Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
For about a decade, I waded through the swamp of PR and marketing, mingling with brilliant minds yet feeling perpetually stuck. Life had become a monotonous echo, each day a repetition of the last. The pandemic was the final blow, shattering any lingering belief I had in the security of a 9-to-5 existence.
Facing the apocalyptic dance of the world, I swore to seize this dreadful crisis and squeeze from it whatever I could. If the world was to end, I would at least pursue my dream. Life is fleeting. I chained myself to a chair and wrote. It was an uphill battle, to say the least.
So far, I’ve penned two novels.
The first, Last Chance California, is a darkly comedic contemporary fiction piece. It paints a raw, unfiltered portrait of a cynical millennial navigating the cusp of the COVID-19 pandemic, wrestling with his family’s cycle of abuse. Or, to put it bluntly, it’s about a depressed and wayward man who becomes a full-blown alcoholic after fleeing to California to escape his violent childhood.
My second novel, Once Upon A Subway is a romantic drama, where the past and present blur as Harper and Wyatt relive their passionate, yet stormy, love story after the estranged lovers unexpectedly cross paths on the subway. Once Upon A Subway is a heart-wrenching exploration of love, loss, and the power of healing.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
If you think public transit is bad, imagine running into your ex while commuting home on the subway from work.
Once Upon A Subway is much more than a poignant romantic saga. The tragic romance is an exploration of the profound human capacity to heal and love, despite deep personal wounds. The characters’ stories echo the arduous journey of loving a damaged soul, a theme that resonates with many who have faced similar struggles.
Once Upon A Subway might be fiction, but it carries echoes of my own past. While everyone’s healing journey is as unique as their fingerprints, my hope is that Once Upon A Subway resonates with readers and inspires them to embark on their own quest for understanding, forgiveness, and healing.
The journey of writing the book was a marathon, not a sprint. I wanted to finish this thing, but didn’t have the writing experience or emotional ability to get it done. Thankfully, I refused to rush the process, acknowledging that a narrative of such gravity deserved time to mature and develop. And I received tons of support from a lot of people who helped me chase this writing dream.
Now, let’s hope Once Upon A Subway is good.
At least for my sake.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I get dressed up in a suit and tie before shining my shoes. After that I demand absolute silence, block all light from entering my office, silence my phone, and strangle words until I cry.
Just kidding.
First, I summon the ghosts of my childhood with an Ecto Cooler candle. It smells just like the old Hi-C juice boxes from the 90s I used to guzzle down. Nothing like a shot of nostalgia to get the creative juices flowing. It’s either an inspiring trip down memory lane or a sign that I’ve lost touch with reality.
Jury’s still out on that one.
Then, to really set the mood, I get a fix of literary wisdom, either by reading the works of my favorite writers or listening to their voices, spilling the secrets of their craft. It’s like being in a secret writer’s club, except I can do it in my underwear and I don’t have to talk to anyone. It’s perfect.
Next? Cranking up the tunes and sucking down a pot of coffee. Whether it’s big-haired rockers from the 80s or country singers with broken hearts and pickup trucks, I blast the music. My ear drums may be sixty years old from the assault of loudness, but hey, it’s all part of the creative process.
Once the music is doing its thing, I boogie around the house. Picture a solitary dance party in a room filled with books and the sweet smell of nostalgic Hi-C juice boxes. Except instead of dancing, I’m usually pacing and plotting what I’m working on that day. Dance moves definitely do come out though, especially when I have a creative breakthrough.
Once I’m all pumped up and have probably freaked out my dog with my questionable dance moves, I plop down and let the words flow.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Charles Bukowski, Neil Strauss, John Fante, Chuck Palahniuk, Hunter S. Thompson, and Ernest Hemingway.
Besides Neil Strauss, I didn’t read any of those writers listed until the pandemic. Reading those writers flipped a switch in my mind and really made me want to chase my writing dreams.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently knee-deep in crafting my third novel, which I’ve affectionately dubbed Surviving America As A Millennial.
It’s about a man who goes after his relentless pursuit of the elusive American Dream… a wife, kids, and to earn a living at a job that he doesn’t despise. But it’s not all apple pies and white picket fences. Our protagonist is wading through the swampy depths of corporate America, zipping across the country faster than a Greyhound bus, hopping from job to job and woman to woman, as his American Dream begins to fade away. As his disillusionment grows, so does the absurdity. It’s a dark comedy that would make even the most steadfast millennial question their life choices.
I’m also writing up a sequel to Last Chance California. This one’s an homage to Hunter S. Thompson’s legendary Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
If you’ve got the magic formula for book marketing, then by all means, enlighten me. Send an email my way. I’d love to hear it. There’s so much information out there and ways to do things, the last thing I want to do is spew out more unquantified advice.
All you have to do is write. And keep writing. Write books you’re proud of. Throw them into the wild and cross your fingers that they find their way to the right people. Because at the end of the day, all we can do is our best.
Good luck out there, fellow writers. May the literary odds be ever in your favor.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Brace yourself for failure and embrace it when it comes. Rejection letters? Collect them. Bad reviews? Frame them.
And never stop learning. Writing is like any other craft. It takes time, practice, and a whole lot of patience. So read a lot, write a lot, and then write some more. Seek feedback and listen, whether you agree with the critique or not. The goal is to write good stories, and all writers need help to do that. That’s where hearing things you don’t want comes into play. Don’t take negative assessments to heart.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Charles Bukowski said, “Find what you love and let it kill you.”
What are you reading now?
I can’t put down The Great Shark Hunt by Hunter S. Thompson. It’s a wild ride from start to finish, as you might expect from the father of Gonzo journalism. His perspective of America in the sixties and seventies is fascinating.
What’s next for you as a writer?
In between bouts of crippling writer’s block and inexplicable urges to move to Hawaii and become an ice cream man, I’m mulling over a few ideas. One of them involves a screenplay about a legion of mutant guinea pigs taking over the world. Let’s cross our fingers and hope the muse hasn’t abandoned me for a less chaotic writer.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Some books slap you across the face at the perfect moment in your life, making you question everything you thought you knew. Others might initially leave a bitter taste in your mouth, only to become a favorite over time.
But I’d have to go with Ask the Dust by John Fante.
Author Websites and Profiles
Brian Price Website
Brian Price Amazon Profile
Brian Price’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile