Happy Labor Day!
We begin such an exciting month with an interview with Daniel Cubias, author of BARRIO IMBROGLIO.
It's a detective novel with a funny
Latino character and a deep dark murder.
Q: You wrote your first autobiography at age six. Did you know then you
wanted to be a writer? When did you really know?
DANIEL: When
I was eleven, I wrote a story about astronauts landing on Mars and getting
eaten by some giant alien plant-like thing. My friends liked it, and I thought,
“Why not spend the next few decades trying to master this exceedingly
difficult, madness-inducing craft?” So, basically, I decided to be a writer
when I was eleven.
Q: When talking about your book, BARRIO
IMBROGLIO, you said you wanted to write a funny Latino hero and a detective
novel. Who is Abraxas Hernandez? What is his story? Tell us
about the book.
DANIEL: Abraxas
has played by the rules, getting a college degree and landing a corporate gig.
But he finds that this version of success is hollow, and he’s tired of being
the token Latino in the white-collar world. He wants something more meaningful. When his cousin is murdered, Abraxas tackles
the case, more out of familial loyalty than anything else. After all, Latino
family bonds are ironclad. Soon, he is dragged into a frenzied
investigation that takes him from the mean streets to the corridors of power in
City Hall to a tequila-fueled pool party that turns deadly.
Q: What
is next for Abraxas? Do you envision a trilogy or a longer series?
DANIEL: I’m
working on the next Abraxas novel. It will flow directly out of his experiences
in the first novel. I also have an idea for the third novel. After that, we’ll
see.
Q: Your
mom and your wife seem to be your biggest fans, but who influenced your
writing? Who are your favorite writers – Latino and otherwise?
DANIEL: Gabriel
Garcia Marquez is the greatest writer who ever lived. It’s just that simple. Other big influences for me include Kurt
Vonnegut, Edgar Allen Poe, and Mark Leyner. It’s a diverse bunch, and I don’t
really have a favorite type of story or setting or character. Instead, my favorite
writers tend to have a firm grasp of language, an honesty and sincerity to
their work, and a unique tone that makes them instantly recognizable.
Q: You
are “The Hispanic Fanatic” at the Huffington Post. Who gave you this
title? What can you tell us about the Latino publishing industry? Is there an
industry?
DANIEL: I
came up with the name because it was catchy, and it rhymed. Plus, nobody would
read my articles if I called myself The Hispanic Moderate. I’ve written extensively about the problems
Latinos face in the publishing industry. In fact, here is a trilogy of articles
I recently wrote for the Huffington Post that addresses this complex issue:
Q: What
advice would you give to new Latino writers?
DANIEL: I’m
not sure there is any advice for writers other than read as much as you can and
write as much as you can. I would tell
writers, however, that if you hope to make any kind of impact, realize that
many people will hate you. They will hate your work, hate your style, hate your
opinions, and hate everything you stand for. They will let you know about their
hatred in long emails that often get personal. Writing is not a profession for
people who want to be loved. When your hate mail comes in, don’t get hurt or
defensive. Just be glad that your work makes an impression.
Q: How
can your readers find out more about you? Please list website, blog and
social media addresses.
DANIEL: Here’s
all my info:
Twitter: @DanCubias
Email: hispanicf@gmail.com
We wish Daniel all the
best of luck with his writing.
Can’t
wait to find out what is next for Abraxas too!
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