Debut Print Book: The Miles by Robert Lennon
I’ve had some concerns by readers who are primarily print readers that the coverage at Dear Author has been too focused on ebooks. When I asked the readers what they were interested in seeing, they responded that they would like to know more about print debut authors. We developed a little questionnaire and every Wednesday at 10:00 AM CST (as long as we have content) we’ll post the questionnaire answers along with links to the author’s site and a buy link to her book. I hope this helps people discovery new books. Now, on to the answers.
Name of debut release: The Miles
Release date: 05/29/2012
Publisher: Kensington
2 sentence summary: A Front Runner story for the new generation, The Miles takes the reader through the journey of one running club in New York City over one year as they compete against a rival club. The year winds its way thrugh interpersonal dramas, internecine struggles, the triumphs and travails of the heart, the mind and the body, culminating in the NYC marathon. You’ll never gues what — or who? — awaits at the finish line!
Genre: Literary Fiction, Gay Fiction, Sports Fiction
Characters: Liam Walker
Didier Vallois
Monroe Fields
Gary Loblonicki
Zane Tyro
What makes this story different: The novel takes a day-to-day snapshot of athletic camaraderie in the gay world, which is not a place where gay men and gay women have traditionally found solace or strength. The novel pushes the envelope and explores what it takes to make a life for yourself in NYC as a young person — the bonds that you form and the ways that you push yourself toward self discovery and self expression. Running is a catalyst and a crucible through which these changes are forged.
Is this a series?: TBD
Why you wrote this book: I wanted to express how the experiences and the self discovery and the relationships that are formed through running can really define your life…While it can sound overblown, these are the action and the steps that we take that can help break down walls, open up realities, and allow us to take the risks that we need to do to find ourselves and discover our true selves.
Why is this your first published book? How many did you write before? I did write one book prior to this that is as-yet unpublished Once I had the idea for this book, I sensed that it would have a readership and then I became excited about speaking to that nameless/faceless audience. There is a reason that running has taken off as a sport, and I don’t believe that many authors have gotten to the bottom of that phenomenon. In this book, I attempt to do just that!
What’s your writing process? I like to think a lot and absorb during the day and then sit alone at night and let my thoughts funnel through. I will read what I have written before and suddenly enter the world of my writing and then everything comes into focus and I know what to do or to say and what the future means for my characters in the space I have drawn for them. It really is a magical experience.
The last book you read that you loved. The Marriage Plot
The last book you read for research. The Front Runner
The romance book character you most identify with. Emma Bovary
You can find out more about Robert Lennon and his books here: http://www.roblennon.com/
I think I am interested, will definitely check it out. Thanks.
Is this a romance?
Lori, I am at 30% of the story. I will be honest – I did not expect a romance when I decided to purchase it, I expected gay fiction and this is what I got. However, however, right now I am so very bored that I am close to DNFing this one. Oh and no, at 30% I do not see any romance.