Welcome Andrew Grey

1: Thank you so much for being here,Andrew First up is the obligatory question. When did you first begin writing?
I began writing a little over three years ago and my first novel was published in mid 2008. I had tried writing years earlier, but due to many things, time being one of them, it didn’t work out.


2: What inspired you to write?
When I turned forty, I started going to the gym and needed reading material. I started reading gay romantic fiction and liked it. After reading dozens of novels (and losing thirty pounds, LOL) I decided to try my hand at writing one. I liked the process and kept going.


3: What do you like the most and least about writing?
What I like most is when readers tell me they connect with my characters. Knowing someone enjoyed reading what I wrote is amazing.
The thing I like least is that writing is a very solitary pursuit and I’m basically a people person. In order to alleviate this, I joined a writer’s group. It’s a local chapter of Romance Writer’s of America and they are so much fun.



4: What do you for fun and relaxation when not writing?
I garden, collect antiques, workout at a local gym, and love to travel with my partner Dominic. We’re also restoring our historic home in Carlisle Pa.


5: Which authors do you like to read?
I love Anne Perry’s murder mysteries, Clive Cussler’s undersea adventure stories, and a number of romantic fiction authors including Clare London, Rhianne Alie, and of course T A Chase.



6: What’s the one thing you’d most like people to know about you?
I could not write anything without the unconditional support of Dominic, my partner of sixteen years. He’s my biggest fan and harshest critic.



7: Tell me about your current novel, where I can find it and your website/blog.
My current novel is An Unexpected Vintage. It’s the story of Gary, a man who life has beaten down. He relocates to Milwaukee and after meeting new friends, is invited to go along on a cruise vacation. While onboard the ship, Gary meets Scott.
Six months earlier, Scott was released from prison after spending a decade behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit. Unfortunately, the brother of the victim still blames Scott for the crime.
This story was inspired by an article on CNN about people released form prison by the innocence project.
You can get more information at my web site: www.andrewgreybooks.com and read excerpts at my blog: http://andrewgreybooks.livejournal.com/



8: Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?
Write what you like to read and enjoy, rather than what you think will sell. You’re going to spend a lot of time with a manuscript, so you need to love it as well. When it comes time to submit your manuscript to a publisher, do plenty of research to find the best fit for your work.



9: Do you base your characters on real-life people?
Some of my characters are based upon people I know. The character Lonnie from Spot Me, An Unexpected Vintage, and my upcoming novella Pump Me Up, is based on one of my workout partners. I did have to tone him down for the story, or no one would believe him. In real life the man is over the top. I just had to use him. (He knows and has read Spot Me.)



10: Where do you get your ideas and what inspired you to write this book?
I have been inspired by many different things: an news article inspired An Unexpected Vintage and Cembran from Children of Bacchus was inspired by a nineteenth century bronze. My brother’s wine store opening inspired Bottled Up and Uncorked.



11: What are you currently working on?
I’m just finishing up my first western story. A Shared Range takes place in Wyoming. It’s the story of a rancher, a veterinarian, and a family of wolves that move into the area.



12. Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?
I love to hear from readers. Please feel free to email me at andrewgrey@comcast.net or visit me on Facebook.

Excerpt:

A set of thick legs entered his vision and he looked up, spying Bill standing next to his lounger. Gary watched as Bill pulled off his shirt, and had to stop his gasp. The man was incredible, strong, and toned, putting most of the men around the pool to shame. I hope I look that good when I’m nearly fifty.

Mark and Tyler joined them a few minutes later, nearly joined at the hip, both of them smiling like newlyweds. Gary rolled over and sat so he could look out over all the people gathering around the deck. People were running around, bounding between the two swimming pools and the numerous hot tubs.

“Looks like you have an admirer,” Phillip whispered from the next lounge, as he motioned with his head toward the bar. “Just sweep your eyes.”

Gary did as Phillip directed, seeing a tall man with a large tattoo on his broad shoulder peeking back at him. His hands were behind his back, and he appeared to be half-looking at the ground. Gary peeked at the man, but his attention didn’t turn away immediately. Gary looked to one side and then swept his eyes back to the stranger, and to his surprise, he still appeared to be looking at him.

Gary looked at Phillip, certain the man was looking at one of the other people in their group. He certainly couldn’t be looking at him.

“Someone’s interested,” Phillip teased as he resettled in the sun.

“He’s probably looking at you.” There was just no way that anyone would look at him that way, not with all the gorgeous men around.

Phillip’s head turned slightly to peek. “Nope, he’s definitely looking at you. He’s being really shy about it, but he’s definitely looking,”

Every time Gary would look, he’d turn away and scan over the crowd, but out of the corner of his eye, he could see the handsome man looking back over at him. His head stayed down and it looked like he was almost trying to melt into the background. They played that game for a while until someone tapped the man on his tattooed shoulder and said something to him. Slowly he followed his companion and drifted out of sight.
Pump Me Up is releasing June 9, from Dreamspinner Press
Blurb: Spin-off of Spot Me

Taking advantage of a free pass from work, Maddoc decides to try out a fitness center. After meeting up with a friend, Dan, and making dinner plans, Maddoc meets Ivan, a hunky, silver-haired ex-Marine, who gives him a ride home. Soon Maddoc finds himself with a new friend, a workout partner, a protector... and maybe something more, as a simmering attraction comes to life between him and Ivan. After moving too fast in previous relationships that fell apart, Maddoc wants to start slow—wants to make sure it can last. Luckily, Ivan is willing to wait.