If you’re looking for an escape, look no further than Joey Graceffa’s newest book, The Twelve! Joey has long been a storyteller, bringing stories to life both behind and in front of the camera, and on paper for years and years, and we’ve been right here along for the ride of it all! Like so many of you, our teen years were shaped in so many ways by the people we watched on YouTube, and Joey was such a huge part of that. That long-term knowledge of Joey and his creative mind left us with no doubt that The Twelve was going to be a captivating, witty, creative, and honest read, and of course, it was. Upon finishing the book, we knew we had to pick Joey’s brain about it, and that’s exactly what we did! From inspiration to creative timeline to the future of the world of The Twelve, we covered it all! And of course, we managed to sneak an Escape The Night reference in there, as anyone who waited hours in plastic chairs at Vidcon to be front row for the Escape The Night Panel would do!
Get your copy of The Twelve here!
Hi Joey! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! Before we really jump in, to any of our readers who may not be familiar, can you tell us a bit about your voice as an author, and what you hope to leave readers with?
My process is almost like watching a movie play out in my head. I write what I see! I’m a very visual writer, so I’m always thinking about how to pull readers so deep into the world that they start seeing it like a film, too. I want them to feel completely immersed, like they’re truly there.
The Twelve is officially out into the world! We know crafting a book is a long process—how long was the creation process of this for you?
It actually started back in 2018! I had this concept living in my head, and over the next few years, I’d randomly jot down scenes or notes in my phone whenever inspiration struck. Looking back at some of those notes now, I genuinely have no idea what I meant by half of them—but hey, it all came together! It took a couple of years of that beautiful chaos before things really started taking shape.
Your last book came out in 2017, almost a decade ago, which was a wrap-up to the Eden Trilogy. How did crafting that world and crafting the world of The Twelve differ?
With Eden, I had to do a lot of research into realistic futuristic technology, since the world was built on the remnants of humanity, and it needed to feel grounded and plausible. With The Twelve, I dove deep into zodiac signs to make sure each girl authentically represented her sign. But honestly? This world came so much more naturally to me. Witchy, mystical stuff has been a special interest of mine since I was a kid, so building this universe felt like coming home.
Fantasy seems to be a realm that, as an author, you thrive in! What is it about the genre for you that allows your creativity to bloom?
I’ve always had the most vivid imagination, even as a kid! My cousins and I would build spaceships out of cardboard boxes and brew potions in the bathroom, and I would genuinely see those worlds as if they were real. That childlike wonder never left me. If anything, it’s just a muscle I’ve kept developing over the years, and I’m so grateful for it!
Ophelia and Serena are the main characters in The Twelve. What went into developing their unique voices throughout the story?
I knew from the start that I needed two characters who felt like complete opposites but who were still deeply connected. Since they’re twins on the cusp of two signs, Aries and Pisces felt like the perfect pairing. Pisces is sensitive, emotional, and deeply intuitive, while Aries is fierce, fiery, and bold. That contrast gave them such distinct voices and made their dynamic really exciting to write.
Can you talk to us a bit about writing from a woman’s perspective and what went into the choice to have an all-female ensemble in this book?
I grew up with a single mother and an older sister, so strong women have shaped my entire life. Growing up, all my closest friends were girls, and they were actually the ones who protected me from bullies at school! So, gravitating toward female characters feels natural to me. Beyond that, I genuinely think girls wielding magic makes for a more compelling, electric story. AHS: Coven did it so beautifully, and I wanted to put my own spin on that energy.
Witchcraft and zodiac are themes that longtime fans have seen you explore in different mediums over the years, especially with the witchcraft element in Escape the Night. Do you take pieces of past work or traits you’ve developed for past characters within this realm when crafting a project like this?
Definitely! My very first web series, Storytellers, was actually about twins with powers, and their mother was revealed at the end to be a fire witch. I feel like I finally got to fully explore that character archetype in The Twelve. It’s so fun to see how ideas evolve and grow across different projects over the years.
With The Twelve, are we looking at the beginning of a world being built, or is this going to be a stand-alone project?
I would absolutely love to continue this story if my publisher gives me the green light! There is so much more I want to do with these characters and this world. I feel like we’ve only just scratched the surface of what’s possible here, so fingers crossed!
Once again, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! Before we let you go, if you could pick one line in The Twelve that you think sums up the message of the book, what would it be?
”Magic is in our blood. It is a gift we’ve been given, but it is not without cost.” That line really captures the heart of everything. Power is beautiful, but it always comes with responsibility and sacrifice. I think that’s a truth that extends far beyond magic.
Check out more of our exclusive interviews here!
We would love to hear from you! What do you think of Joey Graceffa’s book, The Twelve? Let us know by commenting below or by tweeting @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JOEY GRACEFFA:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER
