H.D. Hunter: Focus on What You Can Control
Hugh “H.D.” Hunter is a storyteller, teaching artist, and community organizer from Atlanta, Georgia. He’s the author of Torment: A Novella and Something Like Right, as well as the winner of several international indie book awards for multicultural fiction. You can find his work online in Porter House Review.
Hugh is also the author of the Futureland series, including Battle for the Park, which was named a Georgia Center for the Book Books All Young Georgians Should Read selection and the 2023–2024 VAReads Chapter Book of the Year. Battle for the Park was also selected for the CORE Excellence in Children’s Science Fiction Notable list. Futureland: The Nightmare Hour and Futureland: The Architect Games are the second and third books in the series.
Hugh is committed to stories about Black kids and their many expansive worlds. Connect with Hugh on Instagram at @hdhunterbooks and Facebook.
In this interview, H.D. discusses combining genres and completing his series with his new fantasy novel, Futureland: The Architect Games, his advice for other writers, and more.
Name: H.D. Hunter
Literary agent: Beth Phelan
Book title: Futureland: The Architect Games
Publisher: Random House Children’s Books
Release date: November 19, 2024
Genre/category: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Previous titles: Futureland: Battle for the Park, Futureland: The Nightmare Hour, Something Like Right
Elevator pitch: Mazes and mind games await in this epic third book about the theme park of your dreams, where Cam Walker goes head to head with the villains who have been after Futureland from the start. An electrifying illustrated series for fans of Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
Bookshop | Amazon
[WD uses affiliate links.]
What prompted you to write this book?
This is the big finale of the Futureland series, and with each book, I’ve tried to blend science fiction with another genre to keep the stories fresh. Book one channeled a lot of neo-noir mystery elements, the second book had a horror slant, and The Architect Games dips into the fantasy realm. We always knew we wanted to do a setting outside of America for one of the books, so I was overjoyed to land in Egypt for the final location in the series. I think the setting brings a lot of depth to the story.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
Futuristic technology and the ethics of its use, a miraculously fun theme park world, and a kid learning more about himself through adventuring with friends—these are the original ideas that spawned the Futureland series. I started researching in 2019 and writing in 2020. The first book, Battle for the Park, was published in 2022. It’s been a long journey! And the components of the story have organically taken shape over time. I’ve had a lot of space to reinvent the world, introduce new characters and themes, and have fun with Cam’s journey as we’ve released these titles, which I like to think of as one story told in three parts.
Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
Futureland is my debut series, so the entire process has been about learning. From working with an editor and publicist, to marketing, to events—each year there’s been something new to acclimate to. Learning to analyze feedback, advocate for my work, and integrate edits is big for all writers. With Futureland, the pace of production posed a big learning curve for me. The effort to draft and release three books in about as many years is no joke!
Furthermore, writing a serialized work where there are oodles of details to remember, and trying to ensure that my references to previous installments are accurate and consistent, was really tough, but the editorial team absolutely shined in helping me achieve that. We want the books to talk to each other, of course, but also stand on their own. We want the stakes of the entire series to ascend and build to a magnificent finish, but we also want each book to feel like a self-contained experience. It’s been an art and a science (no pun intended).
Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
I had a ball writing The Architect Games. We took a different approach to editorial preparation in terms of outlining, and I was able to insert a lot more of my wacky ideas and avant-garde style of novel composition into the early drafts. The rougher edges of the stuff I imported got smoothed out in revision, but I love the “shape” of the book, if that makes sense. Like me, it’s a little on the downbeat, especially compared to the other two books in the series, but I think it’s the most interesting, most adventurous, and best-written book of the series.
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
For longtime Futureland fans, I hope they feel satisfied by the end of this journey. I tried my best to close this chapter in a way that feels complete. I hope book three inspires people and opens their heart to new places, people, and cultures. I hope readers can laugh and cry and cheer with Cam, his family, and his friends. I hope they can have fun. And most of all, I hope they enjoyed their visit to Futureland.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
Focus on what you can control. There are so many variables when you mix art with commerce, and publishing is no different. But as a writer, you have the tools to create an excellent story. So do that! Make the best thing you can make. No matter what happens after that, you can be proud, you can stand tall behind your work, and all of the love that you put into crafting the story, readers will certainly be able to feel.
