Interview with Andrew Joseph White on His Debut Novel 'Hell Followed With Us'

White shared his background, mentioning that he graduated with a master's degree just four days before the interview. He highlighted his personal connection to monsters, noting how they became an outlet for feelings of disconnection stemming from gender dysphoria and autism. He stated that this experience strongly influenced the creation of his protagonist, Benji, who transforms into a monster during the narrative.

In a lightning round segment, White recalled the first book he read was Baby in the Box by Frank Asch, while Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas made him feel seen for the first time. He also expressed enthusiasm for recommending The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling.

Hell Followed with Us is described as a visceral, post-apocalyptic horror story featuring queer survivors. White emphasized the book's raw themes, including messy relationships and challenging societal norms, and encouraged readers to check the content warnings, as some material may be intense.

When asked about his writing process, White advised aspiring writers to consider the narrative lens through which their characters view the world, using this perspective to shape their writing style. He cited his background in religious cults as a lens for his protagonist’s voice.

Inspiration for the novel's setting came from video games like Fallout and The Last of Us, which helped White capture the feelings of desolation and action characteristic of the post-apocalyptic genre. He emphasized the importance of exploring queer trauma and rage through Benji’s story, hoping to empower trans youth by validating their anger against societal injustices.

White reflected on a particularly intense scene in the book where Benji embraces a feral side, illustrating how his monstrous qualities arise from a place of love and protection for his friends.

Currently, White is working on two more projects—one a YA novel with subtle horror elements and another for adults that dives deeper into gore. He mentioned the importance of continuing to explore themes related to horror, trans identity, and the autistic experience in his future work.

For additional reads, White recommended titles such as The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon and Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender for those interested in similar themes to Hell Followed with Us.