Pump Up Your Book Chats with Novelist/Playwright Gary Morgenstein

Novelist/playwright Gary Morgenstein is the author of four novels. In addition to Jesse’s Girl, a thriller about a widowed father’s search for his adopted teenage son who has run away from a drug treatment program to find his biological sister, his books include the romantic triangle Loving Rabbi Thalia Kleinman, the political thriller Take Me Out to the Ballgame, and the baseball Rocky The Man Who Wanted to Play Center Field for the New York Yankees. His prophetic play Ponzi Man performed to sell-out crowds at a recent New York Fringe Festival. His other full-length work, You Can’t Grow Tomatoes in the Bronx, is in development. He can be reached at www.facebook.com/people/Gary-Morgenstein/1011217889

Thank you for this interview, Gary Morgenstein.  Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later?  Do you remember your first published piece?

When I was about seven years old, I wrote a series of short stories about a fictitious New York Yankees shortstop named Davey who played with all the real players. I grew up six blocks from Yankee Stadium, of course was a devoted Yankee fan, even though my father rooted for the Dodgers.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

I think it is sometimes frustrating when your novels don’t reach enough readers or media outlets. But that is far outweighed by the simple act of reaching people who are moved by your words and who contact you and say how much your writing means to them. Recently someone mailed me all four of my novels to have them autographed. I mean, there is no price tag on what that meant to me.

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life?  Do you have support?

I am divorced. Do you have any cute and funny women in New York to fix me up with?

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?  Where do you like to vacation?  Can you tell us briefly about this?

I am a huge movie buff and see about 100 films a year. I also practice yoga, lift weights, love reading, especially history and science fiction – good thing I do PR for Syfy Channel. My big vacations lately are visiting my dear old friend John Balchunas in Madisonville, Kentucky. John was the model for the character ‘Klaus’ in my novel Jesse’s Girl and, since he hasn’t sued me yet, guess is okay with the fictional depiction.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

I have always wanted to see the Great Wall of China.

Who is your biggest fan?

I think anyone who is reading my novel and having it affect them in some way is my fan.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

Propped up in bed with my laptop on my lap, like Marcel Proust. Only I don’t think he listened to Aerosmith while writing. But we both like red wine.

What’s your favorite library and why?

The New York Public Library because it is a cathedral of words.

What’s your favorite bookstore and why?

Any bookstore. I love the small shops and I also love the bigger ones like Barnes and Noble or Borders. What I don’t like is when people who work in bookstores are clueless about books. You don’t have to be a professor of literature, but at least have some idea who is who.

Do you have any pets?

Not a big fan of pet, though if I pick up a date at her place and she has a pet, I will surely suck up to the animal as if we were best buds.

What are you reading right now?

The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

Wouldn’t I then have to kill you?

What’s the first thing you notice when you meet someone?

Whether they are smiling.

Have you ever won anything?

Once I won the office football pool and collected more than $200. Never before and never since.

What’s on your to do list today?

Going to the movies after work to see the new horror flick Paranormal Activity. I love horror films!!!!

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in October via a virtual book tour.  Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

This is my first virtual book tour and I’m quite pleased so far. It’s difficult getting your message out and this has proven to be a terrific vehicle. Dorothy Thompson and her staff are wonderful!

Thank you for this interview, Gary. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

Thank you so much for interviewing me!!!!! I really appreciate it.