Stephen Chbosky on writing novels with a cinematic eye

In Stephen Chbosky's new horror novel Imaginary Friend, the writer asks the question: what's truly scary to a child?

Imaginary Friend is Chbosky's first book in 20 years after the release of his smash hit The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which sold more than five million copies, was published in 16 countries and was adapted into a film of the same name in 2012.

It's something speaks to his versatility as an artist seeing as Chbosky also directed and produced the film adaptation of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. His other film credits include writing the film adaptation of Rent, writing the live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, and writing and directing the film Wonder.

Chbosky joined q guest host Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe to talk about his new book and how he manages to straddle the literary and film worlds.

His new book Imaginary Friend is out now. 

Download our podcast or click the 'Listen' link near the top of this page to hear the full conversation with Stephen Chbosky.

— Produced by Cora Nijhawan and Jean Kim