Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Michael and I’m the author of two books, a short story collection and a novel. I’m a thirty-something guy who lives in the suburbs. I like cooking (not always a successful venture), traveling (even though it makes me anxious) and holidays (my husband’s birthday and Valentine’s Day are coming!).
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Parade is my first novel. I was inspired by religion. As a child, I was raised with no religion and always felt extremely curious about it. Who and what is God? Is he white? Is God really a male? Does God hate me? I was a little obsessed. So, as a college student, I studied all types of religion. I went to Temple. I attended Catholic services. I meditated with monks. I took a bit of everything and pasted together a sort of religion worked for me. With Parade, I wondered what it would be like if my characters created their own religion (and government). My protagonist writes his own bible and creates his own church. But it’s kind of punk rock…with glamour…with mansions. I really love this novel!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I scrawl notes all the time. On little pieces of paper. It could be an image or one word that charms me. Paper scraps follow me, I swear. And I write in the kitchen. At our island. I have a nice office space, but I always end up in the kitchen. I dice veggies in between edits so…it makes sense.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Recently, I’ve been drawn to the work of Bud Smith. He’s so incredibly inspiring to me. What a down to earth fella. He works construction, but writes whenever he can. He’s composed three books of fiction and one poetry collection. He didn’t attend college, but is smarter than most writers I’ve encountered. One of his best quotes: “I just want to create cool shit.” Amen!
What are you working on now?
Short stories! So thrilled to be doing so. I’m a writer with a million projects on the back burner. Another novel, a memoir, another novel. I’ve always wanted to start a cooking/lifestyle blog thing too.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s always different. The Lambda Literary Foundation has been incredibly kind to me. Really, I just try to find nice people who want to support artists. I’ve been lucky.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep being you and doing what is important to you. Also, find something else creative that fuels you. Knit or something. I wish I could knit. It’s all math. I’d love to make a scarf.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Some writers can be real assholes.” My first mentor said that to me during lunch. I thought, “Aw. Crap. Really?”
What are you reading now?
I’m reading The Blue Girl by Laurie Foos and The Misadventures of Sullivan Pong by Leland Cheuk. I’m a terrible reader, though. It takes a great deal for me to commit to a book. But I’m devoted to these two.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More readings, more stories. Flexing my craft muscles. Journaling and having fun.
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?
Gee, that’s tricky. Raymond Carver’s Complete Collected Works. He was a master and dreamy. Emily Dickinson’s Collected Poems. A Martha Stewart book of recipes. Something by Danez Smith.
Author Websites and Profiles
Michael Graves Website
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