Photo Content from Rey Terciero
Born and raised (mostly) in Texas, he moved to New York City after college to intern at Marvel Comics before moving over to DC Comics, Scholastic, and Little Brown Young Readers. As an editor, he championed over a dozen NY Times Bestsellers and worked on (and often wrote) major brands such as X-Men, Justice League, Star Wars, LEGO, Power Rangers, Transformers, Minecraft, Assassin’s Creed, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Neil Patrick Harris’s Magic Misfits.
Rex has written under a lot of pen names, including Trey King, Honest Lee, and Rey Terciero (a nickname given by his Abuela, being Español for “third king”, which is apt since Rex is Latin for “king”, and he is the third “Rex” in his family).
Now, Rex lives in Los Angeles where he writes in his spare time—that is, when he’s not outdoors hiking with his dog Toby, playing MarioKart with friends, or reading.
Greatest thing you learned at school.
I loved art class, but I learned that I was much better at visualizing stuff in my head than executing it on paper or canvas, which just solidified in my head that I should be a writer.
When/how did you realize you had a creative dream or calling to fulfill?
When I was in first grade, I wrote my first short story, and it filled me with such a sense of awe and completion, that I couldn’t wait to write my next. Growing up I devoured every book I could get my hands on, and of course, I wrote whenever I could. SO it’s always been a dream to become a published author.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
There’s nothing quite like holding a finished book in your hands—especially when you’re the creator behind the words. It’s like holding a newborn baby that you made.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to have a life in writing?
Have a thick skin and be prepared for lots of rejection. But don’t take it personally. Getting a book published is equal parts talent, timing, and luck.
What was the single worst distraction that kept you from writing this book?
Watching scary movies! After the sun goes down, I love to put on a horror movie—just like my protagonist, Cade.
Why is storytelling so important for all of us?
If you think about it, storytelling goes back to the dawn of mankind. When we were huddled around campfires and there was nothing else to do, our predecessors would tell stories. And of course it become a time-honored tradition that still goes on to this day.
TEN RANDOM FACTS ABOUT NORTHRANGER
- 1. Northranger is based off of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey—but with a modern day twist.
- 2. This is a story of first love—and it takes place between two teenage boys. It’s definitely the kind of book I wish I’d had growing up.
- 3. I’ve written a few middle grade graphic novels, but this is my first Young Adult graphic novel.
- 4. I can’t draw to save my life…. But since this is a graphic novel, I needed an artist. Luckily, the illustrations by Bre Indigo are amazing!
- 5. Writing about homophobia in Texas is pretty close to my heart, because it happened to me growing up.
- 6. My graphic novel takes place in Texas, and is very much my love letter to the state I grew up in.
- 7. My main hero, Cade, and his romantic interest, Henry, looooooove scary movies—just like me.
- 8. Before I started writing, I had a little ritual of eating a square of chocolate and lighting a candle. LOL.
- 9. After writing, I usually would cozy up to my husband and demand we watch a horror flick on TV.
- 10. When I was writing, I aimed for a story that was equal parts funny, sexy, scary, and triggering. It’s very ambitious, but I’d like to think I nailed it. You tell me!
I worked at an independent video store in a small Texas. We were trying to compete with Blockbuster, so we had all kinds of extras like snow cones, popcorn service, and warm pretzels. For me, the best perk of the job was taking home all the horror movies I could find. If Cade grew up at the same time as me, he would’ve definitely worked in a video store.
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?
I have so much work to do today!!
What is your most memorable travel experience?
I went to the Bahamas for a friend’s birthday, and it was the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. The sand was so fine and the water so clear and crisp and blue. And of course there was a warm breeze that eased me into sleep when I would nap with the windows open. Truly a paradise.
Which would you choose, true love with a guarantee of a heart break or have never loved before?
Good question! I think I’d go with true love and heart break. After all, I’ve been there before.
What do you usually think about right before falling asleep?
I try to relax into the mattress, under the sheets, and focus on my breathing.
What was your favorite subject when you were in school?
It was a tie between English and art.
Most horrifying dream you have ever had?
Zombie dreams! I hate zombies!
At a movie theater which arm rest is yours?
If I can, I take over both. That way I have room to jump during scary movies. LOL.
First Love?
I was very much in love with my best friend in junior high and high school. We’d known each other since 4th grade, and there were times when we’d make out and stuff. But ultimately, I knew he was straight. So after high school, he chose to disconnect from me. It was definitely hard not to have him in my life any more, but unfortunately that was the choice he made.
I was very much in love with my best friend in junior high and high school. We’d known each other since 4th grade, and there were times when we’d make out and stuff. But ultimately, I knew he was straight. So after high school, he chose to disconnect from me. It was definitely hard not to have him in my life any more, but unfortunately that was the choice he made.
Which incident in your life that totally changed the way you think today?
My sister died when I was seven and it very much affected me in so many ways. But the most important was that I decided to live for the both of us, and I’ve always tried to experience as much as I could.
My sister died when I was seven and it very much affected me in so many ways. But the most important was that I decided to live for the both of us, and I’ve always tried to experience as much as I could.
Cade has always loved to escape into the world of a good horror movie. After all, horror movies are scary--but to Cade, a closeted queer Latino teen growing up in rural Texas--real life can be way scarier.
When Cade is sent to spend the summer working as a ranch hand to help earn extra money for his family, he is horrified. Cade hates everything about the ranch, from the early mornings to the mountains of horse poop he has to clean up. The only silver lining is the company of the two teens who live there--in particular, the ruggedly handsome and enigmatic Henry.
But as unexpected sparks begin to fly between Cade and Henry, things get... complicated. Henry is reluctant to share the details of his mother's death, and Cade begins to wonder what else he might be hiding. Inspired by the gothic romance of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Bloom comes a modern love story so romantic it's scary.
You can purchase Northranger at the following Retailers:
And now, The Giveaways.
Thank you REY TERCIERO for making this giveaway possible.
1 Winner will receive a Copy of Northranger by Rey Terciero.
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