Garasamo Maccagnone is the author of, The Suburban Dragon, St. John of the Midfield, and The Affliction of Dreams. His latest novella, For the Love of St. Nick is a Christmas tale that features four illustrations by acclaimed artist, Al Ochsner. Born in the wake of the Korean War, Maccagnone lives today in Shelby Township, Michigan with his wife Vicki and their three children. You can visit Garasamo online at www.garasamomaccagnone.com.

Q: Welcome to Beyond the Books, Garasamo.  Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published? 

A: I’ve been published four times now, with one book being self-published and  picked up by another publisher for a 2^nd run. 

Q: What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why? 

A: Sentiments of Blue. I actually lost this manuscript in a basement flood thirty years ago or so. I was incapable of reciting it and too lazy to try again. I left it alone, though, when I featured it in my writing class at WMU, it was well received. 

Q: For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it? 

A: Counting my rejection slips is like trying to add up the national debt. It’s too hard to compute – too hard to wrap your brain around. 

Q: How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows? 

A: For a long period of time, I stopped writing. With raising the kids and trying to make a living, it became too difficult to find the time. In the new century, as opportunities opened up in the publishing business, my interest was sparked and I began knocking out a lot of stories. 

The rejections are hard to take, especially if the work is well received critically.  Being competitive, I was resolute in completing the works no matter what the outcome. I always said to myself, I’m finishing this stuff even if my mother won’t buy it! 

Q: When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them? 

A: A guy I met in the publishing business decided to give my first work a chance. He was a local guy who had a press of his own. For all his limitations, I thought he did a pretty good job with the product. 

Q: How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate? 

A: Truly, I felt good after, and only after, a non-family member or friend purchased my work. When someone likes your work without any strings attached, that’s a good feeling. That’s what it’s all about. 

Q: What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time? 

A: With my children’s book, I was invited to many of the schools in Michigan to read the book to the Kindergarten or 1^st Grade class.  Since the book was about a Suburban Dragon, the illustrator, Al Ochsner, and I would perform a skit for the kids where Al was clad in a dragon costume. The routine always started with me insisting to the kids that there was nothing to be afraid of with dragons. They didn’t exist of course, I told them, playing the foil, while Al dressed in his costume behind me. As soon as Al would place his index finger to his mouth and ask the kids to be quiet as he approached me, the cackles would start and the kids just couldn’t hold back. Sure it was a dorky performance by both of us but it sold a lot of books and promoted the work well. Typically, we would receive book reviews and drawings from all the kids after the full reading of the book. We were a big hit with the teachers.  

Q: If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published? 

A: I’m convinced that unless you are sleeping with a higher up at a traditional publisher, or have tenure at a university and know a board member sleeping with a higher up at a traditional publisher, you have little to no chance of seeing your work printed and put up on a book shelf at a major chain. 

Q: Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author? 

A: I’m looking at a couple different options with my latest work, entitled, The Fish and the Fox. 

I’m not certain if I’ve grown at all as a writer. Where I know I’ve improved is in the editorial and marketing side of the process. I spend a lot more time now working with paid editors on making sure my work is fit for critical eyes. It’s a taxing ritual but necessary and vital for a book to succeed.  

Q: Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up?  What kind of mistakes could you have avoided? 

A: I should have looked for a higher up at a major publishing firm and slept with her. 

Q: What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published? 

A: There’s nothing spectacular in my bio from writing. I’ve had some good reviews from unsolicited quarters and feel good that the writing has been well received. I’ve sold a number of books around the world. What else can I ask for? 

Q: If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be? 

A: I’d have made a great sports columnist, like Ray Barone. 

Q: Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds? 

A: I have it all. I’m able to work in various fields or industries, with anonymity, and with respect from my peers. 

Q: How do you see yourself in ten years?

A: Hopefully, ten pounds lighter with six strokes consistently shaven from my golf score.  

Q: Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day? 

A: Don’t let the bastards get you down.  Whenever, or however it happens, enjoy it and never lose your humility. One good review doesn’t make you the next Hemingway.