Phoning Faust
by Sophie Mutiara Nova
Released: Jun 02, 2026
Genre: Horror
Why this book and why now?
I’m all about Queer retellings and I was really lonely growing up not reading any books about demisexual queer, mixed Indonesian American kids like myself who explore their relationship to a nonbinary gender. I love the idea of Faustian bargains/selling one’s soul to the Devil (I went to Catholic school and am a religious trauma gay) and I kneeeeew I had to do a Gen Z take on Goethe’s sad boy literature in Faust. With an unreliable narrator and a tatted, brooding demon love interest, of course.
What is a significant way your book has changed since either the first draft or the way you thought it would turn out when you first had the inspiration?
Oh the ending, for sure! I AGONIZED over the ending. (I can’t spoil too much), but do know that out of all the versions, this is the one that’s meant to be. Fated, so to speak.
Did any real-life events or personal experiences influence the story?
Like Dian Faust, I was outed to my family members before I was ready. And that led to, unfortunately, the idea of “praying the gay away”, holy water being thrown on me, and a mental health spiral. Thankfully, now, I’m in a much better place in my relationship with my loved ones, teaching, healing, and understanding. But the Trevor Project and the suicide hotline were, honestly, my closest confidantes who saved my life a lot of times during mental health crises. I wouldn’t be here without the help of those crisis hotlines and people who never gave up on me. Like the original Faust in Goethe and Dian Faust in “Phoning Faust”, there’s a whole lot of existential questioning of the meaning of life. And humor (it’s my coping mechanism). Thank goodness for getting a personality the hard way, right?
What’s one fun fact about your book that most people wouldn’t know?
SOUNDTRACK! If you like garage punk rock, queer goth rock, rock rock rock, then you’re in good company. Send your recommendations my way please.
What’s your main character(s)’s favorite book and why?
Dian Faust would love existential literature like “Everyone in this Room Will Someday Be Dead” and “Martyr!” because she’d be the type to lean into her sad emotions (me too, Dian). Memphis would adore something like GIDEON THE NINTH because of the gothic humor and their whole punk rock, immortal undead energy vibe.
Which character was the most fun to write, and which was the hardest?
Memphis was so fun. They’re genderfluid and appear throughout time and eras as the Devil’s reluctant assistant in different genders and forms (me personally as a nonbinary person, I’ve always wanted to shapeshift!) They’re also a snarky, bratty firebrand. The hardest to write was probably Dian Faust because of the personal nature of almost reliving my past mental health crisis while writing hers, but as I always say, it’s easier for me to process hard emotions in fiction than in journaling. I like finding myself between the lines of fiction, and I hope to connect with more people that way and help them feel seen too!
Your characters are throwing a party—what’s the theme?
Guitar Hero the game. Remember the game, with the guitars? Yeah, Memphis will win it, hands down. But Dian Faust will show up to the party with an I SAW THE TV GLOW aesthetic because she’s a neon-loving A24 nerd.
If your book had an official mascot, what (or who) would it be?
An emotional support leather jacket (I rarely leave home without one).
Do you outline your books in detail, or do you prefer to discover the story as you write?
I used to never outline. Then, begrudgingly, I learned it was super helpful (booooo, but also, yay learning!)
What are you currently reading?
My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson, Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo.
