Hello, it's Semblance. I was granted the opportunity to ask Mr. Handler a few questions about his upcoming book—And Then? And Then? What Else?—along with some other upcoming projects. I hope you all enjoy reading this brief interview. Rest Pleasantly.
Semblance: How long has this book been in the works? That meaning when you first got the idea to write it, and the point when you actually sat down and began writing.
Daniel Handler: This book began as an afterword to Aaron Poochigian's translation of The Flowers of Evil. I realized I had more to say about my life in reading, and the publisher generously thought people might be interested in such a thing.
Semblance: If you used the word "bewilderment" to describe Poison for Breakfast, what word would you use to describe And Then? And Then? What Else?
Daniel Handler: Perhaps "perambulation," but I'm more interested in the words other people have for it.
Semblance: Your latest works have taken a much different path than those that have followed, and you seem to be experimenting a lot more with projects. Such as Poison for Breakfast dealing with philosophy, and now this book being a memoir of sorts. What do you think has sparked this change in your style?
Daniel Handler: I hope I am always growing and exploring. I like all different sorts of books so I like to try and write them, too.
Semblance: Did you have any other names for And Then? And Then? What Else? and if so, could you tell us a bit about them?
Daniel Handler: For awhile the book was called Wrong Again which I liked picturing alongside the author's name: Wrong again, Daniel Handler.
Semblance: You've mentioned a few times your writing routine for books, did your newest book follow that same pattern or did you end up using a different method?
Daniel Handler: After many years of rolling my eyes at the notion of writing a book in a cabin in the woods, I made use of a friend's cabin in the woods at the beginning. It was a very fancy cabin, though. But it was very nice to sit in a place, generously loaned out, designed for such a purpose.
Semblance: Besides this book coming out soon, there is also the 25th anniversary editions for A Series of Unfortunate Events. Could you share anything about them? Did you have any involvement with their creation?
Daniel Handler: I was very excited that Emily Gravett agreed to make some new covers. I have admired her for a long time.
Semblance: And Then? And Then? What Else? A phrase which here means, is there any new information you can tell us of what you have planned for the future?
Daniel Handler: I am at work on a large, bonkers book project and a theater piece about which I am very excited.
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