On January 13, 2026, Veronica Roth printed a publication titled “.do you like it? introspection divergence 15 years later”, she talks about how she feels concerning the bestseller. divergence collection. Regardless of promoting greater than 32 million copies worldwide and receiving a collection of movie diversifications, unfavorable opinions are sometimes the loudest. The collection’ ending was divisive amongst followers, and as Ross aptly places it on Substack, “The human mind is sweet at protecting us secure by storing unfavorable experiences.”
Even after publishing 10 books exterior of the collection, readers nonetheless maintain coming again. divergenceRoss stated in his publication: “And people who hated divergence?They’re Actually They hate it, and when I attempt to speak to them about new work, they typically exit of their method to inform me why. Or an previous work. Or any job. ”
Nevertheless, the writer didn’t cease writing. Discover the traitor’s sonThe primary ebook in Roth’s new romantic dystopian fantasy collection can be launched on Might 12, 2026. However maybe extra surprisingly, it isn’t the one collection Ross is releasing this 12 months. divergence collection continues Sixth factionthe primary installment of a brand new duology.
At BookCon 2026, Ross introduced the collection to the fandom after years of protecting it a secret. However that is neither a sequel nor a prequel to her unique collection. As a substitute, it’s an alternate world the place the heroine, Beatrice Prior, makes completely different selections in a ritual of selection.
We had an opportunity to satisfy Roth at BookCon 2026 to listen to about her new fantasy collection and the way she feels about it. divergence With the announcement of Sixth faction.
Samantha Mangino: How do you are feeling about your fifteenth anniversary? divergence?
Veronica Roth: It feels nice. write [The Sixth Faction] Now that I’ve completed each books, I really feel extra constructive about this collection. It would not actually trouble me when individuals speak to me about Divergent. As a result of I do not really feel caught prior to now and I am writing new issues. So I really feel like we’re speaking about what we’re doing now slightly than what we had been doing once we had been 24 years previous. It is extra restorative, regenerating, and stimulating for inventive individuals.
SM: You speak very matter-of-factly about your writing. Do you assume that is one thing that you have been in a position to look again on over time?
Mashable Development Report
VR: Truthfully, I feel that is the place I’m now. I’ve a Polish mom and stay within the Midwest, so I feel we’re actually easy individuals. I do it as a result of it would not price any cash. I am a horrible liar.
SM: What does this publish appear to be?divergence The way in which you assume led you to put in writing Discover the traitor’s son?Or did it simply really feel like a pure development?
VR: What I labored on was Discover the traitor’s son 5 years and 10 drafts later. It was only a enjoyable mission for me. It is every little thing I like about it, and it additionally taught me the necessary lesson of protecting the story intimate, even when the setting is massive and epic. And you already know I could not write Sixth faction As a result of with out it, I wanted to cease fascinated with every little thing. divergence Simply give attention to the story and characters that I like. So Discover the traitor’s son He taught me the right way to do it.
SM: divergence is extraordinarily in style and extensively cherished, however I feel it additionally applies to polarized conversations on the web. I am curious, how do you are feeling that has influenced your writing on the whole?
VR: Though there are numerous constructive elements, there are additionally many unfavorable elements, so I feel it was tough to beat. And, as I’ve stated earlier than, I am higher at sustaining a unfavorable mindset than a constructive one. That is how my mind works. What I have been in a position to do is create a secure area for myself in my writing. assume whereas writing Discover the traitor’s sonthat is the form of factor I used to be doing as a result of it wasn’t for anybody else. It was a soothing ebook.
SM: Within the on-line area, do you want to set boundaries with your self to maintain a transparent mindset whereas writing?
VR: I’ve guidelines, so if somebody is imply to me, I block them. I set the filter. Generally I’ve to filter myself as a result of the algorithm is like, “You could be on this,” however no, I am not — I do not wish to see it. I do not maintain others accountable for my psychological well being. That is my different rule. Nevertheless it’s enjoyable to interact along with your readers, so you may wish to speak to them, reply their questions, and crack jokes. Only a bunch of individuals speaking about books. All of us love books.
SM: I would prefer to know in the event you’ve seen any adjustments within the web area now in comparison with when it was first printed. divergence In 2011?
VR: I feel it feels just about the identical, nevertheless it’s a unique platform. My actual fascinated with it’s that it is my duty to develop sufficient resilience. It is the character of public figures to take care of some negativity. That was the character of my sister, who labored at J.Crew. As adults, all of us want to simply accept that some persons are unkind to us. It exists on this planet. However you might be additionally allowed to guard your self and distance your self from poisonous issues. So I attempt to stability these two. I can not management individuals. I can solely management myself.
SM: After a break divergencedo you are feeling such as you’re incorporating some new knowledge? Sixth faction?
VR: As a result of the world has modified, so have the narratives about youth. So, on this ebook, Tris shouldn’t be portrayed as a “save the world on her personal” thought, however as a 16-year-old woman navigating a really tough socio-political state of affairs for which she was not ready. And that simply seems like the fact of being a young person proper now, and I needed this story to talk to that. As soon as I’ve skilled life a little bit extra, each as an individual and as a author, I will strategy this collection with a brand new perspective.
