Five Writers

Here at 5Writers we’re providing some insight into our current projects.  Once we’re done, we are  passing on some info about some other writers whose work we dig. So, here’s what Brad has on the horizon.

What is the working title of your book?  This Too Shall Pass

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? In a gentrifying South Philadelphia neighborhood, the lives of 12 people are loosely connected through the effects of a car accident involving a white driver and a black bicyclist

Where did the idea come from for the book?  As a resident in a gentrifying neighborhood, I wondered what could send the fragile tension between the long-time residents and new residents into upheaval.

What genre does your book fall under?  Literary Fiction

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?  Rose, a neighborhood “Old Head” would work with Whoopi Goldberg. Carol, the mother of the bicyclist, should be Viola Davis. Michael, the car driver, should be Justin Bartha

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?  I’m currently shopping for an agent.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? The first draft was done in about a year (which includes the research)

 What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? In terms of the range of characters it explores, Olive Kitteridge or TrailerPark would be good comparisons. In terms of theme, I’m not sure.  The book deals with issues of race, class, family, and sexuality through the prism of gentrification.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? The book is not out to provide answers to the tricky situation that is gentrification; rather, it sets out to articulate the various aspects of the problem for the purpose of starting a conversation.

Check out what these fellow authors are up to:

Jennifer Worick’s Things I Want to Punch in the Face blog: http://thingsiwanttopunchintheface.blogspot.com/

Josh Aterovis, author of several YA mystery novels: https://www.facebook.com/JoshAterovis

Jonnie Martin, who keeps us updated on her reactions to several interesting writers: http://www.jonniemartin.com/index.php/weblog

Evan Roskos, whose Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets hits store shelves March 2013.  Also: check out his blog: evanroskos.blogspot.com

Kathleen Volk Miller, check out her blog column for Philly Mag (here’s a sample: http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2012/12/21/notable-words-2012-humblebrag-eastwooding/) and her website: http://www.kathleenvolkmiller.com and its sub-site: rampagentparent.com