Talking with Kyle Taylor/Giveaway

Welcome to my Reading Nook, Kyle Taylor. 

Please make yourself at home and let my cabana boys get you a drink.

Comfortable? Wonderful. Now let’s get started.

To get us started can you tell us a little about what you are working on or have coming out? 

My newest novel is called Exposition.  It takes place during the construction of Chicago’s magnificent World’s Columbian Exposition, in 1893.  It follows a young architect working on the fair.  His wealthy family pressures him to marry a stunningly beautiful debutante, but after meeting a handsome electrician, who is also working on the fair, his world is turned upside-down.  The story has a lush, epic sort of feel.  It’s opulent but at times gritty.  I hope you like it!

How would you describe yourself using only five words? 

Curious, passionate, sensual, dreamer, motivated.

If you could write a warning label for yourself as a person or an author, what would it say?

Danger:  Beware of OCD vacuum-loving neat freak! 

Do you have any guilty pleasures? 

I gave up sugar three months ago.  Last weekend, as a special treat, I had half a slice of a chocolate cream pie plus a scoop of ice cream.  OH-MY-LORD!!  I see why sugar is supposedly more addictive than cocaine!  It was pure heaven! 

Name one thing readers would be surprised to know about you. 

I get mistaken for Channing Tatum all the time…(sigh)…What to do?...

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? 

I’d want multiple homes in the following cities:  Miami, Austin, Palm Springs.

How do you get yourself in the mood to write?

By the time I actually have my outline set, I write in the evening after my other work.  I have to make sure my house is clean and the floor is vacuumed and all the lights are on in the living room.  (I write in a large, comfy armchair – similar to the one here in your nook.)  Sometimes, if it’s a particular era I’m writing about, I’ll put on some inspirational music from Pandora.  For Exposition, for whatever reason, I was listening to Pachelbel and baroque quartets.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing? 

Each book I’ve written, it has been a little different.  I just finished a book I was working on over the summer.  I have very low hours in the summer, so I did extra research every evening and then would write in the mornings, 8 to 12.  But generally, if I have a project and the outline is set, I’m very disciplined and work on it about six days a week. I think the pace of writing keeps the tone consistent.  I also love to have a good Diet Coke buzz going on.  Forget the booze.  My books are fueled by Diet Coke.

Who are some of your favorite authors?  

I like the masters: Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, Ibsen, Chekhov, Wilde, Michener, and Steinbeck.  Moderns, I like the biggies:  King, Brocovich, Ludlum, Larson. 

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for? 

 Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson.  I just read a page or two and the writing is sensational!

Is there something special you do to celebrate when one of your books is released? 

I find it depressing in a way when it happens.  You are with the characters so long when you put a novel together.  When the book comes out, in a way, you must let them go.  It is a little death in a way.

Do you have a favorite TV show you can't miss? 

I’m a self-confessed Netflix binge watcher.  I’ve watched Mad Men, Downton Abbey, House of Cards, Breaking Bad.  And, now that I feel comfy with you – I will have to admit --  I’m a sucker for any bridal show!  What is this strange hold Say Yes to the Dress has over me?   

If you could date any character from any book, who would it be and why­no it doesn't have to be from your books? 

John Driskill, the hero from my first novel, Billion Dollar Dreamer.  Who wouldn’t want to date a billionaire?

What is the strangest source of writing inspiration you’ve ever had?

The inspiration for Exposition came when I was sitting out the hundred ten degree heat in Scottsdale, Arizona, with a former Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice.  We were at Taliesin West, Wright’s home there.  In a gentlemanly sort of way, he revealed the hidden lives of the young architects who worked for Wright.  I couldn’t forget it.  I took that idea and placed it in the Gilded Age.

If your muse were to talk behind your back, what secrets would he/she tell?

No matter how challenging it is to write novels, Kyle gets a kick out of putting one together!  

Anything else you want to add? 

Sure – just a little scoop for you.  I just finished my nest novel.  It’s called Wildflower: The Dramatic Life of Barbette, Round Rock’s First and Greatest Drag Queen.  It’s a historical fiction piece based on a real life aerialist drag queen whose sensational performance packed theaters of Europe during the 1920’s and 30’s.  It was quite a research project, covering sixty years of his life.  Look for it next year. 

Here is my web page: www.billiondollardreamer.com. 

I put a small promo trailer together for Exposition on Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xvW01V732E

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002247108853&fref=ts&ref=br_tf

Exposition by Kyle Taylor

Whiskey Creek Press

Available at Publisher / Amazon

Check out the book trailer

Meet Benjamin Wyatt, a handsome young architect helping create the magnificent 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.  While immersed in work at the famous architectural firm of Burnham and Root, Benjamin’s pugnacious, social climbing father, Walter Wyatt, pushes him to marry the stunningly beautiful debutante, Evelyn Van Buren—thus securing the family’s position in Chicago society.  Yet, when Benjamin meets the cocky young electrical engineer, Spencer Bowles, who is also working on the fair, his world and its ambitions are forever shattered.

Set amidst the opulent splendor of Chicago in the late Victorian Age, Benjamin Wyatt must confront the perils of accepting his own true love and risk destroying everything he worked so hard to achieve.  Meticulously researched and filled with lush images of the Gilded Age, Exposition, tells the epic story of a love that dare not speak its name…

Excerpt:

Walter Wyatt looked at his son for a long time through the bush of his white brow.  “Now is your time, Ben,” he said seriously.

“My time for what?” Benjamin was unsure what his father was going to say next.

“You must seal the deal. Every salesman worth his salt knows, you never hang on too long.”

“I’m sorry father, I’m not sure I am following you.”

“We have dined with Evelyn’s family. She has entertained your affections. You have reported to us you have a great amount in common. Now is the time to seal the deal. You must ask her to marry you.”

“But father…” Benjamin attempted to protest.

Walter raised his hand to silence him.

 “There is only one Evelyn Van Buren. You have made quite an impression on her and even more importantly, you have made an impression on her parents. There is nothing more to it, Benjamin. If you do not propose to her now, you will risk losing the greatest prospect you will ever see. Do you understand what I am saying?”

“I think I do sir.” He thought of Spencer, just hours before. He felt hot and uncomfortable sitting in the leather armchair by the fire, in his topcoat, engaging the eye of his father.

“Then, I shall tell your mother to plan a dinner for our families at once.”

“Yes, sir. Of course,” he said straightening up in his chair. “That shall be perfect.”  Benjamin stood up.

“Thank you and good night, father.” He bowed slightly towards Walter Wyatt. He then turned and started heading for the door.

“Ben.” Walter spoke up with his deep, resonate baritone. Benjamin turned towards his father. Walter said nothing. He just looked at his son for a long time. Benjamin felt anxious about what his father might say next. “This shall be one of the happiest days of your life.”

Benjamin forced a smile.

“Yes, sir. I think it will. It will indeed.” He then left the room. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author

Kyle Taylor is the author of both Exposition and Billion Dollar Dreamer.  The Kyle Taylor character debuted in Billion Dollar Dreamer as a journalist who was assigned to write a story about high school history teacher cum overnight billionaire John Driskil.  Kyle has begun his next book, tentatively titled Wildflower.  He resides in New York -- and of course he is a work of fiction!

Author Web Page:  www.billiondollardreamer.com 

Giveaway Information: Kyle will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and as a special prize, Kyle's previous book, Billion Dollar Dreamer , will be given away free on Amazon the last day of the tour. Leave a comment or question for the author to be entered.

Then remember to follow the tour and leave additional comments; the more you comment, the better the chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/10/virtual-book-tour-exposition-by-kyle.html