MOCA - Ryan Estrada

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MOCA - Ryan Estrada

BIO

Ryan Estrada is an award-winning author and illustrator of comic books and graphic novels, notably The Banned Book Club, which was recognized as a Great Graphic Novel for Teens by the American Library Association in 2021.

Self-described as "artist, author, adventurer," Mr Estrada has wandered Kim Jong Il's secret tunnels to North Korea, slept on a bench in a typhoon in Japan, did an accidental illegal border crossing into Burma, ran with the bulls in Mexico, hunted lost hyena skulls in Kenya, climbed Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, got caught in a Peruvian coca war, and lived in a Costa Rican rainforest and on a Panamanian volcano.

He currently lives in Busan, Korea, with his wife, Hyun-Sook Kim, a frequent collaborator on his works.

MOCA Q+A : PART 1

Tell us about your name.
Estrada comes from my grandfather, who was from Zacatecas, Mexico. I am an American, who is 25% Mexican + 25% English + 25% German + 25% Ukrainian, now living in Korea - very international!

How has living in Korea as an American man, married to a Korean woman, influenced your work?
My most popular works have been inspired by amazing experiences here in Korea. When I share my enthusiasm for Korea's language (Learn to Read Korean in 15 Minutes), history (Banned Book Club), and culture (Student Ambassador: The Missing Dragon), people react strongly and positively!

What is a universal theme in your work that everyone can relate to?
Not intentionally, but all of my books are about passion for learning more about the world, and how that passion makes both your life and the planet a better place.

In your portfolio, what work are you most proud of?
So proud of the positive impact Banned Book Club has made. Hundreds of schools, libraries, and universities all over the world use it in their curriculum to show how ordinary Koreans made their country a better place!

What is your favorite English word?
I made up the word "normcore" as a punchline in one of my comics. Within a few years, it was a runner-up for Word of the Year by Oxford English Dictionary! Can't decide if I love or hate it.

If you could have dinner with any author (living or dead), who would it be?
I've been lucky to share a meal with many of my favorite writers: spaghetti with Scott McCloud, bagels with Jeff Smith. But my favorite author is my wife, so I'm lucky to share a meal with her every day.

What are 3 words that best describe your style?
Curious, enthusiastic, and weird!

Tell us about your latest literary project.
My next book, No Rules Tonight, comes out this October! In the 70s and 80s, Korea had a curfew; anyone out after midnight would go to jail, with one exception: Christmas Eve. It's the story of a group of young people making the most of their one night of freedom.

Other than writing, what other interesting jobs have you had?
So many strange jobs, just to name a few: gator wrangler in Florida, toilet digger in a Thai refugee camp, ghostbuster in Changwon, puppeteer in Michigan, and Bollywood actor in India.

When you are not working, what do you do for fun?
I enjoy riding my bike across Korea. I have a medal for riding from Busan to Seoul, another for riding all four rivers, and (as soon as I finish my current book) I'm going to ride around Jeju Island to earn my Grand Slam medal!

IRIS COLLABORATION

IRIS (Inspiring Readership at International Schools) is a network developed by Tongbang Books to collaborate with international schools in Korea on a wide range of literacy activities.

As an IRIS initiative, Tongbang Books was honored to partner with the International School of Busan to organize a book fair in April 2024 and host Mr Estrada, as well as his wife and co-author, for workshops and book signings during the event.

AUTHOR'S FEATURED BOOK

Student Ambassador is a globe-trotting action-adventure series set in the real world where dangers mount, stakes are high, and smarts save the day!

In the first book of the series, eight-year-old student ambassador Joseph Bazan made a big splash on the international scene when he cracked the case of The Missing Dragon and kept the nation of Rhutan from going to war.

In the follow-up book, former American President Tex Olman asks for Joseph’s help on a trip to the vibrant, ancient city of Zacatecas, Mexico, where ghosts are said to haunt the city's famous silver mines. Joseph will need his deep knowledge, knack for friendship, and adventurous mettle to decode secret messages, explore dangerous caves, and save the city . . . that is, if the ghosts don’t get him first!

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MOCA Q+A : PART 2

WHERE and WHEN did you find inspiration for Student Ambassador: The Silver City?
The series is inspired by my own experiences as a young ambassador to Australia. Since then, I have traveled to so many amazing places that are perfect settings for colorful, funny, mystery adventures! The Missing Dragon (book 1) takes place in Korea, while The Silver City (book 2) takes place in my grandfather's hometown in Mexico!.

WHAT is the most critical message that the book conveys?
Joseph is a comic book hero who wins not by punching, but by listening, learning and caring.

WHO was your favorite character to write?
As much as I like writing a kind character like Joseph, much more fun to write his friend Nang, who is a spoiled little boy king, and the biggest jerk anyone has ever met.

HOW do you hope Korean readers in particular will respond to the book?
The Missing Dragon celebrated Korea, and taught thousands of kids across the world how to read Hangul. So I hope that The Silver City can return the favor and show people in Korea what I love about Mexico!

AUTHOR’S FAVORITE CHILDHOOD BOOK

"I loved The Monster at the End of This Book. I remember finding it so funny that the main character was talking directly to me, begging me not to finish reading the book because he was scared of the monster. I laughed every time he realized, at the end of the book, that he was the monster."

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AUTHOR'S BOOK INFLUENCES