I'm Matt Ruff, author of LOVECRAFT COUNTRY and THE DESTROYER OF WORLDS: A RETURN TO LOVECRAFT COUNTRY. AMA!

[u/bymattruff]

PROOF: /img/5n30343epwva1.jpg https://twitter.com/bymattruff/status/1650279931954466817

I'm Matt Ruff, the author of eight novels, including Fool on the Hill, Set This House in Order, Bad Monkeys, and 88 Names. My 2016 novel Lovecraft Country was adapted into an HBO series by Misha Green, Jordan Peele, and J.J. Abrams. I just published a sequel to Lovecraft Country called The Destroyer of Worlds. You can read more about Destroyer and my other novels on my website: https://www.bymattruff.com

I'm happy to answer questions about my books, my writing process, or whatever else comes to mind. Ask me anything!

ETA: Thanks again to everyone who showed up for this! Before I sign off, I want to mention a few additional resources that may help answer questions that I didn't get to. You can find The Destroyer of Worlds podcast on my website, here -- as I mentioned in a number of my responses, episode 3 is highly recommended for anyone who wants my nuanced take on HBO's adaptation of Lovecraft County. My "Interviews, FAQs & Addenda" page has links to such things as essays about how I was inspired to write each of my novels. And finally, if you liked one of my books but aren't sure what to try next, check out the quick-and-dirty guide to my backlist. Cheers!

[u/PeanutSalsa]

What is your process like or what kinds of steps do you take to create well rounded dimensional characters?

[u/Nixplosion]

How long did it take to finally get a publisher or agent to bite for your first book?

It seems to be one of the most consistent struggles for even now-famous authors like yourself.

[u/AppropriateAgent44]

Loved Lovecraft Country, it’s a delight to be able to ask you something!

Race is of course a crucial element of Lovecraft Country: what went into your decision to frame Lovecraftian themes in the context of Jim Crow America? Did you feel any hesitation about writing from the perspective of black characters in such an intensely charged historical setting as an author who isn’t black?

EDIT: Add-on to my last question: if you did feel apprehension about the subject matter, how did you overcome that apprehension? I’m sure you’ve been asked about this many times, it’s something I’ve been curious about for years.

[u/asromatifoso]

Hi. I've loved all your books. I am also really into book design. The cover art for Lovecraft Country, with the tentacles' negative space as the Klan hoods is one of my favorites. Really genius.

Do you have any input to cover design and/or book design in general, font, title page and chapter layout, etc., for your work or is that entirely out of your hands?

Thanks for being awesome!

[u/[deleted]]

[u/[deleted]]

[u/moegreeb]

Love the first one and looking forward to reading this! Enjoyed everything I've read so far by you (especially dug 88 names) but wondering who you are currently reading.

[u/schroederius]

Hi Matt! The TV show for Lovecraft Country diverged from your book. It doesn't seem like Destroyer of Worlds could be smoothly adapted into the existing TV show. Are there discussions regarding bringing it to a miniseries?

[u/Marko-Darko]

Hi, Matt! Love all of your books, but “The Mirage” really stuck with me. Just a fantastic concept. Any thoughts about ever returning to that world?

[u/kindall]

Bad Monkeys really needs to be a movie. Anyone optioned it?

[u/Zanish]

What was your journey reading and learning about Lovecraft and weird fiction like? Reading your books really felt like reading as if Lovecraft was written without the archaic language. How'd you keep that vibe while updating the language?

[u/yougococo]

The Public Works Trilogy is one of my absolute favorite books of all time. I'm curious to know what gave you inspiration for it? Also, was it as fun to write as it was to read? I've gone through it a few times and always have a blast reading it.

[u/GimmieGnomes]

Hello! Loved Lovecraft Country, it was great. What did you think of the HBO series? Also, what kinds of media (tv/movies/podcasts/books) are you reading/etc yourself right now? Always curious to hear about what authors read and such.

Hope you have a nice day! 😊

[u/StElizardbeth]

Hi Matt, just wanted to say how much I loved Fool on the hill! Cheers!

[u/KoalaXav]

Which H.P. Lovecraft stories inspired you the most or are your favorites?

[u/Infinitlydrunk]

Some years ago i bought a random book called Sewer, Gas & Electric. It is still in my collection. No question just wanted to day i love it.

[u/jencanread]

No questions, but wow I read Fool on the Hill like almost 20 years ago and it’s still one of my favorite books. I can’t believe I didn’t know you wrote Lovecraft Country. Good on you! 👏🏼👏🏼

[u/dtelad11]

What a treat! I did not see this AMA coming, thank you for being here!

One of the themes I appreciated in Lovecraft Country is that the Freeman family is resistant to the corruption of the Mythos. Despite all of the hardships they go through, they come out on the other side more-or-less sane and unscathed. More importantly, they remain on the side of good (for some common moral definition).

That is entirely not the case with the HBO show. For example, Montrose murders a defenseless person, Ruby sexually assaults someone, and George dies.

Personally, I perceive this as a significant shift. What is your opinion on this trend, and why was such a central element of the plot changed for the show?

[u/PM_ME_FUN_]

What ingredients go on an ideal sandwich in your opinion?

[u/[deleted]]

Thank you for Lovecraft Country, it inspired me so much that I finally had to start writing!

[u/ChronoMonkeyX]

I listened to Neil Stephenson's Anathem and blown away by it. Found some interviews with him on youtube and he mentioned he was reading Lovecraft Country, which is why I got it, and I really enjoyed it. Kevin kenerly's narration was great.

Did you have any input on the narrator selection, or does that happen with the publisher? Willl Kevin be reading the sequel?

Is Destroyer of Worlds going to have the same format? I liked the interconnected stories and characters.

Also, am I wrong to think Caleb got a raw deal? I may have missed something, but he seemed like a decent enough guy who didn't deserve the betrayal.

[u/bymattruff → u/ChronoMonkeyX]

Yes, I was asked for input, and suggested that they hire Kevin Kenerly again, since he did such a good job on LC. (And they did hire him.)

Destroyer has a more traditional novel structure. Lovecraft Country's episodic format worked really well for introducing the characters and giving each of them a chance to star in their own weird tale, but for Destroyer I realized I wanted the freedom to jump back and forth between multiple storylines rather than being locked into one at a time, and it wasn't until I embraced that that the story started to work.

I don't think Caleb got a raw deal, and I wouldn't call him decent. Ruby has his number: he's likeable, but evil. Or maybe "utterly amoral" is a better description. He's not actively malicious, but at the end of the day I don't there's anything he wouldn't do to get what he wants. If he likes you, he'll try to make it up to you after using you for one of his schemes, but unless he's manipulating you into playing along, he won't ask your permission beforehand. And if the only way to get something he really wants is to kill you -- well, maybe he'll try to make it up to your family, afterwards.

[u/ThreeLivesInOne]

Hi Matt, I don't have a question but I want to take the opportunity to thank you for writing Fool On The Hill, which is one of my favourite novels.

[u/outforascroll]

I found you through Lovecraft Country and have really enjoyed Bad Monkeys and 88 Names.

If a meteor was crashing into the earth in 24 hours (total hypothetical) which book from your oeuvre should be my next and last?

[u/MaestroPendejo]

Me and my friend absolutely loved the Lovecraft Country adaptation on HBO. I honestly did not know that this was an adapted work, so thanks for that. I'll be checking out your library post haste.

How did you feel about that adaptation to your work? I was really looking forward to more of it and now knowing you have even more content I'd hope to see your success grow even more.