Author Interview: JON MICHAELSEN

FOR THE LOVE OF MEN - Interview By A.J. Llewellyn

1.Hi Jon, welcome to the Divas! When did you start writing M/M fiction and which authors - M/M specifically - appealed to you the most when you started writing your stories?

I have been writing stories as long as I can recall. I began writing M/M fiction sometime in my late teens and wrote my first novel at seventeen. Authors that appealed to me at this age were Patricia Nell Warren and James Kirkwood. In my early twenties, I discovered the writings of Michael Nava, Felice Picano, Armistead Maupin and Andrew Holleran.

2. I am intrigued that you describe yourself as an author whose characters 'just happen to be gay'. Do you see a difference between this and books that state themselves as M/M fiction?

Yes and no. I guess my answer depends on the targeted audience, material or which author. Some of my favorite novels do not contain a single gay character (or perhaps they get the obligatory cameo role), yet I find that I read many stories as if the protagonist is “gay” – so what if he/she has a love interest of the opposite sex! Why limit ourselves, I ask? I’ve been gay as long as I can remember, but it took years of personal growth before I began to speak so candidly about it. I don’t think my sexuality defines who I am – so why should it define my characters?

3. You mention one of my favorite authors Felice Picano as being an influence. I only recently discovered him and was over the moon about a short story of his, The Married Man that I read in an anthology called New York Sex. I could talk to you about him all day but what is it about his work that you particularly admire?

OMG! I discovered Felice Picano about two years ago. He released Like People in History, to date my favorite novel of his. I couldn’t believe that I never came across his titles before. Perhaps because most mainstream bookstores at the time didn’t carry gay-themed titles as much as they do currently, albeit a very limited selection. I searched online and ordered four more titles of his work right away: The Lure, The Book of Lies and Onyx. What intrigues me most about Picano’s writing is his uncanny gift of absorbing the reader into his characters’ lives. You don’t ever want his stories to end! I’m also intrigued by his versatility in his writing; he doesn’t stick with one genre.

4. I must mention something here about your personal life. I know you have been with your lifelong partner for 22 years. Congratulations! How do you sustain a relationship that long in this crazy world?

(Laughs) I’m always amazed when people – even close friends – seem shocked at the number of years I have been with my partner. We got together during the mid-80s and the rage of AIDS was not yet realized by our community, and indeed the world. I’d like to say we met at the right time, the right place, but our introduction was far less dramatic. Sustain, you ask? I think any relationship takes hard work. Our partnership is no different than a marriage between a man and a woman, with exception of obvious legal exclusions.

5. What are the three things you love most about him? Quick…first things off the top of your head…

His loyalty, honesty and enduring love.


6. What is your life like in Atlanta and have you found it to be gay friendly? Do you have a writerly ritual, like a fave coffee shop hangout?

Atlanta is very gay friendly! At least, within the city limits and some of the immediate suburbs. Once you get outside the city, outside the interstate perimeter I-285 (locals called it “OTP” or outside the perimeter), acceptance and tolerance lessens the further away from town one drives, but the boundaries of acceptance keep expanding each year.
My favorite haunt to pound out a few words in my laptop while enjoying a great cup of joe, friendly staff and excellent music is Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse http://www.outwritebooks.com/ which is in the heart of Midtown, the gay mecca of Atlanta. In fact, I wrote scenes from my current e-book, Voyeur, while seated at a favorite table near to the window and glancing out at the tall buildings of Midtown. Outwrite is located at the corners of Tenth and Piedmont, a popular spot that manages to find its way into the pages of several of my stories, including my current work-in-progress; a murder/suspense novel releasing sometime early next year.

7. Have you considered getting married in California and can I come to the wedding??

No and Yes! We’ll wait for marriage to become legal in Georgia before going that route. When that happens - or we move to a state that legalizes marriage between same-sex couples, absolutely!

8. I promise not to embarrass you or spit at anybody, unless they ask me to, of course…Okay Jon, dish. You say you have three monstrous terriers. What are their names and how bad are they, really?

Have you ever owned a terrier?

AJ says: I have a golden retriever. In her puppy days when she chewed everything and tried to kill the cats, I threatened to turn her into a throw rug. The dog understood and has been a Stepford Dog ever since…but do go on…

LOL. Well, we have terrors, er terriers (!), but we love them dearly. You can’t threaten them; they’re up for the challenge! Each is unique in personality and smart as a whip. Their names in order of age are Gracie, Monte and Morgan and they are the of the same breed, Lakeland Terrier. I’m exaggerating some, but any terrier owner will tell you to keep an eye peeled in their direction at all times as they get bored and get into trouble at the drop of a dime.

9. If you were a Disney character, which one would you be, and why?

Hands down, Nemo! I love the ocean and plan to retire hear the water one day. My family lives in Florida. I would love to travel the currents and see the “underworld” like Nemo.


10. Do you read a lot? What books do you enjoy the most?

I read all the time. When I’m not writing or editing my own work, I’m reading and/or reviewing another author’s writing as part of an online writing workshop I’m involved in. I usually read two or three novels simultaneously; one sits in my car, one bedside my bed and another near where I happen to relax for the evening in the house. I love to read! In order to keep the story lines from merging, I’ll try to read different genres. For instance, currently I’m reading Rick R Reed’s psychotic serial killer thriller, IM.

AJ Says: Hold it right there. He is my new favorite author. He scares the pants off me! I loved IM!

Wow, what a thriller! Have you seen the cover of his new release set for October 2008, Dead End Street? OMG! The cover of the novel sends shivers up my spine! I can’t wait to read it. I’m also reading The Mistress and the Mouse by J.J. Giles, an erotic soap-opera that would make hardcore Dallas and Dynasty blush! The third book I’m re-reading at the moment (yes, re-reading since I read all stories prior to publication during creation) is the all male, erotic romance anthology titled, Men, from Loveyoudivine, which includes my story, Voyeur.

11. I have asked other M/M authors this and it continues to enthrall and baffle me. Why do you think so many women have become increasingly drawn to M/M fiction over the last couple of years?

I honestly do not know. No one was more shocked than me to learn that most of the people buying my e-book, Voyeur, are women. That holds true for the recently released print anthology, Men.

12. Can you personally tell if a woman (passing as a man) is writing M/M fic and what is the difference in your mind?

A difficult question to answer. I believe it can depend on the author, perhaps their experience to some degree. There is some m/m fiction where I can peg the difference on the spot, similar to if I tried writing m/f fiction – I don’t have the experience or knowledge in some areas of m/f couplings that would lend credibility to the story. I feel the same holds true in some m/m fiction written by women sometimes. But, I’m often proven wrong. Take Anastasia Rabiyah, for instance. She’s a wonderfully gifted writer who recently released, The Blindfold, another story in the Men anthology. If I’d read the story without knowing the author was a woman, I’d swear a gay guy penned it! Just goes to show, can’t judge the greatness of a novel by the gender of the author alone.

11. What are you working on now and please describe your writing process.

I’m in the editing stages of a murder/suspense novel that should go to my publisher by the end of the year centered on a closeted gay-homicide detective in Atlanta, Georgia; the first in a series. I have at least three novellas in the hopper that I hope to submit before the end of the year, and a selection to be included in Men II, which is set for release in early 2009.
My writing process? Scattered! I work on the story that I’m in the mood for at the moment, what ever jumps forward. I can move back and forth, work on a short-story or my novel based on where my muse takes me. I carry a micro-cassette recorder (remember those?) with me in the car at all times. I’m usually recording scenes, dialog or story ideas while tooling down the highway.

12. I was fascinated to see that on your website, you described Michael Crichton as a literary influence. Is this where you get your 'twisty' inspiration for your books?

Some, yes. Others include Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, M. Night Shamalyan, John Grisham and David Baldacci – and a recent discovery, Max Griffin.

13. I just ran your name through the Vampire Name Generator. It’s pretty cool, actually. This is what came out: The Great Archives determine you to have gone by the identity:
Emperor of Scandanavia
Known in some parts of the world as: Father of The Steely Moon
The Great Archives Record: A child of the Moon Goddess - Cold, determined, but of the light in the night.

Now imagine that you, Steely Moon, have just landed with a thud in Atlanta. Georgia in the gay ‘hood. What one special, unusual vampire trait do you have?

Wow, you’ve put me on the spot! How about, that I can move among the living even during daylight hours, a rarity of my heritage borne centuries ago.

14. Cool Answer…Now, forgetting you’re not single just for a moment, if you could conjure up any outfit and any man in the world you, Steely Moon, wanted for a hot night on the town, what you wear and who would your date be? And how long would it take for you to put out?

Hands down, my date would be Christian Bale. We’d dine at the Ritz Carlton in Buckhead in formal tuxedos, before heading out for the evening later in black jeans, dark boots and t-shirts. To “put out”? Depends on when he’s called into action in his bat suit.

15. Oh you have a great sense of humor. I love it!! So, what is next after Men II?

My goal? Lots and lots of writing! Men was just released this month, and before I know it, Men II will be here. I need to finish editing my murder/suspense novel, Pretty Boy Dead, and start on the second book in the series, as well as other projects throughout next year. Also, I have an idea for a ghost story.

16. One final question while I still have you under the harsh spotlight of the interrogator’s death beam…am I the sexiest guy to ever interview you?

Well, of course!!

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I would like to thank Jon Michaelsen for stopping by today…and for being such good fun!!! Find out more about him at:

http://www.jonmichaelsen.com/
www.myspace.com/jonmichaelsen

Order my current e-book
http://tinyurl.com/LYD-Voyeur

Order Men from loveyoudivine
http://tinyurl.com/LYD-MEN

order MEN from Amazon.com
http://tinyurl.com/MENwhoLOVEmen

http://www.loveyoudivine.com/

Inside the Wondermind of Horror Author RICK R. REED

Author Interview by AJ Llewellyn


1. Rick, you definitely do not write to the comfort level of your readers. There is rarely a happy ending. Sometimes one character gets it, another doesn't. You also bump off major characters. Is this a conscious decision in your work, to flaunt tradition?

Oh, I don't know; I think you'll find a lot of happy endings in my work. It all depends on how you look at things. When I write, I simply like to look at things realistically, so my books are rarely black and white in any sense, they move between the two extremes...and happy endings are one example of what I think of as realism and the shades of gray we find in real life. My stories are very personal and usually driven by my characters, who become very real in my head. So I don't think there's any deliberate attempt to flaunt tradition.

2. When did you start writing? I believe your first published book was in 1991 wasn't it? But what about the actual writing?

I started writing when I was about six years old, when I wrote my first short story. I haven't let up since. I wrote my first play in 4th grade, my first novella in fifth and, by the time I graduated high school, had written two novels and enough short stories to fill an anthology. Of course, I wouldn't share any of that stuff with anyone now! Writing is a constitutional thing with me. Like being gay, it's just who I am...and definitely not a choice!

3. What drew you to horror and whose work in that field do you admire?

I have always been fascinated with the dark side of things. Even as a small child, I preferred horror movies over Disney type stuff (my parents used to let me stay up late on Saturday nights to watch the Chiller Theater double feature out of Pittsburgh). Horror intrigues me because it explores that dark side that I think we all have inside us. I find flawed and even frightening people much more interesting to contemplate. True crime fascinates me and I can quote chapter and verse on most of the twentieth century's most notorious serial killers. I admire in fiction people like Flannery O'Connor (whose work is deliciously horrific), James Purdy, Patricia Highsmith, and Ruth Rendell. Of course, from when I was small, I have been a die-hard Stephen King fan and continue to be so. I used to feel that way about Anne Rice, but now, not so much.

4. Rick, I am very interested to hear you say this about Anne Rice because I loved her books too but could not get through much of Christ, the Lord Out of Egypt. I felt that a lot of what made her books so original was gone. Did you read that book?

No, I started giving up around the time Queen of the Damned came out. It was so long and overblown. I was afraid she was beyond the reach of an editor. When she started putting religion into her books, I just got bored. But the first couple Lestat novels were beautiful…some of the best vampire fiction I think, well, ever.

5. I know you have said your ideas come from different sources but with each successive book, you manage to pinpoint topical issues such as sexual addiction in High Risk, meth amphetamine addiction and gender bias in Orientation. Do you follow the media much? Or are these things you see in your life in general?

I think the inclusion of topical issues is more on a subconscious level because, as I said above, I am fascinated by flawed people and one of my biggest fascinations is of obsession. It really intrigues me to think about people doing things they can't help doing, but do it anyway because their compulsion is so fierce. I will pass on saying how this relates to my own personal life.


6.You are one of the pioneers of GLBT fiction. How has it changed in recent years?

A pioneer? Thanks for making me feel ancient!
(AJ says: I didn’t mean to, I meant it as a compliment!)
Oddly, thanks for making me feel honored. I don't know if I am a pioneer or not, but I do think we have seen a much broader acceptance of GLBT fiction and media lately and that's a good thing, but I think we still have a long way to go. GLBT fiction is still way too marginalized and hard to find. I think the key is finding stories that appeal not to the sexual beings in all of us, but to the human beings in all of us. We all share common bonds and when we find those stories, I think GLBT stories will be much more accessible to a wider audience. I try to write not from a GLBT perspective, but a human one. My character's sexuality is secondary to their humanity.

7. I have noticed on message boards you get a lot of female fans. Why do you think more and more women are becoming drawn to gay fiction?


I have noticed that too. I expected my gay serial killer novel about online hookups to have a very narrow appeal to gay men, but then I get letters from grandmothers telling me they loved it. I think the reason women are drawn to M/M stories is because that, when they are done right, they appeal to common issues people have: love, hope, desire. M/M is just a variation on a theme, and perhaps, a compelling variation.

8. What sort of books do you prefer to read in your own time?


I read mostly fiction, with occasional forays into non-fiction (mostly true crime or histories of disasters--am I cheery or what?). I mentioned some of my favorite authors above, but I do enjoy a good mystery and am even discovering some aspects of science fiction that I like, a genre I never thought I'd enjoy.

9. When you branched out from your usual fare with High Risk, were your publishers and fans receptive?


HIGH RISK is, if I may say so, a thrill ride of a story (I've had more than one person tell me they stayed up all night to finish it or had to read it in one sitting). So I would say that, in general, my publisher and my readers have been receptive. No one has complained about the characters' straight orientation. As I said, I think a good story appeals to anyone, regardless of gender or orientation.

10. Can you please tell me a little about your writing life? Do you write at specific times? Do you commit to a certain number of pages per day?


When I'm writing a novel, I do try to be disciplined about it, because I am my own boss (unlike I am my own wife, which is a whole 'nother story). I usually write first thing in the morning because I am very much a morning person. I usually give myself a goal of 1,000 words per day. It's an easily attainable goal for me and I often write more than that. But on the other hand, if I only write 1,000 words or a little less, I don't beat myself up too badly...and when I do beat myself up badly, I always steer clear of the face.


11. (Laughing) Dead End Street, your new book coming in October looks very, very dark. Do you spook yourself when you are writing? As a reader, your books are harrowing...what do you put yourself through to write them?

Dead End Street is a young adult novel, so while it is horror, in many ways is less dark than my other books. It's the story of five misfit kids who discover an abandoned house in their small town where a family was murdered years ago (and the son went missing) and decide to tell ghost stories in the house over the course of several weeks. Only the house is NOT as abandoned as they might think...and that's where the terror comes in. I can't really say I spook myself. I do get caught up in my characters and what's happening with them, yet I don't have to keep telling myself "it's only a book." I'm the little man behind the curtain...and I know all secrets of what will scare my readers, so I protect myself in that way.

12. You have a prolific output. Do you work on more than one book at a time?

There's no way I could write more than one book at a time! I have a hard enough time keeping everything straight in one book at a time. I just look prolific because 2007 and 2008 have been good years for me getting published. It doesn't necessarily mean everything was written from scratch in that time frame.

13. What are you working on next?

I am contracted to write two ebooks (novellas) for my publisher and need to get those done. One will be a homoerotic take on a very popular fairy tale and the other will be a coming out story about a married, closeted man. After that, I want to write a new full-length novel and will either do a sequel to IM or a new story that's been dancing around in my head about a gay couple, a murder, and a haunted condominium.

14. A haunted condo? I love it! You have been described as the Stephen King of gay horror. As such, I have to ask you, what does your muse look like? He says his muse is an ugly, chubby guy with a beard. What about yours?

I'm afraid I'm more prosaic. I just look in the mirror. He's a tough muse and he's getting old.

15. What are the two things you love most about Lily? And how does she feel about your books?

Lily is, of course, my Boston Terrier. I love the way she snorts like a pig and how she loves to cuddle with my partner and I at night when we all go to bed. She thinks my books are potboilers and not worth the paper they're printed on. But what does she know? She's a dog.

16. You say on your website that you suffered numerous head traumas. Is this true? And if so, what happened and has this influenced the 'twisted' elements in your work?

Yes, it is true. If I shaved my head, I'm afraid it wouldn't be a pretty; it would be a mass of scars from stitches and concussions. What happened: bike riding accidents (as both an adult and a child), a sledding accident where I knocked a STOP sign out of the ground with my head, being hit by a car, falling over the banister in my parents' house and landing on my head, hitting my head on the edge of a coffee table. What else? That's all I can remember. Those injuries probably explain a lot...more than just my twisted stories!

17. You and your partner are allowed to invite anybody to dinner – but they must be dead and/or fictional. Who would you invite and what’s on the menu?

If they’re dead, that would be kind of gross, wouldn’t it? At least I wouldn’t have to worry about what to serve them. I guess the first fictional character that popped into my head was Ignatius O’Reilly from A Confederacy of Dunces. He would have bad manners and would complain loudly about whatever I served, but he would make me laugh, and that goes a long way in my book. I suppose, befitting his home town, I would cook him up a mess of red beans and rice with a nice big ham hock and some corn muffins. And we’d have to have lots of beer…and maybe some crayfish…and shrimps.

18. One final question. I just made you God for a day. Quick, you get to change one thing about the world. What will it be?

I’d give the Republicans the same things the Tin Man and the Scarecrow were missing.


On behalf of Dark Divas Reviews, I want to thank Rick for his time and his awesome answers.


Find out more about Rick R. Reed at his website: http://www.rickrreed.com/

and visit his myspace page at www.myspace.com/rickrreed