Q&A: Cale Dietrich, Author of ‘My Roommate From Hell’

We chat with author Cale Dietrich about My Roommate From Hell, which is a swoon-worthy YA rom com about an ambitious college student whose plans get derailed when he discovers his roommate is the prince of hell.

Hi, Cale! Welcome back! It’s been four years since we last spoke for the release of If This Gets Out! How have you been and what have you been up to?

Hi!! Oh wow, that’s kind of surreal. How has the time gone so quickly? I’ve been well, just writing and reading a lot, so the usual!

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

Good question! It’s hard to pinpoint an exact moment as I’ve loved writing and stories for as long as I can remember. My mum used to read to me and my sisters a a lot, which I assume is where I first learned how incredible stories are. I also spent a lot of time as a kid making up my own Pokémon, which is my first memory of doing something creative. 

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: The Magic Faraway Tree
• The one that made you want to become an author: Eragon
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Your latest novel, My Roommate From Hell, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Chaotic, funny, sweet, fiery, fun.

What can readers expect?

I think the cover of this one does a really great job at setting up what readers can expect from the book – it’s an odd-couple style comedy about a type-A guy who is forced to share a dorm room which a chaotic prince who just so happens to be the prince of Hell. It’s very much a rom-com, so expect big feelings and swoony moments mixed in with the eldritch terrors that appear when you’re sharing a room with a demon.

Where did the inspiration for My Roommate From Hell come from?

The previous novel I wrote was called The Rules of Royalty, which was a spin on The Princess Diaries. When I was editing that book I started thinking about what to write next, and I thought it would be fun to write another royal rom-com. I had an idea to write a story about an uptight guy forced to share a room with a party-boy prince and really liked it as that combination seemed like it would make a really funny book. Before I went to write it I had the idea to add a supernatural angle and I instantly loved it as it added something I thought would be really fun to write and I also thought readers would enjoy it as well. I told my publisher about it and they were as excited as I was and here we are!

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

Pretty much the whole thing to be honest! I loved writing this book so, so much. So it’s hard to pick a particular favourite but I really enjoyed coming up with all of the supernatural terrors that appear in Owen and Zarmenus’ room.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Not really with this one, to be honest! It was one of those dream experiences where everything kind of clicked into place really naturally.

What’s next for you?

At this stage, I’m not sure! I’m working on a few different things – I would love to write another paranormal rom-com but that really depends on how My Roommate from Hell performs. I have my fingers crossed it will do well enough that I can stay in this space a little longer!

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up in 2026?

I’ve read so many books this year! To name a few I’ve loved You’ve Found Oliver by Dustin Thao, Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales, Amelia if Only by Becky Albertalli, Henry Hamlet’s Heart by Rhiannon Wilde and See You at the Finish Line by Zac Hammett. In 2026 I’m looking forward to Our Rogue Fates by Sarah Glenn Marsh, Stormbringer by Tig Wallace, The Beast You Let in by Dana Meale, Freddie and Stella Got Hot by Maggie Horne and How to (Not) Conjure a Boyfriend by Jordon Greene!

Will you be picking up My Roommate From Hell? Tell us in the comments below!