Interview: Daniel Devenney talks about Counting Down with Theodore Brown

Daniel Devenney was born in Donegal, Ireland. He has been a passionate bookseller in Aotearoa New Zealand for over a decade and currently works at Unity Books. He lives in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland with his fiancé. When he's not reading or writing, he's probably listening to Dolly Parton or rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Counting Down with Theodore Brown is his debut novel.

Tell us a little about your debut novel, Counting Down with Theodore Brown?

It’s a coming-of-age love story with a twist. The story centres on an introverted college student with a unique ability. When Theo looks into a person’s eyes he sees a number: the exact number of days he’ll spend with them. Naturally, he struggles to form connections when confronted with a literal countdown. So, he mostly keeps to himself and has lived a somewhat sheltered life. Until he meets someone special and decides to throw caution to the wind.

I wanted to explore our basic need for connection and the importance of communication. Theo’s journey highlights the joy close relationships can bring to our lives, and the dangers we face when we isolate ourselves. It’s a story about mental health, identity, sexuality, friendship, love, loss, and the impermanent nature of the human condition. It’s a story about life, and the tragedies and triumphs we all experience.  

What inspired you to write this story?

Writing this story was my way of grappling with my own anxieties regarding time. The idea came to me after I applied for my New Zealand residency. I began questioning if I could really live so far away from my loved ones in Ireland. I’d fallen in love with Aotearoa, but I couldn’t stop wondering how many days I’d have left with my friends and family at home if I chose to stay. Would I make the same choice if I could predict those exact numbers? I’ve always had an interest in psychology and became fascinated by how this ability would shape a person. Theodore Brown quickly grew from there. I’m indebted to Theo in many ways. He helped me navigate through my fears and I suddenly found myself taking bigger risks in my personal life again.

What was your favourite part of writing Counting Down with Theodore Brown?

The book ends with a road trip to Dollywood. I’m a huge Dolly Parton fan and this was so much fun to write. I’ve never been, but I watched so many travel vlogs I feel like I have. It’s on my bucket list for sure. Researching that was a lot of fun. I also loved creating Theo and Lil’s chemistry. Dialogue is my thing, and their banter flowed so naturally. They’ve almost become real people to me. They still talk inside my head at 3 a.m. sometimes.

Who would play Theodore and Lil in the movie version of the book?

What a great question! I have a visual brain and typically storyboard every chapter and hand write the dialogue before I type it. I shoot each scene in my mind like a movie – even choosing the soundtrack. So, I’ve thought about this. The actors I envisioned when I first began the project are too old now. But from the incredible rising talent, I’d choose Noah Jupp and Isabella Ferreira. Noah recently gave an amazing performance in Hamnet and is currently playing Romeo opposite Sadie Sink as Juliet in the West End. He’d balance Theo’s blend of humour and intensity with ease. Isabella blew me away with her portrayal of Pilar Salazar in Love, Victor. She embodies the fire and emotional depth that Lil requires. And if Steven Chbosky directed, I’d rest easy knowing it would be a flawless adaption. Let’s manifest this movie into existence!

What were some of your favourite books to read growing up?

As a kid in the 90s, I exclusively read Goosebumps. I’ve loved horror stories since I could walk, and R.L. Stine churned out enough of those to keep me busy until I was ready for Stephen King. Strangely, I skipped YA for most of my teens and jumped straight to adult fiction. But that changed when I discovered The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The line ‘we accept the love we think we deserve’ changed my brain chemistry and made me reevaluate certain relationships in my life. It’s still one of my all-time faves. Then I found authors like John Green and Sarah Crossan and completely fell in love with the YA genre. It’s very experimental and I enjoy the quicker pace. I like getting straight to the emotional core of a story. There’s also so much more diversity now. Part of me feels a responsibility to create the stories I desperately needed as a teen.

You’re also a bookseller! Can you tell us your favourite book of 2026 so far and why?

I recently read I Can’t Even Think Straight by Dean Atta. It’s an incredible YA verse novel. The story follows besties Kai and Matt as they navigate love and friendship, with the added complexity of being Black and queer at a predominantly White school. It thoughtfully explores the nuances of coming out, highlighting the importance of doing so in your time and on your own terms. It’s beautifully told and expertly handled.

I’m currently rereading The Raven’s Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey before the sequel comes out. It’s a beautiful middle grade fantasy series about friendship, rebellion, and the power of literacy. Highly recommend to readers of all ages.

How do you like to unwind after a day of writing?

After a day behind my desk, I’ve gotta stretch the limbs and get my blood pumping. So, I escape to the bush for a long walk. I get all my best ideas under the trees. Then I like to put a record on and cook dinner with my partner. He’s from Colombia and we love sharing music and recipes from our home countries. Afterwards we’ll relax with a movie, and maybe a glass of wine if we aren’t working the next day. We like to end the day with a good book and usually read a few chapters in bed to wind down.

Do you have a favourite author encounter you can share?

Working in a bookstore, I get to meet so many wonderful writers. But this is a no brainer. I had the pleasure of working with Hera Lydsay Bird at Unity Books for a few years when she lived in Auckland. I was genuinely a little starstruck at first. But she’s so lovely and down to earth. I miss sneaking into Little Unity and chatting about writing with her. She’s as witty, clever, and kind as you’d imagine.

Allen & Unwin