Name:  Andrew Jericho

 

Age:  42

 

Where are you from:  I was born in Oklahoma, but have lived in Arkansas since the age of five.

 

A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc

I’m a gay transgender man. My professional life is that of a ManLove erotic romance author for Siren-BookStrand Publishing, LGBTQ rights activist, humanitarian, and freelance journalist/photographer.  In my family life, I’ve been committed to my partner, John, for over two decades.  John and I have two teenage children, 18 and 15.  I enjoy spending time with my family, photography, eclectic tastes in music and the arts, and browsing the local library and art galleries.

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news?

I recently wrote a guest contributor post for Romance University titled, “Romance, Passion, and Eroticism:  Creating More Than Sex Between Male Lovers In Literature.”  The post can be read at:    http://romanceuniversity.org/2015/12/21/romance-passion-and-eroticism-creating-more-than-sex-between-male-lovers-in-literature/.

 


Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I don’t believe in a ‘one true path’ to becoming an author.  I never had an epiphany that writing was my calling.  I began my career as a freelance journalist and photographer, and became a ManLove erotic romance author in November, 2012 upon the publication of my first book, Ripped, with Siren-BookStrand Publishing.  I’ve always been a writer in one form or another.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I wrote my first short story in high school.

 


Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

My partner, John.  He’s my muse.  In my recent guest contributor post for Romance University I wrote the following about John:

“Before I put thought to text, I turn to my muse. A muse is anything which inspires. For over two decades, my greatest inspiration has been my partner, John. I credit the real-life intimacy I share with him as my writing sustenance. Looking into his eyes I’m able to see a past, present, and future where time moves forward, yet stands still. Intimacy is not only what we’ve discovered between the sheets, but those moments treading life through all its intricacies.”

 

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?

I like routines, but am also fond of spontaneity.  I’ve written under different circumstances and surroundings.  I’m a panster.   My titles explore gay men in real situations of life and love.  I blend romance, passion, and eroticism into all of my characters.

 


Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

The title, Hard Times (Prison Masters 1), was inspired by a photo I made during a walk-through of the county detention center in my hometown.  The picture depicted the graffiti ‘Hard Times’written on the ceiling above a top bunk.  The image was included in a journalist article I wrote, documenting overcrowding and the deteriorating architectural structure of the facility.

 


Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Love is possible in any situation.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?

In addition to the inspiration I received from the walk-through of the country detention center, the book is also loosely based on Tucker Unit, a maximum security prison in Arkansas.

The white scrubs for inmates, and the lines on the floor prisoners walk behind, are realistic.  As of 2009, they are at least 100 inmates who live in a dormitory cell block.  These are prison workers.  Rather than actually addressing that in the book, I’ve alluded to it.

I gave my prison setting a new name, Tuckerville Unit.  Also, Arkansas doesn’t have conjugal visits.  My book does.  😉

 

Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

I infuse my characters and story lines with small bits and pieces of myself, John and parts of our life. Still yet, both are original creations.

 

Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?

Too many books to mention.  As far as a mentor?  I’ve learned many important things from my partner, John.

 


Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Too many books, and too little time!  I have an obscene amount of titles on my TBR list.  I’m always between several pieces of literature.

 


Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I have eclectic tastes in literature, as well as music and the arts.  Again, there are too many to mention.

 


Fiona: What are your current projects?

My WIPs include Rock Stars 4, Drag Show 2, and Prison Masters 2.  In addition, I’m active with the writing groups ManLove Fantasies, Book Escape, and Writers Promoting Writers.

Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

A retired university professor, which I studied under, teaches institutional marks hold little value in the true knowledge an individual holds.  He believes an educated person is one who, ten years from now, is be able to meet him at a sidewalk Paris bistro, sit down for a cup of espresso, and have an intelligent conversation about life.

His classes weren’t the usual stylized lectures, but interactive experiences between teacher and student, where ideas and theories were discussed as a group. Formal exams were not given. He preferred to assign grades based on student opinions and interpretations of material.  As a result, this professor taught others to think outside of the box, nothing is as it seems, and to quote him, “the woes of tortured academic matters.”

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Yes, a rewarding career!

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

No.  Never look back, only forward.

Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

As mentioned, I wrote my first short story in high school.  From there, I became a freelance journalist and photographer.  Then, in 2012, I was published with Siren-BookStrand.  My journey as a writer is ongoing.  I’m always learning.

 

Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Information about my books can be found on my Website:  http://andrewjericho.com/books/.

 


Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

The most challenging part of writing is weaving romance, passion, and eroticism into a realistic story.  I strive to capture gay men in real situations of life and love.

 

Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Too many to list.

Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

No.  To date, all of my books have been set in Arkansas, my home state.  The individual towns are either places I’ve lived, or visited.  This has helped in terms of setting descriptions.  As far as character occupations, I’ve spent some time in research.  However, ninety-percent of any story I create focuses on the romance between the characters.   I try to make setting and occupational descriptions secondary aspects.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Christine Kirchoff designed my first two covers.  All subsequent ones, were created by Harris Channing.

 


Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

The hardest part of being an author is managing time constraints. My family is an important priority in my life, and I‘m always seeking a balance between the two.

Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

A writer shouldn’t just desire to create characters, and the worlds in which they live.  A writer should desire, too, the craft of literature.

 


Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?

The first step is getting published.  The next?  Promote, promote, promote!  Also when writing, don’t be afraid to share your thoughts.  There will be people who respect you, not only for your ideas, but for your honesty.

Be kind to readers and other authors.  Give shout-outs to fellow writers.  However, promo shouldn’t be the only thing you post on social media.  Readers want to feel connected to their favorite writers.  Post about other interests besides writing.

 


Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I enjoy hearing from all of my readers, and look forward to their e-mails and kind thoughts.  Remember love is love…period!  Not only are they readers, but friends.  I want readers to walk away from my writing with a true sense of romance.

 

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Probably something by Dr. Seuss, at a young age.

 

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Family makes me laugh and cry with joy.  My children are the best part of me—my greatest accomplishment.  They are the purest and sweetest evidence of the love I share with John.

 

Fiona: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?

My Dad who passed away on September 7, 2012.  I wrote a Veteran’s Day post on my blog which explains why I’d like to talk with him.  The post can be read at:   http://andrewjericho.com/veterans-day-2015-my-father-a-wounded-warrior-and-my-mothers-military-service/

 

 

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why?

“My greatest accomplishments are my children, Jonah and Deven, and the love I created with my partner, John.”

Why do I want this written on my head stone?  Because, the greatest joys in life are faith, hope, and love.  Those ideals are not material.  They have to felt by the human heart.

 

Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies?

Other than writing, I enjoy spending time with my family, photography, eclectic tastes in music and the arts, and browsing the local library and art galleries.

 

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

To name a few, I enjoy The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, American Horror Story, and Humans.  However, there are many others.

 

Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music

Favorite Foods:  Italian and Mexican

Colors:  Black and Gray

Music:  Eclectic tastes

 

Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?

As a young man, I often had dreams of joining the ROTC in college and becoming a military officer.   I also wondered what being a law enforcement officer, or firefighter would be like.

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?

My Website, including my blog, can be found at:  http://andrewjericho.com/.

 


 Buy Links:  BookStrand | Kindle | Nook | Kobo | Apple | Google

[Ménage and More ManLove: Erotic Alternative Consensual BDSM Ménage a Trois Romance, M/M/M, HEA]

Ace Freeman is the president of Prison Masters, a BDSM club for gay males.  He’s in love with cellmate Tyler Chase and guard Paul Ryder.  Ace is Dominant, desiring to take both men as pets.

As an experienced sub, Tyler wants to give submission to two Masters. He slips an explicit drawing into Ace’s notebook. Later, he blurts out his affections for Paul. Tyler hopes his actions will gain collars from both men.

Underneath Paul’s shy and soft-spoken exterior lies a man who lives the BDSM lifestyle. Paul is a switch. The guard desires a Master who can fulfill his need for no limits, and a pet to dominate. However, Paul knows his desires for Ace and Tyler have the potential to cost his job.

A good Master cares for his pets. Ace believes that principle. Once a triad begins to form, Ace needs to find a way to ensure their love will survive even in the hard times.

 

 

 

Bio:  

Andrew Jericho is a ManLove erotic romance author for Siren-BookStrand Publishing, LGBTQ rights activist, humanitarian, and freelance journalist/photographer.  His books explore gay men in real situations of life and love.  Andrew blends romance, passion, and eroticism into all of his characters.

He is a gay transgender man, who lives with his partner, John Jericho, and family.  He enjoys photography, eclectic tastes in music and the arts, and browsing the local library and art galleries.  All of Andrew’s work can be found at:  Andrew Jericho.