Matt Harry
Author Interview - Matt Harry
Author of Ash Land
No one knows how to destroy the Ash.
Two years ago, the flesh-eating microbots escaped from a lab in France and quickly spread across the globe. Twenty percent of humanity was killed in under a month. The people who managed to seal themselves inside survived, but now they’re only able to access the outside world through remote-controlled drones or hazmat suits.
Kai Braddock is one of those survivors. He used to be a cop, but the machine plague and a bitter divorce led to him quitting the department. Now he tracks down bounties via drone, eats cricket burgers with his two sons online, and spends every waking hour in a 70 square-foot studio in downtown Los Angeles. But when his partner is murdered while helping him locate a missing scientist, Braddock realizes he’ll have to do what almost no one has done in over twenty- six months:
He’ll have to go outside.
Author Interview - Matt Harry
Author I draw inspiration from:
Matt Dinniman is a recent discovery of mine. I picked up Dungeon Crawler Carl in May 2025 to read while doing edits on my sci-fi mystery novel Ash Land. Little did I know that I would blow through the next seven novels in six months. Matt does a great job writing action and coming up with crazy plot scenarios, but he’s also able to track thirty character arcs across thousands of pages. And planting details that pay off six books later? Chef’s kiss. His series definitely made me realize I could have more fun writing about the end of the world. Glurp, glurp!
Author Interview - Matt Harry | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
I read every night in bed before I fall asleep. The routine is comforting, but it’s also a great way to turn off the hamster wheel in my brain. It is not the most comfortable place to read position-wise, however. I should use more pillows.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Honestly, being stuck in an elevator with a stranger is a nightmare scenario for someone like me. But if I had to be there, I guess hanging out with the Djinn from A.S. Byatt’s story “The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye” would be okay. First off, he’d have some pretty awesome stories to keep me entertained. Secondly, I could wish myself out of there once I got really bored.
Author Interview - Matt Harry | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I was always interested in telling stories, but I didn’t realize I could make money doing it until I was in eighth grade. Twice a week, my English teacher Mr. Werner would sacrifice his lunch hour to read my writing and offer me feedback. One day, he showed me an acceptance letter from a small literary magazine. He’d secretly sent them a short story I’d written, and they had offered to publish it. I think I only received $15 for the story, but it made me realize I could be a professional writer. It’s been my focus ever since. As a small thank you, I dedicated my first novel Sorcery for Beginners to Mr. Werner.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Paperbacks are my favorite — they’re easy to transport, comfortable to hold, and it’s not a big deal if they get dropped in a puddle. Hardbacks make wonderful room decor — I have a whole shelf in my house dedicated to rare first edition hardcovers. I never read ebooks and I rarely listen to audiobooks. I have nothing against them, I simply prefer the printed word.
The last book I read:
I’m currently reading The Rose Field by Philip Pullman. His writing is so lyrical and yet so approachable. I love his world of daemons and Dust, and he takes both concepts to some interesting places in this new trilogy. I will be sad if this is the last time we get to read about Lyra and Pantalaimon.
Author Interview - Matt Harry | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
Computer, computer, computer. My handwriting is awful and it’s frustrating for me how slow it is. I can type very quickly and I like being able to copy, paste, and easily move things around on a page. I’m a visual person. I had to replace my laptop battery recently, and not having my computer for twenty-four hours was like losing a limb.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
I should probably say I’d like to hang out with Kai Braddock, the smartass dystopian detective from my novel Ash Land. And while I appreciate Kai’s tough, take-no-bullshit attitude, I’d probably be more comfortable with someone like A.J. Fikry from Gabrielle Zevin’s The Storied Life of AJ Fikry. Irascible, well-read, owns a bookstore…sounds like my dream bestie right there. When we hang out, we won’t even have to talk with each other. We could just read or co-work in companionable silence. Perfection.
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
Luckily, being an author is my dream career! But in another life I think I would have enjoyed being a chef. I love food, I love restaurants, and I enjoy cooking. I wouldn’t be a fancy-pants chef, though. I’d like to own a fun place with lots of outdoor seating that makes really good breakfast and sandwiches. And of course, we’d have to serve delicious iced tea and include a Little Free Library out front.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
I don’t love ties and suits, so that crosses out a lot of fashion eras right off the bat. I like to be comfortable and cozy and not think too much about what I’m wearing. Honestly, what traditional Pacific Islanders wore seems pretty ideal, so long as I don’t have to worry about bugs or sunburns.
Place I’d most like to travel:
I’d love to go to Polynesia and stay in one of those bungalows over the water. Swimming and snorkeling in a warm ocean, eating seafood for dinner, enjoying the tropical breezes – all sounds like my version of heaven. One day I will make it happen!
My signature drink:
As hinted at earlier, I’m a fiend for tea, be it iced, hot, or served with many cakes and sandwiches. But I also like an interesting, tasty cocktail. The Arclight Cinemas in Los Angeles (RIP) used to serve a great cocktail made with rum, pineapple juice, and blue curacao. I looooved drinking those during a movie.
Favorite artist:
The first one that popped into my mind was The Decemberists. They’re my favorite band, and I’ve seen them perform live more than any other musical act. Colin Meloy’s lyrics are endearingly old-fashioned, and their instrumentation can feature anything from accordions to chonky electric guitars. I especially love that such a unique, unusual band can thrive in today’s crowded marketplace.
Number one on my bucket list:
I already mentioned traveling to Polynesia, so maybe I’ll pick something career-oriented for this. I’d love to adapt Ash Land for film or television. I’ve written screenplays and seen a couple of them produced on a low-budget level, but seeing the dystopian world I envisioned come to life in a big-time HBO show or a studio feature would blow eighth-grade Matt’s little mind.
Find more from the author:
https://www.facebook.com/mattharrywriter
https://www.instagram.com/matt_harry_mh/
About Matt Harry:
Matt Harry
MATT HARRY is the author of six novels, including Sorcery for Beginners, which was optioned for television by Boatrocker Media (Palm Royale). He has edited over 25 novels, created two immersive plays, and taught hundreds of students in creative fields. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons, all of whom (thankfully) like to read.
