Spotlight Interview with Novelist Eric Arvin

Over the past few years, Eric Arvin has been amassing a large fan base which simply adores his work. This novelist continually thrills his fans with one hit after another. No matter what he writes, the results are the same: readers and critics alike praise his books. Eric has the gift of a true storyteller and he’s always working on his next release. Fans don’t have to worry about being disappointed either.

With SuburbaNights, Eric has returned with a new entry in his Jasper Lane series. Bringing back the escapades of these quirky, delicious characters, he’s scored yet another gem. Preceded by SubSurdity and Suburbilicious, readers have embraced this series and SuburbaNights has been anxiously awaited for some time.

Eric has been quite prolific in the last couple of years. His award winning Woke Up In A Strange Place was succeeded by the popular She’s Come Undone and Miss Locks. He also penned another erotic piece, Roids, Rumps & Revenge. Eric is one of my closest pals and I can never resist asking him for an interview. He’s witty, charming, and absolutely addictive…just like his books.

CP: Welcome back, Eric.
EA: Thanks, Carey. It’s always great to be here.
CP: You’ve got a new book out, I see.
EA: Yep. The third book in my Jasper Lane series. This one is titled SuburbaNights.
CP: What can you tell me about it?
EA: There’s kidnapping, religious zealots, murder, bodybuilders, drag queen cheerleaders, sex, and a vicious fucking machine.
CP: These characters and this series have been really popular with your readers. Why do you think this is so?
EA: Well, they’re all very sarcastic, and in this day and age sarcasm is what gets a lot of people through the day. You have to laugh at the world around you else you’ll go nuts. I think these characters do and say what many people wish they could.
CP: When you first wrote SubSurdity, did you expect it to become a series?
EA: No. It wasn’t even intended for publication. I wrote it on a dare, but then found such encouragement from friends that I was all, why not?
CP: Are you going to continue the escapades from Jasper Lane?
EA: If the sales warrant it. I have a fourth book outlined in my head, and have already had readers ask when the next one will be out.
CP: You’ve had a couple of other hit titles lately as well.
EA: Galley Proof – a memoir-ish travel comedy – was released earlier this year, as well as three short stories available on-line: She’s Come Undone and my thriller Miss Locks through Untreed Reads, and my filthy erotic piece Roids, Rumps & Revenge through Seventh Window.
CP: You’re quite versatile in your writing style. Do you simply write what comes to you or do you target certain audiences with your work?
EA: I write whatever I’m inspired to write. I can’t force myself to sit down and come up with a comedy or a thriller. I’ve tried that before and the result was a disaster along the lines of Ishtar.

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CP: I hear you’re heading out to Albuquerque for this year’s GRL in a couple of months.
EA: Sure am. I’m excited about that. I’m staying at a fancy dancy lookin’ prancy hotel too. It’s supposed to be haunted. I hope I don’t get molested in my room…tee hee…
CP: What are you most looking forward to about the event?
EA: Being molested in my room by a ghost… oh, and meeting writers I’ve only ever talked to online. I also would like some day trips to Roswell and Santa Fe.
CP: What are you working on now and what can you share about it?
EA: I have my fingers in all types of pies, but right now I’m focused on an erotic comic book with Absolutbleu for Patrick Fillion’s Class Comics, and a large epic piece of speculative fiction called Terms We Have For Dreaming.
CP: What have you been doing in your ‘Eric’ time lately?
EA: Working out and taking care of three new kitties. They’re very bossy, those kitties.
CP: What are you reading?
EA: This has been my SUMMER OF ICE & FIRE (echo echo echo…). I’ve read nothing but George R. R. Martin’s Song of Ice & Fire series. I’m on book 5, A Dance With Dragons, and it’s just amazing stuff.
CP: And what music are you listening to these days?
EA: So far 2012 has been a disappointing year in music, but I am loving the new Dar Williams CD.
CP: Seen any good movies?
EA: Um…no.
CP: How are you keeping cool during this sweltering summer heat?
EA: I finally had an air conditioning unit installed. Now I can sit and feel guilty for using more electricity.
CP: And what are you most proud of right now?
EA: I’m still super proud that my book Woke Up in a Strange Place won an award earlier this year.
CP: Eric, thanks for another great get-together.
EA: You bet! Next time I’ll bring the potato salad. I loves me some potato salad!

Carey Parrish