Interview with author Tom Dolby

Tom Dolby is the author of the novels The Sixth Form, The Trouble Boy, and the Secret Society series, including the novel Secret Society and its upcoming sequel. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Village Voice, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Tom was born in London and raised in San Francisco. Tom is a graduate of the Hotchkiss School and Yale University, where he received his BA in the history of art. He currently divides his time between Manhattan’s West Village and Wainscott, New York, where he is working on the next book in the Secret Society series, as well as a novel for adults.

First, can you tell me and the readers something about yourself and about your book?
Secret Society is my third novel, though it's my first one aimed at young adult readers. It's a mystery about a group of teens who get inducted into a secret cult that is headquartered on the Upper East Side.
　
When did you start writing? I started when I was 17 years old.

What do you like most about writing for young adults?
I've found this genre to be very freeing in terms of plot -- knowing that I have a sequel in the wings allows me to spin out some plot threads over several books.
　
If you could be a character from your books for one day, who would it be?
I think it would be fun to be Patch for a day. He always knows all the angles on everything.
　
Since you are a YA writer can you tell us what you were like as a teen? Does that influence your characters? How?
It definitely does! I was somewhat shy and withdrawn, though I became more confident as I entered my late teens. I think I know what it's like to have a constant inner monologue running, which a number of my characters have.
　
What where your favorite books as a young adult?
I read mostly adult fiction, actually -- I read Tom Wolfe, Pat Conroy, Dominick Dunne. A lot of popular escapist fiction.
　
Where do you get inspiration for your books and characters?
From just about everywhere -- everything from things I read to people I see on the street.
　
What's your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer?
I love how much freedom it gives me, but that also comes with the responsibility of being self-motivated. That can be hard.
　
Do you have a dream for the future of your writing, something you'd love to accomplish?I think, like most writers, I'm always seeking a healthy balance between my work and the rest of my life. Someday I will achieve it!

You can visit Tom Dolby's website here I received a copy of Secret Society yesterday, the book is absolutely gorgeous! Secrets, secrets are no fun. Secrets, secrets hurt someone. . . .
An eccentric new girl. A brooding socialite. The scion of one of New York's wealthiest families. A promising filmmaker. As students at the exclusive Chadwick School, Phoebe, Lauren, Nick, and Patch already live in a world most teenagers only dream about.
They didn't ask to be Society members. But when three of them receive a mysterious text message promising success and fame beyond belief, they say yes to everything—even to the harrowing initiation ceremony in a gritty warehouse downtown and to the ankh-shaped tattoo they're forced to get on the nape of their necks. Once they're part of the Society, things begin falling into place for them. Week after week, their ambitions are fulfilled. It's all perfect—until a body is found in Central Park with no distinguishing marks except for an ankh-shaped tattoo. Tom Dolby makes his teen fiction debut with this riveting novel about a dangerous society so secret that once you get in, you can never get out.