Behind the Screens: Tuesday Author Interview
Every Tuesday, get to know a bit about the stories behind the books you love, and discover your next favourite novel.
Sabitha: Books can tell exciting, engaging stories, but they can also tell us important truths about our own world. Michael Solis’ Deficient does both. Can you introduce us to your book, Michael?
Michael: Deficient tells the story of Alejandro Aragon (Alé), a powerless, 15-year-old Deficient living in a world of genetically accelerated individuals. When his best and only friend is kidnapped in a hate crime against her ability type, it appears Alé has every motive and no believable alibi. With time running out, Alé has to clear his name and track down the real culprit before it’s too late, all without a superpower of his own.
Deficient is nominated for several awards, including the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel, ALA Stonewall Award, Pushcart Prize, and International Latino Book Awards.
Sabitha : What inspired you to write this book?
Michael: When I wrote Deficient, I was living in Honduras working with youth who were grappling with issues like poverty, gender inequality, pressure to emigrate, and gang violence. They possessed a sense of resilience that seemed supernatural. That was a major inspiration for the book, and it brought me back to my own journey of resilience growing up as a queer kid in the homophobic nineties.
I also wanted to explore what would happen if people were to change in a fundamental way that affected the very nature of our human experience. Would we take the high road, or would we slip into old patterns of creating castes and constructs? I had a sneaking suspicion it might be the latter.
Sabitha : If you could meet your characters, what would you say to them?
Michael: I would tell Alé all the cliché things grannies tell the protagonists in Disney movies. “You are beautiful as you are.” “Believe in yourself.” “It will get better.” I’m not sure if it would have any effect on him given the horrible nature of his circumstances, but I hope something would land.
To all the characters who bully Alé or are complicit with the violence he experiences, I would try to promote empathy and let them know how their words and actions can have forever consequences.
Sabitha : What book do you tell all your friends to read? Besides yours of course!
Michael: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. We can all use more magical realism in our lives!
Sabitha : Have you ever killed off a character your readers loved?
Michael: I love all my characters, even the diabolical ones, but none are safe! 
Sabitha : Do you have any suggestions to help people in our community become better writers?
Michael: I’ve recently carried out writing workshops with students in New Jersey and Nepal on goal, motivation, and conflict when creating characters. Understanding this was critical as I strengthened my manuscript in a way that caught the attention of publishers. I would also suggest bracing for rejection and actively seeking out and being open to constructive feedback throughout the writing journey.
Sabitha : Thanks for sharing your story and your process. We’re looking forward to reading! Where can the Night Beats community find you and your book?
Michael: You can learn more about me and my work on my website, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.
