Sean O'Connell (Managing Director, CinemaBlend)

Author of "Release the Snyder Cut: The Crazy True Story Behind the Fight That Saved Zack Snyder's Justice League"

What book from your childhood has shaped you the most as a writer?

I grew up on a steady diet of Stephen King, and have spent a lifetime trying to perfect his conversational tone. It's steeped in regional dialect, and is shockingly descriptive, especially when he wants to be gruesome. His tome IT probably changed the ways that I viewed storytelling.

What is the most difficult part about writing for you?

Really, finding the time. I'm the father of two boys, and I'm adamant about participating in their lives as much as possible. So I often drop everything just to play a video game with one, or watch The Mandalorian with another.

When I do sit down to write, I can get lost in rabbit holes of research, or burn hours wrestling with the right way to phrase a particular sentence, so I always want to make sure I'm IN IT when I am ready to write.

Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?

Yes, the book benefits from a real "Being There" perspective. Going back over the beats of the story, it was refreshing to realize just how much of this story I'd actually lived through, whether it was visiting the set of JUSTICE LEAGUE back when Zack Snyder still was the film's director, to reporting on the billboard that the Snyder Cut community purchased in Times Square.

I had no clue, at those times, that the stories eventually would circle back to be segments of an important book. It goes to show that you need to have your eyes open, at all times. Book material might be happening right under your nose, and you don't know it!

What inspired you to write your book, "Release the Snyder Cut."?

Honestly, the story of the movement. I'd honestly never seen anything like this, in my 20 years of covering the film industry.

The facts of what happened to Zack on JUSTICE LEAGUE, alone, would be fascinating.

Replacing him with Joss Whedon is fascinating. And the unifying of the fanbase is fascinating. Pair all of these angles together, and it's an unprecedented occurrence that I felt compelled to jot down.

What is the most fulfilling part of writing the book?

Sharing it, I hope. Until that point, it feels amazing when a chapter that you have been working on for weeks/months snaps into place.

You know, as a writer, when something isn't there yet. You also know when it's done. That feeling can't be beat.

Zack Snyder's Justice League has become a cultural and societal phenomenon that is more than just the movie itself, why do you think it resonates with many people at a deeper level?

Because it reflects the unknown, for right now. It's the promise of an anticipated story that never was delivered. In some way, I fear that the actual JUSTICE LEAGUE might not be able to live up to the dream of The Snyder Cut. Then again, Zack might deliver. But it's more than the movie, by now.

It's the bonds of friendship formed in the movement, it's the monies raised for suicide prevention, and its the joy that countless fans experienced when Snyder crossed that finish line on May 20.

What was your favorite part, and your least favorite part, of the publishing journey?

The publishing process is extremely intimidating. How does one even begin? When you get started, and you are sending out blind pitches to literary agents and potential publishers, it can feel like tossing bottles into the ocean.

Is anyone even seeing these? That was my least favorite part... even though I did get jazzed at chasing after the "unattainable."

And when you finally do break through, and get feedback from an interested party, it's euphoric.

That process might have been the most, and least, exciting part of all of this so far. But the book isn't here yet!

Have you ever resuscitated a project you'd shelved? What helped it work better the second time around?

I have not! This truly is my first stab at writing a book.

Where can readers purchase your book?

All over! Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, etc.

Here's a link:

https://www.amazon.com/Release-Snyder-Cut-Snyders-Justice/dp/1493059033