~ ETHAN DAY AND GEOFFREY KNIGHT ~
Ohhhh but we have a fun treat today!ย Our wonderful guest reviewer and usually on assignment conference attendee Leigh got a chance to talk to Ethan Day and Geoffrey Knight and let me tell you….you’ll want to read their book by the time you are done getting to know them!
Hi, Ethan & Geoff!!ย I saw the announcement about Wilde City Press – congrats!!ย All the marketing and logos look awesome as well!ย Thank you so much for sharing with us and our readers at UTC.ย So, let’s go ahead and get this party started!ย ๐
ED: Thanks so much for having us! I always wondered what you guys kept Under the Covers in this joint and now I know. I must sayโฆIโm very impressed. : )
“To Catch a Fox” was an amazing start to what I am sure will be an equally amazing series!ย And of course, I am already looking forward to the next book, “A Fox in the Hole.”ย Can you tell us anxious readers what might be in store for sexy PI Jon Fox in the next book?ย Do you have an expected release date?ย
GK: Oh, the next book is gonna be SOOOO much fun to write. I donโt wanna spoil things for anyone who hasnโt read To Catch a Fox, but in the last chapter we introduce the villainess of Book 2 who has a collection of dolls sheโs particularly fond ofโฆ Voodoo Dolls, that is. Yes, weโre going to sink even deeper into that sexy, steamy, deadly New Orleans scene and Fox and Tucker will be working extra hard to keep themselves from being buried in that โholeโ in the title! As for a release date, weโre aiming for late 2013. Setting up Wilde City has been quite a big job for us both โ you canโt imagine how hard it is to build an entire city, especially when Ethan doesnโt like to get his fingers wet with cement! โ but we promise that โA Fox in the Holeโ is on its way!
ED: For those romance lovers out there, youโll get to see the progression of Jon and Tuckerโs relationship as well. Theyโre both stubborn and pig headed, but they shared a lot in a short amount of time in the first book and despite the different backgrounds they actually have a lot in common. I think theyโre sort of dysfunctionally perfect for one another, lol. Thereโs a lot of BIG in the first book and that will continue throughout the series, but both Geoff and I really wanted the relationship between these two men to be realistic โ at least from the perspective of Geoffโs and my real-life experiences. Not rushing them into a full-on relationship felt authentic to both of us, and I think the slower progression of their courtship balances out all the action and intrigue quite well.
How did the Knight and Day Fox Mystery Series come to be?ย How did your collaboration come together?
GK: Years ago I had this idea about an old woman who hires a detective not to find someone, but to teach her everything he knows because she wants to find the person herselfโฆand kill them. Itโs a neat little concept that really took my fancy, but I wanted to write it as a big steamy gay detective story with lots of twists, and I knew I needed help to do that. After asking 48 other writers who all turned me down, I went to Ethan in desperation. No, just kidding!!! I love Ethanโs humor. I knew that if I took it on by myself, it would grow into something that was all action and adventure. I knew it needed someone to balance it out, add lots of witty dialogue and funny stuff between the thrills and spillsโฆ enter Ethan Day!
ED: Yes, pleaseโฆenter Ethan Day! Sorry, been catching up on those Charlie Harding films and I got a little carried away. : ) I was very happy Geoff asked me to write Fox with him. I loved the concept and the idea of the sweet little old lady being a cold blooded killer was something I hadnโt heard of before. Itโs been an awesome experience all around and so much more has come out of the writing relationship, like Wilde City Press. Had you asked me three years ago if I had any plans to be a publisher I wouldโve said no way. I would have been wrong and happy to have been.
Have either of you ever written with another author prior to “To Catch a Fox?”ย How was the experience of co-writing a full novel?ย
GK: No, this was totally new for me! To be honest it took a while for us to get into the groove of it and work out a rhythm (Ethan will probably insert a joke about dimming the lights here, LOL!). We were both really busy with other projects, but we both had certain scenes that we wanted to tackle so we started there and began to weave the whole thing together. Thank God for Skype! We had lots of meetings where weโd plot out diagrams and story arcs and draw them on a piece of paper and hold them up for the camera on our computers. And weโre both experts in time zones now!
ED: Me? Insert jokes? That doesnโt sound like something I would do. : ) Co-writing was new for me as well. Iโve talked about doing it with a few other authors, but Geoff was my first. Overall I really enjoyed experience. Itโs actually useful to see first-hand how another author works his or her way through the writing process. It can be frustrating at times โ especially with time zone drama. It totally sucks getting a really great idea and then having to wait up to 8 hours to be able to share it and get feedback. The only way I can imagine co-writing being successful at this point is by plotting the book out โ either in sections at a time or all at once. Unless youโre literally co-writing as a team in the same room at all times. Otherwise you HAVE to have a road map or youโll get lost.
During the writing, how did you decide who would write what?ย Did each of you write a specific set of characters?ย And can you give us any details about how those uber-hawt sex scenes got written?ย ๐
GK: Again, Skype came in very handy for plotting out those sex scenes! LOL! Just kidding!!! In terms of deciding who wrote what, I took anything thatโs totally over the top. If it involved fire/guns/storm/any-form-of-destruction, I wanted it! Then Ethan pretty much created the characters. Fox has a big cast, but Ethan has this great knack of defining character through dialogue, and I think every one of our characters came to life through their dialogue. As for the sex scenesโฆ Iโm gonna disappoint everyone and say we wrote those separately! Although we did discuss what we wanted in each sex scene โ a hint of romance or something that was nothing more than a fuck. I have to say my favorite sex scene is in the motel room, after Fox gets shot and Tucker has to extract the bullet and he makes Fox drink a whole bottle of booze to numb him, only to have Foxโs dark side come out. That was probably the most intense sex scene Iโve ever written. We discussed it in length. Initially it was going to be really loving and sweet, but we decided to go the other way, to really make the reader wonder if Fox is capable of changeโฆ or whether heโll always be his own worst enemy.
ED: The scenes really did sort of naturally fall to one or the other of us without really needing to discuss it. But they werenโt divided up by character so much as the tone and purpose of the scene. I think we made a good team because different aspects of the story appealed more to one or the other. Reading that entire storm finale was a total page turner for me when Geoff finished writing it โ and I KNEW what was going to happen โ I just didnโt know how. That kept the writing fun.
Who is your favorite character in the series thus far and why?
GK: Oh thatโs too hard! I canโt answer it! In the climax of the bookโฆ when EVERYONE is in danger and thereโs no telling who might live and who might die, I was almost in tearsโฆ And I knew what the outcome was going to be!! But I was still so terrified for everyone! Besides, I canโt tell you who I love best because that might give away whoโs going to die in Book 2!
ED: I actually loved them all most, at different times. Snowflake is a favorite for many readers. I think Snowy provided a lot of comedy. Foxโs entire life is a train wreck, though, so thereโs a lot to work with for me. Heโs a rich character and everyone depends upon him in very specific and important ways, yet they donโt all respect him all of the time. Fox has been forced into responsibility and he hasnโt always handled it well, but he has at least attempted to handle it โ and to me thatโs the true definition of a hero. I love that about him. I think Tucker will be his reward โ a reward that brings with it a whole lot of new baggage, lol. Nobodyโs perfect, right? : )
How many books do you have planned for the series?
GK: We definitely have three books locked in. Whether we go beyond that, who knows!
Do you already have an idea of how you plan to end the series, or are you currently just writing book to book?
GK: Weโve got some strong ideas for Book 3 that will definitely close the initial arc of the main relationship. But again, if an amazing idea for a fourth book falls from heaven, weโll definitely run with it.
ED: Exactly. Iโve been picturing the beginning of book three since the very beginning of book oneโฆnow I just have to convince Geoff! LOL!
Sex. Murder. Blackmail. Revenge. Life in the Big Easy can be a real bitch.
Meet Jon Fox, a sexy New Orleans private detective with more family secrets than even he knows about. But his latest case is about to bring more to the swampy surface than Fox himself could ever have guessedโ
A polite old lady with a plot to murder a stranger;
A mother whose secret sent her insane;
An uncle with complete control over the family empire;
A father whose suicide might once again tear his family apart;
And a hot, handsome, clueless blond with a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.Yes, meet Jon Fox. A New Orleans private detective whose complicated life…just got a little more complex.
Oh, and before I forget…while I love so many of the characters in “To Catch a Fox” – Jon, Tucker, Leigh (not only because she was a badass chick, but she has an awesome name as well, hehe), and Aunt Millie to name a few – one of my favorites, hands down, has to be Snowflake.ย Please tell us more about this very unique, but equally fabulous pet!ย Will we get more of Snowflake in future books – pretty please with sugar on top *batting eyelashes*?
GK: Oh, because you asked so nicely, weโll definitely be including more Snowflake. We LOVED coming up with Snowflake. He just seems like such a weird, cool, southern plantation pet (donโt all plantation owners have pet alligators? LOL!). We love him too, he serves as both comedic and action elements of the storyline. And when we were writing the flashback party scene, just before the climax, we had to add in Snowyโs own little backstory (suck it, Mason!)
ED: LOL! Yeahโฆwhat he said! Snowflake was all Geoffโs idea but damned if he didnโt just fit with Fox perfectly. The man is totally fucked up, so of course heโs gonna have a fucked up pet.
The two of you just started a brand new publishing company specializing in gay fiction, Wilde City Express – congratulations!!!ย What was the impetus in starting your own press?
GK: Well, the one big reason was To Catch a Fox! Fox was originally going to be published by Dare Empire, but when the owner of that press had a change in life direction, he asked if I would like to take it over. Hell yeah! I emailed Ethan straight away, as well as Adrian who is the Art Director Iโve been working with for the past 10 years in marketing and advertising, and asked if they wanted to join me. Several months later โ and a million more emails โ weโre good to go!!! Weโre VERY excited!
ED: One more thing Knight has dragged Day into! : ) Geoff has a way of making everything sound fun, so I keep saying yes! Thus far he hasnโt led me astray. And Adrian has been a dream. Iโm totally in love with the art direction of the press, I think itโs stellar.
What big plans do you have for Wilde City?
GK: I donโt think our plans are necessarily โbigโ, but rather โfunโ. We want to create a destination for readers of gay fiction where they can explore our books and authors and the different news and features weโll post. We want to make browsing for books as entertaining as our books themselves. Weโre literally creating a city that people can explore and lose themselves in. In doing so, we hope they step outside of their comfort and discover everything that gay fiction has to offer!
I have seen some covers for books soon to be released from your press, and they look absolutely amazing and intriguing.ย Will Wilde City be publishing more than romance?
ED: We wanted to create an all-gay fiction department, all under one roof, with romance, erotica & mainstream fiction featuring gay male protagonists. Multiple lines that will be easily identifiable so that those who only read romance will be able to find that, though we do hope to see some cross-pollination going on. We want to be very user-friendly for the reader, but I think the average gay romance reader will discover books outside the romance genre that theyโll read and fall in love with. That goes both ways of course. Hopefully, having all these books sitting next to one another on the Wilde City virtual shelves will introduce new books and authors to readers they may not have otherwise come into contact with before.
GK: Oh can I please put in our Wilde City blurb???? Pretty please with a creamy espresso martini, whipped cream and chocolate-covered macadamias on top!?! Here it is anyway ๐
Wilde City is a metropolis of male fiction, with every building brimming with tales of gay intrigue, romance or eroticism, and every street corner filled with the most talented writers in the industry just itching to tell you tales that will make you laugh, cry and beg for more!
Itโs a strange, exciting, bustling city full of surprises, a place that only sleeps when you do. There youโll find stories of Gay Romance on just about every corner of Wilde City. Look out for those lingering gazes between strangers as they pass by on the Boulevard of Hopeless Romantics, or book a table at one of Wilde Cityโs many jazz clubs, or dance the night away at Wilde Cityโs Gay Rainbow Room, watching some handsome, tuxedoed man discreetly brush his fingers against the hand of another man longing to be kissed. Yes, in a city this big, romance is everywhere.
But many other gay worlds exist within Wilde City. Walk through the cobblestone alleys of the Old Docklands and youโre sure to stumble across something that will chill you to the bone. Venture through the haunted mansions of the old Parisian Quarter and you might catch a glimpse of a handsome ghost, or powerful werewolf, or a vampire hungry for your blood. Or perhaps youโd prefer a laugh with the gay characters youโll meet on Vaudeville Avenue as they bumble their way through life looking for Mr. Rightโฆ or Mr. Right Now! Or buy yourself a ticket to gay adventure atop Wilde Cityโs Empire Tower and board the Wilde World Airship for an action-packed trip of a lifetime!
Then again, if youโve come to Wilde City for action of a different kind, welcome to a city teeming with Gay Erotica. Youโll find sex in almost every back alley and respectable dive in Wilde Cityโs notoriously naughty Pink Light District. Or for something thatโs sure to turn you on, visit Mr. Charlie Hardingโs exclusive black-label sex soiree, โCharlie Harding Presentsโโฆ because why not get the best in Gay Erotica from the Expert!
Yeah, Wilde City is SOOO my kinda place! ๐
Leigh with Ethan and Geoffrey at GRL 2012
Lastly, is there anything else you would like to share with your readers about Knight and Day Fox Mystery Series or Wilde City?
GK: Weโd love to have as many people as possible join us at www.wildecity.com to receive our weekly โWOW! Whatโs Out Wednesday!โ newspaper, delivered direct to your inbox every Wednesday. Each week weโll have exciting new releases to keep you entertained. Plus, for lovers of all things hawt and kinky, you wonโt wanna miss the launch of Charlie Harding Presents on May 1! Exclusive to Wilde City comes a selection of premium, black label books presented by world-famous adult entertainment star Charlie Harding. Each sizzling story has been personally chosen by Charlie for the quality of its storytelling, its steaminessโฆ and the fact that it got Charlie Harding hard! Get your Erotica from the Expert! May 1โฆ Charlie Comes!! ๐
ED: Umโฆwhat he said! : )
Thank you guys so very much for your time!!ย Ethan, I cannot wait to see you at RT, and Geoff, absolutely looking forward to see you at GRL!!
ED: Thanks for having us Leigh! Iโll see you in a few weeks!!! KC is calling. : )
GK: Thanks so much for having us, Leigh! Weโll see you in Wilde City!! ๐
Nice interview! These are new-to-me authors but I will have to check out their books ๐
thanks! Yes, you cannot go wrong with any of their books. ๐
New to me authors. Thanks for the intro.
Sure thing!! Hope you get to check them out soon ~ don’t think you’ll be disappointed. ๐
I recently read Ethan Day’s book Love in La Terrazza and I loved it. I am looking forward to the new series!
Yay!! It’s really excellent!!! Enjoy!! ๐
That is not me in those videos. That is my naughty, evil twin brother Godfrey! ๐ LOL Just kidding, We had awesome fun with Leigh… we obviously picked the most professional time to do an interview LMAO! Thanks for the interview Leigh, we LOVE you!!! xx
Awww….LOVE you, too!!!! ๐
LOL, yes – it was the BEST time for the interview!! hehehe
Holy cow! Now I know what happened to my tonsils!?! Geoff Knight sucked them right outta my mouth during that kiss!!! We’ll title both of those videos, “When alcohol attacks 1 & 2” : )
Thanks for hosting the fun party Leigh by having over, Under the Covers!
Ethan
LMAO, Ethan!! At least this kiss was AFTER you sang karaoke. ๐
You’re so welcome, and thanks to you and Geoff for joining us here at UTC! don’t be strangers, now, ya hear?? ๐
Loved the interview.
thanks, Sherry! it was a lot of fun to do, too! ๐
Bought it, read it, and loved it! It was Awesome Thanks for letting us know about this book. Great interveiw too!
Looks like a lot of fun. ๐