Interview Archives

Marcus, it's the eve of your first book's release. What thoughts are going through your mind?

I'm excited and looking forward to meeting fellow fans of this genre of literature and getting feedback from them. I'm intent on enjoying this whole experience and not only concerning myself with just how well the book does. I do hope the people who read "Good Peoples" enjoy it. So far the reviews and response have been very positive, for which I'm thankful.

Tell us a little something about your publishing journey. Did you have a manuscript that was submitted to several publishers?

Dutton was the first and only publishing house to see my manuscript. I was very fortunate in that I didn't have to struggle like so many talented writers do to get published. I'm also lucky to be at a topnotch company with a proven track record of success and to be able to work with a superb editor.

Your book "Good Peoples" was thoroughly enjoyable. It was fast paced, romantic, hilarious yet sensitive, and even included nuggets of wisdom. How did you come up with the idea for "Good Peoples"?

Thank you for the kind words. My friends have been on my back for years to write a novel. In the summer of '98, while I was on break from teaching, I began writing it. By the time school started again, I was nearly done. "Good Peoples" was written very quickly, because the idea had been in my head for years.

I noticed lots of emphasis on the Cuban language/culture. What was the reason for that?

I worked in Camden and Newark, New Jersey. Working in these two racially diverse cities afforded me the opportunity to interact with a number of varying ethnicities and cultures. Somewhere along the way, an idea for a strong, savvy, seductive Afro-Latina lead character must have become embedded in my subconscious, because when I started writing the novel, the "Marisa" character's voice found its way onto the paper. She is such a fun and unique character to write, that I look forward to the possibility of revisiting her someday.

Who are some of your writing influences?

I've been a voracious reader since early childhood. I was such a bookworm that on Saturdays and during the summer, my parents would often drop me off at the library in the morning and not pick me up until near closing time. When I look back on those endless hours of solitude I spent in libraries reading everything I could get my hands on, I can honestly say that was some of the most enjoyable moments of my childhood.

In my opinion, reading makes you a better writer. The more you read, the better you will write. The greater the variation of writers you read, the more skilled your writing will become.

At this point, it's hard for me to say which writers had the greatest influence on me, there are so many. I can name some writers whose work has moved/motivated me. Some would be Toni Morrison (Tar Baby), Terry McMillan (Disappearing Acts), Piri Thomas (Down These Mean Streets) along with countless others. My all-time favorite book is "The Autobiography of Malcolm X." Right now, I'm a fan of Eric Dickey's and Colin Channer's writing.

About the anthologies -- are the pieces you're contributing non-fiction?

As you know, the first anthology is titled "Mothers and Sons", and my contribution to that is titled, "On the Move." It is non-fiction.

The second anthology does not have a title yet, but my submission is fiction.

What are your literary plans? Where will your book tour take you?

Now that I'm done with the novella for the second anthology, I'm concentrating on finishing my second novel, with a whole new set of characters than the ones from "Good Peoples." If all goes as planned, it will be released in the spring of 2001.

The itinerary for this tour is still being formulated. So far, the major cities I know I'm going to are Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. hopefully other cities will be added in the future.

Visit Marcus Major's Official Website at www.marcusmajor.com