Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a teacher, writer and musician. I have published four novels. Joe Café has been described as modern, literary Noir, and it is a new take on the thriller form. Very deeply character based, the psychological impact of the novel drives the plot. The Matt Stark Series (The Biker, Hannigan’s Fight, Boxed In) is a postmodern look at Western, Noir, and Urban crime tropes. It is a trilogy and a coming of age tale (also a reflection on San Francisco). I have also written several collections of short stories (Please, no eyes. & Mix Tape #1), two novellas (Saving Drake & The Note), a book on fishing (Teach Your Kid to Fish: When YOU Don’t Know How!), and a book about my wife’s first pregnancy (You Hate Me Because I’m Pregnant!). In addition, I have published stories and articles in numerous magazines and literary journals.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest is the third book in the Matt Stark trilogy, “Boxed In” – it is the culmination of the series, and my strategy was to wrap up the trilogy while doing justice to every character, not just the protagonist. Writing a trilogy affords the writer the opportunity to reflect on readers’ reactions to the first two books. I took my readers ideas in hand as I wrote the book. The characters wrote the book of course, but it was always in the back of my mind. I was inspired by the awesome reception the first two books in the series received.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write all the time. I’m not sure if that’s unusual or not. I am the English DH at a private school in the Bay Area. I am a reading specialist, and I spend my days talking about literature and working on writing – my own and my students’ work. I want to say something cool…like I only write on Tuesdays and only between 11:35am and 1:13pm (wearing lucky socks), but, really, literature and writing are my life. Which is why I don’t have an expensive motorcycle.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many. When I was young, I was inspired by the Beats. I found John Fante and Charles Bukowski in college. I love John D. MacDonald. I’m usually inspired by every author and book I read – as long as it is engaging. I love reading the passion in other people’s work.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I am gathering the hundreds of flash fiction pieces I wrote when I was working on the novel and preparing them for publication. I’m also working on marketing. Which I suck at.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Most of my books sell because of word of mouth. My readership is not huge, but they are fiercely loyal and read everything I write. I consider myself very lucky.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t listen to other writers’ advice. Unless it makes an awful lot of sense. Write YOU.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I was a sportswriter when I was in High School. This was back when some sportswriters still used typewriters while they drank and chain-smoked. I was just a kid, but they told me not to ever make apologies. To write my “copy” and be proud. I was lucky to have them as mentors.
What are you reading now?
I’m catching up on issues of The New Yorker and Harper’s that I let slide.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Publish some short stories. I love writing novels, but short form fiction will always be my writing happy place. That, and record some more music (it’s been too long).
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
‘Stop Time’, by Frank Conroy. ‘Ham on Rye’, by Bukowski. ‘Dune’, by Frank Herbert. ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’, by Alexandre Dumas (and The Little Prince).
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