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Josh Lanyon Interview 2011

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When I started my old blog I asked Josh for an interview – nothing like going straight to the top 🙂 I was so proud when he kindly agreed (he was being gracious as always) that I invited the world, at least that’s how it seemed, to send in questions to M/M’s most famous author. I think he regretted granting that interview for years because there were SO MANY questions and I was very green, being new on the job. There were probably a hundred questions and it took him a week to answer them. :ahhh: So I thought that I would make it up to him for screwing up years ago by scaling back today. :skoal:

This is a special interview with Josh as he’s taking a sabbatical at the end of 2011, I assume to regroup, rethink and renew – all of those things that people do on sabbaticals. But what I wanted to know from Josh was WHY he was doing this and whether there was any significance to the timing. So let’s start there:

******************

Hi Josh. Thank you for agreeing to this short interview as you’re packing for parts unknown. If you’re going on a cruise to Hawaii I would like to come along as your cabin person. :escape:

 

Josh on sabbatical

Hello, Wave. It’s always a pleasure to chat with you and your five million readers. (very funny Josh)  😀 Could you do me a favour and click the locks on my suitcase while I sit on the lid and try to keep it closed? 😆 [I guess I was lucky you didn’t shove me into the suitcase and then sit on it]

Most people take sabbaticals to study or regroup, so my first question is: Are there any specific reasons why you’re going on a sabbatical?

This was a tough year. I lost people who were dear to me, people I had not made time for while I was getting my career up to speed. I did what we all do; I assumed there would be opportunity later. So I think those losses, that belated realization that we all have a limited amount of time, first put the idea in my head.

Secondly, there’s a limit to how long anyone can do what I’ve been doing for five years — cranking out story after story — and still produce fiction worth a reader’s time and money.

Short answer: er, yes, I’m going to study and regroup.  :blush:

My next question relates to timing. Why now? Is there a special reason why you chose 2012 to do this?

motivation to work

I guess I’m answering these backwards, but one reason why I’m choosing to do this now, is I’m trying to control the fall. I think a number of people would agree I’ve managed to write some of my best stuff in 2011, but I don’t believe that anyone as mentally and creatively tired as I am will continue to produce the kind of work that I hope is synonymous with my name. As a matter of fact, I’m not sure I’d continue to produce anything at all. I had to pull the plug on one final project this year because it just wasn’t in me to finish. The ideas are there, but when I sit down to write them, I just want to close my eyes and sleep.

Not a good sign!

What are you most looking forward to over the next year? Is it not being tied to a writing schedule for your latest book(s)? Is it having time for fun things? Perhaps you’re planning to read all of those books that have been piling up on your bookshelves and e-reader? All of the above?

 

Josh's real reason for his sabbatical

All of the above. I’m thrilled at the idea of writing whatever and whenever I please. I want to see friends I haven’t had time for in years. I want to spend time with the people I love. And yes, I want to read and watch movies and maybe even take a trip or two.

I’m hoping that this break will renew both my creativity and productivity and that I’ll be back in 2013 with wonderful new stories — stories that I’m excited about and that my readers will be excited about too.

What are you going to be doing in addition to some self publishing which I believe is one of your new projects?

Originally I wasn’t planning on going into self-publishing on any large scale, but things happen, things change, and now I’m excited about the possibilities. But I hope to get most of that dealt with before the end of the year so that as titles revert to me, I can have them up and running again with minimal investment of time.

I also want to figure out my game plan for the next decade or so. My wish is to write less but perhaps concentrate on more complicated and in-depth works — beyond the existing series obligations I have. I want to have time to research without feeling rushed because some of the best stories and characters come out of the research itself.

I made an assumption that you will be taking off the entire year but I should ask whether you could clarify that. Is there a chance that you will get tired of all

Josh's garden where he has those Irish coffees

this R & R time and come back before the end of 2012?

I’ve managed to avoid committing to anything for next year, so I do plan on an entire year without deadlines. But there’s no way I could go a year without writing. I don’t even want to. I just want to write at my own pace. So if I write something and it seems like a good time to release it (as in I find out I can’t pay the mortgage without a new release every couple of months), I’ll go ahead and publish.

On the other hand, I have zero desire to write anything at the moment, so it may take longer for that to come back than I realize.

Are you planning to do a bit of travel, and if so, do you have any specific locations in mind and do they serve your secret indulgence there, Irish coffees? 🙂

 

Isle-of-skye - the Hebrides

I’d love to travel, but no new releases will mean cutting back on expenses. So as much as I dream of trips to the Hebrides or Paris or back to Ireland, any traveling I do will probably be to visit friends here in the States. But hey! The best Irish coffees are the ones you drink with friends — or on those lazy Sunday mornings.

Your fans are already expressing concern that your sabbatical means you won’t be writing at all during 2012. Could you clarify if we can expect any new books next year or if we have to wait until 2013?

The only story I can promise for 2012 is Green Glass Beads, which will be in the Irregulars anthology coming from Blind Eye Books in April 2012. I hope there will be at least an additional short story or two, but I don’t want to make any promises that I’d have to break later on.

Last, whatever you will be doing during 2012, I hope you enjoy it. You deserve to have FUN! I understand that you will be making occasional posts here about your “adventures” in different areas during your sabbatical and I can’t wait to read them.

Aw. Thanks, Wave. I’ll definitely be around. And I’ll send the occasional update on how the sabbatical and adventures in self-publishing are progressing. 

I must express my sincere appreciation to you, Josh, for all of the hard work you put into your essays on writing and other topics germane to our genre, including those published on this site, for the benefit of other authors as well as readers. I don’t begrudge you the time you will be spending on personal projects but we will miss you. Once a month readers and authors eagerly check out your posts and they ask you numerous questions which you very patiently answer, even though this takes a lot of time away from your writing. On behalf of everyone here I want to say a huge “thank you.”

Last, and most important, thank you for your stories which are a constant source of joy to me and your readers. We will miss you.

************

This is the shortest interview I have ever done. I’m sure that Josh is relieved as that leaves more time for drinking.

Josh’s last story in 2011 is Lone Star in the Carina Press M/M Christmas anthology, Men Under The Mistletoe which was released on December 5.

Josh Lanyon’s Contact Information

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http://joshlanyon.blogspot.in/

Twitter: @JoshLanyon

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74 comments

  • At the risk of repeating myself, we will all miss you Josh. But on a more personal level, I’m very glad that you have this opportunity to take a well deserved break. I’ll echo Wave and say thank you for all that you’ve done here, but more importantly thank you for the many fine stories that have entertained us all.

  • Thank you for the interview Wave and Josh. Josh I want to wish you a fun time off, thank you for the wonderful stories, hopefully your sabbatical will be everything you want it to be. Oh and happy holidays 🙂

  • Have a wonderful holiday and thanks for all the books I’ll be re-reading next year. :flowers:

    I’m saving the anthology for a Christmas Eve treat to myself, it’s becoming a tradition…….

  • Thank you for your talent, your time, and your dedication to your writing, Josh. As you can see by Wave’s poll, it is much appreciated. Good luck to you during your sabbatical. I hope 2012 brings you both peace and joy. :sendoutlove:

    • That poll blows me away, Andy. I’m going to break down and vote in it myself! 😀

      I could not ask for better company than the authors I’m listed with — not to mention the authors who were mentioned during the polling. So many wonderful talents in our genres. Many of them working quietly and unacknowledged at such a high level of excellence.

      OH WAIT, THIS IS ABOUT ME. 😛

      Thank you, Andy.

  • Josh

    Thanks for everything especially for always indulging me and my requests for books for the readers. I appreciate you granting interviews whenever I ask and you’re probably very happy that the next request will not be coming your way until the Irregulars (I hope you didn’t forget that Nicole promised.) 😆

    Your support for this site from the very beginning is something I won’t forget :god: :god: and I wish you a wonderful long vacation. 😀 Sorry I meant sabbatical. 😮

    A special bottle of Irish coffee is on the way — let me know when it arrives. Santa promised delivery before Christmas.

    • That Santa. Such a kidder.

      Just like Nicole.

      No, no. Her word is law. As she decrees, so shall it be. I shall return with my compadres in the spring.

      Seriously though, Thank you, Wave.

      Not just for your ongoing support of me (though could there BE a WORTHIER CAUSE???!!) but for your support of the genre in general. Kudos to you for building the premier m/m site on the web. Influential, informative, and always interesting. That’s you and your gang!

  • I agree completely with Wave…”Last, and most important, thank you for your stories which are a constant source of joy to me and your readers. We will miss you”….

    I know that none of us have a crystal ball to see what is around the corner, so you are right Josh to take time and spend it how you want and with who you want, time does go by too fast.

    I’m thinking the story you have on hold this year is the sequel to “This Rough Magic”?

    Wishing you a great time off, but please keep in touch!

  • I want to add my thank you to the others here, for this interview and for all your lovely stories. I hope next year will be all you wish for and even more, and I for one would very much like to read more “complicated and in-depth” stories from one of my favorite writers in all genres.(No pressure intended 🙂 ) – after a well earned sabbatical that is.

  • Yeah, I’ll still be stalking you. I’ve got frequent stalker points to keep up. Get some rest. And chill.

    Don’t forget to feed the cat. 😀

  • Thanks for all the great books – I have just finished and enjoyed hugely (nearly split my infinitive there) Lone Star.

    I was really excited by the phrase ‘My wish is to write less but perhaps concentrate on more complicated and in-depth works’. I’m really looking forward to those.

    Hope your batteries recharge quickly enough for you to really enjoy your sabbatical.

    • Hi Rachel! Thank you for the kind words.

      Yes, I’d definitely like to work at a slower pace and delve more deeply into characters. When I look back over the past years, my mind boggles. But I’m also very proud of what I’ve achieved. I just don’t want to continue achieving at that speed. 😀

  • My gosh. I feel so sentimental reading this interview! But I really do intend to come back from the sabbatical!

    I guess it’s just that a year is a long time and a lot of things can change during its course. Although this could well be one of those years where nothing changes! 😀 (Other than I watch a lot of wonderful movies and read some really terrific books.)

    Anyway, I’m going to get mushy enough in my last post, so I’ll spare you all that this time around.

    Suffice it to say, I’ve loved every moment — even the parts where I was crying and cursing. Zero regrets.

    😀

    And Wave is one of my dearest online pals — even if we’ve occasionally wanted to strangle each other. I was honored when she asked me to do a column, and I will remain a great and loyal follower of her and her little website too! (Forgive the Wizard of Oz reference!)

    😀

  • Ah, come on – stretch your budget and a point and pop over to Ireland. I’ll stand you potato pancakes at the unbeatable Boxty restaurant in Dublin. 😀

  • Oh, Josh, I’m going to miss you, but I’m also glad you’re taking a break. You deserve it so much. Just last night I was checking out Best Sellers in Gay & Lesbian Fiction in the Kindle, and you are the author who has more books in the top one hundred. It has been like that for a while, so I wondered, how does he do it? A lot of hard work, and setting aside leisure times, I bet.
    So thanks for all those great stories and unforgettable characters.
    BTW, there is something I’ve never told you, and it’s that when I started to write four years ago, and do research about the craft. The first author’s notes I put in a folder titled ‘Interesting Authors’, were yours. I learned a lot from you since then, and the folder has many names now, but you’ll always be special to me. It has been so exciting interacting directly with you!
    Please enjoy every second of your sabbatical.

    • Thanks so much, Joanna. I’m always startled and pleased at the number of titles in that list. I think it has mostly to do with writing a million books. 😮

      I do absolutely intend to pop in on a regular basis and say hey to you all!

  • Have fun & take care of that wrists, Josh! You’ll still pop in now & then on GR, right? Or else we’ll 😥 (sorry, can’t resist using the cute emoticon).

  • Have a wonderful year, Josh. I’m fortunate that I still have many of your books (unread) to tide me over while you’re gone. I’ll just feel sorry for everyone else who’s read them all and will suffering withdrawal!

    • You’re very kind, Finn.

      If nothing else a nice long break from the assembly line will give people a chance to catch up on all those bits and pieces they keep putting off reading.

  • Josh, thank you for your wonderful stories, your invaluable advice and your endless generosity. I’m glad I’m one of those who has been “sipping” your books so I always have another one to look forward to. I hope you have a wonderfully relaxing, like a lazy Sunday afternoon at the beach, sabatical.

    Wishing you and yours a very happy holidays, and the very best in the New Year. 🙂

    • Thanks, LC. I’m going to miss hanging out and shooting the breeze with everyone. But maybe a little time off will give me more to talk about in the end. 😛

      Oh! The beach, yes! And I can’t wait for the summer and the return of my wading pool! 😀 Wave nailed it in her photos.

  • Hey, Josh! I wish you (and your wrists) a restful year, many shared moments with your loved ones, many exciting books to read, a trip or two to spice things up, re-acquaintance with your Muse (may he stay hot and funny!), many new stories to dream up.

    I would lie if I said I wouldn’t miss your stories and your occasional voice of reason, but I’m looking forward the interview with Adrien and Jake (yes, I’m one of those people!), your last post and the Irregulars. We are going to survive somehow… 😥 :yes: :flowers:

    • I would lie if I said I wouldn’t miss your stories and your occasional voice of reason,

      So…are you saying I’m only occasionally the voice of reason? 😀 😀

      Seriously, thank you, Lady M. My wrists are certainly counting on the minutes till sabbatical starts.

      (Hmmm…wrists counting out the minutes…I guess that would be my fingers helping count for my wrists.)

  • Great interview.

    Relax and have fun in your time off, Josh. I will look forward to reading Green Glass Beads. I remember seeing an early edition of it on your Mmcrit list, so I am excited to see the finished edition.

    Happy Holidays.

  • ROADTRIP! Hope you find the time to get some traveling in during your mental health/health break. May you visit with old friends and new. Have adventures to stimulate the brain. See sights of great delight. Free lodging and good food waiting for you in SW OH and I’m sure many other places throughout the USA and Canada. 😎
    (Hey an idea for a new book! On the Road with JL/SO/scout. 😀 )
    But odd as it may sound, a year is very short period. 😯 Hope it is enough time to make the most of what you hope to accomplish. 🙂 Relax, Refresh, Renew! :flowers:
    Hope we will see you around the net, and no matter what: Live Life Large!
    :skoal:

    • Thank you for the invite, Linda! That would be a fun trip for sure.

      You’re right about a year flying by — I’m going to do my best to make every minute count.

  • Hope the sabbatical helps with the wrists and life in general. I love your books (and have a few that I haven’t read yet that I’m saving to get me through the madness that is Christmas!).
    I’ll be re-reading them over the next year no doubt – not sure how many times I’ve read some of them now 😀

  • Good to see this interview, Wave. And all the best to you, Josh. I hope you have a wonderful break and come back all re-charged and re-energised. 🙂

  • Have a wonderful, relaxing sabbatical. Thanks for all the terrific stories you’ve offered us these past years. I don’t know if there’s another author I read so regularly! But I still have a few to catch up on, and there’s always the opportunity to reread.

  • I think making time to stay in touch with friends and loved ones is a great ambition for the sabbatical. You already know how important I think that is and you know you can’t count on next times. So do it now. Take the time you need, just come back to us refreshed, renewed and happy. There is no better gift you can give us. Well, except for the next Will and Taylor book! Seriously, you have my very best wishes for a peaceful year. 😉

  • Well, it’s a sincere invitation. Of course it’s easier for me – five quid on Ryanair plus taxes. But in all seriousness as someone’s who’s benefited from the truly life-transforming effects of your help, advice, kindness and patience, I have to join with the other folks commenting here and wish you all the very, very best for your hard-earned sabbatical. xxx

  • Hi Josh,

    I wish you lots of rest, wellness and inspiration next year. I’ve read all your books except Lone Star and Green glass beads. I’m so looking forward to those 🙂 Luckily I’m blessed with a very, very bad memory so I will reread all your previous stories and still be surprised 😀

  • What a difficult but wise decision you’ve made, and how gracefully you’ve presented it. May your reclaimed year’s worth of life prove bountiful in every way that matters. (Insert the Smilie of your choice.)

  • If anyone deserves a rest it’s you. I’ve been hoarding up your backlist to tide me over, but I’m also looking forward to your new work post sabbatical. I can’t even imagine what a year of creative freedom will produce. I know it will be amazing and well worth the wait. :hurrah:

  • Hi Josh,

    I think you are incredibly smart to know when to take a break. I am surrounded by alot of artist both at work and university.

    I have seen many of them crash and burn creativity wise when they dont stop and make time for themselves.

    I’ve had painters argue with me that writers arnt artists like painters/sculptures etc. But I argued back that writers paint pictures with words and they labor of a novel as long or longer then any painter labors over a canvas.

    I also have watched authors I love slowly slide in quality because of the pressure to produce quantity.

    I wish you all the best during 2012. I hope it is a very spiritually rejuvenating time for you. You are an amazing artist and you should enjoy recharging your creative batteries.

    sending hugs your way 🙂

  • Oh dear, dear man…rest and relax..we will be awaiting your return…never fear…you are a beloved author–not only of mine but of many. The best to you Josh!

  • Thank you Josh, for sharing your time and talent with us and I’ll be anxiously awaiting your return after your long deserved rest.

  • I, too, am repeating myself, but at least I’m consistent. So happy you’re taking this time for yourself and loved ones, and I know it will be an amazing year for you.

    And at the end of it, those stories will be coming out of your head fully-formed!

    Thanks for everything, Josh. And great interview, Wave, perfect for the (near) end of the year.

    • Thank you very much, MC. At first the decision to pull back felt like retreat, but as the days pass and I start to unwind a little, I feel more and more excited and happy about what’s ahead.

  • I couldn’t read this interview before today. So sorry I’m late with commenting, but I wanted to thank you, Josh, for all the pleasure you’ve given me with your books and for your kindness and generosity in liaising with your readers.
    I wish you all the very best for 2012 and your sabbatical. You’ve explained very well the reasons you’re taking it and I can empathise with you. I went through a similar phase three years ago. Our bodies and our minds need a well-deserved break now and then, especially after we’ve been working so hard for so long, often neglecting other important things in life.
    Looking forward to hearing from you from time to time when you feel like letting us know how you’re doing, but most of all I wish you all the best in the new year, that you may achieve a new balance and happiness in your life.

    Thank you for everything.
    Take care.
    Paola

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