New York, NY (March 18, 2025)—Scholastic has published an interview with Suzanne Collins, author of the Hunger Games series, coinciding with the release of her latest book, *Sunrise on the Reaping*, which is on sale today. In the interview, Collins talks with David Levithan, SVP, Publisher and Editorial Director at Scholastic, about her writing process and the new book.
Read More
Collins reflects on the transition from writing in Coriolanus’s voice for her previous novel to adopting Haymitch’s perspective in *Sunrise on the Reaping*. She notes that while Coriolanus is manipulative, Haymitch embodies hope and joy, providing a different tone for the narrative. She mentions, "His voice is Seam overlaid with Lenore Dove’s Covey influence. There’s far more color to his expression, more humor."
Levithan raised the challenge of writing a story when readers already know the ending. Collins compared this to Shakespeare’s *Romeo and Juliet*, where the focus is more on how the events unfold rather than the outcomes. She pointed out that although readers understand that Haymitch becomes a victor, the book delves into the journey that leads to this conclusion.
Discussing stylistic choices, Collins explained that exploring the younger Haymitch allows for a more authentic connection with a young adult audience. She considered both the older and younger perspectives but ultimately found that younger Haymitch resonates better with readers.
The book maintains the three-part structure characteristic of the Hunger Games series. Collins, whose background in playwriting informs this approach, described it as second nature, helping her focus her energy on other narrative elements.
*Sunrise on the Reaping* revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of the original trilogy, beginning on the day of the fiftieth Hunger Games. The storyline follows Haymitch Abernathy from District 12 as he faces the challenges of the Hunger Games, marking a pivotal point in his life amid the pressures of the Capitol.
The book is aimed at readers aged 12 and up and was published on March 18, 2025.
Suzanne Collins first gained recognition with the *Underland Chronicles* and later explored themes of war in the *Hunger Games* series, which has sold over 100 million copies worldwide. The series has seen numerous accolades and adaptations into films that have grossed over $3.3 billion collectively. Collins has received several honors for her contributions to literature, particularly in the young adult genre.