The Author Spotlight will focus on a different author every few weeks – it may feature an experienced writer who has a long history of published books, or a new author who is destined to be a future star. Today our Author Spotlight will be on Rick Reed. You can keep in touch with Rick at the links following the interview!

Author Spotlight: Rick Reed

First off, I want to thank Rick for taking the time to answer these questions for me. Please feel free to leave any questions you may have in the comment section below!

 

ABOUT THE BOOKS:

What is the title of your newest or upcoming book?

Tricks

What publisher is this book being published by?

Dreamspinner Press

What is the publication date?

10/12/2015

Tricks by Rick Reed

Purchase links: Amazon / Dreamspinner

 

THE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Rick R. Reed is all about exploring the romantic entanglements of gay men in contemporary, realistic settings. While his stories often contain elements of suspense, mystery and the paranormal, his focus ultimately returns to the power of love. He is the author of dozens of published novels, novellas, and short stories. He is a three-time EPIC eBook Award winner (for Caregiver, Orientation and The Blue Moon Cafe). His novel, Raining Men, won the Rainbow Award for Best Contemporary General Fiction. Lambda Literary Review has called him, “a writer that doesn’t disappoint.” Rick lives in Seattle with his husband and a very spoiled Boston terrier. He is forever “at work on another novel.”

Can you give the readers a brief summary of your latest book?

Tricks can mean many things: sex partners, deceptions, even magic—or maybe all three. Arliss is a gorgeous young dancer at Tricks, the hottest club in Chicago’s Boystown. Sean is the classic nerd, out of place in Tricks, but nursing his wounds from a recent break-up. When the two spy each other, magic blooms. But this opposites-attract tale does not run smooth. What happens when Arliss is approached by one of the biggest porn producers in the business? Can he make his dreams of stardom come true without throwing away the only real love he’s ever known? This question might not even matter if the mysterious producers realize their dark intentions.

What genre does it fall in?

Contemporary Romance

Will you share a few words about your latest book, other than the usual blurb?

Tricks revolves around a very real gay nightclub in Chicago, where young men dance for a (usually) older crowd. The name of the bar is the Lucky Horseshoe and I don’t even know if it’s still there, near the corner of Belmont and Halsted, but it was this place, with its hunger for love and broken dreams, that inspired me to write TRICKS.

Give us a little insight into your main characters! Who are they?

Tricks is a classic nerd/sexy guy love story and who really is the more desirable of the pair.

Will we be seeing these characters again any time soon? Is this book part of a series?

Not in the truest sense. I have a book called RENT, which is set in the same universe (and the Tricks bar). Some of the same characters make cameo appearances, but RENT is really its own story, as is TRICKS.

Tell us a little bit about your writing style. When and where is your favorite time/place to write?

I pretty much need a low-distraction kind of place, so I work in my home office every morning. I’m lucky in that I can turn my head and look out my window at Seattle’s Lake Union, whenever I want for inspiration.

What sort of book do you enjoy reading in your free time? What was the last book you read? Did you enjoy it?

I read a biography of Natalie Wood (I’ve been a big fan since I was a little boy) called Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour, that delves into whether her drowning was truly accidental. After reading the account, I kind of doubt that it was.

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer? Have you held any interesting jobs while you worked on your books?

Yes. I have been writing fiction for as long as I can remember (since age 6!). Most of my work outside of writing stories and novels has also revolved around writing–usually in the fields of marketing and/or advertising.

What does your writing process look like?

I try and write 2,000 words per day. I do my best work in the morning, so I’m at my desk doing true new composition, usually from around 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Why did you choose to write GLBTQ romance? Why not another genre?

I’m a gay man who spent the better part of his life looking for the romance that would make my life complete. I found it 13 years ago and now call that man my legal husband. I want to share that joy with the world and to stand up for everyone finding their own happy-ever-after.

One last questions…totally unrelated to books! I am a passionate foodie. Is there one thing in your pantry that you would be horrified for people to know that you eat?

I’m a passionate foodie, too. So, I do have lots of good, unprocessed stuff in my pantry. But I do confess to having a weakness, and perhaps even an addiction, for Popsicles.

Thankyou so much for answering my questions. I think my readers will enjoy learning more about you! Good luck in your future writing!

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE AUTHOR:

Find out more about Rick by visiting the author’s website. You can also check out their profile on Goodreads or follow on Facebook or Twitter.