Today I have the privilege of interviewing Remy Lai, the author of GHOST BOOK.
Hi Remy. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me.
GHOST BOOK was one of my most anticipated graphic novel reads of the year. It exceeded my expectations and I loved it even more during my reread.
What inspired you to write this book?
July and William popped into my head and wouldn’t leave. I knew they are friends, William is a ghost, and one would sacrifice for the other. But the story didn’t click into place until years later when I figured out Hungry Ghosts play a role. From there, I drew inspiration from the Chinese myths and stories that I grew up with.
Hungry Ghost Month is about the gates of the underworld opening. How much fun was it creating your version of the underworld?
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most fun, it was 20. I mean, to be honest, when I was in the thick of drawing street market scenes, I thought the fun score was a 2, because it was so time-consuming and I felt trapped in a never-ending loop of drawing street vendors and crowds. But the end product is so worth it.
Even though it was easy for me to connect emotionally with both July and William, I didn’t expect to get misty-eyed. How do you create characters that readers care about?
I try show the characters as truthfully as I can, from their strengths to their flaws and vulnerabilities.
All of the Hungry Ghosts fascinated me but my current favourite is Needle-throat Ghost. Do you have a favourite Hungry Ghost? What’s their backstory?
The vomit-licking Hungry Ghost is probably the most fun to draw because of the long tongue. When they were alive, they must have done something heinous involving puke.
Dumplings play a pivotal role in this graphic novel and I found myself craving them as I read. I have to ask, how many dumplings were consumed in the name of research during the creation of this graphic novel?
298. Which isn’t excessive considering it took me 8 months to draw this book.
You’ve said that you create the artwork for your books digitally using an iPad. What apps do you use? Do you have a favourite brush?
Clip Studio and Photoshop. No favourite brush as I use different ones for different books — whichever is best to tell that story.
If you could spend time with a character in this book, who would it be and what would you do together?
Heibai Wuchang. They’re hilariously solemn, and I’d like to try to tell them a joke so good they’d laugh. Or at least chuckle.
What do you want readers to take away from July and William’s story?
That a little kindness might mean the world to someone.
What are July and William doing now?
They’re probably having another adventure. I think there’s another story set in the world of GHOST BOOK. I just haven’t figured it out yet.
What’s next for you?
I have a much, much spookier book coming out next year titled READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. It’s an illustrated prose book about a girl who played an Ouija board-like game and unleashed an evil that started communicating with her in her journal.
That sounds incredible! I can’t wait to read it!
Lastly, is there anything else you’d like readers to know that we haven’t already covered?
During Hungry Ghost Month, do not go swimming.
Based on what I’ve read about Hungry Ghost Month, that is very good advice. It’s been an absolute honour talking to you today, Remy.
Thank you so much for having me! I’m so glad you enjoyed GHOST BOOK!
GHOST BOOK is published by Allen & Unwin. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend you grab a copy.
Remy Lai writes and draws for kids. She is the author and illustrator of the critically acclaimed PIE IN THE SKY, FLY ON THE WALL, PAWCASSO, and the junior graphic novel series SURVIVING THE WILD. Her latest book is the spooky graphic novel GHOST BOOK. She lives in Brisbane, Australia, where she can often be found exploring the woods with her two dogs —Poop Roller and Bossy Boots. Sometimes, she eats ice cream for breakfast.
Once Upon a Blurb
Twelve years ago, the boy and the girl lived. But one was supposed to die …
July Chen sees ghosts. But her dad insists ghosts aren’t real. So she pretends they don’t exist. Which is incredibly difficult now as it’s Hungry Ghost month, when the Gates of the Underworld open and dangerous ghosts run amok in the living world. When July saves a boy ghost from being devoured by a Hungry Ghost, he becomes her first ever friend. Except William is not a ghost. He’s a wandering soul wavering between life and death. As the new friends embark on an adventure to return William to his body, they unearth a ghastly truth – for William to live, July must die.
Inspired by Chinese mythology, this resoundingly hopeful tale about friendship, sacrifice and the unseen world of ghosts is a dazzling heir to beloved Studio Ghibli classics.
Schizanthus Nerd 