Meet AJ Vanderhorst, Author of the Casey Grimes Series

A literary meet-'n'-greet in 10 pictures or less

Welcome back!

If you’re the competitive type who loves to play (and win) at sports and games, and if you can’t resist an adventure (especially if it involves danger) then you need to meet AJ Vanderhorst.

He’s the author of the Casey Grimes books, a middle-grade series that (in his own words) involves secret forest societies, forgotten magic, and a monster control school where battles are as common as breakfast.

Ready to meet the author? He’s a rush, and I know you’ll enjoy getting to know him!

All About AJ

I live in tornado country with my wife, kids, and several small dragons skilled at making coffee. My daughters think I’m good enough at basketball to play in the NBA, so maybe I’ll give that a try in between writing books—although my sons say probably not. I love spicy food and so do fifty percent of my kids.

I’ve had many jobs, including journalist, paramedic, escape artist, and baby whisperer. One time in fifth grade, I built a traffic-stopping fort in a huge oak tree, using only branches and imagination, and slept there for a week.

Now my wife and I live in a woodsy house with our proteges and a ridiculous number of pets, including a turtle with a taste for human toes. This makes me an expert on wild, dangerous things—invisibility spells, Butcher Beasts, hungry kids, you get the idea. My family has drawn up several blueprints for our future tree castle.

I’m the only author in the world who enjoys pickup basketball and enormous bonfires, preferably not at the same time. To learn more about how to survive a monster attack, visit me online at ajvanderhorst.com.

Q: Accomplishments I’m proud of? Beating my teens in driveway basketball. Selling 180,000+ books

Q: Which authors have most impacted or inspired your writing?

Neil Gaiman, Jonathan Stroud, C. S. Lewis, JK Rowling, Megan Whalen Turner, Cassie Beasley, Gary D. Schmidt, Rick Riordan, Elmore Leonard

Q: What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

Build a work ethic. You’ll have to write a lot, edit, edit again, then write some more. You’ll have to do it day after day—so don’t be easily discouraged.

Q: Is there anything you regret about your writing career?

I wasted too many years trying to get past the gatekeepers in Big KidLit.

All About AJ’s Books

• The Mostly Invisible Boy (Casey Grimes Series 1)

• Trickery School (Casey Grimes 2)

• Crooked Castle (Casey Grimes 2.5)

• The Twisting Trails (Casey Grimes 3)

• Dark Sky's Ashes (Casey Grimes 3.5)

• The Fiery Crash (Casey Grimes 4)

It might seem uppity to mention Percy Jackson and HP, but in my defense, those are the comparisons readers make most often. Think Lockwood & Co., but the kids battle monsters instead of ghosts.

The mood board below gives you a visual idea of what my books feel like. An alternate USA where monsters stalk the suburbs.

Books that AJ read and loved

• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

• Okay For Now by Gary D. Schmidt

• The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

• The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

• The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt

• Last Stand at Saber River by Elmore Leonard

Here’s how you can connect with AJ

In case of a monster attack, visit ajvanderhorst.com for immediate assistance. For behind-the-scenes stories, author chats, and Q&As, check out AJ’s Substack

The Sylvan Spy

.

🎁 Get AJ’s short story, “Remember to Stay Dangerous,” for free right here. 🎁

Here’s where you can find him on Instagram, Facebook, and Goodreads.

📚📚📚

Thank you, AJ, for chatting books today!

And thank you for being here, readers.

Catch you next time,

Michelle