Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with BOYSTOWN’s Jake Biondi

Author Jake Biondi always found himself immersed in the stories that he read—so much so that they inspired him to become a writer. But even he couldn’t imagine the response he would receive when he created BOYSTOWN. The series, along with its characters, has won over the hearts of readers around the world and is currently being adapted for television. Pop Culturalist caught up with Jake to learn more about his history with BOYSTOWN.

PC: How did you discover your passion for storytelling?
Jake: I have always enjoyed storytelling for as long as I can remember. As a child, I enjoyed reading all sorts of books and immersing myself in the stories they told. I began writing my own stories as a child as well. As an adolescent, I connected with certain TV shows, usually serial dramas that continued from week to week. Shows such as Dynasty and Knots Landing always intrigued me, and I continue to enjoy those kinds of shows, like Riverdale and Yellowstone. It’s my love for storytelling that ultimately inspired me to write the BOYSTOWN series.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Jake: As I mentioned, I have always been a fan of continuing serialized dramas, whether they be classics such as the novels of Charles Dickens—which were released in magazines in installments, each of which ended with a cliffhanger to keep readers coming back for more—or more contemporary such as Riverdale, Dynasty, and Revenge. I thought it was finally time for a well-written, intriguing drama that had gay characters at its core. And after living in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood for twenty years, I thought to myself, “What better place to inspire a continuing drama?” Thus, the BOYSTOWN series was born.

In addition, my teachers have always been amazing mentors, encouraging and inspiring me to keep on writing. I have the utmost respect for teachers, and both of my parents were teachers as well.

The author who has inspired me the most as a writer is Charles Dickens. I love the way he writes serialized novels, and I also love the way he creates vivid, interesting, memorable characters.

PC: BOYSTOWN has quite the interesting backstory. For readers who may not be familiar, could you share your journey with the series?
Jake: BOYSTOWN does have a very interesting history. I began writing BOYSTOWN as an online story and intended to release one “episode” online per month, each ending in a cliffhanger. The story became so popular—and the online reading audience grew so quickly—that people from all over the country began to email me demanding to know what happened to their favorite characters and wanting the episodes to be released faster. They even had suggestions for future story lines.

As a result, I began writing and publishing the chapters online more frequently. People would continue to respond with their reactions to what was happening to their favorite BOYSTOWN characters. Finally, someone suggested that I release the series in book form rather than publishing a chapter at a time online, and I did. There are now ten books in the BOYSTOWN series!

PC: You started writing the series in 2013. When you look back at the past seven years, has anything surprised you? What’s been the biggest takeaway?
Jake: I can’t believe it’s been seven years. Time sure flies. I never imagined that there would be ten books in the series. In addition, I never imagined that readers would have such passionate responses to the books and, more specifically, the characters. People definitely have their favorite BOYSTOWN characters and let me know, often bluntly, when they are pleased or not so pleased with the direction I have taken them.

Writing the BOYSTOWN series has been one of the most fantastic experiences of my life. I have enjoyed every moment of the writing and marketing process. But what I have really enjoyed the most about the entire experience has been the interaction with the BOYSTOWN readers. BOYSTOWN fans are, quite simply, the best.

I have been so touched and humbled by the outpouring of kindness and support I have received from BOYSTOWN readers.

PC: What adjustments, if any, have you had to make transitioning it from web to print to now television?
Jake: TV writing is its own art form. Luckily, I’m a quick learner. Now that I understand the format, it is much easier for me. Transforming BOYSTOWN into the TV series WINDY CITY has been an exciting process for me. I’ve been able to revisit and revise certain plots as I work on the TV series, and I have met some incredibly talented and generous people in the entertainment industry who have fallen in love with the series and are helping me bring it to television.

PC: How do you continue to create new story lines for the characters in BOYSTOWN? What is your process like?
Jake: Each book takes about eight to ten months to write. Because each book ends with a series of cliffhangers, I know that I have to begin each new book with resolutions to the cliffhangers from the previous one. Then I can move forward. I usually have most of the stories planned out in my head before I begin writing each book. However, I must admit that some characters and stories take on a life all their own as I am writing and I end up in a place I never imagined initially.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Jake: Dynasty.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Jake: Any Hallmark Channel Christmas movie.

PC: Favorite book?
Jake: Great Expectations.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Jake: Les Misérables.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Jake: Michael Bublé.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Jake: My good friend, actor John Logan.

To keep up with Jake, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Keep up with BOYSTOWN here.