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Steve Peek
A smart, successful writer told me moving away from your genre is a career-killing move.“I don’t have one,” I replied.“A genre?” she asked.“No, a career. I don’t have one of those,” I answered.She ...view moreA smart, successful writer told me moving away from your genre is a career-killing move.“I don’t have one,” I replied.“A genre?” she asked.“No, a career. I don’t have one of those,” I answered.She also told me when I relaunch my books; I need new covers, a new platform, and lots of marketing money.“What is a platform?” I asked. “I’m not sure I have one.”“It’s a group of readers who will buy your books,” she answered condescendingly.“Oh,” I answered, not realizing if I had a platform, I wouldn’t need her help.After I paid her, there was no money left for marketing.Here’s some stuff about my reading and writing.Favorite Author: Kurt Vonnegut, mostly everything he wrote after Breakfast of Champions.Favorite book: The Egyptian by Mika Watari. (It’s my favorite novel, I think. It is the only book I’ve read three times. Other favorites are many, but a list is tiresome for both of us.I went to Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s class at the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop. At Emory University, I attended a course taught by James Dickey. He taught me that the word ‘that’ is almost always unnecessary and that writers should hardly ever use ‘that.’ Later, I enjoyed learning from Pat Conroy, my famous cousin, at two workshops. Most of the other writers’ workshops were not as illuminating as they might have been. They never mentioned anything about not writing ‘that.’I’m married to my beautiful and brilliant Annie. She loves dogs. She’s a little on the nutsy side, but I love her, and she loves me, so it’s a small price to pay for the kind of love we have.I have kids from previous marriages. They are grown and surviving.I was in Vietnam when America sent her boys there to fight a war. It taught me one of life’s important lessons: If someone in power can’t benefit, no wars need fighting. The other life lesson is what Kennel Ration dogfood taught me about television, but that’s for another time.If you want to know more about me or one of my books, email me at jstephenpeek@gmail.com or message me on Facebook at Steve Peek Author.Nice to meet you.Steve Peekview less