Matthew Hubbard is taking his own experiences of growing up queer in a small town in the South in his debut coming-of-age story The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge, which goes on sale on April 30. The book follows three teenage boys, Ezra, Lucas, and Finley, who set out to get revenge on their ex-boyfriends and end up starting a student rebellion. YE texted with Matthew about how the book came to be, how he relates to the main character Ezra, and the importance of writing about the queer community.
Young Entertainment: Hey Matthew, it’s so fun to chat like this. I never thought I’d be texting with such a cool author, lol
Matthew Hubbard: Hi YE, I’m glad someone thinks I’m cool, lol. I’m excited to chat with you about The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge!
YE: This book was so much fun to read, when did you start writing it?
MH: Thanks! I started writing it at the end of 2021 but started over in 2022 because of Florida HB 1557 as a way to find hope in my anger.
YE: How do you decide what to write about?
MH: I can’t give away all my secrets, haha 🤫 Really though, I keep so many notes in my phone of ideas that come to me. Some are awful incoherent 3am thoughts, lol. But some keep me coming back to them. I’ll question how a specific idea relates to the queer community and how it affects them. Then I go from there.
“I’ll question how a specific idea relates to the queer community and how it affects them. Then I go from there.”
YE: What makes this story different from other LGBTQ+ stories?
MH: It’s one of the first few YA books fighting “Don’t Say Gay” legislation 🏳️🌈 🔥
“It’s one of the first few YA books fighting “Don’t Say Gay” legislation.”
YE: I’ve never been to Alabama, have you? What made you decide to have the story take place there?
MH: I actually grew up in Alabama, and I wanted to set my story in a small town like the one I grew up in. The thing about small towns is that everything and everyone has a place…but being queer makes you feel like you don’t belong, or to me it did. Having this story set in Alabama was my way of showing that there *is* always a place for queer youth, even in the South.
“Having this story set in Alabama was my way of showing that there *is* always a place for queer youth, even in the South.”
YE: Why does it matter where the story takes place?
MH: It’s important to show queer individuals demanding to exist in the South where many anti-LGBTQ+ stances are prevalent.
YE: How would you describe this book in 2 Truths and a Lie?
MH: Hmmm 🤔 This book has 13 Taylor Swift Easter eggs. This book does NOT have romance. This book ignites a nationwide student rebellion.
YE: What’s something quick and easy that you do to get in the right headspace before writing?
MH: I close my eyes and imagine I’m directing a movie, picturing the scene through a camera lens to get a better perspective for it.
YE: What’s your favorite thing about Ezra?
MH: My favorite thing about Ezra is how he isn’t perfect. His inner saboteur leads him to mistakes, but the best thing is how he learns to right those wrongs. #growth
“My favorite thing about Ezra is how he isn’t perfect.”
YE: What do you think Ezra’s 3 most used emojis are?
MH: 🔥 💅 👁️👄👁️
YE: If there was one book you can jump into and be a part of, which would it be and why?
MH: One of my favorite books is Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed. What surprised me the most when I first read this memoir is that I found a part of myself while reading it, completely unaware I had lost something. I’ve read it once a year since its release in 2012. Cheryl’s words have helped me grow and become braver. I know it wouldn’t be easy if I were a part of the same journey she took, but if I were? I’d be right there with her on the trail, and she could teach me even more about how to walk bravely into the wildest of places.
YE: And lastly what’s one thing you learned about yourself or your writing while working on this book?
MH: Other than how much I can cry? 🤣 But really, I learned to believe in myself right along with Ezra—from accepting all the parts of what makes me, well, me and finding my own voice.
“I learned to believe in myself right along with Ezra—from accepting all the parts of what makes me, well, me and finding my own voice.”
YE: Thx so much for doing this and hope we can chat again soon 🙂
MH: Thank YOU for this cool interview! Let’s chat again soon ☺️
Consider this:
- Write and create something you are passionate about.
- Get into the headspace of the character you are playing or creating. You can learn a lot from them.
- When writing, create images for yourself as if you were directing a movie. This can help you get a better perspective and picture characters and scenes better.
