Guilty Conscience Publishing: Interview with Helen FitzGerald

An interview with another of the Off The Record contributors today...Helen FitzGerald is the author of The Devils Staircase, The Last Confession, and The Donor, amongst others. An Australian, now living in Scotland, and married to an Italian, Helen is one of the most original voices in fiction working today, and one of my favourite writers. A genuine talent, if you haven't read her books yet, make sure you make that purchase soon. Here we talk about her Off The Record story, her most recent release The Donor, and Ebooks...

So Helen, you're one of the multitude of writers involved with OFF THE RECORD, can you tell us what song title you went for and why?

I chose Two Little Boys because Rolf Harris is a megastar and I love him. He’s fun on a stick.

What's the story about, and how much was inspired by the song itself?

The first line of the song inspired me – Two little boys had two little toys. It’s about a gay couple who go to marriage counselling. One has a very large penis which he likes to share.

Unfortunately, their counsellor is a scorned middle aged woman in the middle of a nervous breakdown. Her service – the Road Ahead – takes place in her car. As her clients take the front seats, she listens from the back, her thinking being that people open up while driving.

As business ideas go, it’s not a great one.

What made you want to be involved in OTR?

You, Luca. I’d do anything for you.

Oh, and charidy.

Do you think music has much influence on your writing?

No, but my music taste is similar to my taste in books. I like to feel something, don’t mind what, long as it’s something. And I like to mix it up – Violent Femmes if I’m wildly happy, country stuff like Iris Dement and The Be Good Tanyas if I’m feeling thankful or sentimental, and classical if I want to feel close to my folks.

It's been a few months now since THE DONOR was released...how have you found the reaction to it?

It’s sold really well, especially on Kindle, and has been chosen as one of the best books of 2011 by Amazon and Lovereading. I’m currently negotiating two offers for TV/Film adaptations and getting ready for book tours in Germany and Holland when it’s released in those countries in February 2012. So I’m thrilled!

Do you still read reviews, and how do you react to them now?

I ignore bad ones now. Why make myself feel crap? “Come close so I can slap you!”

I don’t take great reviews too seriously either. I’ll never reach the top of the learning curve in this job, never want to get complacent, and can always do better.

Next year sees the release of THE DUPLICATE, from Snubnose Press...what prompted the move to Ebook publishers?

I’ve been reading Spinetingler Magazine for a long time and really respect Brian Lindenmuth’s taste. When I heard he was looking for dark, short fiction, I jumped at the chance.

Do you think Ebook publishing is the future?

Yes – which is why I’m so glad all my publishers are embracing it.

You write both adult, and young adult fiction...which, if any, is your favourite to write?

Alternating between the two keeps my writing fresh. I love writing icky sex scenes and dark twisted shit in my adult books, but also enjoy writing shorter pieces with a teenage protagonist.

If you could recommend one recent book to read this week, what would it be?

Definitely Les Edgerton’s The Rapist (Coming soon from Bare Knuckles Press). I’ve always been interested in fucked up male psychology (hence, choosing to work with sex offenders) and his book took me on a breathless journey into the mind of a really nasty piece of work

What's the best thing about being a writer?

Writing in my PJ’s, making weird noises at my desk, and not having dumb arse bosses.

What's the worst thing about being a writer?

Only getting paid twice a year and never knowing how much it’s going to be.