Juneteenth Author Spotlight: H.D. Hunter

Jun 12, 2022

BIO

Hugh “H.D.” Hunter is a storyteller, teaching artist, and community organizer from Atlanta, Georgia. He’s the author of two self-published books and the forthcoming FUTURELAND series. Hugh is committed to stories about Black kids and their many expansive worlds. He loves vegan snacks, basketball, and stories that make you cry—but make you smile after.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK(S)!

The first book in the FUTURELAND series is dropping in November 2022 from Random House. It's set in Atlanta and follows Cam, the son of two brilliant Black inventors who own and operate FUTURELAND -- the world's most technologically advanced theme park. It's sci-fi, mystery, adventure, and a few thrills all wrapped up together! I'm also working on a YA coming-of-age novel with romantic elements coming from FSG in 2024. It's about second chances and how two teens find love and themselves at an alternative high school after expulsion from their district school. I write a bit of every genre, across MG and YA.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO WRITE?

Kids. Easy answer. When I get to travel and speak with readers, learn about their lives, their interests, their challenges and triumphs, I'm always so grateful that literature connects us. I always feel, in those moments, that I'm exactly where I need to be in the world and in this life.

HOW DO YOU WEAVE YOUR CULTURE INTO YOUR WRITING?

I'm a huge history buff. I spend a lot of time researching historical events, places, social trends, etc. I love being able to set my stories on a narrative platform or worldbuilding platform that pays homage to Black ancestors and the worlds they built for us so that we could be here today.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GET OUT OF YOUR BOOKS?

I always hope that my books will inspire readers to discussion. I love when my writing is thought-provoking and kickstarts conversations or study about concepts, ideas, or events. With FUTURELAND specifically, though, I'm mostly hoping readers are entertained.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A BLACK CREATOR IN PUBLISHING?

For me personally, it's the feeling of being misunderstood. I'm always trying to stay authentic to my voice and perspective which is decidedly Black, Southern. There's a lot of stigma around what it means to be Black, Southern, poor in this world, and I think in many ways I'm hoping that the more authentically I write, the more I can break down those stigmas and make space for others like me to stand tall. But publishing is not always an affirming space. It can be tough when folks don't understand or simply don't want to listen.

WHAT BLACK AUTHOR HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST?

On the fiction side, it's probably Zora Neale Hurston. Her diction, her portrayal of Black rural culture. On the non-fiction side, Ta'Nehisi Coates. His research, his essays, the meticulous care for details in his stories.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT YOU ARE EXCITED ABOUT (W/OUT GIVING TOO MUCH AWAY)?

Last year I wrote a speculative alternative history about Rosewood, FL. A fiction novel. If you know the town, then you know the tragedy. Half of my family is from Florida, so it meant a lot to me to set a story there. It's my favorite thing I've ever done and I'm hoping that I'll get to share more about it with y'all soon.