Episode 6: TJ Klune on writing from love, publishing ethics, and protecting creative work

In this episode of Always Bring a Book, I sit down with TJ Klune, bestselling author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, Under the Whispering Door, and In the Lives of Puppets. TJ and I reconnect after a few years to talk about everything that’s happened since Cerulean Sea became a massive success.

TJ shares the story behind The Stars Look Like Home, his newly announced novel told from the point of view of a dog, written for a new Tor imprint, Wildthorn. We talk about writing from a place of deep personal connection, why the dog absolutely does not die, and how Britney Spears accidentally inspired the book’s title. The conversation also explores the emotional and creative weight of success, the rare second life his backlist has found through Tor republications, and the complicated realities of publishing older work years later.

We also dig into the ethics of AI in publishing, TJ’s long-standing collaboration with cover artist Chris Sickels, and why supporting real artists matters more than ever. TJ reflects on resisting pressure to repeat past successes, protecting creative integrity, and what it means to keep writing stories that feel honest even as his audience continues to grow.

Intro music by Trevor Vaughan