Having already written his autobiography Pink Ink, actor and LGBTIQ activist Harry Cook returns with his first novel.
Fin & Rye & Fireflies is a story of young love, coming out and a conversion therapy camp called ReSouled! But the story’s true heart comes from the author’s desire to fill the void created by all those childhood gay romance novels that never were! I spoke with Harry Cook.
In the past you wrote your autobiography, but what led you to write a novel?
I vividly remember not seeing myself represented anywhere while growing up. Everything across film, TV, theatre and books was all about straight people. It was a constant stream of heterosexual stories. But it’s exciting to now see so many amazing writers delivering queer young adult novels. I wanted to write something that I would have loved to read while growing up, and figuring myself out.
Where did the inspiration for Fin & Rye & Fireflies come from?
I had a fairly difficult coming out, but nowhere near as difficult as some. I know a few people who have gone through conversion therapy, both here and in the States, and the concept terrifies me. I wanted to tell a love story, but instead of a typical villain or monster, I figured conversion therapy and ignorance would be the evil things for the story’s protagonists.
Are there parts of your self in the characters or story?
Oh, for sure. Most of the characters have sprinkles of me, as well as my friends within them, but they’re also standalone characters with unique personalities and stories. I loved creating them and I’m excited for readers to meet them!
Actor and author Harry Cook
Does being an actor help the creative process of storytelling?
I definitely think so. I always approach my creative work with a curiosity of what would it be like to feel that? I’ve loved writing for as long as I remember, so having a new outlet where I can create characters and stories is exciting.
“Instead of a typical villain or monster, I figured conversion therapy and ignorance would be the evil things.”
Are there any authors or storytellers that have influenced you?
I don’t necessarily have a genre that I stick to, but some writers I look up to are Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give), Becky Albertalli (Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda), Hanya Nayagihara (The People in the Trees) and Donna Tartt (The Goldfinch).
What do you hope people will take away from reading your book?
I hope young queer people will read it and think, “That’s me!” Or at least feel important. One of my life’s missions is to push for LGBTIQ representation across all areas of my creative work. When you grow up and don’t see yourself anywhere, it can really affect hopes and potential. We need more queer representation across all areas of media, and I’m glad to be a part of bringing such stories to life.
Will we see a follow up sequel?
It’s on the cards. I don’t feel Fin and Rye’s story is entirely over and I do have an idea for a sequel. It’s early days, as I’m working on an entirely different story for my third book, but I’ll definitely revisit Fin and Rye again.
“I hope young queer people will read it and think, “That’s me!”
At the end of the book you acknowledge your new partner Pearce. Has he been an influence in your writing?
Fin & Rye & Fireflies is essentially a love story, and Pearce has been my love story over the last year. I’m real happy right now and life is good!
What’s your advice to budding writers out there?
Write! Even if you have no idea what you want to write, just write – a lot. Hone your craft, write short stories, workshop ideas and take a class. The main thing is to really figure out your writing style. I find the first draft of anything excruciatingly difficult, but it’s always extremely rewarding. Writing is a powerful medium and takes a lot of work, but it’s important to love the process, which includes re-writing, brain-storming and editing. Churning out a manuscript can be a big task. Just find your groove, get out there and write the queer stories you’d love to read yourself!
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