TBR [to be read] is a semi-regular, invitation-only
interview series with authors of newly released/forthcoming, interesting books
who will tell us about their new work as well as offer tips on writing, stories
about the publishing biz, and from time to time, a recipe!
Give us your elevator
pitch: what’s your book about in 2-3 sentences?
In We
Love Anderson Cooper, characters are treated as outsiders because of their
sexual orientation, racial or religious identity, or simply because they look
different. A young man courts
the publicity that comes from outing himself at his bar mitzvah. When a painter
is shunned because of his appearance, he inks tattoos that come to life. A
Jewish actuary suspects his cat of cheating on him with his Protestant
girlfriend.
Which story did you
most enjoy writing? Why? And, which story gave you the most trouble, and why?
I had a lot of fun writing “A Cat Called Grievous.” The
humor is so dark and it bumps up against magical realism, though a blogger
recently included it in a list of realist stories about animals. It’s a
feminist story, but never lectures the reader.
“Ghost Dogs” is about a woman who has lost hope and was very
hard to write. A colleague who read an early draft told me it lacked contrast.
She compared the story to a painting that is so dark you can’t make out the images.
Following her advice, I found ways to lighten up the story. In some cases that
meant flashing back to times in the main character’s life when she was
surrounded by love.
Tell us a bit about
the highs and lows of your book’s road to publication.
A particularly low day was one on which I got rejections
from three agents who had read the full manuscript. I had high hopes for each
of those agents, and the rejections body-slammed me, especially coming
together. One of the agents said I’d never find representation because there
was no market for short story collections. That made me determined to press on,
but only after eating most of a vegan chocolate cake. I saved one slice in the
freezer, telling myself I would eat it when I signed with an agent.
A high point was when my agent sent the manuscript out on a
Friday and three publishers expressed interest in acquiring the collection on
Monday.
What’s your favorite
piece of writing advice?
A teacher of mine once said he couldn’t think of any student
who stuck with writing over the years, working at it and honing her craft, who
didn’t find success. I love this because it shows that writing is not an inborn
talent that either you have or you don’t. Instead, writing is a skill that you
develop over time with great effort.
My favorite writing
advice is “write until something surprises you.” What surprised you in the
writing of this book?
Putting the collection together, I chose from stories I
wrote over a ten-year period. I was surprised by some of the older ones. They possess
a rawness that I like and perhaps have moved away from as revision has become
the focus of my writing. I was careful not to over-revise the older ones I
included, not wanting the original impetus for them to get lost, or for them to
present with perfect manners.
How did you find the
title of your book?
In the title story, “We Love Anderson Cooper,” a boy comes
out as gay at his bar mitzvah service. Later that day, his mother says to him: “Why
didn’t you talk to us first? We would have understood. We love Anderson
Cooper.”
Inquiring foodies and
hungry book clubs want to know: Any food/s associated with your book?
In “The Infidelity of Judah Maccabee” food is an important
character in the story, which takes place during Christmas and Hanukkah. Fragrant
latkes (potato pancakes) remind the
main character, Barry, of his childhood. When his girlfriend, Anette, bakes
Christmas cookies, Barry feels as if her holiday is taking over the house.
Barry’s cat falls for Anette when she prepares fish stew.
~~
READ MORE ABOUT THIS
AUTHOR: www.RLMaizes.com
ORDER THIS BOOK FOR
YOUR OWN TBR SHELF: https://www.rlmaizes.com/book-we-love-anderson-cooper
READ AN EXCERPT, “A
Cat Called Grievous”: https://electricliterature.com/how-to-become-a-cat-lady-4f81290d7bd9