Haddad, W: Tectonic Aftershock

Will Haddad grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, spent several years in Chicago, and now calls Arizona home. His debut novel, The Bridges Are Ash, draws on his experiences coming out and navigating love, loss, and relationships from the early 2000s through 2023. After years of turbulent relationships in the Midwest, Will found himself drawn to Arizona's landscapes. A growing fascination with the state's volcanic history inspired the Tectonic series, sparked by a moment overlooking the cliffs at Saguaro Lake and imagining what would happen if an earthquake brought them crashing into the water. Will is passionate about writing LGBTQ+ characters with authenticity. He believes that lived experience brings an emotional honesty to the page that cannot be replicated from the outside, and he strives to tell stories where LGBTQ+ characters are defined not only by who they love, but by their courage, flaws, resilience, and humanity. When he's not writing, Will can usually be found exploring Arizona's trails, lakes, and volcanic landscapes in search of inspiration for his next story.