Vapors Magazine Issue 22 Interview (2004)
By Jason Maggio
When did you decide writing was for you?
I’ve always been into writing, but I didn’t know that was my thing until five or six years ago. I think I have some pretty good stories to tell and that’s why I write.
When did you decide to write Left-Handed Stories?
Maybe about two and a half years ago. I’ve always been fascinated by books though. I love the look of them, the smell of them, everything. Ever since I was a little kid, I knew I’d end up writing a book one day.
If you had to explain what Left-Handed Stories was to somebody how would you?
Hmm, I’d probably just tell them to read the book, you know? All the info is there in ink on the pages. I think it’s a good book and I’m not just saying that because I wrote it either. There are some really solid, honest and well thought out stories in the book. I’m proud of it. Plus the artists involved (Isaac McKay-Randozzi, Chris Pastras, Jeremy Fish, David Flores, Andrew Schoultz, and Sean Ratliff) did some really, really nice pieces for it as well, so there you go…you have the complete package all bound into one 173 page book.
Was writing, manufacturing, marketing, and distributing the book harder than you thought it would be?
It was probably the most difficult and nerve-wrecking project I’ve ever done in my life. You know, first you got to have the idea. Then you actually have to discipline yourself to sit down and write and write and write a thousand times over. It’s funny, ‘cause I always hear people say shit like, ‘I’m gonna write a book about this or that,’ but it never happens, because the discipline and dedication might not all be there, you know? You’ve gotta be militant about that shit!
Anyway, after you’ve actually written the whole thing, then comes the edits and revisions, which is a bitch. See, I didn’t really have a copy editor, so basically I decided what stays and what goes in my book. And believe me, it’s hard to delete say 500-1,000 words at a time that you may have worked really hard on. And then, finally, once you think you’re ready to print, then you go into production, which is a real pain in the ass. I don’t even want to get into that mess: page layouts, ISBN numbers, EAN barcodes, going over proof after proof after proof and still finding typos…man, I could go on all day about that. It’s enough to make you wanna blow your goddamn head off! As much of a pain in the ass I’ve made self-publishing out to be, I still think it’s the way to go. All the money goes back into your pocket and however hard you want to work it, then that’s how much you’re going to see back.
What did you learn from writing Left-Handed stories?
That I’m going to keep writing and publishing books one after the other.
So how did this book tour come about? How was it organized?
My lady and I organized it. We’re just going to storm the US first from state to state, and then go abroad after that.
Do you ever see yourself writing a biography or non-fiction book in the future?
Yes, definitely. I’d say some of the stuff I write now could be categorized as non fiction, but with a fictional twist. I’m actually working out something right now with Cellski about writing his biography. I’d really enjoy doing that. That guy has some pretty crazy stories to tell. I also was approached by a publisher in New York not to long ago about ghost writing some autobiographies for some celebrities or wannabee celebrities, but the whole thing just sounded kind of shady and the deadlines were a little ridiculous. He wanted me to lay down over 100,000 press ready words in like a month. That’s fucking gnarly!
When it is all said and done, how would you want you and your writing to be remembered?
I’m on some Clark Kent shit, for real. You know, doing a book reading in front of a hundred literary snobs in North Beach one day and running wild on these San Franpsycho streets like a fucking gremlin on acid the next. I want to be remembered for that. I’m out here living life and documenting these crazy times…writer by day, haunting these streets for stories by night. That best sums me up right there.
When did you decide writing was for you?
I’ve always been into writing, but I didn’t know that was my thing until five or six years ago. I think I have some pretty good stories to tell and that’s why I write.
When did you decide to write Left-Handed Stories?
Maybe about two and a half years ago. I’ve always been fascinated by books though. I love the look of them, the smell of them, everything. Ever since I was a little kid, I knew I’d end up writing a book one day.
If you had to explain what Left-Handed Stories was to somebody how would you?
Hmm, I’d probably just tell them to read the book, you know? All the info is there in ink on the pages. I think it’s a good book and I’m not just saying that because I wrote it either. There are some really solid, honest and well thought out stories in the book. I’m proud of it. Plus the artists involved (Isaac McKay-Randozzi, Chris Pastras, Jeremy Fish, David Flores, Andrew Schoultz, and Sean Ratliff) did some really, really nice pieces for it as well, so there you go…you have the complete package all bound into one 173 page book.
Was writing, manufacturing, marketing, and distributing the book harder than you thought it would be?
It was probably the most difficult and nerve-wrecking project I’ve ever done in my life. You know, first you got to have the idea. Then you actually have to discipline yourself to sit down and write and write and write a thousand times over. It’s funny, ‘cause I always hear people say shit like, ‘I’m gonna write a book about this or that,’ but it never happens, because the discipline and dedication might not all be there, you know? You’ve gotta be militant about that shit!
Anyway, after you’ve actually written the whole thing, then comes the edits and revisions, which is a bitch. See, I didn’t really have a copy editor, so basically I decided what stays and what goes in my book. And believe me, it’s hard to delete say 500-1,000 words at a time that you may have worked really hard on. And then, finally, once you think you’re ready to print, then you go into production, which is a real pain in the ass. I don’t even want to get into that mess: page layouts, ISBN numbers, EAN barcodes, going over proof after proof after proof and still finding typos…man, I could go on all day about that. It’s enough to make you wanna blow your goddamn head off! As much of a pain in the ass I’ve made self-publishing out to be, I still think it’s the way to go. All the money goes back into your pocket and however hard you want to work it, then that’s how much you’re going to see back.
What did you learn from writing Left-Handed stories?
That I’m going to keep writing and publishing books one after the other.
So how did this book tour come about? How was it organized?
My lady and I organized it. We’re just going to storm the US first from state to state, and then go abroad after that.
Do you ever see yourself writing a biography or non-fiction book in the future?
Yes, definitely. I’d say some of the stuff I write now could be categorized as non fiction, but with a fictional twist. I’m actually working out something right now with Cellski about writing his biography. I’d really enjoy doing that. That guy has some pretty crazy stories to tell. I also was approached by a publisher in New York not to long ago about ghost writing some autobiographies for some celebrities or wannabee celebrities, but the whole thing just sounded kind of shady and the deadlines were a little ridiculous. He wanted me to lay down over 100,000 press ready words in like a month. That’s fucking gnarly!
When it is all said and done, how would you want you and your writing to be remembered?
I’m on some Clark Kent shit, for real. You know, doing a book reading in front of a hundred literary snobs in North Beach one day and running wild on these San Franpsycho streets like a fucking gremlin on acid the next. I want to be remembered for that. I’m out here living life and documenting these crazy times…writer by day, haunting these streets for stories by night. That best sums me up right there.
