An Interview with G. Jay, author of Summer Spirit
Please tell us about your current release.
Summer Spirit, A Ryan Kinkaid
Mystery, is the first in my series of at least four books about a successful
gay Manhattan antique dealer. This story starts with Ryan realizing he has had
it with life in New York City, especially his random love life. Although he has
what most New Yorker’s want – his own successful business, and a mortgage-free
brownstone on West 71st Street, one very important thing is missing
in his life . . . a meaningful and loving relationship. With summer just around
the corner, the approaching heat and his restlessness are reasons for his
escape from the city. He takes a four month rental in historic and picturesque
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with his best friend Lauren in hopes of gaining a
new perspective on life.
Renting a house built in 1810, a kindred
spirit Nicholas reaches out for contact, and Ryan finds himself wanting to know
about the past. However, Nicholas is not the only one wanting Ryan’s attention.
Ty, a handsome local man, also has strong desires for Ryan.
The stark contrast of the past
collides with the present in this story of lost and betrayed love, and
irrational and undying prejudice.
In the end, all that is left is
the affirmation of the value of honesty and commitment in love.
Can you tell us about the journey that led you to write your
book?
On a recent trip to the South of
France, my husband and I met a successful romance novelist who, over a dinner
at a restaurant in Marseille, suggested that I try my hand at gay erotica. She
said her gay friends told her she should write some books for that genre
because they felt there weren’t any decent ones out on the market. However,
since she’s straight and it wasn’t her genre, she wasn’t interested. That
suggestion stayed with me and, after a few months, I acted on it.
In the past few years I have had
in the back of my mind the idea of writing a book. Granted whatever story I
thought was there was not based on gay erotica. But none the less, it was
there.
My professional career for the
last 30 years has been in the field of human resources. It afforded me the
ability to see the various sides of people. For example, how they handle change
and have an unending desire to hold on to the anger of past hurts and
disappointments. Two issues I address in my book. I’ve since ended my career in
human resources, focusing on writing the next book in the series.
Can you tell us about the story behind your book cover?
The main graphic on the cover is
a male figure. This figure can represent one of two male characters in the
book, Ryan Kinkaid or Nicholas Walsh. In each case, the characters are
unfulfilled until this certain summer where love and contentment gives life and
color, uplifting their spirits.
What approaches have you taken to marketing your book?
Writing and publishing is all new
territory for me. Marketing the book is something I am still working on. My
publisher helped by setting up my website and I’m telling everyone I know and
come in contact with about my book.
What book on the market does yours compare to? How is your
book different?
I think my book is unique in that
if you take away the sexual aspect of it, there would still be a decent story
there. Many books on the market that I have read in this genre are based solely
on sex acts, which meet the needs of a large percentage of their readership.
What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
I
don’t know if it’s a quick, but I do not outline the book beforehand. I let the
story happen as I write it.
Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s
happening.
Ryan, Lauren and Jason are
traveling from Manhattan to Portsmouth for the weekend. On the way they stop at
a rest area in Connecticut to use the facilities and Jason takes care of
someone else’s business (if you catch my drift) along with his own.
Do you plan any subsequent books?
Yes, this is the first in a
series of at least four. The next book will be a continuation of the story
between Ryan and Ty and is called Autumn Reveal.
Tell us what you’re reading at the moment and what you think
of it.
I’m not reading anything at the
moment. I am focusing on writing Autumn Reveal. However, when I do, I’m sure it
will be one of the more popular fiction books on the market. I doubt it will be
gay erotica because I don’t want to influence my writing by how another author
depicts sex in their story.
Guest Post
The main character in Summer Spirit is 41-year-old Ryan
Kinkaid. A New York City antique dealer who, throughout his adult life, has
looked for that certain someone with whom he could have a loving, committed,
and monogamous relationship. Some may ask, “So what’s the problem?” The problem
is that in the gay world this is not as common as one may think.
As a gay man in my mid-50s, I
have observed many gay “couples” who call someone their “partner.” Usually it’s
the person whom they live with and share living expenses. However, their sexual
lives are not exclusive. I’ve seen advances made at parties by someone in a
relationship toward someone not their partner, or hear how when at a conference
or the gym they hook up with someone. It is when hearing those individuals say,
or do, such things I want to correct them by saying, “Don’t call him, or her,
your partner. They are your roommate who you have sex with occasionally,
nothing more. You’re shopping, and are only with him, or her, until you find
someone better. Besides, it is demeaning to the other person to know they are
not good enough.”
I’ve been chastised and
criticized for this opinion. However, I certainly know I am not alone in my view,
as I have met many couples who are in loving, exclusive relationships. However,
if the truth be known, I think we are in the minority.
After 32 years, in 2010, my
partner and I married in the state of New Hampshire. For the years prior I did
not need to have a piece of paper to prove my commitment to him. I have always
loved and wanted him. It is also safe to say that during those 32 years we had
been through everything there is. Thereby, if you can stand up in front of
family and friends and say vows of commitment to one another you mean them,
because you’ve lived them, proven them.
At this time in our nation’s
development, with the religious right trying so hard to shove homosexuality
back into the closet and take away what few rights we have achieved over the
years, gays have to work hard to promote positive relationships and dispel
negative stereotypes. That piece of paper I mentioned above means everything to
me.
I have written the character of
Ryan Kinkaid to hold the same values as myself. He is not perfect or saintly;
he has had his share of experiences. He is looking for someone who makes daily
living worthwhile, someone to share life with and not be alone.
As a writer, I would like readers
to be able to connect with my characters. I try hard to have them be realistic.
I welcome any comments from readers on my book, your views on my characters and
the relationships I portray. You can contact me through my website,
www.gjayb.com.
The Giveaway
Prize: A e-book copy of Summer Spirit
How to Enter: Leave a comment on this post before Monday, February 4 at midnight (U.S. Eastern Standard Time). I regret to announce that I can no longer allow open commenting on this blog, due to a discouraging number of spam comments. You'll be required to sign in using a Google or OpenID account. I'll announce a winner on Tuesday, February 5th, using Random.org to choose.
U.S., Canada and International Entries Accepted: yes! Please enter and share the giveaway with anyone you know who might like to win the book.
Summer Spirit Book Summary:
G. Jay's Bio:
2 comments:
Erin, thanks for hosting G. Jay today and best of luck to all who enter the giveaway.
Looks fascinating! I'm adding this to my reading list... I'll get to it right fast if I win the copy :)
Post a Comment