JM: I’ve always been interested in writing. Ever since I was a little boy. I’d lose myself mentally,usually reading but also making up stories. Other boys were outside riding bikes, playing tag, or playing skelly (not sure on that spelling) while I was having conversations in my head. LOL! I know how that must sound…
Seriously, though. The desire to be a writer stuck with me. I guess I’ve always been a writer. I was encouraged by a teacher in elementary school, then another in junior high. I wrote a novel while in high school, a la Harold Robbins, but it totally sucked apparently. I had no idea how to actually construct a story even though I could put sentences together. That was back when you submitted an entire manuscript that was so heavy it could be used as a blunt instrument. In my mid-20s I started writing porn and was encouraged by the editor of Blueboy/Numbers magazine to expand my horizons and try my hand at something other than erotica. I tried but nothing ever came to pass. Each time I sent something off I was rejected with comments like, “This is too dark” or “too controversial.” Most times it was something along the lines of, “…no unsolicited manuscripts without proper representation.” The irony is that no agent would touch me. I put it all on the back burner for a while and although I nearly abandoned the desire to be a published author, it never abandoned me. I decided to give it another go. You know, one final attempt before throwing in the towel completely. Then I met Treva Harte, through two mutual friends, one of them being Bobby Michaels. He’d read what I’d written, liked it, and I think he might have planted the bug in Treva’s ear because when Treva and I met on a cruise, she was like, “Oh, yeah. Too bad you don’t write romance. That’s what we publish.” Or something along those lines. And now here I am!
If zombies attacked what kind of supplies would you want?
JM: Hmmm. Okay. Zombies, huh? Let’s see. Supplies. Well, assuming there actually were zombies, aside from politicians, and assuming zombies behave the way they’re portrayed on Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead, I’d say a rifle/gun with a silencer for starters. But I’d have to be a really good shot. So, perhaps a big-ass baseball bat with an awl at the end of it? A can opener, definitely. A big box of matches and a zip-loc to put them in to keep them dry. A thermos or some other container for drinking water. Definitely soap. There’s bound to be a lake or river somewhere and I’d have to at least wash the privates. Tiny bottles of shampoo? Toothbrush. Toothpaste. Toilet paper. Sorry. I’m just not gonna use dried leaves! Ummm. You can tell I wouldn’t survive the zombie apocalypse, right? LOL!
If you could sit down with any author dead or alive who would it be?
JM: I think I’d like to sit down with Shirley Jackson of Stephen King. Maybe even Edgar Allan Poe. Can you imagine some absinthe with Poe? Definitely a coffee with Armistead Maupin! So, if anyone out there knows him and can arrange it…wink, wink!
Do you keep a notebook near your for when new ideas pop into your head?
JM: I never used to. I always thought I’d be able to remember everything. Ideas that pop into mind while doing something mundane, dreams where entire stories would come to me. But as I’ve gotten older, I can barely remember to get dressed when I get out of bed in the morning! So now I actually have a notebook in my backpack, for when I hit the bus or go anywhere on my own, a notebook in my laptop, and another by my side of the bed. You just never know when you’re going to get a spark. Or a name might come to me. A title. Once, after months of not working on a story because I’d been stumped, something came to me in a dream and I was able to sit up and jot down notes that allowed me to remember in the morning. It was such a good feeling!
If you write a series do you reread your previous books before you begin the new one?
JM: I only recently started a series: Yuletide Knights. One was a Christmas story, the other a spring break story. The lead in “A Spring Frost,” Jackson, was in the very opening of “Yuletide Knights” but disappeared. He stuck in mind and I wanted to revisit him and got the opportunity when Loose Id put out a call for spring break stories. So that’s how those two stories are connected. I’m working on a third in that series, which will bridge the gap between the two and revisit
Is there anything you wish to say to your readers?
JM: I never know what to say to readers except thank you. Without them, what would be the point of writing a story for publication? Otherwise I’d write, we all would, and we’d have hundreds of files or stacks of manuscripts that would never get to see the light of day if there were no readers. And without readers, none of us would have ever been able to fulfill the fantasy of becoming a published author. So, again, I humbly thank the readers and appreciate you taking me into the fold that is the m/m genre.
For readers who haven't tried your books yet, how do you think your editor or loyal readers would describe your books?
JM: Oh, wow. That’s one I don’t even know how to answer. Ummm. I’d like to think gritty, real, and raw. I know my editor’s said many times she likes my work very much. That’s good, right? Lol!
The readers? I think that would be a mixed bag of descriptions. I think I’m too realistic to offer the romantic escape and getaway some seek from the genre but others have said they’ve enjoyed my work very much. My favorite descriptions came from two different readers who reviewed “Learning To Samba.” One said the story was electrifying. The other said you can’t walk away without feeling something. I know they were describing the story but I’d like to think there’s some of that in my other work.
I’m always looking for book recommendations. What books have you been reading? Would you recommend them?
JM: I’ve been so busy doing P.R. and marketing for the audiobook that by the time I hit the bed at night, I’m completely knackered. However, if I may, and if you enjoy audiobooks, I’ve got a really good production for you! And I’m not saying that because I adapted my own story, performed one of the characters and directed the actors and narrator. I’m proud of what we produced with the audiobook version of “Casa Rodrigo” because it’s a blend of narrative, sound effects, and performance that pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the very end! Think old-time radio drama but with steamy, explicit sex!
How often does your muse distract you from day to day minutiae?
JM: Are you kidding? When doesn’t it? At least ten times per day, if not more. My muse is a lot like sex. I think of it often, therefore my muse is constantly beckoning. However, my muse is a tease and a cockblocker. He flaunts his beguiling ways, traces my earlobe with his tongue, whispers in my ear and finds ways to give me goosebumps. But when I stop what I’m doing and purposely go looking for him, he’s no where to be found.
What do readers have to look forward to in the future from you?
JM: On an ongoing basis? Hopefully more stories about love and sex and relationships. Over the next few years? Keep your fingers crossed that I finish the scripts I’m working on. If I’m very, very lucky, perhaps a mini-series? I would kill to get my first story — Casa Rodrigo — produced as a mini-series for HBO, Showtime, or Logo. For next year, I’m working on a straight romance, a horror story, and another Yuletide Knights that will hopefully be done in time for Christmas 2016. Meanwhile, in the very short-term, I continue to market, market, market……and write where I can grab 15 minutes.
On a lush, tropical island inhabited by rogues, thieves and villains, where men take the law into their own hands, a father and son are thrust into tumultuous events that will change their lives forever.
Bernardo de Rodrigo is proud of his son. Alonso is handsome and winning, and everyone he meets is instantly drawn to the tall, warm Spaniard. But how could either of them have known that a forbidden love is about to claim Alonso's heart?
Arbol, the charismatic male slave who was saved from the clutches of Raul Ignacio Martín, feels an instant connection with Alonso, the moment he looks into Arbol's eyes, the moment they touch.
Bernardo has other things to worry about, however. He's trying to exorcise himself of an intensely gratifying yet shame-filled sexual affair with Raul, who secretly adores Bernardo but doesn't know how to show it.
When Raul blackmails Bernardo, their dark and sordid relationship not only threatens the bond between father and son, it places Arbol's life in danger. Now Bernardo must make a difficult choice that could further alienate his son while Alonso must find a way to keep the man he loves.
Bernardo de Rodrigo is proud of his son. Alonso is handsome and winning, and everyone he meets is instantly drawn to the tall, warm Spaniard. But how could either of them have known that a forbidden love is about to claim Alonso's heart?
Arbol, the charismatic male slave who was saved from the clutches of Raul Ignacio Martín, feels an instant connection with Alonso, the moment he looks into Arbol's eyes, the moment they touch.
Bernardo has other things to worry about, however. He's trying to exorcise himself of an intensely gratifying yet shame-filled sexual affair with Raul, who secretly adores Bernardo but doesn't know how to show it.
When Raul blackmails Bernardo, their dark and sordid relationship not only threatens the bond between father and son, it places Arbol's life in danger. Now Bernardo must make a difficult choice that could further alienate his son while Alonso must find a way to keep the man he loves.
Buy at: http://casarodrigo.audio/
About the Author
Johnny Miles began his writing career in 1985,
when his first erotic short story was published by Numbers magazine. His work has since then
appeared in various adult magazines, including Blueboy, First Hand, and Honcho.After working in varied careers - from
typesetting and graphic design to massage therapy, from customer service to copywriting - Johnny
re-entered the world of erotica in 2008 with the release of his first full-length novel, Casa Rodrigo.
The controversial story was followed by Lauderdale Hearts, Learning To Samba, The Rosas of Spanish
Harlem, Yuletide Knights and Yuletide Knights 2: A Spring Frost, all available from
Loose Id, as well as The Last Stop: USA, released by MLR
Press. Non-erotic titles include Christmas Baby and My ABCs.
In 2015, Casa Rodrigo With four and a half hours
of pure aural entertainment and 12outstanding actors, the story is richly layered
and textured with sounds effects that will stimulate your senses. It's an immersive
experience not to be missed!
Johnny is currently at work on Book Three of the
Yuletide Knights series. He lives in Fort Lauderdale with his husband of 19 years
and a grumble of pugs.
1 comment:
Thanks so much for having me on your blog! Unfortunately I've been ill the past few days and was so out of it I've only just now been on a computer. At any rate, thanks again!
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