Michael Buckley, a 1996 graduate of Ohio University, never imagined that in just 13 years he would be writing young adult literature as a New York Times bestselling author.
He recently released the seventh installment in his series The Sisters Grimm. More than one million copies of Buckley's books have been printed and have been translated into more than 20 languages.
Buckley described himself as just another student sitting on College Green during his time at OU. He loved Palmerfest, sold his plasma for beer money and worked miserable jobs.
His plot began to unfold when he took the recently deceased Mel Helitzer's comedy writing class.
We were taught how to write jokes
and we had 10-minute sets and we performed it in the Baker Center said Buckley. We sold the place out.
It was Helitzer who encouraged Buckley to apply for an internship at the Late Show with David Letterman. And after being selected, Buckley made his way to the Big Apple.
Buckley said the transition from OU to New York was tough at first, adding that he lived in a tiny room at the YMCA before he could afford a place to stay.
It was miserable
Buckley said. But when I looked out my window
I saw Central Park
and I realized that I had made it this far; I wasn't going to let New York kick my ass.
Buckley remained true to his word, and after his first internship he worked on developing programming for Discovery Networks, MTV, MTV Animation and Klasky Csupo (producers of Nickelodeon's Rugrats).
He got the idea for his series while reading a book by Maria Tatar on the Brothers Grimm.
The book said that the Brothers Grimm had a sister. They never talked about the family
Buckley said. He began researching the Grimm family and other fairy tales and soon developed the plot for his series.
Buckley was originally going to develop his idea into a cartoon show, until he was encouraged by a friend to write it as a book. Within three weeks of submitting his book to publishers, he had received three offers.
The Sisters Grimm has been described as Nancy Drew meets Shrek
and is about two sisters in modern day New York City who find out they are decedents of the Brothers Grimm. While on the search to find their forlorn father, they come across all the characters in the old fairy tales.
I never thought I would be writing children's books. But now that I'm doing it
I couldn't imagine doing anything else
Buckley said, adding that he is currently working on a series called Nerds, set to come out this September. Buckley considers moving to New York the best decision he ever made, despite the initial trials.
It's the best job I've ever had
Buckley said. Anyone can sell cars
