An Interview with Author Jay Mandal

Jay Mandel's book All About Sex.

As a writer, my main concern is probably that of every author: I want readers to enjoy what I write, whether it's serious or humorous.

By Citizen Correspondent Ambrose Musiyiwa

Date Posted: 12/27/06

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Jay Mandal's novels and short stories are written with the gay audience in mind. So far he has written three novels and over 200 short stories. His books, which include the novel Precipice and the collections of short stories, A Different Kind of Love, The Loss of Innocence, Slubberdegullion, and his latest novel, All About Sex have been well received. His debut novel, The Dandelion Clock has sold over 1,000 copies, mostly through online sales. In an email interview that took place in August of 2006, Jay Mandal spoke about his writing, his newly released novel, the challenges emerging writers face and how new technology is changing the publishing industry.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

It was something that happened gradually. As a child, I'd make "books" by folding sheets of paper, and I'd make up episodes of shows I watched on television.

It wasn't until about ten years ago that I began to write short stories with the aim of getting them published.

As a writer, my main concern is probably that of every author: I want readers to enjoy what I write, whether it's serious or humorous.

Who influenced you the most?

My favourite authors are Douglas Adams, John Steinbeck, Bill Bryson, and Armistead Maupin, and my favourite books are Il Gattopardo, Wuthering Heights, and To Kill A Mockingbird.

It was The Tales of the City books that encouraged me to start writing again and not to give up until I had a publisher. Armistead Maupin's books were written in the sort of style that I liked, and they had a track record. There was humour and pathos, and I wanted to attempt a British equivalent.

How have your personal experiences influenced the direction of your writing?

I've suffered from depression and in Precipice I explore its effect on one of the main characters. Overall, though, it's not a depressing book. Precipice is about coming to terms with cancer, and learning to live with the disease and its consequences.

The novel took about a year - I let it languish in a drawer for a considerable length of time before sending it anywhere. It was published in 2005 by BeWrite Books.

Which aspects of the work that you put into the book did you find most difficult?

The chapter dealing with depression took a lot of work.