We recently blogged about a scheme called Kids Need To Read being run in America by author PJ Haarsma and his actor friend Nathan Fillion. The Softwire, a young adult SF book in a series by Haarsma, is at the core of this, and we spoke to the author this week about the project and the universe he’s created.

Exerpt:

SFX: In your opinion, what big things are going on in young adult fiction right now?
PJH: "Coming to grips with reality. I only see a few people in publishing embracing the purchasing habits and lifestyles of young adult readers. I hear the industry complaining that people don’t read anymore, especially boys (which tells me they’ve never seen a teenage boy pouring over a video game manual or cheat code magazine). It’s a crutch they use instead of thinking outside of the box to get new readers. They tell me, ‘You can’t get kids away from video games, television or movies.’ Of course you can’t. Those industries market directly to their audiences and they do it very well often using products that were in the hands of some publishing houses to begin with! Publishers are going to argue that there is not enough profit to do so but they have to figure out a way. That means that some people are going to have to try and fail. If they don’t, I see a gloomy future for books."

"I have 20 years of advertising experience and I am very passionate about this. I have many ideas but unfortunately my rants have been falling upon deaf ears. I’ve recently started a creative group that meets monthly to discuss these sorts of issues. Our group is comprised of senior advertising executives from major firms who are bursting with revolutionary ideas but have been stifled by narrow-minded, crowd-following clients. We get together simply as an outlet for our ideas. Maybe we’ll come up with something. I’ve got my fingers crossed."