Love, Art, and Storytelling: Brian Selznick’s New YA novel Run Away With Me

Episode Summary

In this heartfelt episode, Beth and Lisa chat with Brian Selznick about his new YA novel Run Away With Me, a story of first love set in a nearly deserted Rome during the pandemic. Selznick shares how art, identity, and personal experience shaped a unique narrative of vulnerability and queer history.

Guest Bio

Brian Selznick is an award-winning author and illustrator known for reinventing visual storytelling in children’s literature. His acclaimed works include The Invention of Hugo Cabret (adapted into the Oscar-winning film Hugo), Wonderstruck, and The Marvels. His books have sold millions of copies and been translated into over 35 languages. Run Away With Me marks his first foray into young adult fiction, expanding his creative reach with powerful emotional resonance.

Key Discussion Points

A Pandemic Spark in Rome:
Run Away With Me was inspired by Selznick’s time in Rome during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he experienced the city’s quiet grandeur. The setting plays a central role in the novel, bringing intimacy and space for emotional exploration.

Why 1986?
Selznick chose this pre-digital era to eliminate the distraction of cell phones and amplify themes of isolation. The year also aligned with the filming of Fellini’s Intervista, which features an elephant—key to a pivotal scene in the book. Unintentionally, the story also touches on the early days of the AIDS crisis, adding emotional depth and historical context.

Writing Queer Love and Leaving Space:
The novel explores first love between two teenage boys—Danny and Angelo—while weaving in queer love stories across four time periods. Selznick reflects on vulnerability, inspired by his own medical history and emotional experiences, emphasizing the importance of leaving space for readers to engage and interpret the story themselves.

Worldbuilding Through Art and Emotion:
Though initially intended as a text-only novel, Selznick includes illustrated sequences to give readers a visual memory of Rome. These drawings help streamline descriptive passages and support pacing without interrupting narrative flow. The result is a seamless blend of imagery and text.

Collaboration and Creative Trust:
Selznick discusses the role of his longtime editor, David Levithan, in shaping the final form of the book. Levithan encouraged visual storytelling at both ends of the novel, a decision Selznick ultimately embraced.

From Page to Screen:
The episode closes with insights into the film adaptation of The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Selznick describes Martin Scorsese’s deep respect for his work and how the visual storytelling in the book shaped the film's cinematography, down to specific shots and sequences.

Conclusion and Takeaways

Brian Selznick’s conversation offers aspiring writers like Luna a powerful reminder: stories are born from personal truth, curiosity, and creative vulnerability. Whether it’s rendering the streets of Rome in ink or imagining a teenage love that transcends time, Selznick’s work invites readers to see themselves reflected in the pages—and to discover that their stories matter too.