Author Interview: D.J. MANLY

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. DJ, welcome back to the Divas’ Den. A lot has changed since we last talked…in fact since we last did this we have become co authors with the Black Point series. Since this was your idea, what prompted you to ask me to work with you? (And thank you for that by the way)…

I figured it was a great way to get…no…that wasn’t the reason, lol. Actually, I had my eye on you, so to speak, in a clearly bookish kind of way.

AJ says: What do you mean “clearly bookish”? And er…you read some of my stuff? DJ…you are full of surprises….but please, do go on.

You were turning out books in the same genre as me and I figured, hey, this guy is serious. I read enough of your stuff to know you could write, so I figured, why not? I play haunches sometimes and follow my instincts. They’re usually pretty good. And ah…you’re welcome.

2. We have a new BP book coming out March 1 and another in the series May 1. We have decided we may do another in the future and are now focused on a paranormal series together but what else is on the horizon for you?

Oh God, I don’t know. I mean I just turned in a book called Diamond In the Shade to Liquid Silver, and I’m working on a sequel because it’s got to be a series, how long a one, I don’t know.

3. Marry Me or Die…what a title…I think it’s no secret we are you know…a deux…but you made it clear to me marriage is not something you want…so where on earth does this title come from?

I don’t believe that one has to have some official paper to make something real. I’m a bit of rebel (no comments like…A BIT????)

Comment? BWAHAHA….sorry hon…I wasn’t laughing at that statement…ha ha ha…a bit. Hey even my dog is laughing…

I’m not a conventional kind of guy. But I figure, if you want it, you should do it. My character feels the same way actually, but you have to read the book the find out what happens!

4. You live in Canada…where gay marriage is legal. Have you been to any of these weddings? Also is it a controversy there at all? People pretty well let people do what they want here.

Ministers are free to refuse to perform gay marriages. Of course, the Catholic church won’t do that, mostly Anglican and United. And Yes, I’ve been to one, two women friends, very nice.

5. How did you first discover the “other” man in your life, John Barrowman? And wouldn’t he make for a hot threesome?

LOL. I first say John Barrowman on Torchwood and God, he was hot. He is hot and Scottish and well…need I say more. He’s just sweet, out gay man with a gorgeous lover, and he’s multi-talented. And no, I haven’t had the pleasure!!

6. Okay now for the really tough question cookie…what was your relationship with fantasy as a child?

I was always play acting as a child, making up stories and acting them out. I used to tape stories ad lib and play all the parts. I started writing short novels at ten years old.

7. My God…how adorable you must have been! What kind of an actor were you?

I was always the macho guy going out to work…lol…loved playing cop.

8. What kind of novels did you write?

Romance things mainly to appease my older women relatives.

9. That’s how you mastered that whole romance thing! Okay, who is hotter? Me or Barrowman?

Lol…loaded question…one I plan on giving the right answer to…why, you of course!! No contest.

10. Sweetie! I happen to know you love to read…plus you have a full time job and a prolific writing output so when do you get time to read?

In bed before I fall asleep sometimes…but only when I’m alone and allowed to!! I don’t read as often as I would like, but I did finish the biography you gave me on John Barrowman.

11. Don’t you enjoy him even more since reading it?? I thought he was adorable and funny and I bet he’s HYSTERICAL in person! Which brings me to an important question. The day he landed the lif changing role of Captain Jack Harkness, he was walking down the street eating a packet of Percy Pigs when he got the news. What do you suppose they are? Do you think this sounds fantastically filthy or do I just have a wild imagination?

I have no idea…but something chewy I imagine.

12. A very personal question. What’s your go-to comfort food?

Pasta!

13. What is the hottest date you ever had? Warning, if it wasn’t one you had with me, you know there is trouble in your immediate future…

Definitely the one where we spent the entire night down at the beach. I do want to live.

14. You are smart DJ…and so talented, too! You have been writing M/M for about four years now…how do you feel about this suddenly being the “hot” genre and so many authors dipping their toes in the pool?

Of course, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m happy it’s popular, but even if it was just cultish, I’d write it anyway. At least with it being popular, I make a few more dollars. I can’t say I’m happy about the authors who have traditionally written Het deciding to suddenly jump the fence to m/m because they think it’s the way to sell books. (and I know why you asked me this question, we’ve spent some time talking about it.)
I am passionate about my work. I respect what I write, but I find some authors writing in this genre for the sake of selling books, don’t respect it. The writing rings false to me, unrealistic. And you can tell when a writer doesn’t like what they’re writing. See, you got me going now, lol, so I’ll stop talking about it.

15. Who are your favorite gay erotic fiction authors?

There are so many good ones, but I have to confess I don’t read a lot of books in this genre. I don’t like to be influenced by what others write in the m/m genre, and I don’t have time to read. I much prefer to read books in other genres when I have the time like vampire fiction, biographies, and academic books on teaching. I do read you though because we write together, so you top the list.

16. One final question, what are your favorite gay TV shows and movies – I know you love Dante’s Cove…

Queer as Folk is the one I can think of off the top of my head. Torchwood, of course, although it’s not strictly gay. I love the movie Maurice. There are others I know which I just can’t think of now.
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On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I would like to thank D.J. Manly for stopping by and discussing cops and snacks…and the world of man love romance. To find out more about this talented author, please check out his links:

http://www.djmanly.com/
www.myspace.com/djmanly