Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Dustin Thao

Dustin Thao graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and is currently attending a PhD program at Northwestern University. Dustin writes contemporary romance novels. His debut novel is You’ve Reached Sam.

Pop Culturalist had the opportunity to speak with Dustin about the release.

PC: Can you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Dustin: Hi everyone! I am the author of You’ve Reached Sam—which is my debut novel with Wednesday Books. I enjoy writing contemporary stories with a hint of magic in them. I’m also a PhD student at Northwestern University. Since classes are hybrid at the moment, I managed to sneak away to New York City without letting my department know. It’s been a few months and I’m loving it more than Chicago, so there’s a chance I’m not coming back…(Don’t tell my advisor.)

PC: You’ve Reached Sam talks about grief in a way that I’ve never seen another book talk about it. Can you tell us what inspired you to write You’ve Reached Sam?
Dustin: I’ve always gravitated toward emotional stories, especially ones that make me cry. The topic of grief is always challenging to write about. I did my best to be as authentic as I knew how, so I’m glad it has resonated with many readers. The idea of talking to a loved one who has passed away has been in the back of my mind. I think all of us have thought about it at one point or another. What would you say if you had a second chance? What would they say? What would it mean in regard to moving forward? It took me a few years before I actually sat down to think about these questions, and I experienced some of my own loss along the way. But there is definitely someone I kept in mind as I finished it. So this book holds a special place in my heart.

PC: I’ve heard you were in DVpit. Do you have any advice for writers who are entering writing competitions?
Dustin: Yes, I did do DVpit! My advice is to always watch what pitches agents are liking so you can see what the trends are at the moment. Also, if you see agents or authors offering critiques on Twitter, don’t be afraid to ask. I did! I still remember the people who were happy to take a look.

PC: One of your comp titles is Your Name. What other anime shows are you into?
Dustin: As a big Makoto Shinkai fan, I loved 5 Centimeters per Second, which I think also inspired the aesthetics of You’ve Reached Sam. I also love everything by Mamoru Hosoda. I know this one might be older, but one of my favorite anime shows is Beck. I’m still waiting for a live-action that will do it justice.

PC: What was your last five-star read?
Dustin: Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz was the sequel I needed. I was also lucky enough to do a panel with him this summer! Got to ask him about his writing process, which was an amazing experience.

PC: Best advice for writers on submission?
Dustin: Whether you’re querying or on submission, the golden advice is to work on your next project while you wait. The reality in publishing is most of your time is spent waiting and waiting. So work on something else or you’ll lose your mind. Also, kill your darlings. I did for You’ve Reached Sam, and I’m doing it again for book two. I just got off a Zoom with my editor and decided to get rid of a favorite character.

PC: Would you write a book about Oliver?
Dustin: Ah, great question. I would love to write an Oliver book. To be completely honest, I might already be thinking about it.

PC: Who or what inspired you to use a voicemail as a part of the plot?
Dustin: There’s something about a human voice that cuts deeper than a text message. Back in high school, my best friend and I used to send each other voice recordings. When she passed away, I went through all our old messages. Those voice recordings were the hardest to listen to. In an age where everything’s digital, we constantly leave things behind that hold a lot of meaning to someone else. One of my agents told me a story recently. She said her family refuses to get rid of their landline because their answering machine has messages from her grandmother singing happy birthday. They still listen to it, just to hear her voice again. Stories like this always choke me up. It’s something a lot of us can relate to.

PC: You’ve Reached Sam talks a lot about dealing with grief. What’s your best advice for coping with grief?
Dustin: This is always a hard question to answer, especially as we all experience grief differently, and some of us take longer than others. There are no five stages to it. It’s a complicated nonlinear process and there’s no right and wrong way to go through it. Something I might offer is a line from the book: “Letting go isn’t about forgetting. It’s balancing moving forward with life and looking back from time to time, remembering the people in it.”

PC: Do you have any upcoming projects that you can tease?
Dustin: I’m currently revising book two as we speak. It has similar themes to You’ve Reached Sam, including a twist of magic. I compare it to WandaVision (one of my favorite shows), specifically in the ways it explores loss and grief.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Writing essential must-haves?
Dustin: A lot of coffee, solitude, and ice cream for those rough nights.

PC: Currently reading or watching?
Dustin: Just started Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood.

PC: Are you a plotter, pantser, or plantser (both)?
Dustin: Definitely a plotter!

To keep up with Dustin, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up your copy of You’ve Reached Sam today.