Q: Your piece in Through the Wardrobe ("Forgotten Castles and Magical Creatures in Hiding") is mostly about Prince Caspian. Is Prince Caspian your favorite book in the Chronicles of Narnia?

A: It's so hard to choose! But I have to chose just one, huh? No, my favorites are The Magician's Nephew and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Well, and The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardobe. Wow, that's three. I told you can't pick one! But Prince Caspian would be my fourth favorite after those three.

No matter what, I think we call all agree that The Last Battle is everyone's least favorite, right? The book just doesn't work like the others.

Q: You could say your Through the Wardrobe piece is, in part, about how we see things. Did you see anything new in the Chronicles of Narnia when you re-read them to participate in this anthology, that you hadn't seen when you were younger?

A: It's a cliché, but yes, every time I read them, I see something new. This time around, I was struck by Lewis' droll wit and his absolute mastery of storytelling. There are so many indelible moments in those books! And the pace just doesn't stop. Even when he's violated a "rule," it doesn't matter, because you just want to keep reading. That's true genius.

Q: Which king or queen of Narnia would you say you're most like?

A: What an interesting question. I would say I'm like Lucy or Peter-- sensitive and kind or noble and brave. But the truth is I'm probably more like Edmond-- flawed, but ultimately decent.

Q: Why did you decide to write for teens?

A: A complete fluke. My book was about a teen character, so my agent said, "This is young adult." I was, of course, completely offended. Then I started reading the books, and I realized how unbelievably strong the genre is. The average teen book is far better than the average adult book, I'd say. Because we're supposedly writing for media-addled "reluctant readers," we're supposed to pay more attention to plot and economy of language. But I happen to think that's just plain good writing!

In retrospect, I can see it's the perfect fit. I always say about teen lit, almost everyone alive today either is teenager, or was one once. So they're truly universal stories! Everyone can relate.

Q: The Chronicles of Narnia were initially written for Lewis's niece Lucy. Do you ever have so specific an audience for your books?

A: I try not to think too much about my audience. Though I think, like all authors, I wrote mostly for myself-- the book I would like to read. As a general rule, though, it's essential to assume your audience is really, really smart-much smarter than you. That's been the case with my readers anyway. (See how I flatter them shamelessly?)

Q: What do you think about the current rise of fantasy and science fiction in books for young readers?

A: I've been waiting my whole life for this moment in time! Both fantasy and teen lit are absolutely at the peak of their respective genres; books in these genres have never been as good as they are right now! So it's inevitable that many writers are putting "teen" together with "fantasy." But what's really interesting is that it's not necessarily "traditional" fantasy. None of the old rules apply, so what's coming out is just so interesting and sophisticated.

Q: Being gay-- and making sure kids know being gay is okay-- is clearly important to you. What do you think about the current state of publishing "for" gay young adults? Are there any books you'd particularly recommend?

A: It's another genre in the middle of a real literary Renaissance. There's so much good stuff! I'd say people should start with a classic: Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger. And I just read a wonderful new book with an outrageous title called Band Fags! by Frank Anthony Polito that will be out in June (it's a little edgy).

Q: You keep a blog (well, okay, a few) that many of your fans follow. How do you think the Internet has changed the way readers interact with authors?

A: It's absolutely revolutionary. The feedback is so personal and so immediate. It's another cliché, but how did authors live without it? I am definitely not one of those reclusive authors that has no interaction with his readers. The interaction is the best part of my job!

It makes all the rest of it-- I'm sorry to say, there is a certain amount of aggravation and frustration in the life of a writer-- absolutely worthwhile.

Q: What are you working on right now?

A: Ironically, it's a fantasy for gay teens. It's called Shadowwalkers and will be out next year.

Q: If you could tell us to read one book this year, what would it be?

A: Again, how can I pick just one? But how about City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau. She's a friend of mine, but it's also an excellent book, and you'll have read it just in time for the movie, coming this fall.

Oh, and I was serious about the personal interaction thing! Come to my website, then email me and see: www.brenthartinger.com.

Photo by Tim Cathersal