Intro
Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
Thanks! I’ve been a reader my whole life, I’m lucky to have had parents who actively encouraged it. My first book was a 9-page Star Wars rip-off I wrote for a 3rd Grade class assignment. (Sorry, Mr. Lucas!) The first novel I wrote was horrible, but a great learning experience. It led to my Ray Gordon books; a trilogy of mysteries within the world of professional and amateur chess. My latest novel, We Be Dragons, is a coming-of-age story set in 1986 and takes readers on a journey into Dungeons & Dragons and a world where the power of friendship, the importance of imagination, and standing up for what’s right is what really matters in life. All my books are available on Amazon, and We Be Dragons is available at a few of our local area bookstores as well.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Michael-Weitz/author/B00J496B38
Michael Weitz author site: www.michaelweitzbooks.com
I’m curious—how long of a gap was there between the please-don’t-come-after-him-Lucasfilm-lawyers story and that first novel? And then between that “horrible” book and getting to the point of feeling ready to release Ray Gordon #1?
I was in 3rd grade when I tried my hand at science fiction and the horrible manuscript I learned even more from was written when I was around 23. I believe I was around 25 or so when I wrote the first draft of Even Dead Men Play Chess, the first Ray Gordon book. It went through a few more drafts over the years, little tweaks and edits, and it wasn’t until I was 40 years old when it was picked up by a small publisher.
Are you a native Idahoan? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I’m originally from Washington but grew up in a small town about a half hour away from Moscow, so I spent a lot of time there when I was growing up. What brought you to Idaho in the first place? I received a BS from the University of Idaho and really enjoyed living and working in Moscow during those years. I loved the area, but work and life took me on a roundabout path before landing back in Moscow for a time before moving to Boise where I’ve been enjoying life for more than 14 years now.
Another Vandal in the area—it can feel lonely sometimes.
Sometimes, but we’re out here!
Are you tied into some sort of local author/bookish group/culture? If so, tell us about it and how it helps you as an author. If you’re not, is there a reason for it?
I’m a member of MMMWriters. It’s through them that I have been able to attend book fairs and meet other authors and readers!
I don’t think I’ve heard of MMMWriters. Glad to hear about another group. Other than patching you into events to attend, what are some ways it’s helped you? Here’s you chance to recruit!
Their newsletters and website have some helpful articles geared toward writing, publishing, editing, and all things regionally “writerly”. You can find them online at mmmwriters.com.
Oh! I have heard about them a few times, but the name slipped my mind.
What kind of events in the area do you attend—either to sell/promote your books or to network with authors? Are there any outside of this area that you hit regularly and wish we had something like it here?
I attend the Idaho Author Book Fairs in the Spring and Fall, and any other similar events I can around the Treasure Valley. I love to support local shops and have enjoyed signing books at Barnes & Noble and Rediscovered Books in Boise, Book People in Moscow, and Shared Stories in Caldwell. These are great opportunities to meet readers and talk about my books as well as what they enjoy reading.
What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
I believe most of my readers are in the Pacific Northwest, but I have met people from New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Pennsylvania, and other places around the country who’ve read my work. I know a few copies of my books have been sold in Germany, England, and Brazil as well, so that’s fun!
You’re international! Nice!
Thank you! Now I need a T-shirt to go with it.
Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
The digital world has evened out the field for writers everywhere. I think any advantages or challenges for writers in the Treasure Valley are more personal rather than geographical. If an author’s work is all about Idaho, there’s a built-in audience – people enjoy reading about places they recognize, as well as about local history, but those stories may not capture the imaginations of outside readers. Or they might. But the Internet offers writers of all genres the same opportunities to get their work in front of readers.
Do you bring Idaho (or some sort of Idaho-sensibility, assuming one exists) to your work? Whether or not anyone else sees it, can you look at some aspect of your writing and think “That’s Idaho” or “I would do ____ differently if I was a Kentuckian or from Illinois?”
I think the themes I write about in We Be Dragons are certainly Idaho sensibilities. Strong friendships and standing up for what you believe is right, I see those here in Idaho.
One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
Besides mine? 😊 I’m not a huge western fan, but True Grit by Charles Portis has the Idaho spirit. If you’ve only seen the movie(s) you’re in for a treat.
There’s always room here for True Grit love. Good pick! I don’t know that I’d have thought about it as having an Idaho spirit, but…I see it.
Thanks for your time and participation! Hope you enjoyed it!
I did enjoy it! I hope you did as well. Thank you for thinking of me. Your questions made me think a bit more about myself and my writing.
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