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Author Spotlight
July 2010 --- Karl Meade
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Karl Meade is no newcomer to writing. Author of both fiction and poetry, he has served as editor of a literary magazine, Absinthe, and his work has been featured in numerous publications throughout Canada. His latest novel, Odd Jobs, chronicles the exploits of Marty Drysdale, an aspiring screenwriter and cat burglar eager to win back the affections of his ex-wife. In this interview, Meade shares his inspiration, as well as his take on new book marketing tactics.
iU: In your novel, Marty develops his screenplay in an interesting way. How do you find inspiration?
KM: Everywhere and everything has potential inspiration and material. If I read a book that grips me, or I toss it aside after five pages; if I see something I love, or something that drives me nuts—all of it is potential.
iU: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
KM: I always wanted to play in the NHL, and date Farrah Fawcett. Both of these panned out, often simultaneously, always in great detail and only in my head. So I decided to write about it.
iU: In the novel, Marty is chased by angry investors, involved with drugs and turns to a comical life of crime. Would you call this a dark comedy?
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KM: I’d say this is an essentially light comedy. While parts of Odd Jobs are on the dusky side with the taser gun, vise and occasional physical and psychological injury, I don’t think the core of the book is trying to re-dress any dark taboo subject.
iU: Did you face any challenges in writing and publishing your book?
KM: The biggest challenge in writing Odd Jobs was getting the structure right. The past and present sequences had to fit together and feed each other, adding suspense and humor rather than sucking the life out of each other. Publishing was easy. I did it myself.
iU: Why did you decide to self publish?
KM: My first novel, Half-Life, was rejected by about 75 agents and snake vendors. I had been writing for more than fifteen years, and had spent eight years writing and rewriting it. Three agents had already said they would represent it only to change their minds after a year of rewrites. Self publishing was a clear chance to take control of the process, and take advantage of the ground shift in the publishing industry. The book was professionally edited, designed and produced. I’m very happy with the results. It looks like a book, walks like a book and sells like a book.
iU: How important are book signings in regards to book marketing?
KM: It was highly invigorating to have direct contact with readers at the L.A. and Miami Book Fairs. For all the talk of “the death of the book” in our culture, it was inspiring to see thousands upon thousands of book lovers packed into one place. I’m not sure on the stats of how effective book signings are in generating direct sales, but putting a hundred or so copies in readers’ hands can’t be a bad thing. Plus, the weather was good, the booth was covered and the lines were long and full of people whose lips didn’t move when they read.
iU: Odd Jobs has come to life through multiple promotional videos, including a Hollywood Book Trailer. What was it like seeing your novel acted out?
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KM: Surreal. To be honest, I had braced myself for disappointment because it is so difficult to get this kind of thing right, especially in 90 seconds, but the trailer almost perfectly captures the tone of the novel. The scene selection, acting, music and pacing were all exceptionally well done. I still get e-mails from people asking where they can see the movie. Someday I hope to answer that question.
iU: What advice do you give to aspiring authors?
KM: Believe in yourself, believe in your voice and never give up. Write for the sake of writing and reading, not sales and dinner dates. Write a book you can’t stop reading. Surprise yourself, challenge yourself, make yourself laugh. On every page.
iU: Can we look forward to new books from you in the future?
KM: I’m finishing another novel, Brickburn, and working on a nonfiction book, Pure Energy: The Dumbest Guys in the Room (How to build a billion dollar company with a glass in your hand and your head up your, uh, armpit). Watch for it.
