Albany, New York, is the setting of the paranoid tale (in the Hitchcock tradition) of former APD Detective turned Private Investigator/Massage Therapist, Richard “Dick” Moonlight, who believes he might be responsible for the brutal slaying by knife of his illicit lover, the beautiful Scarlet Montana. The situation is made all the worse since Scarlet is the wife of Moonlight’s boss, Chief of Detectives Jake Montana.
The book is titled Moonlight Falls and is written by the talented Vincent Zandri. Zandri has already gotten rave reviews and for those thriller lovers in the Virginia Beach area, we have asked Vincent if he would answer a few questions about his writing life. Enjoy the interview!
Thank you for this interview, Vincent. Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later? Do you remember your first published piece?
I didn’t write stories exactly, but I was an avid reader and often acted out scenes of what I’d read. I was particularly fascinated with the crucifixion scene in the Bible. Mel Gibson actually scooped me! Once my parents caught me trying to reenact Jesus on the cross. I think they considered psychological evaluation. Ha! In any case, the actual writing bug came later when I was mature enough to be able to put words and sentences together. My first published piece was called “Home.” It went into a now defunct, but very good literary journal called, Mildred.
What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?
By far the most frustrating side is looking for that first big break. But what’s even more frustrating is getting the big break only to have your publisher get bought out by another. Suddenly you’re without your editorial support and the bastard child of a publisher who didn’t want you in the first place. Sales plummet and naturally, it’s all your fault. In any case, I never let the business people get me down. The writing comes from too deep a source. By the way, that’s my second answer. By far the most rewarding thing is the writing.
Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life? Do you have support?
I’ve been married and I’ve been not married. Right now I’m the latter and I hope to stay that way. In both my marriages, my writing became a kind of illicit affair that my respective spouses came to resent. They thought I put my writing first before them and the kids. While I would gladly take a bullet for my kids, I would not take one for either wife. Ha ! So, yes, in that respect, the writing has come first.
What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing? Where do you like to vacation? Can you tell us briefly about this?
I spend a couple of months each year in Florence, Italy and other parts of Europe. Europeans aren’t like Americans who are obsessed with making money. Europe is a sensual place full of history, culture, and great mystery. The food is fresher too. There’s something intensely gratifying about finishing up a morning’s writing and making a pilgrimage on foot to Dante Alighieri’s home. There also happens to be a good bar right around the corner.
If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?
Paris, Café Deux Maggots, sitting outside on the St. Germaine by the Cathedral. Why? Because there is no more wonderful place on earth for drinking café and completing an interview for Pump Up Your Book!
Who is your biggest fan?
My mother. Duh!
Where’s your favorite place to write at home?
My bedroom. I have a desk right beside my bed.
Do you have any pets?
Two teenage sons. Pets are easier to clean up after and cheaper to feed.
What are you reading right now?
The Bottoms by Joe Landsdale, McCarthy’s The Road and a book of essays by Oliver Sacks.
Tell us a secret no one else knows.
My birthmark is located on my….
What’s on your to do list today?
Run, lift weights, make a deadline, complete this interview, get some work in on my new book, rehearse with my punk band, The Blisterz (http://www.myspace.com/theblisterz) and eventually, crack a beer and play some pool with my girlfriend.
I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book in February and March via a virtual book tour. Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?
Logistically speaking, it’s impossible to hit every bookstore in the nation, much less my home state. Many newspapers, including major newsprint publications, no longer maintain a budget to run book reviews (sad but true). What they do instead is farm reviews and interviews out to bloggers who then publish them on the paper’s website. When I asked my traditional publisher what was the one thing I could do to guarantee that word about Moonlight Falls was spread all over the globe, she issued two words “Virtual Tour!” She also reminded me that unlike traditional print media, online reviews, interviews, profiles and blogs remain in cyberspace forever…It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Thank you for this interview, Vincent. Good luck on your virtual book tour!
Thank you for having me.
You can visit Vincent Zandri at www.vincentzandri.com or his official tour page here.
Comments