Keynote speaker John Coy will open the week with a Middle/Upper School Assembly on Nov. 18. Coy writes sports fiction and picture books, and his young adult titles include Crackback and Box Out. Be sure to read the full story on this year’s Book Fest authors in the print edition of The Rubicon when it hits stands this month.

Why did you start writing fiction?

Coy: I like creating a world where readers want to know what is going to happen next. When I read fiction I want to be totally pulled into the story. That is the goal I have as an author. I do also write nonfiction. My latest picture book Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball has a nice long title and is a true story. Fiction, nonfiction, people sitting around talking–what I love is a good story.

What is your favorite part about writing fiction?

Coy: My favorite part of writing fiction is hearing from people who connect strongly with the story and characters. Even after fifteen books, I am still amazed that my job is to imagine a world, make up a story that can become a book, and then hear from students what they think about it. I love that exchange and am grateful that I get to write fiction. Writing a story pushes me farther than I think I can go and encourages me to explore issues of truth, courage, and honesty on a daily basis. And schools around the world (like Chennai and Mumbai) invite me to come talk. That’s pretty cool.

Where did you get the inspiration for writing sports fiction?

Coy:  Crackback came about because I wanted to explore the world of high school football and the pressures players are under. I also wanted to focus on kid trying to figure out who he is when his dad and coaches are putting a lot of pressure on him to be who they want him to be.

Box Out came during the research I was doing for Crackback. I was watching a high school football game between two public high schools. At the end the coach invited everybody on the team to join the other team in prayer. Three players chose not to do this and I was impressed by their courage and wondered why they had not done what their coach wanted. I explore these issues of a coach leading his team in prayer and a player figuring out how to respond to this in Box Out.

Did you have an experience similar to your main character?

Coy: Each novel is a mix of some things that have happened to me, some things I would have liked to have happen, some things it have observed, and some things I make up. I love that blend.

Do you have a connection to SPA? If so, what is it?

Coy: I have presented at the Lower School twice for the Book Fest and have always enjoyed being at the school. I also have a connection from knowing different parents and students.

Why did you choose to sign books at Bookfest?

Coy:  I never had an author come to my school when I was a student. If I had, I know I would have started writing fiction sooner. I enjoy sharing the process and answering questions. Also, when I was little I was told never to write in books. Now as an author, people ask me to write in their books. I am always happy to do that.

What do you do in your free time?

Coy: Read, travel, see movies, do yoga, swim, eat good food, [and] live life.

Are you writing any more novels in the future?

Coy: Yes, I hope to have a new young adult novel called Independent Living out in the near future. I plan to keep writing novels as long as I have stories to tell.