. “Found family” comes from the queer community, where we find people who aren’t related to us but build a family regardless. Though my books are for anyone who wants to read them, I always write with my queer community in mind. They deserve to see themselves in all kinds of books.
Especially now, in a world where book banning is par for the course. If you look at the list of the usual “banned” books, you’ll see that most are about the queer experience, the trans experience or written by a queer/trans-Black author.
People in power speak so often about “protecting the children” when, in actuality, they are removing materials that can help marginalized groups feel seen.
FFW: So many editors here at FIRST love ‘The House in the Cerulean Sea.’ It’s literally like a giant hug. What has that book’s success meant to you, and did you ever expect it to go viral like this?
TJK: It’s been tremendously humbling. I never expected that book to do what it has. I’m very lucky in that regard. I think it just goes to show how hungry people are for those kinds of stories—where queer people get to be the heroes, the villains and anything in between. Twenty years ago, finding queer books like mine and many, many others by amazing queer authors would have been an impossibility. It proves that marginalized stories matter and that there is an audience for them.
FFW: We’d love to hear a little about your backstory as an author. Did you always want to write novels?
TJK: I’ve always wanted to be a writer, ever since I was a kid. I used to carry a notebook with me and filled it with whatever stories came into my head. I’m one of the lucky ones who got to grow up doing what they love most. I didn’t have much support as a kid—my parents were the type to make fun of me for my love of reading and writing—but I did find support in a wonderful place: my seventh-grade English classes. I had two teachers there—Mrs. Bentz and Mrs. Pfieffer—who were the first people in my life to tell me I was good at something. That happened to be writing. Without them, I don’t know if I’d be here.
FFW: What does a typical day look like to you?
TJK: A “writing routine” can be extremely different from person to person. I typically write in the mornings as it’s when I’m feeling the most refreshed. I don’t have a set amount of words to write or a set amount of time. I write until I feel like I’m done. Sometimes, that can be an hour. Other times, it’s all day.
FFW: Are you working on anything exciting right now? We’d love to have a sneak peek!
TJK: I’m working on something I can’t quite talk about yet, but I think readers will be pleased to see what I’ve been up to this year so far. In addition, I have two projects that haven’t been announced yet, and I can’t wait for readers to get their hands on them. One has my first non-human main character. The other is about an elderly queer couple facing the end of the world. I hope to share more on these projects soon!
FFW: Finally, we love hearing about what our favorite authors are reading. What are some books you’ve been loving recently?
TK: Some books I’ve been enjoying lately include:
