Journalist, Editor & Author of Historical Fiction James Wade
James Wade is a seasoned journalist, editor and the author of the novel All Things Left Wild. Set during the turn of the 20th century, when a botched robbery leaves a young boy dead and sets two men on conflicting journeys across untamed landscape—All Things Left Wide is a coming of age for one, a mid-life odyssey for the other, and an illustration of the violence and corruption prevalent in our fast-expanding country. All Things Left Wild is forthcoming from Blackstone Publishing.
Your novel, All Things Left Wild, is set during the turn of the 20th century in the American southwest. What is it about that particular time period and place that fascinates you?
Folks tend to consider America as settled and civilized by that time, but much of the Southwest was still divided into territories rather than states, and the lack of transportation infrastructure coupled with the rugged landscape served to essentially cut these people off from the rest of the country. Small-time criminals found it easier to thrive, while many a shady “businessman” found fortune in these areas by simply bullying their competition into submission.
The country was only one generation removed from the Civil War, and yet it was also at the beginning of what would be the most remarkable century of progress in human history. We were essentially trying to find our footing as a nation, while also seeing the world around us modernize at an unprecedented pace. That’s something we’ve dealt with ever since, and are still dealing with today.
I’m also drawn to the Southwest, no matter the time period, because of its remarkably diverse landscape and population. The blending of cultures has created such unique traditions, food, music, and literature.
Do you feel that the type of violence and corruption that was prevalent in our fast-expanding country of that day and age is somewhat present today but in other forms?
Absolutely. Any time there is expansion, something growing more quickly than the regulations surrounding it, then it becomes an attractive breeding ground for greed and corruption. Any new industry gaining momentum, or disruptive technology we see come to market, creates uncertainty. The corrupt thrive on that uncertainty, using it to their advantage however they can. In 1910 it was swindling settlers out of land rights or mineral claims. Today it’s fraudulent investing or predatory lending or even the spread of misinformation on social media. There’s always someone willing to excuse morals in favor of money or power.
Also, the disconnect between rich and poor was growing rapidly during this time, much like it has in recent years. From the post-Civil War 1870s through the Great Depression, the country saw a massive income inequality, and you began to have similar economic anxieties to what we’re seeing now.
“...at some point you just have to pull yourself back from that fascination or you risk losing the pace of the story.”
What is the research process like for you when constructing the backdrop for a historical novel? Did you uncover any hidden gems along the way?
The fun part is getting to read about history, watch Ken Burns documentaries, and travel to these awe-inspiring landscapes, all while calling it "work." My wife and spent more than a year traveling the country in a small trailer, and it was seeing these places in person that really helped me understand the history.
The process could also be frustrating, primarily because you uncover so many hidden gems and you want to work them all into the novel, which is usually impossible. For example, there’s a small town called Mesilla near Las Cruces, New Mexico. It’s only a few blocks, mainly geared toward tourists, but it’s so rich in history. In the early 1900s it was the hub for stagecoaches, travelers, vendors, merchants, parties, you name it. It played such a central role in shaping that part of the world. After we visited the area, I knew I needed to include this town in the novel; but the more I read about it, and talked to the locals who’d been there for generations, the more space I wanted to give to Mesilla. But that wasn’t really conducive to the narrative, so at some point you just have to pull yourself back from that fascination or you risk losing the pace of the story.
“In drawing that human connection to the past, it brings historical events to life.”
Does writing historical fiction present its own set of challenges and limitations, or do you find writing historical fiction to be liberating?
There are certainly challenges, like wanting to do justice to the people and places of the time. But even though All Things Left Wild has historical elements, it’s a work of fiction first and foremost. I wouldn’t want anyone reading this as a history lesson, so I tried not to put any limitations on where the story might go. There are real names and events which are mentioned, but all of the characters and situations are entirely created.
There is a certain liberation in writing a character who is from our past, yet has the same motivations, same internal struggles, etc. as we deal with today. In the novel, we see characters who are conflicted about their family, their faith, their own measure of “goodness.” Those are things a lot of us have questioned in our own lives. In drawing that human connection to the past, you can help bring it to life.
Are there any authors or books that were of influence to your writing, or those you might enjoy reading for pleasure? For instance, Cormac McCarthy seems to come to mind...
Yes, I am a Cormac McCarthy fanatic. I consider his Border Trilogy the finest collection of prose I’ve ever read. I would hope just by having read books that well-written I could somehow draw inspiration. McCarthy was a close study of Faulkner and I think it shows immensely in his writing.
Yes, certainly McCarthy is a huge influence. In my humble opinion he is the best living writer in the world, and his prose is both inspiring and motivating.
Flannery O’Connor is another author who I continually turn to for motivation, along with John Irving. I find O’Connor is best for voice, Irving for pacing. I also can’t stop re-reading Larry McMurtry’s Horseman, Pass By. It’s his debut novel (I believe he was 25 when he wrote it), and it’s far too good for anyone’s first try.
I read a lot of non-fiction, be it history or philosophy or outdoor guidebooks. I read political biographies, sports writing, and anything my wife tells me is good (most recently it was Dispatches from Pluto by Richard Grant). I just finished The Liberal Redneck Manifesto, a political comedy book by Trae Crowder, Drew Morgan, and Corey Ryan Forrester. It was a wonderfully honest take on Southern politics and culture.
For fiction I tend to read mostly older novels, only because there are so many I haven’t read yet. But there are supremely talented writers who are in their prime right now, and I try to support them as much as I can. Sometimes I’ll buy a book by an author I like, knowing I won’t be able to read it for another several months. Authors who have impressed me in the past few years include: Sarah Bird, Colson Whitehead, May Cobb, Owen Egerton, David Joy, Joe Lansdale, Ta-Nahisi Coates, and Benjamin Saenz, just to name a few. I may be biased, but I truly believe we are coming into a special era of American literature, with so many talented writers young and old.
How did you find your literary agent and go on to get published? What was that moment like when you heard that your major debut novel would be published?
I first heard you (the incomparable Mark Gottlieb) speak on a panel in 2016 at the Writers’ League of Texas Agents & Editors Conference just down the street from my home in Austin, Texas. I was struck by your professionalism, and your sincerity when speaking about your clients. You were the first person I queried when I finished the manuscript. So, naturally, when you approached me to talk about representation I was completely on-board. I remember being camped in the Black Hills in South Dakota and not having enough cell signal to call you, so I hiked up to the top of a ridgeline holding my phone up like one of those cell service commercials.
The pedigree spoke for itself, but it was your passion for the work that stuck out to me. You were able to have an in-depth conversation about the manuscript just a few days after I sent it to you. I always try to find the smartest person in the room and learn from them, and you fit that bill perfectly. You made the “finding an agent” part so seamless and stress-free, I assumed finding a publisher would be when the real panic set in. But I think within eight days of agreeing to work together, you sent me our first offer.
“Trident Media Group is essentially the movie-version of what an author dreams their literary agency will look like.”
What was it like coming to New York City to see the Trident Media Group offices in-person...did things start to feel more real then?
Let’s state the obvious, first: New York is the publishing kingdom and the Trident Media Group has as impressive a castle as you’ll find. The location across from Madison Square Park, the towering building, the immaculate views—Trident Media Group is essentially the movie-version of what an author dreams their literary agency will look like. Then, you see the actual books from Trident Media Group clients: best-selling fiction, award-winning non-fiction, critically acclaimed authors, celebrity biographies. For a new writer, it was overwhelming in the best way.
For myself, as well as other authors I’ve spoken with, things may never feel entirely "real." There’s a certain imposter syndrome that permeates the creative community. It reminds you that no matter how many short stories you publish, you’ve never written a novel. Or no matter how many novels you publish, you haven’t sold X number, or appeared on X list. I asked Owen Egerton, who won the 2018 PEN Southwest Award, if he felt that recognition made him a "real" writer. His answer? “I just started thinking, well, it’s not a Pulitzer.”
I think that sort of doubt is actually great for writers. It pushes us to keep improving our craft. All that being said, did touring the best literary agency in the world cause me to feel somewhat legitimized as an author? Hell yes, it did.
Does the prospect of working with Blackstone Publishing excite you? They are very nimble and are also a leading publisher of audiobooks. I'm betting the audio version of All Things Left Wild will have amazing production value.
I think it’s always exciting to work with someone who wants to work with you. It’s also humbling, to have such a well-respected publisher be willing to make you an offer. Not to mention, the trust Blackstone has shown in me as a debut author.
I love the idea that Blackstone is a well-entrenched publisher of audiobooks, while also being a relatively new print publisher. It provides the stability of experience, but also gives us a chance to grow together. And make no mistake, Blackstone is growing like crazy.
Under the leadership of Josh Stanton, Rick Bleiweiss, and the entire team in both New York and Oregon, Blackstone is emerging as a powerhouse in the publishing world. They’re signing big name authors from other major houses, while still focusing on the promotion of new writers and new ideas.
Not to mention, the folks who make up the Blackstone Publishing family are as good a group as I could have hoped to work with. Jeff Yamaguchi, Megan Wahrenbrock, Greg Boguslawski, and Mandy Earles have really nailed the independent bookstore market, which I believe is the lifeblood of the modern publishing industry. Lauren Maturo was just named a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree for her exceptional publicity work at Blackstone. And I can’t imagine anyone in the business has someone as sharp as Blackstone’s Josie Woodbridge captaining the day-to-day.
As for the audio version of the novel, I mean, what better position could we be in? Blackstone created an audiobook empire known for its professionalism and production value. I can’t imagine how cool it will be to have them putting together All Things Left Wild.
“Literary agents...are not out to get you. They want to help. In reality, they don’t get paid until you do, so they have a vested interest in your career.”
Any advice for struggling writers desperate to become published authors?
Oh, man, I don’t know. Just write. Write every damn day. Write when you don’t feel like it. Especially when you don’t feel like it. There will be inspired times, no doubt. But the difference between a writer and "someone who writes" is forcing yourself to sit down and face the story even when you’d rather do almost anything else.
Read everything, and read it often.
Learn to write a decent query letter. Make sure you put your best foot forward when seeking literary agents. And once you find an agent, listen to him/her. Literary agents, for the most part, are not out to get you. They want to help. In reality, they don’t get paid until you do, so they have a vested interest in your career.
Also, don’t get discouraged. I know it’s easy to do. I let my shoulders slump a good deal more than I’d care to admit. For me, it takes hiking, or a cold beer(s), or a pep-talk from my brilliant wife, before I can get back in the saddle. You have to find what works for you.
Most importantly, cut yourself some slack. Do you know how hard writing is? It’s hard, folks. You’re writing something, creating something from scratch that belongs solely to you, and you’re doing it while knowing it will be rejected. Whether it’s by a magazine, an agent, a publisher, a critic, a one-star review on Amazon or Goodreads, etc., your work is going to be rejected at some point by someone. And yet, you have to be excited enough and motivated enough to continue on despite that fact.
What can we expect next from the writings of James Wade?
I’m excited and anxious about All Things Left Wild making its debut. It will be my first time going through the process of releasing a novel, so there are a lot of unknowns there. But continuing to write has kept me grounded. While the first novel was in post-production, I was able to write a second manuscript, which was also accepted by Blackstone. That novel, River, Sing Out, is set in modern day East Texas, and deals with the vicious cycle of poverty and drug abuse in rural areas.
I’m currently working on a third manuscript which flips back to Southwest Texas and follows the son of a ranchhand during World War II. I don’t know how any of this will turn out, but I do know I’ll keep writing. And at the end of the day, that’s all that matters. If you enjoy the process, everything else is just a bonus.