Get To Know ‘The Quantum League’ Author, Matthew J. Kirby

Matthew J. Kirby is the bestselling author of adventure books like The Clockwork Three, Icefall and The Infinity Ring: Cave of Wonders. His newest book, The Quantum League, is a fast-paced, magical mystery that offers thrills, chills and shocking twists. He took a moment away from his busy writing schedule to talk to BL about books, Batman and Boy Scouts. 

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BL: What can you tell us about The Quantum League?

M.J.K.: Spell Robbers is the first book in The Quantum League trilogy. It’s the story of Ben and his best friend, Peter. Together, they’re drafted into the Quantum League, a secret police force of magicians called Actuators in the book. During their training to become agents of this organization, Ben and Peter learn there’s a whole underworld of criminal wizards out there, and it’s up to the Quantum League to stop them.

BL: Where did the idea come from?

M.J.K.: The Quantum League series emerged out of a couple of ideas. The first is that I wanted to try my hand at writing something fast-paced, with twists and turns, double-crosses, lots of action — a page-turner. The second was a love for heist stories and crime sagas. But I wanted to take that kind of story in a new direction, so I turned to fantasy for some inspiration and came up with a system of magic rooted in science. So that brought me to The Quantum League, a magical crime saga.

BL: How is this story different from your other books?

M.J.K.: The biggest difference is the fact that it’s a series. I’ve written my other books as stand-alone stories, but with The Quantum League, I had more time and space to follow these characters and their adventures from book to book. I had the opportunity to plan out this large, sweeping story. I think the other difference is just the pacing and the type of action-oriented story it is.

BL: What’s up next for you? Book 2, or something else first?

M.J.K.: I just wrapped up writing Book 2, which takes Ben, Peter and Sasha to a slightly darker, more dangerous place. I don’t want to spoil it, but I’m happy with how it turned out.

BL: What are some of your favorite books for kids?

M.J.K.: As a kid, I loved the fantasy of Ursula K. Le Guin, Lloyd Alexander, Susan Cooper, the historical fiction of Elizabeth George Speare, and Natalie Babbitt’s stories, too. More recent favorite authors include Philip Pullman, Neil Gaiman, M.T. Anderson and so many others. It’s impossible to narrow it down any more than that.

BL: Do you have a favorite superhero?

M.J.K.: Batman. Totally Batman. I read Batman comics when I was a kid, and I’ve always loved the fact that he’s just a normal guy who worked HARD to become the superhero he is. He didn’t have any powers handed to him. He created his own abilities, through his determination. That always inspired me.

BL: You were a Boy Scout, right? Any cool Scouting memories?

M.J.K.: I was a Boy Scout, although I have to admit I didn’t earn my Eagle. But I have great memories from Scout camps and other merit badge activities. This one time, we met an archaeologist on the beach, and he showed us how to look through the sand for things. I found an ancient shark tooth that I still have in a box somewhere.

BL: Finally, what advice can you give to young readers who may be interested in a career in writing?

M.J.K.: The best advice I can give is two-fold, and I’m sure your readers have heard it before. The first is to read, read, read. Read everything you can get your hands on, and try not to limit yourself to one kind of genre or book. Read widely. The other part is to write every day. It doesn’t have to be much, but just write something. Get in that daily habit now.

— Clay Swartz

The Quantum League is out now. You can get it HERE.

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Comments

35 responses to “Get To Know ‘The Quantum League’ Author, Matthew J. Kirby”

  1. whats the 2 book called

  2. what is book 2 called

  3. Anonymous

    When is the second book coming out

  4. January 2019 book still hasn’t come out

    1. ftsimout

      January 2020 book still not out tf. honestly it was actually a good book and definitely deserved a second but like why not release it.

  5. a reader

    btw its 2017 and the second book hasn’t come out yet

    1. Sad reader

      It’s almost 2020, been over 5 years since he said he finished book two. I love t he first book app much, but maybe he doesn’t want to publish anymore.

  6. book:)

    when is book 2 coming out?

  7. Kitty Kat

    I love your book and can’t wait for the second one to be released.

  8. Joemcbob

    I ?? #1 when is # 2 coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!?????

  9. creativecj

    i know its been a few years but does anyone know what the second book is called

    1. Class 3

      Does it exist??

  10. xXANIMEFREAKXx

    I LOVE this book can’t wait for the 2nd one. P.S. Can there please be a movie about it?

    1. Class 3

      I would agree I am anxious for a second book and i think a movie would be a nice idea but not anything low budget we have enough of those. Something very close to the book.And with stunning graphics. I would see that

      1. Superboy

        Same

  11. bookcat

    Actually its not a movie I tried looking it up and I came up with Quantum Leap

    1. HarryPotter Fanatic

      Honesty wouldn’t make an It wouldn’t make any sense to me if there was a movie because the series just started and although I love the book and hope to see a movie someday the book is generally unpopular among many other people. I only found out about the book because I was doing a book report and fantasy was all I read. I just searched up newest fantasy books and found this. If it weren’t for that I would have never heard of it. No one i’ve met has heard of it.

      1. Class 3

        True

  12. bookcat

    PLEEEEAAAASSSSEEEE when is the next book coming out?????????????????????

  13. WHEN WILL BOOK 2 COME OUT

  14. impashant

    Ugh when will it come out please give a maximum

  15. Darrius

    what isn’t the name of book 2 and when is it coming out. Also when is the movie coming out

  16. someone

    When is book 2 of spellrobers caoming out? First book was excellent!

  17. Random

    Ice Falls a good book

    1. Darrius

      Idk but there s a movie

  18. Jaden St. John

    How would you sell this to someone who hasn’t read your book before?

  19. I love your first book and can’t wait to get my hands on the 2 book. I want to become a writer just like you M.J.K

  20. Wyatt

    It’s a great book. I think that you should write a million of them in the series.

  21. I love your book!I have finish it,and I really,really,really want to get the next one!
    我爱你的书!精彩加好看!赞 强赞鼓掌哈哈 笑 !喜欢滴同志快点先买再赞,不然就晚了!

  22. Booklover

    I love the book! I just got Spell Robbers 2 days ago and I’m almost done! I know the second book is finished now, but you said trilogy up there. When’s the 3rd one coming! 🙂

    1. Anonymous

      what is the second one called

  23. Firestar

    Oops.

  24. Firestar

    I absolutely LOVE reading. I also wrote when I was a kid, like mystery books (mine is Detective Strouss series),adventure books (Adventure Island), and fantasy books (Magic of the Legend series).

  25. Firestar

    I absolutely LOVE reading. And I’ve written books when I was young, like mystery books (my series is Detective Strouss), adventure books (Adventure Island), and fantasy books (Magic of the Legend series).

  26. I enjoyed your interview about your books although I don’t really like writing or reading.
    Faafetai, kiki troop 361

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