Queereaders discussion

Please join us for a chat with Christopher Allen on Thursday, January 31 at 4:00 EST. He will talk about his work and answer your questions.

Christopher Allen lives in Munich with his partner of 15 years. He's a teacher, editor and a writer. His fiction and creative non-fiction have appeared widely both online and in print. Allen has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize twice and Best of the Net. In 2011, he was a finalist at Glimmer Train. In August 2012, Allen published the absurdist satire Conversations with S. Teri O'Type. He blogs about his travel adventures at www.imustbeoff.com and about the life of Conversations with S. Teri O'Type at www.ohmightygayru.blogspot.com.

Hi, sweet people. Just a few words of thanks to open here. If you bought and read Conversations with S. Teri O'Type, I appreciate this so much. Thank you for voting for it on the Goodreads lists and recommending it to other readers. Humor is never an easy sell. Some people will like it; some won't. I'm thrilled you did.

I'm curious of what you think, as some started it and dismissed it. I found it delightful and stuck with it and was glad I did! Unfortunately, I can't say more about this without spoiling it!

Hey Chris. You know my total love for everything Teri and Cary Grant. It was an easy one to recommend. I have reread it several times and I have pushed it on more folks probably than any other book. :)

Hey, scavola! Thank you for coming. Well, I only know of a couple of people who set it aside (one reader on Goodreads and my partner). I think it's a perfectly valid response to a book. I've set aside books that I thought simply weren't for me.

And thank you so much for sticking with it. And your kind words. I loved your review.

Cindi wrote: "Hey Chris. You know my total love for everything Teri and Cary Grant. It was an easy one to recommend. I have reread it several times and I have pushed it on more folks probably than any other b..."


Cindi! Thank you for coming. And thank you for recommending the Conversations to so many people.

Hi Chris. I'm sitting here a world away half asleep and coffee deprived so bear with my questions :). What made you write Conversations? (see I have to abbreviate I can't type tht many words coherently).

Christopher wrote: "Hey, scavola! Thank you for coming. Well, I only know of a couple of people who set it aside (one reader on Goodreads and my partner). I think it's a perfectly valid response to a book. I've set as..."

I don't think they set it aside becuase it wasn't good, but because of the forcefulness of Teri O's 'Road' on poor Curt before the twist.

Wow, Cindi. You have probably read the book more than anyone at this point. When I was workshopping it a couple of years ago, I got hundreds of critiques a week, but no one read the entire book except for two or three people.

Christopher wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Hey Chris. You know my total love for everything Teri and Cary Grant. It was an easy one to recommend. I have reread it several times and I have pushed it on more folks probably th..."

You're welcome! I never understood the 'not stick with it' thing as I was involved from the very beginning. I've never highlighted on my Kindle as much as I did with that book.

scavola wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Hey, scavola! Thank you for coming. Well, I only know of a couple of people who set it aside (one reader on Goodreads and my partner). I think it's a perfectly valid response to..."

That's probably right. Some readers don't get that it's a satire.

Christopher wrote: "Wow, Cindi. You have probably read the book more than anyone at this point. When I was workshopping it a couple of years ago, I got hundreds of critiques a week, but no one read the entire book exc..."

I have been one of your biggest fans since I read it in November... you know this (in a non-creepy-stalker way... lol)

Kazza wrote: "Hi Chris. I'm sitting here a world away half asleep and coffee deprived so bear with my questions :). What made you write Conversations? (see I have to abbreviate I can't type tht many words coher..."

Hi, Kazza! I so appreciate your being here. Well, I started with one conversation. Teri and Curt were just there in my head talking about being gay. I think it might have been a reaction to something my partner said once about hanging a picture. Conversations followed and followed and followed.

Well, you know I got it, and thought it was brilliant!

Most stories are pretty much action / reation, but this was so meticulously detailed, planned, and crafted. Did you just let it 'flow' out of you or was there indeed much planning beforehand?

Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Hey Chris. You know my total love for everything Teri and Cary Grant. It was an easy one to recommend. I have reread it several times and I have pushed it on mo..."

That makes me feel so good, Cindi. But you know, one never knows why a story sparks with one reader and not another.

Hi Chris...i enjoyed your book especially the 2nd half....feel the need it again to truly appreciate it from the begining

* to read it again....

Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Wow, Cindi. You have probably read the book more than anyone at this point. When I was workshopping it a couple of years ago, I got hundreds of critiques a week, but no one read..."

Ha. Totally non-creepy!

Hey, Chris! Sorry I'm late...finishing up a call for work.

I've already purchased Conversations with S. Teri O'Type, just haven't had a chance to read it yet.

As for setting books aside, I've done it when the book is just bad or I'm not in the right mood for it. Sometimes I'll pick up that same book later on and wonder why I couldn't finish it before.

Would you mind posting a tiny excerpt for those of us who haven't read your book yet?

Christopher wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Wow, Cindi. You have probably read the book more than anyone at this point. When I was workshopping it a couple of years ago, I got hundreds of critiques a week, b..."

Ha ha! Not always. I'm trying to be good here. ;)

Christopher wrote: "Kazza wrote: "Hi Chris. I'm sitting here a world away half asleep and coffee deprived so bear with my questions :). What made you write Conversations? (see I have to abbreviate I can't type tht ma..."

So, to me, this book meant a lot. Obviously it's incredibly funny but what made me ask the last question, about why you wrote it, is because it hit a chord on what happens more than a bit within the gay communnity (and without) about stereotyping. I guess I'm wondering if you know/knew thet effect it had/can have on people who don't fit S.Teri's "Type?"

Steve wrote: "Hi Chris...i enjoyed your book especially the 2nd half....feel the need it again to truly appreciate it from the begining"

Hey, Steve! Thanks so much for sticking with it. I know there is a distinct difference as the conversations progress. It's hard to discuss it since it would give away certain aspects of the story (although I think they should be clear fairly early on).

scavola wrote: "Well, you know I got it, and thought it was brilliant!

Most stories are pretty much action / reation, but this was so meticulously detailed, planned, and crafted. Did you just let it 'flow' out of..."

I revised and revised and revised and revised. I wanted every conversation to be like bullet fire.

Christopher wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Wow, Cindi. You have probably read the book more than anyone at this point. When I was workshopping it a couple of years ago, I got hundreds of critiques a week, b..."

Ha! Don't believe it....totally creepy

Kazza wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Wow, Cindi. You have probably read the book more than anyone at this point. When I was workshopping it a couple of years ago, I got hundreds of..."

Sshhh! lol

Forgive me if it takes a couple of minutes to respond. Trying to reply as quickly as possible.

Congrats on Convos! Looking forward to reading it
--Adam

Cindi wrote: "Kazza wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Wow, Cindi. You have probably read the book more than anyone at this point. When I was workshopping it a couple of years ago, I g..."

He he

Hi, Christopher! Sorry I'm late (as usual)!

I wanted to ask you this: What has been the most gratifying part of having written this book, as opposed to the stories and other pieces you've written so far?

Nancy wrote: "Hey, Chris! Sorry I'm late...finishing up a call for work.

I've already purchased Conversations with S. Teri O'Type, just haven't had a chance to read it yet.

As for setting books aside, I'v..."

Here's a link to the first conversation:
http://waterytart23.blogspot.de/2012/...

Kazza wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Wow, Cindi. You have probably read the book more than anyone at this point. When I was workshopping it a couple of years ago, I got hundreds of..."

hahahahaha. Who's to say I don't like creepy?

Hi Chris! Thanks for the invite to chat. I wonder if you could talk a bit about your strategies for promoting the book/getting it into the hands of readers/etc.

I'd also like to know about your choice to self-publish and how that's going for you, which is in line with the above comment.

Christopher wrote: "Kazza wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Wow, Cindi. You have probably read the book more than anyone at this point. When I was workshopping it a couple of years ago, I g..."

Good answer! Which explains why I appreciate your warped humor... hehe (I mean that in a good way of course)

Kazza wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Kazza wrote: "Hi Chris. I'm sitting here a world away half asleep and coffee deprived so bear with my questions :). What made you write Conversations? (see I have to abbreviate..."

Thank you for this question. I knew that it wouldn't just be a slapstick story when I started writing it, and I knew that Curt would never learn anything. Bless him. I wanted it to encourage people to turn off the stereotype inside.

Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Kazza wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Wow, Cindi. You have probably read the book more than anyone at this point. When I was workshopping it a coup..."

You're being encouraged. There's no dealing with you now lol.

Adam wrote: "Congrats on Convos! Looking forward to reading it
--Adam"


Thank you, Adam! I hope you laugh and cringe, cringe and laugh! :)

Kazza wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Kazza wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Wow, Cindi. You have probably read the book more than anyone at this point. When I was workshop..."

ahahahhahha

I don't know how much longer I'm on here GR keeps giving me "over capacity." If I don't come back we know why, sheesh. Great timing GR

Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Kazza wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Wow, Cindi. You have probably read the book more than anyone at this point. When I was workshopping it a coup..."

Ahhhhh. Not in a creepy way? I'm glad you like my sense of humor!

Christopher wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Kazza wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Wow, Cindi. You have probably read the book more than anyone at this point. When I was workshop..."

We've adopted you... that should say something about mine and Kazza's warped sense of humor. :)

I can go creepy. Now that I know you better anyway. I didn't want to freak you out early on. lol

scavola wrote: "I'd also like to know about your choice to self-publish and how that's going for you, which is in line with the above comment."

Self-publishing was not an easy decision, but it seemed right for this one. It is not your typical book with a typical plot that publishers like. It takes a big chance. And I'm perfectly willing to take that chance alone. I know my way around InDesign and had it professionally edited. The cover design came easily from a good--and madly talented--friend. The book just happened.

Here's an interview with British writer Martha Williams in which she asks me the self-publishing question:

http://marthawilliams.org/2012/09/14/...

So can we expect more from you? What's on your plate?

Nancy wrote: "Hey, Chris! Sorry I'm late...finishing up a call for work.

I've already purchased Conversations with S. Teri O'Type, just haven't had a chance to read it yet.

As for setting books aside, I'v..."

Hi, Nancy! Thank you for hosting this chat at Queereaders. Sweet!

Christopher wrote: "scavola wrote: "I'd also like to know about your choice to self-publish and how that's going for you, which is in line with the above comment."

Self-publishing was not an easy decision, but it see..."

The professional editing shows. One of my favoruties books of last year along with another (LGBT book, hate the lable in a way) that doesn't fit the mold. Did you decide "to hell with it. I'll just self pub" or did you throw it out there and found it hard to get publishers to see it's merits?

scavola wrote: "So can we expect more from you? What's on your plate?"

Thank you for asking this, scavola. I continue to publish short stories and creative non-fiction, so you'll see these stories. I have a story in STRIPPED, an anonymous collection of flash, which will no longer be anonymous starting tomorrow.

In terms of longer fiction, I'm working on a third draft of a novel called The Family of Rod about a tweenager who thinks he's the Second Coming of Christ, but who is also sexually abused by his minister. It's a dark comedy.

Christopher wrote: "Here's an interview with British writer Martha Williams"

I like her question, "Do you think people will love the humanity, the satire — or will they squeal with outrage?", which was what I was trying to express with my first question, but didn't do a good job doing so.

Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Kazza wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Cindi wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Wow, Cindi. You have probably read the book more than anyone at this point...."

Gooooooodddddd. I like being adopted.