Welcome to my weekly Author Spotlight. I’ve asked a bunch of my author friends to answer a set of interview questions, and to share their latest work.
Today, Michael Mandrake – Michael Mandrake pens complex characters already comfortable with their sexuality. Through these, he builds worlds not centered on romance but rather the mainstream and/or obscure plots we might encounter in everyday life and beyond.
Giveaway: Michael is giving away an eBook copy of “Taken and Crowned” with this post – comment below for a chance to win.
Thanks so much, Michael, for joining me!
J. Scott Coatsworth: When did you know you wanted to write, and when did you discover that you were good at it?
Michael Mandrake: I knew I wanted to write around 19 years of age. Iād written poetry and bad fan fiction when I was younger, but then Iād begun writing shorts and submitting them to contests. I wasnāt very good until much later after I went back to writing slash fanfiction. People gave me compliments and I decided to write professionally.
JSC: How would you describe your writing style/genre?
MM: Iām the longwinded, more formal muse. Although the last book I wrote wasnāt my typical forte. I prefer paranormals, but occasionally Iāll slip in a contemporary if the mood strikes. *grins
JSC: What was your first published work? Tell me a little about it.
MM: My first book was called True Meaning of Love. It was an opposites attract story of a starving artist falling for a rich older businessman. A rags to riches story. It was published under a now defunct company called XOXO publishing.
JSC: What do you do when you get writerās block?
MM: I usually read or free write without a deadline, which means write fanfiction or a short story. Usually reading helps though because I can get out of my own head.
JSC: Do you use a pseudonym? If so, why? If not, why not?
MM: Michael Mandrake is my pseudonym. Sharita is my legal name. When I started writing, I wanted to take on a sort of different persona. I felt my real name was too boring. Also, Iād heard that women writing gay romance were better suited with a male penname. Now I know that to be false but writing under Michael has been fun.
JSC: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
MM: As Sharita I would answer stick to one name and establish the one pen first. Itās been hard juggling three of them at once. Iām disabling one name (Rawiya) this year, but Iāll still have Michael, BL, and Veronica MF as well as my sub-pens RM Durand and Brooklyn Roberts FF.
JSC: How long on average does it take you to write a book?
MM: Usually a month or two depending on subject matter. My latest completed book took three because of how in depth it was. I also multi-write so it might take a lot longer due to trying to finishing several at once.
JSC: What do you do if you get a brilliant idea at a bad time?
MM: I actually have a great memory so Iām able to store it away. I usually get the best ones while driving, so the minute I can stop I might use my phone or write things down on a scrap of paper.
JSC: Are there underrepresented groups or ideas featured if your book? If so, discuss them.
MM: Plotster. A combination of both. If the book calls for it, Iāll plot some of it out by writing details or full scenes, but most of the time I let the characters guide me.
JSC: What is the most heartfelt thing a reader has said to you?
MM: Iāve been praised by several about writing black queer men. Black people are underrepresented in romance and if they are written, unfortunately they fill the stereotypes. Iāve been told by readers of color they appreciate that I donāt do that. I write my men respectfully without āwhite washing.ā
JSC: Tell us something we donāt know about your heroes. What makes them tick?
MM: With this book, The Resignation, Iāve written a young man named Braxton whoās looking to move on to a different position because heās unhappy in his current job. The other MC, my vampire Cashel is looking to finally settle down and he sees something in Braxton. Cashel is unlike my other vampire Ryland, who was a lot more kind and feeling towards humans. Cashel is the opposite. He relishes in killing people for his own survival.
JSC: Who did your cover, and what was the design process like?
MM: My cover was designed by Fantasia Frog. Sheās a joy to work with. She sent me a cover form and asked what Iād like for the cover. She went through several of my model changes before finding the right one.
JSC: What inspired you to write this particular story? What were the challenges in bringing it to life?
MM: Wanting to write a gay vampire story where the vamp falls for a black man. There are very little black men featured in paranormal stories as a whole and I wanted to feature that kind of interracial story in this one.
There werenāt really any challenges other than staying in a certain word count because it was supposed to be for an anthology. That anthology didnāt happen so I was able to expound on the story later on.
JSC: Who has been your favorite character to write and why?
MM: I enjoyed having to write a different vampire for once. Iāve only written three to date, most notably, Ryland. Cashel was fun because he wasnāt like the vamp Iād written before. Heās colder and sinister.
JSC: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
MM: (Sharita) I didnāt make any claims for what I wanted to be until high school. I wanted to work in computers, but that never came to pass. Then I wanted to be a retail manager/merchandiser. I got tired of that too, eventually.
JSC: Were you a voracious reader as a child?
MM: (Sharita) I read a good amount of the classics and a few of grandmaās Harlequins and Barbara Cortland novels.
JSC: Whatās your writing process?
MM: (Sharita) Gathering research about the idea and writing character traits down. I might write a few details about the story or just start writing.
JSC: What are some day jobs that you have held? If any of them impacted your writing, share an example.
MM: (Sharita) Iām a vendor who stocks books at major retail stores like Walmart. By doing this I get a good look at what sells in mainstream publishing and or mass market romance. It hasnāt impacted my writing as much since I only work part time.
JSC: We know what you like to write, but what do you like to read in your free time, and why?
MM: (Sharita) I like reading romance, but I do want to start reading more mainstream books. I love mystery suspense and I plan on trying to read more of it this year.
Romance stories make me happiest. I love reading about people connecting and building a bond.
JSC: If I were a Hollywood producer about to put your book on the big screen, who would you want me to cast as the leads? Why? And can we have pictures to drool over?
MM: For this book Iād put Jonathan Rhys Meyers as my vampire because he is the muse for this book. For Braxton, probably Chadwick Boseman. (pictures attached)
JSC: If you were stuck on a desert island all alone with only three things, what would they be?
MM: Other than the essentials, pen and paper as well as something to play music.
JSC: Which of your own characters would you Kill? Fuck? Marry? And why?
MM: Kill? Hmm, none I can think ofĀ yet. Fuck? Iād have to say my oldest character Kajika Fortier because heās a doll and a hottie. *laughs* Marry? Ryland Durand because heās sexy, sweet, and charming.Ā
JSC: Whatās your drink of choice?
MM: Jack Daniels and Coke
JSC: Whatās in your fridge right now?
MM: Not a lot because I havenāt gone shopping yet. Some Valentineās Day candy is left though. *laughs*
And now for Michael’s new book: The Resignation:
Cashelās indecent proposal could push Braxton to take his last breathā¦
Braxton has had it with his dead-end job.
After four years of long hours with dismal pay, he hands in his resignation. When he finds out the new company pays more and offers tuition assistance, he jumps at the chance.
CEO Cashel needs a lover and Braxton is the one he must have.
Cashel has hungered to approach his mailroom employee, but his insecurities held him back. When he discovers his desired is leaving, he knows this would be the last chance to ask Braxton to be his lover for all eternity.
Braxton might have to give up everything to be Cashelās lover, by why work when all his needs would be met by a sexy immortal?
Get it On Amazon
Excerpt
Today is the day!
Braxton Morris slapped his alarm clock to shut it off and rose from the bed. He stretched out his arms and inhaled deep, feeling refreshed, rejuvenated.
Alive.
For once, Braxton didnāt dread going into work. Unlike other mornings, Braxton would be leaving his home with a pep in his step. Heād shower, shave, and put on his best suit, ready to walk into his bossās office to hand in his resignation.
Thank God.
Though Braxton was grateful to Donahue and Lister for giving him his first job out of high school, he was ready for a change.
With all the money heād saved and aid from the new company, heād be able to return to school to finish his marketing degree.
Unfortunately, his mother and father werenāt around to assist. Braxton had practically raised himself after his grandmother passed when he was fourteen. None of his relatives wanted the burden of raising a young black child, so Braxton stayed in his grandmotherās apartment, paying the bills as an adult. No question, heād been lucky. He was a whiz kid with computer skills and did side gigs until he was old enough to work at Donahue.
Being so young, the position was everything he needed. Steady hours, decent pay for a seventeen-year-old, but no benefits. Thankfully, heād stayed healthy. Other than deep paper cuts, he never needed to see a doctor.
Now, at the age of twenty-two, he was ready for this change of scenery to his new position at Donahueās rival, Weston Marketing Corp. Theyād promised him a position as an apprentice with better pay and benefits. If he did well, heād be promoted within one to two years. No way could he pass that up. Braxton had to jump on it now before he lost the opportunity of a life time.
After he picked out his outfit for the day, Braxton ambled to his bathroom. Once he relived himself, he turned the valves and the water rained down into the bathtub. Braxton shoved his boxers down to his ankles and stepped into the shower, allowing the droplets to cascade over his entire body. He sighed contentedly and placed his head under the water to wake himself up.
āGonna make you proud of me, Mom, Dad, and Gram.ā Braxton talked to himself as he grabbed his shower gel. āItās been a tough go with none of you here, but I was determined to be somebody.ā
Braxton grabbed his loofah and squeezed an ample amount on the sponge. He ran it over his chest and abs, building up the suds on his skin. Braxton blew out a breath and continued doing the same to his shoulders and backside.
After he did the same to his arms, Braxton stepped directly under the showerhead so the droplets would pelt his face. āToday is the day.ā Braxton spit out the excess water and moved away, rubbing his eyes.
āGoodbye, Donahue, and helloWeston Marketing.ā
Author Bio
Michael Mandrake pens complex characters already comfortable with their sexuality. Through these, he builds worlds not centered on romance but rather the mainstream and/or obscure plots we might encounter in everyday life and beyond.
Website: https://michaelmandrake.wordpress.com/
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