Jabril Yousef Faraj is a Young Adult Fantasy Author, award-winning journalist, and the creator of Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks, which has been recognized as a finalist for the Children’s Book International Award in fantasy.
About Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks
Breathe. Listen. Surrender.
Twelve-year-old Zya Nicole Jenkins wishes for an adventure on the last night of summer. But, when she and her best friend Elijah find a glowing door in the woods and are cast into the midst of a centuries-long, intergalactic conflict, the two newly minted heroes must overcome fear, learn to trust a mysterious ally and master their new magic timepieces to save the day and free humanity from the evil Archons.
Packed to the brim with pharaohs and zombies, twists and turns, shape-shifters and a fearsome Lizard King, Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: The Emerald Tablets is a new brand of Young Adult Fantasy for a contemporary audience. A fast-paced narrative about freedom, responsibility and the kind of friendship that can’t be broken, The Emerald Tablets is a story for anyone with big dreams.
An interview with Jabril Yousef Faraj
Why do you write in the genre(s) that you do?
I’ve always loved science fiction and fantasy. From the time I was young, I’ve been a massive fan of both Star Wars and Star Trek (don’t ask me to choose, because I refuse to pick my favorite child!).
My mom read us the Narnia series when we were young too, and I just love the idea of disappearing into a world filled with imagination and wonder. This world can be so unforgiving sometimes, and it’s a breath of fresh air to step into a place where the heroes are people worth modeling ourselves on and the villains get what they deserve.
Are you more of a fan of plot-driven stories or character-driven stories?
Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks starts and ends with Zya and Elijah. They are the reason for the story, and without them, there is no Guardians.
You can have the magic watches, teleportation, time travel and lizard aliens, but it doesn’t work without Zy and Eli because it’s all about the choices they make and where that takes them (and us). They are literally creating the story as they go, so it wouldn’t make sense to pick a plot and try to make them fit into that. They’d feel fake.
No, Guardians is all about following their journey and, while I have an idea of where it’s going, sometimes I don’t even know what decision they’re going to make next. It’s scary and exciting all at the same time, and I hope that feeling comes through for the reader, too.
Fill in the blank: “People will like your book if they like stories about…”
People will love my book if they love stories about spunky teenagers, indefatigable kids of color or UFOs and aliens. Potter heads, fans of Narnia and anyone who loves A Wrinkle in Time will find this contemporary portal fantasy irresistible. It’s fun, fast paced, and addresses heavy issues like family trauma, parental abandonment, slavery and death in age-appropriate ways.
I don’t think we’re having enough constructive conversations these days, and when there’s a vacuum of information, people will fill it with their own best ideas, which aren’t always accurate or constructive. Particularly when we’re talking about bringing our children up in a way that’s healthy, giving them the information they need to protect themselves is vital.
Of course, we need to make sure not to overwhelm them. But they’re going to venture out into the world, one way or another and discover what it is for themselves.
I’m a big believer in trusting people and will always err on the side of giving more information rather than less. I believe having all the information at our fingertips helps us make up our minds, understand what it is we want and protect ourselves from what we don’t want. Ignorance is no defense.
Would you rather own a bookstore or run a library?
You know, I really appreciate the role that both play. Libraries are some of the only public spaces left that you can go, no matter who you are or how much money you have, and be able to not just be … but be able to learn pretty much anything you want.
They’re places that allow us to fill our minds with knowledge, seek out answers to the big questions, and they’re such an indispensable resource for folks like myself who grew up in poverty. Not to mention, librarians are absolute angels and miracle workers.
But, I have to admit, there’s just something about a cute little bookstore that gets me going inside. I can already feel the wood and smell the new books. I’m the kind of person who loves connecting people with what they love and, being a novelist myself, it would be a treat to help new authors find their audience while providing a service to my community.
What is your favorite website that you use to promote your writing?
If Hollywood bought the rights to your book, would you want it to be turned into a movie or series?
I’d love to see Guardians on the big screen. I really think this series could be our generation’s Harry Potter, but cooler, and without the anti-trans baggage.
Do you try to hit a certain page or word count with each writing session?
When I first started, the goal was 15 minutes a day. During that time, you don’t have to write, but you can’t do anything else. Sometimes I’d sit there and stare at the screen. Sometimes I’d write for fifteen minutes. And sometimes, the inspiration sweeps you away. Now that I’ve published my first novel and am working on the sequel, I write at least 1,000 words every day.
Who would you most want to read your book, living or dead?
Alive? Of course, the answer is: You, dear reader.
Dead? Ursula K. Le Guin. I’m not big on mourning celebrity deaths, but when she passed in 2018, I cried a little inside. The Dispossessed may be my favorite book of all time, and I loved The Lathe of Heaven, too. There’s just something about the way she wrote and the concepts she tackled that made me wish I could have an hour alone with her to discuss the meaning of life and the universe.
Are you a big reader? Do you own a large collection of books, or are you more of a borrower?
I’m really into audiobooks right now (audiobook for Guardians hopefully on the way soon!). With the way my life is structured, I currently have more time to listen than actually sit down and read. I’ve recently finished Speaker for the Dead and Xenocide by Orson Scott Card, I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, Sidhartha by Herman Hesse, and Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Have you ever gone away to work on a piece of writing? If not, where would you go if you could?
I’ve done little writing retreats here and there, but it’s not like I’ve ever been able to hole myself up in a cabin in the woods. If I could, a cabin in a forest on a mountain overlooking water would be my first choice. Somewhere on the beach or a rainforest would be cool too.
Maybe the Swiss Alps? If you’re reading this, have a cool spot and feel like hosting a writer, say hey.
How do you measure the success of your writing career?
I want people to read and enjoy my books. As a writer, yes, of course there’s value merely in creating the thing. But I believe we all write because we desire our stories to be appreciated by others.
I’ve dealt with a lot of rejection in my life (still am!) and deeply desire to feel the satisfaction that comes when one is accepted and recognized for what we do best. If those two things happen, then I’ll be able to keep writing, and churn out even more work, which is my ultimate goal: to make a living as a writer and share the stories I have in me before I’m not here anymore.
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