The Airplane Seatback (they/them) is known for their reliable array of magazines, sick bags, the in-flight menu, and the always-popular safety brochure. Their work has been translated into dozens of languages and is available worldwide. Here we discuss their reading habits and literary experiences.
Handsell readers your work in 25 words or less:
Worst-case scenarios in a placid, emotionless setting. It's mostly pictures, so it's a quick read.
On your tray table now:
It's filthy with rubbish right now. An empty soda can, a cup with one melting ice cube, a crumpled cocktail napkin, Biscoff cookie crumbs. And a stained James Patterson paperback, does it even matter which one?
Favorite book when you were a child:
Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Nothing beats the original French.
Your top five authors:
Stephen King, for The Langoliers
Erica Jong, for The Fear of Flying
Kate Folk, for Sky Daddy
Joseph Heller, for Catch-22
Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, for Left Behind
Book you've faked reading:
Most of them, since I was given a touch-screen with a million movies, games, and TV shows. I can always watch that Twilight Zone episode with William Shatner, "Nightmare at 20000 Feet." Sometimes I just stare at the little plane moving across the map for hours.
Book you're an evangelist for:
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough.
Book you've bought for the cover:
I don't really buy books. People just leave me with them. That's how I finally read Valley of the Dolls!
Favorite line from a book:
"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." --Antoine de Saint-Exupéry