Sitting in the hot seat this evening is the infamous D.J. Manly. Who has come to provide Fallen Angel Reviews and our readers the inside scoop on what’s happening, what’s coming up and a little bit into the personal life of one of the best male/male erotic romance writers around. Welcome D.J.!!!!

Thank you very much, Rachelle. I’m extremely honored to be interviewed by FAR.

As an addict of your work I can’t begin to tell you how ecstatic I am to have this opportunity to sit down and chat with you about life, love and of course some of your hot books! To start off I must ask you about your Amusing Amanda series and how you came up with the concept.

Amusing Amanda. Well, first let me say how much I loved writing these books. I guess I came up with the idea because I wanted to create a character the reader could truly identify with on one level. Whether you like Amanda or don’t, she is a woman who isn’t afraid to demand what she wants without embarrassment, and of course she has the means to pay for it. She has a certain liberty which is quite intoxicating. I think Amanda expresses desires that many straight women have, to be able to watch two beautiful men have sex. And given that my readership is mostly straight women, I think I give them the opportunity to be voyeurs when they read my books.

In Amusing Amanda, Amanda is always watching, as the reader reads, she watches, there’s something really cool about that. And women have been the one’s watched for a long time, the objectification of men. It’s time men are objectified as well. Men are just as beautiful and sexual as women. When they’re seen as objects…the ones being watched, I believe that it is extremely arousing to straight women. To harness that power, to be able to direct desire is quite the aphrodisiac.

On schedule for release soon is Suffering Jordon, book 3 in the Amusing Amanda series. How will this latest installment differ from its predecessors? Do you feel this book will maintain the momentum you’ve created with the two previous books and also are there any more books on the schedule or will this book bring an end to Amanda’s reign?

Wow! Okay, Chase, who is one of the principle characters in book 2 is there in book 3, along with Amanda’s half brother, Jordon. Amanda remains consistent in all three books, although there is some evolution in her character which in no way mirrors the changes the men go through. I think the readers will find more similarity between Suffering Jordon and the first book, then with Chase and Cassidy, which kind of bridges the two. The hot sex is there, Amanda’s appetite is there, and the book is very romantic I think. So I guess I’m saying that it has the same qualities which tie it to the first, but with a personality all its own.

Book 4? Definitely! The series has been immensely popular, and the people at Liquid Silver are wonderful people, so I see myself giving them a forth book. I can see Amanda back in business in book 4, more determined than ever. We might see a return of Scott…maybe, but that’s all I’ll say for now.

Prior to publishing with Liquid Silver Books you had numerous published works with eXtasy Books which, and please correct me if I’m wrong, was your initial publisher. Now I’ve had the pleasure of reading your works at Mojocastle and Loose Id. Do you see yourself venturing out of the e-publishing world for a taste of the mainstream print market?

eXtasy Books has a special place in my heart. And yes, my very first book was Vampire Lust in the Eternal Souls series and it was accepted by Stephanie Kelsey who now runs Mojocastle. I still publish with eXtasy, and will continue to do so. Tina Haverman is good people. I have many great books coming out soon at eXtasy.

As far as mainstream publishing goes, I have some books in print under another name already, in the science fiction and horror genre, some of which have been on the best sellers list. I don’t really hold these companies above e-publishing. They’re different, that’s all. To me, the most important thing is that as many people as possible read my work and enjoy it. (I also appreciate the royalties of course-lol). I will say that mainstream print companies are beginning to dabble in erotica and male/male stories due to their increasing popularity. I may in the future submit a male/male story to a mainstream publisher just because I’d love to see these books go mainstream and desensitize the population. I look forward to the day when there is no stigma attached to these books and in my opinion, that day is not long in coming.

The first story I’ve read from your extensive list of books was Eternal Souls: Vampire Lust. I remember thinking wow, kind of rough, but I like it! As you’ve grown and your writing has evolved I noticed you’ve become a master at emotional intensity. Melting Ice is a prime example of how you were able to draw me as a reader into the story and connect with all that is happening to your characters. Is this just a natural progress that comes with practice or did you hone your craft through some additional training or mentoring?

Yeah, Vampire Lust is raunchy!! I believe the path to becoming a good writer is a natural progress. I’ve never really been mentored, although I took a lot of creative writing classes back in college and university, but I am a firm believer in the ‘you learn by doing’ philosophy. I also teach that way. I find the more I write, the better I get at it. My editors have been very helpful as well along the way. With their guidance, I’ve seen the common errors I make. I paid attention, and now sometimes I get a manuscript back with a few odd commas and a pat on the back for making the editor’s job easy, but it wasn’t like that in the beginning. It’s funny you should mention emotional intensity. I don’t really realize it, but people tell me that. I had an editor once who told me she cried during a scene I wrote in one of my books. That touched me, and surprised me as well.

To what would you attribute the rise in popularity for erotic & romance books where the main characters are males in love or lust?

I think there are a lot of reasons. I believe the reason I love writing this stuff is the same reason why people like reading it. When you have two characters, and I will talk about two men since that’s what I know, and they both begin from an equal place in the world in terms of gender, then what you can do with those characters knows no bounds. There is great freedom in that for me as a writer. The regular gender scripts between women and men don’t count, and there is something very sexy about making two men fall in love. Men can be romantic. They love, they feel pain, and they find each other beautiful (not to mention the sex!). I think straight women like to read about that, and some men so I’ve heard, even straight ones! Also right now, gay is in! It’s trendy, and cool. We can see its popularity in Television series like Queer as Folk, Noah’s Arch, Dante’s Cove. Even mainstream fiction nowadays has at least one gay character.

One of the biggest directors in Hollywood contacted you today and is giving you the chance to have one of your books released as a film. Which book would you choose and of course why?

Well, I guess I would have to say Brennus’ Witch. Due to the popularity of gay men and the occult (like Dante’s Cove), I could see Brennus’ Witch released as a film. Brennus’ Witch has a hunky vampire, and a sexy witch who come together to fight an incredible evil. Dreaming of Brandon Archer might also make a good movie due to the paranormal and comic elements.

I would love to give our readers a deeper look at D.J., the person behind the words that tend to move, encourage and excite. You mentioned on your website that you are a professor. Did you always see yourself teaching and what is the most rewarding part of your job?

When I was younger, I wanted to be a cop, but I was too much of a rebel for that. I was the lead singer in a rock band for awhile. That was fun but then I got serious and went to college. When I finally got around to attending classes, I took a degree in counseling, worked with delinquent teenagers, and then got into sociology. Two degrees later, I was teaching sociology in graduate school, then, I just kept doing it, but in English now. It fit with the writing. Writing is my first love. If I win the lottery, they may have to find a new prof at the college! Over all, I’m a very complex person. I’m very intellectual but a rebellious one who has never been afraid to get dirty. You can find me editing a document just as easily as you might find me helping someone build a room in their basement.

Your site mentions your love for music, but outside of music and writing do you have any additional creative outlets you can share with our readers today?

I can’t draw a straight line. I’m not a crafts person. I read when I have the chance, listen to music on my mp3 player, and try to walk everyday to keep fit. I have been known to visit a gym once in awhile…

Part of the beauty that is D.J. is the passion that jumps off the pages of your stories. Has being in a committed relationship affected your writing or added the extra something needed to write with such an acute fervor?

Oh My God. I met my partner in university. We’ve been together forever. He’s my best friend in the entire world. I believe that true love is rare. You can be with someone forever and not really feel that no matter what, that person truly loves you. I think in every book when the two characters come together at the end, they exemplify the kind of love that I’ve found in my life…this forever, no matter what happens along the way, kind of love. Since it is so rare in real life, it’s kind of nice that I have the luxury to recreate it over and over again in my books.

D.J., 2007 has just arrived and I’m curious if you’ve made any resolutions in your personal life or writing career you can share with the FAR readers this evening?

Well, I gave up smoking over eight years ago so thankfully, I didn’t have to make that one. Every year I vow to take care of my health, eat right, exercise. I think I do a fair job of that although I do enjoy the occasional glass of red wine and indulge in something decadent…but it’s an exception not a habit. Body and mind are a team. If I let my body go, I won’t be a productive writer.

I will try to call my family and friends more. I tend to let too much time go by without picking up the phone and calling people because I get engrossed in my writing and every minute is precious… so…there you go.

Writing wise, I always have a list in my head of what’s next. I’m pretty good at achieving goals but I’m always struggling to do better.

Now in a world where reality T.V. rules, if you were the latest contestant on “Survivor” and the added twist is that you could take 5 personal items with you what would they be? (Decided to be a little generous since you’re one of my favs) ;)

Lol… you are so good for my ego, Rachelle. Keep up that stroking! Am I allowed to say that?? Well, I’m D.J. Manly, shouldn’t come as a big surprise! Lol…Okay, five things? I’d have to buy a laptop, and take that with me and it would need to have internet access. I have a home computer, a little too heavy to lug around. Notice that was at the top of the list. My galvanized mug and a coffee maker. That’s 3…OMG…Decaf hazelnut vanilla coffee, and milk?? (I did say decaf). God, what a disaster that will make. That’s five…hehehehe. There you have it, my secrets are revealed Oh? Can I bring my cats??? Lol. I’d have to give up my coffee for my cats. Do I have to go on Survivor at all?? I’m too attached to my writing chair.

Considering your talent for writing I’m sure our readers would love to know what they would see on your personal bookshelf if they took a peek. Have any of the books or authors you’ve mentioned affected your own personal writing style?

Lol…on my bookshelf are dictionaries, Thesaurus, self edit books, Maclean’s Magazine, books by a variety of authors about vampires, and tons of academic books on teaching English and sociology, racism, gender relations, homophobia and the list goes on. The last book I read was by Alice Sebold, Lovely Bones. It was about a little girl who was murdered, and the story is told by her looking down at her family after her death. Awesome.

D.J. I appreciate the time you’ve spent with me so far and as we bring this interview to an end I’m sure FAR readers would love to hear about any upcoming projects you are working on?

Oh boy, this is the fun part. Okay, eXtasy will have Tainted, the latest in their Tarot series , this one is The Hangman. It’s about a rocker and a groupie. The rocker is slowly becoming a vampire. It’s a cool book. The cover art done by Martine Jardin is fantastic. You can see it at my website at www.djmanly.com. I believe I will be writing more about Lane and Nigel, the two main characters in the book because these guys are too cool.

Suffering Jordon as you already mentioned is coming soon from Liquid Silver, and eXtasy has the third in the Eternal Souls series, called Wanton Renegade. I believe this to be the best of the three. It’s also the longest. This book is sexy, and funny, and the interaction between the two main characters is very entertaining.

I adore this book.

I have two other books without contracts yet, so I’ll wait on announcing those.

I just finished the first draft of a book for eXtasy, another Tarot, Nine of Wands but the title is not set yet. It needs two more edits. It’s about two young men who get separated by war then reunite years later, enemies. eXtasy will have two more fantasy games stories coming from me soon.

Look for something out of the ordinary coming from Mojocastle soon. I’m very excited about it. It will be announced very soon, somewhat unique to the web.

Amusing Amanda 4 is nagging at me and probably will get some life breathed into it in the near future.

D.J., it has truly been a pleasure to sit with you and learn more about your life and the phenomenal books you create. Some of our readers will want to know more about you and your work. Where could they find additional information about your books and any upcoming appearances or chats you have scheduled?

Well, they can visit my website anytime at www.djmanly.com

And join my Yahoo group for readers and writers while you’re at my website. You’ll find the place to plug your email in somewhere on the site if you poke around. I have neat contests sometimes and lots of teasers and info about upcoming books, or books that are just released. You can email me as well at dj@djmanly.com. I love hearing from my readers anytime. They are the best…my readers. If I plan a chat, it is usually announced on my Yahoo group. I have one from time to time.

Thanks Rachelle. It’s been a lot of fun. I appreciated your questions. Be seeing you.

Interviewed by: Rachelle