J. Expressions’ next spotlight interview is with author and publisher Malcolm Boyd, who recently moved to Queens from California and is getting to know our literary scenes here and still getting used to our weather :-) .
1) Tell the readers a bit about yourself -- what inspired you to start writing, the style(s) of writing that you do and the books you've published?
Always enjoyed writing, but I never considered myself a good enough writer to publish. With the creation of the “Mann Walker Adventure” series, it took on a life of its own, and I felt that it was something I could share. In addition, after years of writing, I realized that I actually enjoyed it, and decided to reinvent myself as a fully committed author. I enjoy writing crime fiction, sci-fi, and am open to any style or genre, as well as having a very large collection of my own poetry. In fact, I have a novel in publication at the moment, ”One Way In, No Way Out” (the first book in the Mann Walker series), as well as a children’s book, “My First Train.”
2) How did you create Three-Legged Elephant Publishing and what's the story behind the name?
Three-Legged Elephant Publishing [TLEP] started as a necessity for myself, and it became apparent that it was something that would work for other new/unpublished authors. After a bad experience with my original publisher, I tried the self-publishing route but discovered that without the support of a major publisher/imprint, it is almost impossible to get into larger bookstores or even some of the smaller ones. I decided to start my own publishing company to help myself – and other new authors - get through what I call ‘’The Publishing Maze”: the technical nuts and bolts and fine print that is part and parcel of a professionally-produced book. Without someone to assist a new author in this process, it can be unnecessarily time-consuming, confusing, and very costly!
The TLEP name: It is from a ridiculous story that I created while ago on a long phone call with my sister…and it kinda snowballed from that point. However, there is a unique meaning to the name, but I will only give the unique answer if you ask me the unique question!
3) How is writing a children's book different than writing a fiction novel?
The most obvious answer: I’m writing for a child. In writing any type of book, I’m taking the reader on a journey. The difference (for me) in writing a children’s book is that it is from a child’s POV, using a child’s logic and simplicity of thought.
4) Since moving to Queens, what has been your experience as a writer so far, especially in the Jamaica area?
Because I’m still new to NYC and the Jamaica area, I’ve discovered that Harlem, Brooklyn, and Manhattan seem to be ahead of Queens as far as the literary scene is concerned. I don’t know if that is really factual, or simply the reflection of what I have experienced in my limited time in New York City.
5) Which authors and writers influenced your work?
I have many influences, but these two are standouts: Stephen King and Ayn Rand. I like Rand’s ‘me against the world’ in her books. She is a very heady, intellectual writer: there are messages in her messages. Rand’s writing is very layered and full of subtext. King influenced me because, initially, I could not stand his writing style…until I started writing. It was then that I realized his unique ability to weave a story together makes him - by far - one of the best, if not the best overall.
6) Do you think it is necessary to grow the literary community in Southeast Queens? How would you like to see the community grow?
Yes, it is. Seems to me that as rich as Queens is in musicians and musical history, it is equally lacking in literary history and current writing/writers. I would like to see more bookstores across the borough; there need to be more writers’ groups and literary events. I also think it’s very important to give children the motivation and freedom to create, using their own words. Taking it a step further, each time a child picks up a pen & paper, they should be aware that it’s acceptable to go beyond the customary ‘8 bars’, which is the basic structure of rap.
7) Are you currently working on another book project? And where can readers find out more about your work?
I am currently in the middle of adapting the OWI novel into a screenplay, and also going through final edits and preparing “Mann In The Middle”, Book 2 in the Mann Walker trilogy scheduled for release later this year. There is also a science fiction novel that I put on hold in order to launch TLEP.
If you would like to know more about my work, both books are available on Amazon; I am on FB (@Author Malcolm Boyd); and Instagram (@MalcoBoyd). My website, 3LeggedElephant.com, is in the final stages of completion and should be launched this summer.
Thank you Malcolm for the interview! And I have some good news! I will be publishing my chapbook, Lucy’s Bone Scrolls, under Three-Legged Elephant! Malcolm and I will be hosting an book release/author showcase event at Jamaica Performing Arts Center on August 17th and we invite you to join us! The link to rsvp is here.
Credit for above picture: Our World Media Magazine
