Acclaimed author Neal Shusterman visits Weber High School

From the Standard Examiner

https://www.standard.net/news/2025/feb/22/acclaimed-author-neal-shusterman-visits-weber-high-school/

PLEASANT VIEW — Bestselling author Neal Shusterman was in the Ogden area Thursday afternoon, speaking with roughly 150 students at Weber High School about his writing process and his new book, “All Better Now.”

The book, which was released earlier this month, paints the picture of a world where a different kind of pandemic — one where the effect of the contagion is joyfulness and contentment — takes hold.

“Would people want to catch it? Would people want to spread it? Would people want to stop it?” Shusterman asked during an interview with the Standard-Examiner.

“Because our society isn’t designed for everybody to be happy, because who’s going to buy all the junk they try to sell us if we’re already content? And if politicians can’t feed on our anger and our fear, then they have no power. So, there’ll be a vested interest in trying to find a cure for happiness.”

Shusterman says the concept was birthed during a bookstore presentation when the discussion with attendees turned to the “prophetic” nature of his unique band of speculative fiction.

According to Shusterman, an attendee “just sort of shouted out” a question about whether the Brooklyn native could try to predict something happy, a concept Shusterman decided to embrace with “All Better Now.”

Shusterman enjoys taking part in question-and-answer sessions with readers, he says, particularly those involving students and aspiring writers. To that end, he reports that his discussion with Weber High students was robust.

“A lot of well-thought-out questions,” Shusterman said of the experience. “I didn’t get asked, you know, ‘What are your books about?’ or, ‘What’s your favorite color?’ I got really good questions about what keeps you motivated in writing, how do you develop characters. So, really in-depth questions.”

Prior to “All Better Now,” Shusterman achieved acclaim with books like “Challenger Deep,” the “Arc of a Scythe” series, “Bruiser” and more. Screen adaptations of the former two are currently in development.

“‘Challenger Deep’ has been in development with Disney. There’s an Academy Award-winning director that is attached, an Academy Award-winning writer and we’re not sure where it’s going to end up,” Shusterman said. “Right now, the one that is moving forward at a rapid pace is ‘Scythe’ as a TV series. It’s not in production yet, but it is in development and it’s sort of on the fast track. So, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it does get made as a TV series.”

For young and aspiring writers similarly looking to share their voice with a larger audience, Shusterman preaches the importance of actually doing the thing, and also being willing to delve into uncomfortable areas.

“It’s important to do it. It’s important to write. I know there are a lot of people who talk about writing, but talking about it and actually doing it are two different things,” he said. “Rewriting is the most important part of the writing process. And anyone who wants to be a writer should also read quite a lot and read outside of your comfort zone.

“Getting out of your comfort zone as a reader and a writer is what’s going to help you become a better reader and a better writer. And persevere, because it takes a lot of work to break down the barriers.”

“All Better Now” can be purchased online at https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/All-Better-Now/Neal-Shusterman/9781534432758/.