By Toni Newman
Bestselling African-American LGBT author Lee Hayes has written a total of six books to date and his latest novel, The First Male, was well written and enjoybable. Lee Hayes is a southern native, born and raised in Texas. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and received his Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from The Bernard M. Baruch College, City University of New York in 2005.
Lee Hayes, Photo by DTK photography
I interviewed Lee Hayes about his new novel, The First Male, and his other 5 books which are Passion Marks, A Deeper Blue: Passion Marks II, The Messiah, The Bad Seed and Flesh to Flesh. We discussed how he started writing fiction books and his objective for writing The First Male and his other five books. Lee Hayes outlines what he hopes the reader takes away from each one of his books and discusses the importance of African-American LGBT authors and various themes mentioned in his works.
T: Out of the six books you have, do you have a favorite?
L: You know, people ask me that all the time and I really think it depends on the day. Right now, I am so in love with The First Male that it has to be my favorite. It is sort of stepping out of the typic genre that I’ve been writing in and was an opportunity for me to do something completely different. I love the story, I love the writing supernatural story, and that’s what The First Male is really all about. So, right now I am definitely in love with the first male but I think my baby will always be Passion Marks. The subject of domestic violence is such a provocative subject, and its something we really need to talk about. And it was my first child, so I always have a special place in my heart for that one.”
Q: Now, The First male was an interesteing read, what is this book actually about to the people who haven’t read it or seen it yet.
L: The First Male is really a supernatural story, it focuses on a character named Simon Castle, a multiracial mixed up orphan who discovers he has the power to destry the world. He doesnt know where he came from or why he has these extrodinary abilities, but he knows that he is beginning to change into something dark. And he is trying to figure out what it is. While he’s doing that, these other beings are trying to contact him because the prophesy says that ‘he who controls the child, shall control the world.’ So you have the forces of the light and the forces of shadows trying to find this child so they can make the world into their image of what they want it to be. In the mean time, he doesnt have any idea what he is or what his destiny his, he’s just trying to live a normal life. But his life is anything but normal at this particular point.
T: what whas you main objective when you were writing The First Male?
L: To scare the hell out of people. (Laughs). I like horror storys, supernatural stories, really creepy stories, full of snakes and blood, and shadows. And I think it’s an awesome story. That was really my main objective.
T: What do you hope the reader takes away from the book?
L: Most of my novels have to do with social issues, but this one is really about entertainment. So at the end of this, I want people to people to be thoroughly entertained, to pour themselves a drink and have a ciggarette, sit on the porch and say damn that was a hell of a ride.
T: And (for them to be) frightened and scared…
L: (Laughs) Yes, and for them to be frightened and scared and all that…
T: As an African-American LGBTQ author, how do you think you’ve been received by the general LGBT community?
L: I’ve received a really good reception from LGBT people. Clearly thats the bulk of my fanbase, people are always writing and emailing me, telling me they want a new novel. I know there is an audience for stories about people like us and they’re emailing me or Facebook-ing and twittering me–or tweeting me, whatever that word is–wondering when is the next novel is coming out. The reception I’ve received is beyond my wildest dreams. I had no idea when I wrote Passion Marks that people would still be talking about me. Typically, when people are talking about LGBT writers or African-American LGBT writers, my name sort of comes up in that circle and I had no idea that would ever happen. The reception I’ve had has been extraordinary. And I am grateful and honored and I thank everyone who has supported me and continue to support me.
Lee Hayes currently resides in the Washington, DC metro area. He can be reached via his website.
I recommend his latest for all readers who enjoy a good read and scare over the holidays. God bless you all in 2013.
Click here to listen to Toni’s full interview with Lee Hayes.
