>Drama Queers by Frank Anthony Polito

>

Drama Queers
by Frank Anthony Polito
Kensignton Press
352 Pages
5 KISSES

Blurb:

Ever since Mrs. Malloy assigned us the What I Want To Be When I Grow Up paper earlier that year in her 1st hour English, my mind had been made up. . . I, Bradley James Dayton, will be a famous actor someday!

Meet Bradley Dayton–a wickedly funny high school senior whose woefully uncool life always seems to be full of drama, even in the sorry little suburb of Hazel Park, Michigan. It’s 1987, the era of big hair, designer jeans, and Dirty Dancing. George Michael has “Faith” and Michael Jackson still has a nose. Brad, on the other hand, has a thing for acting, and while his friends are trying to get laid, Brad’s trying to land the lead in Okla-homo! and practicing the Jane Seymour monologue from Somewhere in Time.

Sure, he’d like to get laid too, but while Brad has known he was gay forever, the rest of “Hillbilly High” is not so forthcoming. Brad’s already lost one best friend, Jack, who dropped out of marching band to step into the closet. But lately, things are looking up. Not only has Brad made Homecoming Top Five, but Richie, a new, totally cute member of drama club, definitely seems to be sending signals–and he’s not the only one. Before senior year ends, Brad will know more about love, lust, and friendship than he ever thought possible. Because if all the world’s a stage, he’s ready to be in the spotlight. . .

Review:
 
Drama Queers by Frank Anthony Polito is a follow-up to his premier publication Band Fags. In his first novel, Polito intruduces the characters Jack Paterno and Bradley Dayton, a best-friend pair coming of age in their hometown of Hazel Park, Michigan. The first book is told from Jack’s point-of-view, but the sequel Drama Queers is written in the voice of Brad, and offers a much different perspective.

Bradley is a lovable, extroverted and popular member of his high school class. He is active in band and drama, and works as a waiter at a local restaurant. He becomes aware of his sexual orientation at an early age but struggles with his own fear of being exposed. Being an aspiring actor, he understands that if he were to be openly gay he would risk ostracization and rejection which could be detrimental to his career.

He wants more than anything to just crawl into the closet and hide. He just has to make it through high school and into Julliard where he hopes to put behind him his homosexual feelings and instead focus upon his lifelong dream of professional acting.

The only problem is that Bradley is in love. He’s crazy about another boy named Richie and is painfully aware that the feeling is mutual. He cannot succumb to his desires, though, for it would ruin everything.

Drama Queers is an amazingly real story. Impressively told in a unique voice remarkably different than book one, the story paints a hilarious and touching portrait of 1980′s teen life in suburban Michigan. This realistic dialogue is what sets author Polito apart from other writers within this genre. The down-to-earth and understandable vernacular is endearing and believable, as are the characters who are so skillfully and dynamically fleshed-out.

The central character Brad Dayton is lovable and charismatic; he almost immediately captures the heart of the reader and carries it all the way through to the last page. His self-effacing humor is deligthfully funny and also endearing. Most noteworthy, though, is his utter sincerity. There is not a bone of pretentiousness within his body (which actually is rather ironic being that he is an actor).

Perhaps this may sound odd, but there was one particular description in the 400+ page book which stuck with me. As I reflected upon it, I understood why I loved Brad so very much. He is 18 years old, preparing for the biggest date of his life, and this is how he describes his preparation: “I decided to invest in a new suit–nothing fancy, just a simple double-breasted beige job I bought at Oaktree in Oakland Mall. Ninety-nine bucks, what a bargain!”

Can it actually be true that there is a writer of gay fiction who is not an elitist snob? Yeah, I think it can. I think it’s Frank Anthony Polito. He’s awesome.

Review by Jeff Erno

>Frank Anthony Polito

>

Frank Anthony Polito

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, Frank. Can you tell us a little bit about your background?

I trained as an actor at Wayne State University where I received my BFA in Theatre. In the mid-90s I moved to New York, took acting classes, went to a lot of auditions, did some off-off-Broadway theatre, and non-speaking roles in films and on TV. In 2001, I decided to try playwriting as part of a theatre company I was involved with. We wrote and produced our own plays. Mine was called JOHN R (after the street in the city where I grew up in Michigan, Hazel Park), and was about two gay teens growing up in the ‘80s.

What was your first book and how long did it take to get it published?

My first book, Band Fags!, is an adaptation of the play JOHN R. I actually got a contract to publish it before I began writing. At a freelance job, I met the Editor in Chief of Kensington (my publisher). After telling him about my play, he asked to read it. Then he said he thought it would make a good novel and offered me the opportunity to write it, which took me about 10 months. I was given another month or so to revise, then it took about 6 months after that before it was released in June 2008.

How many books have you written thus far?

To date I’ve written two 400+ page novels: Band Fags! and the follow up, Drama Queers! (Kensington, June 2009)

Do you write full time?

I do not write full-time, but I spend at least 20 hours per week writing as I only work a part-time job.

Looking back was there something in particular that helped you to decide to become a writer? Did you choose it or did the profession choose you?

I never set out to be a writer, but I always wrote when I was a kid. In 4th grade I wrote a 10 page story, when the teacher only asked us to write 2 pages. In junior high, I wrote my first “novel” which was a rip-off of a plot I saw on the soap, Days of our Lives. I typed it on half-sheets of paper, front and back, and glued them together to look like an actual book, complete with cover art! I suppose the profession did choose me in the end since my publishing “deal” came so easily.

On a typical writing day, how would you spend your time?

First I do everything else, like checking email, Facebook, etc. I need to get this out of the way so I can focus on the chapter (or in the case of plays/screenplays, scene) that I’m tackling that day. Then I write for a while, then I print out the pages, read them, edit with a red pen, then go back and make the revisions. Then I continue. Of course, in between, I go back to email and Facebook, and drink a lot of coffee!

When it comes to plotting, do you write freely or plan everything in advance?

Studying playwriting in grad school (I have my MFA in Dramatic Writing from Carnegie Mellon), I learned the importance of outlining. I never thought I’d be an outliner (I hated when we had to in school!) But now I find it’s much easier to plot it all out first. Of course, when the writing begins, things always change.

What kind of research do you do before and during a new book?

For my first two books, so much was based on my life, I didn’t do much “research” other than looking up things on the internet, like what songs were popular and when (to use for chapter titles). For my new novel, I also used the internet because the story focuses on a bit on Kurt Cobain, and I was not a fan of Nirvana back in the day. Now I totally am!

How much of yourself and the people you know manifest into your characters? How do you approach development of your characters? Where do you draw the line?

All of the characters in the first two books are based on actual people that I know. But I don’t write “memoir” so I always change the names, and I will change details if I know that writing the truth might hurt someone. Even when I write about my “enemies,” I’m not going to be malicious or spiteful. That’s just not me. I also combine two or more people into one character, because a) too many characters makes it hard on the reader (I still have too many!) and b) it’s less limiting. What one person would never do, another might. And you need you characters to have freedom.

How long does it take for you to complete a book you would allow someone to read?

I would love to have the luxury of taking my time, but I’ve always been under a deadline. So I’m good at writing quickly. So far I haven’t spent more than a year writing a novel. This new one, I plan to have finished by August 1st, which will be a total of 10 months from the time I first began plotting it out, but only about 6 months of actual writing time. I average about a chapter per week. I have no problem letting someone read my work, but again, because I’ve always been on deadline, I don’t have the time that this requires for them to do so.

Writers often go on about writer’s block. Do you ever suffer from it, and what measures do you take to get past it?

I don’t usually feel “blocked,” but sometimes I will write something that I don’t think is working. Later, when I’m in the shower or out taking a walk, I think it over in my head and work it out. Then I go back and revise.

When someone reads one of your books for the first time, what do you hope they gain, feel or experience?

With Band Fags! and Drama Queers! I have two hopes: for people my age, I want them to enjoy the trip down Memory Lane. For younger people: I want them to experience what it was like to grow up gay during that time.

Can you share three things you’ve learned about the business of writing since your first publication?

You do not need an agent to get published. It’s all about who you know. You do not get paid based on the amount of time you put it.

Does the title of a book you’re writing come to you as you’re writing it, or does it come before you even begin the first sentence?

I need to at least have a title in mind as it informs the entire story. Though, with the new novel I’m writing, I started with one title and have since changed it. I began with Lost in the ’90s and am now working with Tender Age in Bloom. (Ultimately, the publisher and sales force will decide, so you can’t worry too much about it.)

What is the most frequently asked Frank question?

Are your eyes really that blue or are you wearing colored contacts?

What are you working on now?

A true Y/A (young adult) novel. My first two books feature teen characters, but the intended audience is adults.

What was the best piece of advice you’ve received with respect to the art of writing? How did you implement it into your work?

Years ago when I first started writing plays, a fellow playwright told me, “You don’t just think and type, and then you’re done.” Meaning: the first thing you write down isn’t the final result. You have to write and revise, and revise and revise. Which is why I always write first, then print it out, read it, and revise.

When it comes to promotion, what lengths have you gone to in order to increase reader-awareness of your work?

My publicist pretty much takes care of submitting review copies, but I have no qualms about reaching out to people myself. I conduct interviews like this one, I guest blog, I use Facebook to search for fellow Band Fags and Drama Queers who I can tell about the books.

What pros and cons surround the e-publishing industry, and how do you envision the future of e-publishing?

I think it’s great because the books are easily accessed (and cost less — I also get a larger royalty, I believe!) but I, personally, like to be able to hold a book in my hand when I’m reading, and be able to flip back and forth based on where I remember the specific place I’m wanting to reference is.

What kind of books do you like to read?

I like short books (which is odd, since the ones I’ve written are rather long!) I like “children’s” books, like Judy Blume and Harry Potter. I enjoy “literary fiction” like Michael Cunningham, but I hate it when I have to re-read a paragraph two or three times to comprehend it.

If you weren’t a writer what would you be?

I still enjoy performing, but I hate the audition process. If someone wants to hire me to be in a play or movie, I’ll do it.

I recently read your novels, Band Fags! & Drama Queers! Where did you get the idea for those stories?

Band Fags! came from my teen years, and Drama Queers! came out of that. The second book is almost entirely fiction. I basically just thought about what the character of Brad Dayton would do, based on stories my best friend had told me about what he did when he was a teen.

When it comes to the covers of your books, what do you like or dislike about them?

I chose the image for the cover of Band Fags! But in the original design, the sash on the band uniform was pink. I thought this was more fitting to the theme. But it was changed to red, which, after seeing it, I think works fine. For the second, I didn’t have any input. I envisioned something on a stage (curtains, a spot light), and had no idea where the idea for a kid wearing a bear’s head came from. But then a friend pointed out, “He’s trying to hide his homosexuality behind a mask” and I thought, that works!

Aside from writing, what else do you enjoy doing?

I watch a lot of TV and I work out at the gym. I enjoy going to the theatre (when I can afford to buy a ticket!) and spending time with my partner, Craig. Sleeping is also a favorite pastime!

New writers are always trying to glean advice from those with more experience. What suggestions do you have for new writers?

Again, it’s all about who you know. I’m terrible at “networking,” but I believe that people want to help other people if they know (and like) them. So not only must you be a good writer, you have to get out and meet people. And when one door closes, you have to make another one open. I recently received my first “rejection” for a novel (from my own editor!), but then I realized that I didn’t really want to write that novel anyway. At least not right now. You have to write what you want to write, when you want to write it. Unless you’re being paid a huge sum of money, then you’ll find a way to make it work.

What future projects do you have in the works?

In addition to the Y/A novel which I’m hoping to have published in the spring of 2012, I’m also adapting both Band Fags! and Drama Queers! as a television series. I’ve spent the past 8 months or so developing the characters and plot ideas, and I’ve recently written the outline for the pilot. In fact, once I finish this interview, I will start writing the actual script! I also have a full-length play called Another Day on Willow St or Blue Tuesday (I haven’t decided yet) that I’m finishing up, and hope to soon have produced.

Can you please tell us where we can find you and your books on the Internet?

I have three websites, and both of my books are available on amazon.

http://www.frankanthonypolito.com/

http://www.bandfags.com/

http://www.dramaqueers.net/

>Band Fags by Frank Anthony Polito

>

Band Fags
by Frank Anthony Polito
Kensington Publishing
352 pages
5 KISSES

Blurb:
“Ever since I first heard that Lionel Richie and Diana Ross song, `Endless Love,’ all I’ve wanted is to find The One. Someone to love. Who will love me back.”

September, 1982. John Cougar’s “Jack and Diane” is on endless radio rotation, and Dallas and Dynasty rule the ratings. Jack Paterno is a straight-A student living in the Detroit suburb of Hazel Park, with his own Atari 5200, a Beta VCR, and everything a seventh-grader could ask for. The only thing he has in common with foul-mouthed Brad Dayton, who lives on the gritty south side near 8 Mile, is that both are in Varsity Band. Or maybe that’s not the only thing. Because Jack is discovering that while hanging around with girls in elementary school was perfectly acceptable, having lots of girl friends (as opposed to girlfriends) now is getting him and Brad labeled as Band Fags. And Jack is no fag. Is he?

As Jack and Brad make their way through junior high and then through Hazel Park High School, their friendship grows deeper and more complicated. From stealing furtive glances at Playgirl to discussing which celebrities might be like that, from navigating school cliques to dealing with crushes on girls and guys alike, Jack is trying to figure out who and what he is. He wants to find real, endless love, but he also wants to be popular and “normal.” But, as Brad points out, this is real life–not a John Hughes movie. And sooner or later, Jack will have to choose.

Filled with biting wit and pitch-perfect observations, Band Fags is an exhilarating novel about lust and love, about the friendships that define and sometimes confine us, and about coming of age and coming to terms with the end of innocence and the beginning of something terrifying, thrilling, and completely unpredictable.

Review:

When I first began reading this book, I honestly was not too impressed. Actually, I was frustrated and annoyed by the author’s writing style. For the first half of the book every paragraph was riddled with incomplete sentences. He also seemed to ignore literaly every grammatical rule in the book. I read his biography and discovered he has a Master’s degree in dramatic writing. Go figure. Well, I think it was the fact that I related so well to the pop culture from the 80′s and also possibly because I live in Michigan very close to where the story is set, that I forced myself to continue reading.

Interestingly, the author’s writing style seemed to mature along with the central character. The conclusion I’ve drawn was that his poor grammar was a deliberate attempt to sound authentic and conversational. I’m not sure it worked for me, but setting that aside, I have to admit that I’ve been deeply moved by this touching story.

Jack Paterno is a seventh-grade literary geek who is also muscially inclined. He’s a member of his school’s band, and the close friendships he develops during his junior high and high school years all center around his involvement in band. He and his fellow band members are disparagingly referred to as “band fags”.

As Jack approaches and eventually dives right into puberty, a realization starts to dawn upon him. He begins questioning his identity, and these questions are quite alarming to him. He recalls in vivid detail the way he always played girl-type games with his female friends and cousins when he was young. He remembers crushes he’s had on other boys. He thinks it might be weird that he’s obsessed with soap operas and sappy romantic movies. Worst of all though, he fears that the fact he finds other guys attractive might make him “that way”. He’s afraid he might be a real fag, not just a band fag.

Jack’s best friend is a boy named Brad, and the two are the same age. Brad is similar to Jack in that he’s also in band, and he’s also “that way”. The story is definitely a coming-out and coming-of-age-story, but more significantly it is a story about this enduring friendship. It is about fear, betrayal, passion, and forgiveness. It is about enduring love. The relationship that these two central characters develop is powerful and deeply moving.

During part of the book I found myself not liking Jack too much. In fact, I sort of wanted to slam it closed and toss it in the trash. I found him to be ego-centric and shallow. I was extremely offended by some of the elitist remarks he made, for example stating that his parents were simple people because they worked in a supermarket. When he abandoned his friends in an attempt to gain popularity from the “in” crowd, I wanted to smack him.

I’m not sure if the book is at all auto-biographical, but if so, I’m impressed with the author’s willingness to expose himself this way. Ultimately, my opinion changed about the protagonist, and I actually cried near the end.

Perhaps the story contained more details than it needed. Maybe the narrator tended to drone on a bit when he could have been advancing the story. Sometimes he seemed to get distracted and began talking about off-topic subjects which caused some confusion. In spite of this, though, I really enjoyed the narration. I sort of felt as if that is exactly the way a real-life Jack Paterno would talk if he were sitting in my living room carrying on a conversation with me. I also loved the way his detailed descriptions allowed me to paint clear mental pictures of the setting and the characters.

I think that although the character Jack Paterno was shallow for much of the story, the book itself was amazingly deep, and I’m certain it’s going to stick with me for a long time. It really makes me want to pick up the phone and call all the people I’ve known throughout my life just to remind them how much I love them.

Thanks Frank Polito for a great read. Thanks for sharing your talent. Thanks for being an out and proud Band Fag! If I were a girl, I’d think you’re totally hot!!

Review by Jeff

>Introducing A.J. Mirag

>

A.J. Mirag

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, A.J..

AJ: I’m looking forward to answering your questions. I love your site!

Can you tell us a little bit about your background?

AJ: I’m Brazilian. I live in São Paulo, the biggest city in Brazil. Besides writing fiction, I work as a freelance translator. I translate books from English and French into Portuguese. All kinds of books, fiction and non-fiction. I’m also doing a Master’s degree in English language and translation.

What was your first book and how long did it take to get it published?

AJ: I published two poetry books along with two friends many years ago, but I think I’d rather talk about my first gay romance, Clippings. When I finished translating Clippings into English, in March 2008, I submitted it to an American publisher (a “paper” publisher, not an e-publisher). After about four months, I received a thoughtful rejection letter saying that they had liked my book, but that, in a time when the economy truly is a major concern, most readers wouldn’t want to read a prison story; they would want something lighter, to escape their problems and worries. Because I’m also studying for my Master’s degree, I knew I wasn’t going to have much time to devote to my book in the last months of 2009, so I decided to self-publish it immediately, instead of submitting it to any other publisher. So I ended up publishing Clippings about seven months after I finished writing it.

When did you start writing gay fiction? What about this genre interested you the most?

AJ: I started writing slash fanfiction about seven years ago. Writing original gay fiction was a natural development. I like writing gay romance because it allows me to explore gender roles more freely. I dislike the woman passive/man active stereotype, for instance. Of course you can write hetero romances with non-stereotyped gender roles and dynamics, too, and I’m trying to do that right now, but it’s more difficult, because many of those stereotypes are deeply ingrained in society.

How long did it take you to get published? How many books have you written thus far?

AJ: I self-published my first novel seven months after I finished translating it into English. I’ve just finished writing a second novel, in Portuguese. It’s a mystery and fantasy novel. I haven’t decided if I’m going to translate it into English yet.

Do you write full time?

AJ: No. I translate books, do academic research and have a personal life, too!

Looking back was there something in particular that helped you to decide to become a writer? Did you choose it or did the profession choose you?

AJ: I believe the profession chose me. I’ve been writing since I was seven years old! Seriously.

On a typical writing day, how would you spend your time?

AJ: Oh, it depends. I write whenever I feel inspired. When I’m not inspired, I research or edit what I have already written.

Do you write right through or do you revise as you go along?

AJ: I write very fast, and I stop at about every 10,000 words to revise. But sometimes, when I find some plot problem or feel that I have to change something, I stop and revise everything from the beginning.

When it comes to plotting, do you write freely or plan everything in advance?

AJ: I make a plan before I start writing. But it’s not a very detailed plan, otherwise writing wouldn’t be much fun. I like to surprise myself sometimes!

What kind of research do you do before and during a new book?

AJ: Oh, I do tons of research all the time. I research every detail. I’m obsessed. And I love researching. Before I started writing Clippings, I did thorough research on Brazilian prisons. I read more than 15 books on prisons.

How much of yourself and the people you know manifest into your characters? How do you approach development of your characters? Where do you draw the line?

AJ: My characters are mainly based on myself and the people I know, but none of my characters is exactly like me, or like someone I know. When I start writing a character, s/he tends to be a bit stereotypical, but as the story develops, the protagonists become more individualized, sometimes to such a point that they refuse to do what I had planned for them!

How long does it take for you to complete a book you would allow someone to read? Do you write straight through, or do you revise as you go along?

AJ: It depends on the book. I revise as I go along. I only allow other people to read anything I’ve written when I consider it finished, in that I don’t know what else to do to improve it. Then I know it’s time to ask other people’s opinion.

Writers often go on about writer’s block. Do you ever suffer from it, and what measures do you take to get past it?

AJ: I have never experienced writer’s block. When I don’t feel like writing, I don’t write. I don’t think this is a problem. I only write when I feel like it.

When someone reads one of your books for the first time, what do you hope they gain, feel or experience?

AJ: Oh, I hope they feel curious and interested, and then surprised. If I don’t surprise my readers, or if I don’t give them food for thought, I believe I’ve failed completely.

Can you share three things you’ve learned about the business of writing since your first publication?

AJ: 1) The story you want to tell is more important than writing rules. Break the rules, if you feel that this is necessary. (AMEN to number one!!!)


2) Every reader has different tastes and seeks different things from books. You can’t please everyone.


3) Promoting your book is part of the process. And it takes a lot of time!

Does the title of a book you’re writing come to you as you’re writing it, or does it come before you even begin the first sentence?

AJ: I’m not good with titles. It tends to be the last thing that I decide, after the book is written.

How would you describe your sense of humor? Who and what makes you laugh?

AJ: I laugh all the time, about the silliest things. But when it comes to books and movies, I like irony, sarcasm and nonsense humor. For instance, I love Monty Python’s kind of humor.

What is the most frequently asked A.J. question?

AJ: After I published Clippings, many people asked me if Brazilian prisons were really like the one I depicted. (Unfortunately, I had to answer that they are even worse, and that most of the problems I described happen in many other countries, too.)

What are you working on now?

AJ: I’ve finished writing a mystery and fantasy story, and now I’m editing it.

What was the best piece of advice you’ve received with respect to the art of writing? How did you implement it into your work?

AJ: That I should pay attention to the environment, to where the characters are, and what they are doing. The easiest way to do it is by visualizing every scene.

When it comes to promotion, what lengths have you gone to in order to increase reader-awareness of your work?

AJ: As I self-published my first romance, I had to do all the promotion by myself. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned not to be shy… I’ve sent my book to many review sites, and I’ve joined many social networking sites.

Writing is obviously not just how you make your living, but your life-style as well. What do you do to keep the creative “spark” alive – both in your work and out of it?

AJ: I read a lot, and research a lot. I have new ideas all the time, and I’m always taking notes.

What pros and cons surround the e-publishing industry, and how do you envision the future of e-publishing?

AJ: It’s a fascinating process. It’s clear now that e-publishing is the future. The pros: e-books are instantly available, and you can take them everywhere. The cons: piracy is a problem that the book industry will have to solve. And if you’re like me, you’ll miss paper books. There’s nothing like the feel, the smell, the texture of a book.

What kind of books do you like to read?

AJ: I’m an eclectic reader. I like the classics, mystery, fantasy, history, philosophy, biographies… I’m omnivorous!

If you weren’t a writer what would you be?

AJ: A translator. But you may think I’m cheating, because a translator is a writer, too. If I weren’t a translator, I’d be a researcher.

I recently read your novel Clippings. Where did you get the idea for that story?

AJ: I enjoy stories where a forced relationship gradually evolves into something more complex and consensual. As I didn’t feel like writing a fantasy story, I had to use real-life circumstances that forced my characters to be together. A prison story was the natural choice.

When it comes to the covers of your books, what do you like or dislike about them?

AJ: I love the cover of Clippings. It’s a delicate, evocative work. My friend Korekan created the amazing art, and my friend Morgan D. designed a beautiful cover to go with it.

Aside from writing, what else do you enjoy doing?

AJ: I like reading books, doing academic research and watching movies.

Any special projects coming out soon we should watch for?

AJ: When I finish editing my mystery story, I’ll try to publish it in Brazil. Depending on the responses I get, I’ll decide whether I’m going to translate it into English or not.

New writers are always trying to glean advice from those with more experience. What suggestions do you have for new writers?

AJ: Write what you feel like writing. No one can write your story except you!

Can you please tell us where we can find you and your books on the Internet?

Lulu.com:

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2672666

http://www.lulu.com/content/4089994

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Clippings-J-Mirag/dp/0557013011/

My site:

http://mirag.noigandres.com/

LJ:

http://a_j_mirag.livejournal.com/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/AJMIRAG

>Clippings by A.J. Mirag

>

Clippings
A.J. Mirag
Publisher: Lulu.com
148 Pages
4 KISSES

Blurb:

Unfairly arrested and charged with the murder of a police officer, Daniel has been jailed indefinitely until trial. A Brazilian prison is a terrible place to lose his innocence. Daniel would have lost more than that — perhaps even his life — if not for Mephisto, his cellmate.

Clippings is the story of the challenges faced by a middle class young man in prison, and his relationship with a dark, mysterious man who seems eager to protect him, but who might have his own inscrutable plans.

Review:

In the past I’ve read a couple of prison stories, and one of those was titled: Fish: A Memoir of a Boy in a Man’s Prison. That was a heart-wrenching story that has stayed with me to this day. So, when I read the blurb to Clippings I prepared my heart ahead of time. I realize that this is a fictional piece, unlike Fish, but still a young boy was sentenced to prison and you just know they are sure to undergo hell in every way imaginable.

Daniel, a young journalist was accused of shooting and killing a police officer in Brazil. I’m guessing he is guilty until proven innocent here, because without a trial he was sent right to the bowels of hell they call prison. Daniel was told where he was while he was in the infirmary, as he was unconscious when he was arrested and sentenced. The kind doctor arranged for the young student to be housed in a shack (cell) with a man who was charged and imprisoned for selling drugs. His name is Mephisto, and this means a servant to the devil or something like that.

Poor Daniel was told, right before he was taken to his shack that he was to share with Mephisto, that he was sure to be raped and made into his cellmate’s wife. Daniel, who is straight, was at that point shaking in his boots. He’s never been into trouble in the past so he really has no idea as to what to expect.

What he didn’t expect was to be housed with one hell of a great guy. Daniel learns a lot about himself as well as life in prison. Does he get out of prison? Read the book to find out.

The author did a great job with the details, explaining the prison smells and such to the point that I found myself wrinkling my nose in disgust. She drew out each of the characters wonderfully and even made me adore not only Daniel and Mephisto but the other characters as well. The plot moved forward at a nice pace, no open holes that I found, and it was a smooth read. I recommend this book.

Review by Michele

The Hit List by Anne Brooke

The Hit List
Anne Brooke
Amber Quill Press
282 Pages
4 KISSES

Blurb:

Jamie Chadwick is straight. Determinedly straight. Or so he keeps telling himself. His small conference business is doing okay and, even though he looks after his ailing father, he loves living in the countryside and life is good. Sort of. But the arrival of old college friend, David Fenchurch, who’s just come out on the distinctly camp side of camp, together with Lucy Reid, his father’s sexy new physiotherapist, sets Jamie on a path he’d never dreamed of taking. On top of all that, the unexpected return of long-lost family friend, Robert Trevelyan, himself openly gay, means that Jamie can no longer ignore the past he’s kept hidden for six years. When Robert and David get together, Jamie’s feelings begin to surface in surprising ways. Who, amongst the crowd of people set to blow his life apart, will make it onto his fantasy hit list? And in the midst of Jamie’s own emotional battlefield, how can he keep things together at all?
Review:

Until I was asked to review this book by Anne Brooke I hadn’t heard of the author or the books she’s written. I did a light search on her, and avoided any reviews on the novel I agreed to review. Jeff was lucky enough to review Anne’s book, Give and Take not too long ago, you can read his review here: Give and Take. I was excited that I was able to share in the talent of Ms. Brooke.

The Hit List is about a twenty five year old man, Jamie Chadwick, who works and lives from his home so he can take care of his elderly father who is laden with various ailments one of those being arthritis. (I really had no idea that loud music was bad for arthritis.) I don’t know if it is or isn’t, but it’s bad for his dad because his dad says it is. HAHA.

At the start of the book Jamie seems content with his lonely, isolated life, but soon we find that he struggles with a bit of resentment over his half brother Mark who lives in Japan, leaving the responsibility of taking care of their dad all in his lap. Believe me, I know the feeling well. Due to the burden of his father, his brother, and the bartender, Jamie creates a “Hit List.” On this list are the people he’d like to knock off. As in…Kill. Of course it’s a fantasy list, the whole of it is a fantasy but it helps Jamie deal with life as it is. Depending on what happens to him, he either adds or removes a name from it and it actually does get funny.

Jamie’s old friend, David appears and Jamie’s life is changed over night. Oddly enough Jamie lives in a fantasy world, I suppose he needs to so he can cope with life as it is for him. Throughout the year this book covers he has a few love interests, all female, he has an old family friend show up after missing for six years, his business begins to really take off and his father is very demanding and demeaning at the same time. I think I’d live in a fantasy world too with all that pressure.

Anne Brooke did a good job with the plot. She drives it forward very smoothly, though at times I found myself almost flipping a page without reading it fully. Jamie, whose head we’re in throughout the story, sometimes did get a little mundane for me. He spent so much time making sure he was straight that I wanted to slap him and tell him, get over it! I did think that there are a few sub-plots going on with this book. Take David for instance, he didn’t know if he was straight or gay, he appears at the start of the story dressed like a parrot, and goes through about half of the story dressed in bright, flashy colors. Then he, out of nowhere, blends in with the rest of the community. Turns out something is cooking in the wings with him and another member of this cast, yet because we are stuck in Jamie’s head all the time we don’t really know what until the end. I’m not saying it’s hard to follow but it just seems that Jamie had more than his hands full that I lost sight of the message. The message being love and Jamie spent so much time worried about being gay, straight or whatever he was, that I started looking at the page numbers hoping he’d wake up sometime soon.

The romance in this book wasn’t really there, not till the end anyway. The comedy was there, in some parts but mostly it was a serious year in the life of a hard working young man struggling with his sexuality. He finds himself wanting the vicar’s daughter one day then he wants Lucy, his father’s therapist the next. He is convinced that he’s straight and if he has sex with a woman he’ll be just fine. Being gay is not okay with him. Too bad he has no control over this.
There were times that I had a hard time connecting with Jamie. I had a hard time feeling for him, especially when he battled how he felt about a certain member of the cast. I was given small clues on how he felt about the other character, but nothing big. He seemed to run from his feelings and that included his inner thoughts. Almost as if the author had a hard time connecting with him as well. I wanted to get to know a few of the other characters better, but because we spent the whole book in Jamie’s head, which then should have been written in the first person, I didn’t. I wanted to know more about Robert, the long time family friend who’d been missing for six years, I wanted to know his thoughts and feelings. I wanted to know Mark too, how he felt and thought of the situation with his dad and if he felt as if he ran to Japan to get away or? I wanted to know David too, why he was straight, gay, and then straight again. I understand sexuality is confusing at times but I wanted in that head to know how and why’s. Perhaps if the characters were better drawn out in this almost 400-page story I could have gotten to know them better.

Over all the story was well done and I think Anne did a great job. It’s worth the price and I do recommend it.

Review by Michele

>A Message about Tony & Ryan

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Happy Sunday!!!

I have some very exciting news to share with you about the short story I wrote, Tony and Ryan. After sharing the first chapter with you here, the story is now being looked at for possible publication. Due to that, I was asked to refrain from posting more chapters at this time. Once I find out if Tony and Ryan what the future holds for them, I promise to share it with you first! I’m very excited, almost too excited to concentrate on anything.

I would like to share with you where I came up with the idea for this story though. So, grab a cup of coffee and put your feet up.

One afternoon, after taking my dogs out for their afternoon walk near a lake I used to live by in Az., I saw something that just tickled me and I ran home to share that with my partner here, Jeff. Well, we got to talking and stuff and he said, you should write a story using that scenario, to practice your short story telling skills. He knows I tend to be long winded, just ask him about how big the novel is I’m working on now. Immediately I said, oh no, I don’t know how to do short and he then said, try it and write out of the genre you usually do. Delve into m/m fiction with it. Jeff said write it for me. Oh this was a challenge and I love a challenge so I said yes!

There I sat with my laptop on, my word program waiting, and a white blank screen. I was having a heck of a time getting started, because the scenario I had to include in no way would fit with any ideas I was coming up with but I was so excited to try my hand at the new. I was having a hard time creating brand new characters at that time as well, simply due to the manuscript I have been working on has so many that my head is always focused on them.  I went back to Jeff and chatted some more and he said for me to just use a couple characters from the manuscript I was working with. Good thing for me two of my characters began yelling at me to write about them, or I may still be stuck. LOL.

Tony and Ryan are very dear to me, they’ve been in my life for almost twenty years and once I gave them their own room to roam, they played it out wonderfully. I’ve loved them for all their lives (haha) and continue to jot down their escapades. At some point I may sit with them, as they are now, and work some more with them. For now, they are working their tails off for possible publication.

So, I do owe you an apology, when Jeff and I discussed bringing this to you over the course of five weeks, I really had no idea it could lead to a possible publisher. It may not be accepted, and if that is the case, I will bring it right back to you here.

Thank you for your understanding and support. It means a lot to me.

Michele

>Guest Review by Victor Banis

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To Love and To Cherish
LoveYouDivine Press
Anthology, Various Authors, edited by Beth Wylde and Lara Zielinsky
306 Pages
5 Kisses

I confess, when the idea first came up, of my writing a review for a collection of lesbian love stories, that I had some reservations—not about reading the stories, I felt sure simply by looking at the names of the authors that they would be of a high quality, but rather about my ability to do this important collection justice. I say important because all of the stories were donated by the authors, and all of the proceeds from the book are donated to Marriage Equality USA “which continues the fight in courtrooms around the country to secure civil marriage rights for GLBTQ couples across the U.S.” So, important indeed, and surely, I thought, above my pay grade.

Of course, I had no sooner started reading than I realized the fallacy in my thinking. “Lesbian love stories” is, really, the wrong label to paste on this wonderful collection. They are love stories, pure and simple, and love doesn’t know the difference. Which is, of course, the whole point of the project. Two women may make love differently from what two men or a man and a woman may do, but it is the height of absurdity to suppose that they don’t love the same.

Love is what it is. Some abuse it, some shun it, and not a few have made careers of it, of one sort or another. Centuries of poets and philosophers have tried to define it. Unfortunately, we live in an age that tries to confine it. None of these efforts, it seems to me, have met with unqualified success. Outlaw love as you will, you cannot stop it from springing up in the human heart. There is nothing in the perusal of history to suggest that any social context, whether flagrantly liberal or crushingly priggish has ever significantly changed the numbers of those who are attracted to members of their own sex, though they may be more or less open about it according to the dictates of their society.

The idea of same sex love as somehow unnatural is another absurdity. We know now that same sex couples are commonplace throughout nature, in species too numerous to list here. Most animals don’t attach much importance to it. Only humans seek to suppress it. Sadly, in this country, there are those who actively push to keep it outside the sanctity of marriage.

Well, this is a mighty push back, and as exuberant a statement on the beauty of woman to woman love as one is likely to find. There are fourteen heartfelt stories included in the anthology, too many for me to attempt to review them individually. They represent fourteen different points of view and are of varying degrees of erotic intensity—okay, saying it plainly, some of them surely do sizzle.

Setting the parameters, as it were, are two unique stories: Allison Wonderland pens a charming tale, The Felicity of Domesticity, of two little girls who knew already as children that they were destined to be wed. And in This Magic, Meg Leigh gives us a haunting and all too rare glimpse from an older sister’s point of view, as she looks back through the mists of time at the love she knew.

But I don’t mean to suggest that anything in between those two extremes is at all inferior. The characters here are a wonderfully divergent bunch of women–butch, femme, elegant, folksy, angry and serene, struggling to define their relationships, to come to terms with themselves and with family, and to explore their unique sexuality. The stories are charming, sad, sexy, slapstick funny. There are tales of paganism and wiccan and Native American rituals and the perils of cooking for those who can’t, quite. There’s hardly a taste in reading or a style in writing that isn’t well represented here and I can confidently assure the reader who invests in a copy that she or he will close this book knowing that the money was well spent.

An excellent tribute to a genre, a gender, a lifestyle, and a welcome addition to the literature of love. Well done, all.

Guest Review by Victor Banis

>Author Interview: Jim Arnold

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Jim Arnold

The Interview

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, Jim. Can you tell us a little bit about your background?

I studied writing – specifically journalism – in school. I’ve written a few movie and TV scripts, and still waiting for one to get made! I’m also working on a TV series idea that’s centered around a GLBT retirement home in neighborhood here in Los Angeles. Benediction is my first novel, and I’m working on the second right now – it’s tentatively called The Forest Dark, and it’s about a couple of close friends over a 25 year span. Additionally. I made a short documentary film a few years ago called Our Brothers, Our Sons.

How long did it take to get your first book published?

Benediction took about two and a half years to write, part-time. I tried going the traditional book agent route for about nine months, and then got very interested in the internet marketplace and decided to self-publish using the POD model. Once I made that decision it took about four months.

When did you start writing fiction? What about this genre interested you the most?

My first script was drafted in 1990 so I guess that is when I started writing fiction. What I like best about it is the ability to live a number of lives vicariously, in different time periods and different places, all of them so different from me.

Do you write full time?

No. I write at least two hours a day in the morning, six days a week, sometimes more. I have a day job – or at least I did until I was laid off last fall!

Looking back was there something in particular that helped you to decide to become a writer? Did you choose it or did the profession choose you?

Both my parents were journalists, and teachers always told me I was good at writing. As I got older, I realized I truly enjoyed the solitude and concentration writing demands.

On a typical writing day, how would you spend your time?

I try to write for two hours minimum as close to dawn as I can. I feel that’s the most creative time of day for me, when I still have the possibility of tapping into the subconscious left over from dreams.

When it comes to plotting, do you write freely or plan everything in advance?

I always write with an outline that’s loose enough to accommodate surprises my characters may through into the mix – but I do need to know where I’m going – believe me, it’s better that way, at least for me.

What kind of research do you do before and during a new book?

I use search engines extensively, and also interview first-person accounts when I need to know what an experience is like that I haven’t had – for Benediction, for instance, there was a sperm bank visit that was something I hadn’t done personally so I talked to someone who did. I also use online maps and Flickr photos extensively to get the feel of a place or thing.

How much of yourself and the people you know manifest into your characters? How do you approach development of your characters? Where do you draw the line?

I think they all are composites of the many people a writer knows in life. I never modeled any one character solely after a single individual. I’ve found that characters are more interesting the more you can put into them, from various sources.

How long does it take for you to complete a book you would allow someone to read?

I have some trusted writer friends for initial feedback, but I think that for me a year is the absolute minimum for a first draft of a novel. Two years is better, probably!

Do you write straight through, or do you revise as you go along?

I revise at irregular intervals as I go along. What I’m really striving for in the craft is the ability to get it mostly right the first time through, to avoid having to rewrite the entire book, which I did with Benediction.

Writers often go on about writer’s block. Do you ever suffer from it, and what measures do you take to get past it?

I don’t have writer’s block. On those rare days when I just don’t feel inspired to write a word, I often do research. There have been times when I’ve just sat there for my two hours and only wrote a sentence or two. It happens.

When someone reads one of your books for the first time, what do you hope they gain, feel or experience?

I would hope they would enjoy the story, identify with the protagonist or another one of the characters, and lose themselves in the ride of the story, in the world that’s painted for them.

Can you share three things you’ve learned about the business of writing since your first publication?

1) Develop a thick skin about being edited. This world of writing is a very subjective thing. 2) Same thing about rejection – a “no” just takes you further toward the eventual “yes” 3) we should never think we know it all – there’s always something to learn about the craft of writing and a good writer is always studying, and learning something new to share with the reader.

Does the title of a book you’re writing come to you as you’re writing it, or does it come before you even begin the first sentence?

I went through a whole process with coming up with the title for Benediction, and actually asked a lot of colleagues for input on that one. Titles don’t come easy to me. For the new one The Forest Dark, it came from a quote by Dante, which I really liked and seemed to fit right away. But it could eventually be changed, too.

How would you describe your sense of humor? Who and what makes you laugh?

I think my sense of humor is rather dry and rather dark. The Coen Brothers and their movies are right up my alley. Still, the funniest book I’ve ever read was John Kennedy O’Toole’s Confederacy of Dunces.

What is the most frequently asked Jim question?

Since Benediction is about a guy with cancer, people ask me if I’ve had or have cancer. Yes – but I’m not elaborating.

What are you working on now?

A novel I’m calling The Forest Dark, which is about two friends, a man and a woman, and their relationship over a 25 year period beginning in 1984. I’m also working on a television series pilot and bible, called Troll Palace, which is about the first GLBT retirement home in Los Angeles.

What was the best piece of advice you’ve received with respect to the art of writing? How did you implement it into your work?

To know where you’re going and what you hope to get out of a scene before you write it. Now I have a checklist to make sure I’m on track and I’ve felt this has been amazingly helpful.

When it comes to promotion, what lengths have you gone to in order to increase reader-awareness of your work?

I made a commitment to myself to spend an hour a day on online promotion for at least one full year – so I brainstorm everyday about what I might do that I haven’t done, and follow up on items already begun.

Writing is obviously not just how you make your living, but your life-style as well. What do you do to keep the creative “spark” alive – both in your work and out of it?

I see a lot of movies, watch a lot of television series, read a lot of books. I try to see concerts and plays and other art-related events to make sure I’m constantly stimulated by people other than myself. I also work out a lot to get away from the computer, and hike in the local mountains! The Artist’s Way from Julia Cameron is a big influence.

What pros and cons surround the e-publishing industry, and how do you envision the future of e-publishing?

You’ll probably see a lot more people publishing books, since the technical barriers to doing that have fallen. At least initially, quality may suffer without the traditional gatekeepers. I think it really evens the playing field. I really am a follower of The Long Tail distribution/retail model, and at least for things like books, video, music – I think the future will see more and more people buying electronically and we’ll see fewer brick and mortar stores. Economically, it just doesn’t make sense any more to hold onto that kind of inventory. The huge challenge for writers and publishers is building awareness and marketing a title that only exists online. I find it fascinating.

What kind of books do you like to read?

I like novels and non-fiction. Last novel I read was Ian McEwan’s Saturday, and last non-fiction was Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food.

If you weren’t a writer what would you be?

I really admire truly investigative journalists and foreign correspondents. I’ve often thought if I were younger I’d like to be either an EMT or even possibly work for the CIA as a spy in a foreign country.

I recently read your novel Benediction. Where did you get the idea for that story?

I wanted to talk about my experience with cancer, in a non-inspirational, quite irreverent way, if that makes sense. So I fictionalized that experience in Benediction.

When it comes to the covers of your books, what do you like or dislike about them?

I only have the one book, and I LOVE the cover. Jaime Flores was the design genius behind it.

Aside from writing, what else do you enjoy doing?

Like I’d mentioned earlier, movies, reading, plays, coffee or dining with friends, my piano, the gym, and hikes in the local mountains and parks.

Any special projects coming out soon we should watch for?

I’d love to get that series Troll Palace off the ground. Check out the website and join the Facebook Fan page for the series!

New writers are always trying to glean advice from those with more experience. What suggestions do you have for new writers?

Writers write. Do something on your project every day. Even if you only write one page a day, at the end of the year you will have 365 pages! That’s a book!

Can you please tell us where we can find you and your books on the Internet?

My book site is http://www.eurekastreetpress.com/. I also have a personal site at jamesjosepharnold.com, and my blog is at jimarnoldla.wordpress.com. Additionally, the series Troll Palace has its own site, trollpalace.com

Note: We will post our review of Jim Arnold’s book Benediction sometime next week.

>D.W. Marchwell Author Interview

>

The Interview

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, David.

It was very kind of you to ask me. Thank you.

Can you tell us a little bit about your background?

Well, it all started on a cold October day back in 1963; the wind was howling and…Just kidding.


I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I grew up loving school and loving to read even more. When I finished high school, I received a scholarship to attend university, and after four years, received my Bachelor of Education. I have been teaching ever since and have pursued other interests; I have obtained several other degrees from university – most of them to do with languages – and now pursue other interests, such as photography and writing.

What was your first book and how long did it take to get it published?

My first book was “Good to Know” and it was accepted within a month of my submitting it to Dreamspinner Press. Not long, I know; you could have knocked me over with a feather.

When did you start writing M/M Romance? What about this genre interested you the most?

I’ve only been writing M/M romance stories for about nine months – reading them for only a year. What interested me about them – besides the steamy scenes – was that these were stories with real men and real-life struggles and the gay man got the guy and they were happy.

I’d grown up with so few stories like this that I couldn’t – still can’t – get enough of them. I am such a sucker for a happy (gay) ending.

How many books have you written thus far?

I have written three novels and four short stories, all published through Dreamspinner Press.

Do you write full time?

Well, yes and no. During the school year, teaching is my full-time job, so I can only spend a few hours a week writing. But during the summer and other extended holidays, I usually spend most of my day writing. Even if I travel somewhere, the laptop and stories go with me.


Looking back was there something in particular that helped you to decide to become a writer? Did you choose it or did the profession choose you?

I’ve never thought of it that way, but I guess – in a way – the profession did choose me. Our house was full of books; whether they were fiction, non-fiction, encyclopedias or art books, I couldn’t get enough of them.


I loved how books made me think and feel, laugh and cry; I always thought it would be such a great feeling to be able to write a story that could do that to someone. (And it is!)

On a typical writing day, how would you spend your time?

I’m not, strictly speaking, a morning person, but that is when I find my mind works best. So, on a typical day, I get up, fix myself some tea – or sometimes, hot chocolate – and sit down at the keyboard to go over my notes and then figure out what will happen next to my characters.

On a good day, I’ll spend nine or ten hours writing and planning; on a bad day, I’ll feel lucky if I get five or six hours of frustration-free writing done.

When it comes to plotting, do you write freely or plan everything in advance?

My process is a little weird; I get an idea, let it roll around in my head for days or weeks or months until the idea has become almost like a movie playing over and over in my head. Then, I sit down and type what I’m watching in my brain. By that time, the story has written itself and I’m just a conduit.

What kind of research do you do before and during a new book?

If there are aspects I’m not familiar with, I will spend a lot time phoning or writing family and friends who would be familiar with these aspects. I always try to submit a novel that has no technical errors in it, so my research is usually quite extensive.

How much of yourself and the people you know manifest into your characters? How do you approach development of your characters? Where do you draw the line?

I always draw the line at writing a character that is exactly like someone I know. All of my characters have traits from various people because when I’m thinking about the story and the characters I will use real-life events and situations and remember how someone I knew handled a similar situation brilliantly or poorly – depending on what is planned for the character.

How long does it take for you to complete a book you would allow someone to read?

Depending on the research involved and my familiarity with events in the story, I can usually finish a first draft in about thirty to forty days. It’s at this stage that I’ll usually send it off to someone for comments and suggestions.

Do you write straight through, or do you revise as you go along?

A little bit of both. If I’m feeling comfortable with my characters and their plot points, I can write straight through; sometimes, however, I’ll finish a chapter or a section that just doesn’t feel right. So I’ll stop and re-read until I find the line or two that seems to be throwing me off-balance.

Writers often go on about writer’s block. Do you ever suffer from it, and what measures do you take to get past it?

Knock on wood (I’m hitting myself in the head right now), I’ve never suffered from writer’s block. Before I begin typing, I always have the entire story planned out, so I always know what will be coming next; if I don’t know where I’m going, I don’t begin to write the story.

When someone reads one of your books for the first time, what do you hope they gain, feel or experience?

What a great question! I guess I hope that a reader will empathize with the heros and the struggles that they are experiencing; I hope that the readers can see some of themselves in the characters and feel a little less lonely or alone or confused about something that may be bothering them. At the very least, I hope a reader will think that they haven’t wasted time or money.

Can you share three things you’ve learned about the business of writing since your first publication?

1. There are some incredibly generous readers out there who will take the time out of their busy days to send me an email and let me know how much they enjoyed a story.
2. Some of my fellow writers and colleagues – at Dreamspinner Press and other publishing houses – have been incredibly giving of their experiences and their time to help this new author and I will always be grateful for them and their help.
3. Having a book (or books) published would not mean as much if I didn’t have people like you, Michele and Jeff or The BookWenches, who take such an important and active role in reviewing my work and the work of all romance authors.

Does the title of a book you’re writing come to you as you’re writing it, or does it come before you even begin the first sentence?

I have this strange fascination with quotations. If a quotation inspires a story, the title is usually gleaned from that. If not, the title usually comes to me as I type the story; a word or a phrase will suddenly make me stop and say, “Hey, that sounds like a good title!”

How would you describe your sense of humor? Who and what makes you laugh?

I was raised in a family that had every type of sense of humor imaginable; my father and brother were into slapstick and sight gags; my mother was incredibly sharp and had a biting wit; and my two sisters were very sarcastic and dark, but funny!

More often than not, people describe my sense of humor as “dry” – whatever that means!

What is the most frequently asked D.W. question?

Another really good question; I had to think about this one for a bit. “How does a science teacher end up writing m/m romance novels?” (I hope I’ve answered it?)

What are you working on now?

I am working on a novel with Heidi Cullinan (fellow DSP author and friend) as well as another novel – a solo effort about a D.E.A. agent in Detroit.

What was the best piece of advice you’ve received with respect to the art of writing? How did you implement it into your work?

I’ve received a lot of really good advice that I always keep in mind when writing now. I can’t mention them all, but the best piece of advice I received was to always keep in mind, while writing, what the story is really about, what its purpose is.

When it comes to promotion, what lengths have you gone to in order to increase reader-awareness of your work?

I have created a website (which is quite pathetic compared to some other authors’ websites); I maintain a page at both GLBT Bookshelf and Goodreads; and I will glady attend online chats and do interviews when asked.

Writing is obviously not just how you make your living, but your life-style as well. What do you do to keep the creative “spark” alive – both in your work and out of it?

I’m a really big fan of different. I like to keep the spark alive by continuing to try things that I’ve never tried before, such as the present-tense prologue and epilogue in “Sins of the Father”. I really enjoy stretching my imagination and coming up with different literary devices to experiment with.

What pros and cons surround the e-publishing industry, and how do you envision the future of e-publishing?

I don’t know if I’m knowledgeable enough about e-publishing to comment on the pros and cons, but I will write this: I can only see it becoming bigger than it already is, what with ebook readers (I have one!) and downloadable books. Not only is fast and convenient, but I don’t have to pack them in boxes when I move…LOL

What kind of books do you like to read?

My best friend calls me a “book whore”, by which he means that I’ll read anything. This same friend has a theory that I was illiterate in a past life and now I’m making up for it.

I tend to read m/m fiction (of course), but also (auto)biographies, mysteries and historical non-fiction. I have a degree in history and have always loved reading about the well-known – and not-so-well-known – figures from the past.

If you weren’t a writer what would you be?

That’s difficult to answer, because I’ve done everything I’ve ever wanted to do: I am a teacher, an opera singer and now a writer.

If I did have the time, though, I would love to become an artist of some kind – a painter, a graphic artist…something like that; it’s pipe dream because I have no talent in that area, but I’ve always thought it would be so rewarding to create something visually stunning.

I recently read your novel Sins of the Father. Where did you get the idea for that story?

While I was a beginning teacher, I had an uncle who worked as a guard at the prison just outside the city. He would tell me sometimes about how disadvantaged in life some of the men were; bad homes, even worse decisions, uneducated. So, I got the idea one day to ask him if the warden would consider me doing volunteer work there – after school – to help some of the inmates earn their GEDs.


Long story short, I ended up doing that for many, many years and while working with one older gentleman, a story began to form in my head about how the inmates’ lives affected their loved ones on the outside.

“Sins of the Father” is the result.

When it comes to the covers of your books, what do you like or dislike about them?

Honestly, the authors at Dreamspinner Press are always included and consulted when it comes to a cover for their books. So, I love everything about the covers to my books. Truly, I do.

Aside from writing, what else do you enjoy doing?

Well, as I live near the mountains, I enjoy hiking. I’m also a big fan of camping; there is some very beautiful camping country in Alberta. I’m also an amateur photographer and I love finding discarded or battered antiques and restoring them. Cooking is another favorite activity, but that usually only happens when company is over.

Any special projects coming out soon we should watch for?

There should be a short story coming out soon entitled “Comfort”; it is about a young American in 1964 who crosses the border in the middle of the night to dodge the draft. He injures himself while doing so and is helped by a young Canadian man over the space of about two weeks; the American feels he has to move on – despite his attraction and his growing feelings for the Canadian, and the story then catches up with each of the men twenty years later.

New writers are always trying to glean advice from those with more experience. What suggestions do you have for new writers?

Write what you know, what you’re comfortable with at first; this advice helped me to find my “voice”. I would also like to encourage any aspiring writers to never quit – writing or submitting to publishing houses. It may take a long time, but if it’s what you truly want, the feeling of accomplishment will be well worth the effort.

What future projects do you have in the works?

I’m currently working on a novel with Heidi Cullinan who is also an author whose works have been published through Dreamspinner Press, and I am also working on a mystery/thriller – something I’ve never tried before – about a D.E.A. agent who find himself caught up in a web of deceit and intrigue.

Can you please tell us where we can find you and your books on the Internet?

I have a very simple website, as well as pages on GLBT Bookshelf, Facebook and Goodreads.

Anyone who wishes to purchase my stories can find them at Dreamspinner Press, as well as other online retailers such as AllRomance ebooks and Fictionwise – although Dreamspinner Press is the only site I know has all of them available.

http://www.marchwellbooks.ca/

http://bookworld.editme.com/dwmarchwell

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000201492307

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/