Established in 2018, TBR [to be read] is a semi-regular, invitation-only interview series with authors of newly released/forthcoming literary books of interest.
Give us your elevator pitch: what’s your book about in 2-3 sentences?
Of all the stories in Bodies
in Bags, I think “Night Moves” might have been the most enjoyable to write.
The setting takes me back to a volunteer position at a hospital I had when I
was a teenager. The world feels familiar, and the main character is someone I
like a lot, a woman like some of the women I worked with at the hospital: tough
but kind. The story “Dream a Little Dream” probably gave me the most trouble.
It took me so long to finish. I had the character and the opening scene for
years, and I must have started three or four novels based on that opening
before finally coming up with a shape and a voice that I’m proud of.
This is the second book of
short stories I’ve published in two years. For both books, many of the stories
go back a ways. Once I had found the shape for my first collection, I realized
that I had a bunch of noir/grit lit pieces that all seemed to hang together.
After years of facing rejection, this book was pretty easy to get out there,
thanks to the support and faith of Ross Tangedal at Cornerstone Press.
What’s your favorite piece of writing advice?
I tend to think all writing
advice is pointless, unless it works. As a young writer, I was lucky enough to
be in a writing group run by Andre Dubus III. Many things Andre said stuck with
me, but I particularly remember him talking about perseverance. “If you put it
under a magnifying glass long enough, eventually it’s going to catch fire.”
My favorite writing advice is “write until something
surprises you.” What surprised you in the writing of this book?
The best stories are almost
entirely surprises. As a writer, especially when I’m between stories, I’m
always listening for voices and waiting to hear one that works. This collection
features a lot of voices that surprised me. I have no idea why they feel real
to me or where they came from.
What’s something about your book that you want readers to
know?
I think readers should know
what they’re getting into. This book is definitely not for everyone, but, for
people who like things dark, I think it will provide exactly what you’re
looking for. It doesn’t flinch.
Inquiring foodies and hungry book clubs want to know: Any
food/s associated with your book? (Any recipes I might share?)
I can’t share a recipe, but
one of the stories features a bar that serves “chicken barb” sandwiches. Only
people in the Merrimack Valley know what a chicken barb is: the most delicious
sandwich ever, featuring shredded chicken in warm mayonnaise. Nobody can make
it the way Norm’s White Horse used to.
*****
READ MORE ABOUT THIS AUTHOR: https://jameyg0.wixsite.com/jameygallagher
ORDER THIS BOOK FOR YOUR TBR STACK:
READ A STORY FROM THIS COLLECTION, “Bodies in Bags”:
http://www.cowboyjamboreemagazine.com/bodies-in-bags-by-jamie-gallagher.html
