Interview with Madeira Desouza
Published 2019-05-15.
What's the story behind your latest book?
The title is "Baja Clavius" and it is a science fiction time travel adventure about agents who work on the moon for a top-secret international agency.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
Censorship. I found that it was greatly limiting to have people tell me that I could not write what I wanted to write about because they do not like the choice of words that I make or what I depict in the digital art that I create.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords initially posted my novellas "Dare Not Ask the Dead" (2010) and "Lost Cowboy Moon Time" (2012).
Why do you want to provoke your readers?
When I look around me at the straight world, I see straight people who do not like to see masculine men showing affection towards one another. I choose to tell stories about muscular and masculine men who connect with one another emotionally, physically and sexually. And yes because I am working within the bara genre, I use violence and exploitation as themes. What I do is considered provocative. And that is my intent.
What do your fans mean to you?
The fans that mean the most to me are the ones who email me to share their honest opinions regarding my work. Whether they like what I do or hate what I do, I enjoy it very much when I get email that is direct and honest about how the person felt when they encountered my work.
Who are your favorite authors?
Not in order of importance: Kurt Vonnegut, Gore Vidal, Mark Twain, Harlan Ellison, Norman Mailer.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I also produce original 3D digital art depicting masculine men.
How do you approach cover design?
I create 3D digital art, so I am able to do my own eBook covers.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Social media channels such as Facebook, and, Twitter, plus having a WordPress website.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
Amazon Kindle.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in a small town and was greatly influenced by the teachings and dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
