Toro received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Andrew Avner.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The title of the book is Toro, and it was published on September 17, 2020. Although, the full-cast audiobook is available now on Audible, Apple Books, and Amazon with spectacular narration by Brad Raider, extraordinary performances by George Spielvogel, Malili Dib, Leila Cohen, and Yolanda Corrales, and world-class post production by Jacob Morgan. And, yes. I might have allegedly voiced a few central characters.
What’s the book’s first line?
“Bright rays of sun bore down on sharp young shadows at the break of dawn.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch.”
Alicía Catalina Cortés is a Spanish cow who wants to run with the bulls in Pamplona, proving herself noble y bravo, which is noble and brave, to her family. Though tradition and her overprotective father, Don Murciélago Cortés, forbid her from the running of the bulls and the fiesta of San Fermín, Alicía is determined to follow her heart and her dream—even if it means defying convention.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
A close friend of mine ran with the bulls in 1999. When he spoke of his experience, I conceived the initial idea for Toro as a CG animated film told entirely from the cattle’s point of view. I envisioned a timeless fable with talking animals, featuring one of the most exhilarating, dangerous, and spectacular celebrations around the world, where a picturesque, sun-drenched Spain served as the cinematic backdrop.
Countless times a Toro movie almost was made. But the movie never was made. I suppose frustration was the inspiration behind writing Toro as a novel. Frustration, failure, and rejection, coupled with perseverance and self-reliance. Without the Hollywood studio system—or a cast and crew and production budget upward of $120 million—the only way for me to independently tell Toro as a complete story was to write it as a novel. A book is a fully realized work of art. It can be read in and of itself as the author intended it to be experienced.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Enjoyment and entertainment aside, the main reason to read this book is for inspiration. Toro reminds us that we can overcome impossible odds to achieve our dreams. I also think it’s an important book for children, as Toro not only embodies diversity, but also features a strong female protagonist who fights for equality, breaks down barriers, and empowers herself.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who—real or fictional—would you say the character reminds you of?
The most distinctive trait about Alicía Catalina Cortés is her fierce determination to pursue her passion, to defy expectations and succeed. In many ways, she reminds me of myself. My personal story and the narrative of my protagonist are entwined. And both illustrate the virtue of perseverance.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
If I were to produce an animated feature film, I’d cast everyone from the audiobook to perform voices for the movie. If they were unavailable, in terms of the Hollywood studio system, here’s my dream cast of voice talent for the central roles:
Penélope Cruz as Alicía Catalina Cortés
Antonio Banderas as Diego Del Toro
Javier Bardem as Don Julián Hernández
Ana de Armas as Doña Madonna de Doñana
Lin-Manuel Miranda as Jesús de los Jabalíes
Martin Sheen as Don Murciélago Cortés
Salma Hayek as Condesa Maria Del Toro
Benicio Del Toro as El Miguel
Clint Eastwood as Billy Ray
Billy Bob Thornton as Montie
Woody Harrelson as Junior
Matthew McConaughey as Slim
A film could also be made as a live-action virtual production in the vein of Jon Favreau and Disney’s The Jungle Book (2016) and The Lion King (2019), whereby photorealistic talking animals appear alongside real actors. If this were to be the case, the cowboys—Billy Ray, Montie, Junior, and Slim—would all be filmed in live-action on location and greenscreen stages.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I considered becoming an author in December of 2014, when I was offered a book deal of sorts for an adaptation of an unproduced television series I created. All I had to do was write the first fifty pages of the manuscript, so I thought I’d try my hand at it. Within two weeks, I decided to become an author. And writing books has been the most rewarding creative experience I’ve ever known.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Toro is the second book I’ve written, but the first to be published. Though, I’ve been writing screenplays and teleplays for over twenty years.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
When not writing novels, I’ve spent the last six years writing and producing short training films for Disney with regard to intellectual property protection. Artistically and financially, I liken this to Walt Disney circa World War II, when he produced educational shorts and military training films for the U.S. government to keep his studio afloat.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I typically spend at least six hours a day writing, seven days a week.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
Creative autonomy is the best part of being an indie author. However, the hardest part is building a broad readership with limited marketing resources.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I’d certainly consider the offer. As an artist, my job is to entertain as many people as possible and perhaps share some insight or impart some truth. Basically, to create an enriching experience that brings a sense of wonder and joy to audiences. The Big 5 tend to have a further reach in terms of marketing, promotion, and distribution than smaller houses, which could allow for a wider audience and more inclusive storytelling.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
The process of creation—to create something from nothing—is a constant driving force. Using my imagination to tell stories is a source of euphoria for me, which fuels my desire to write for a living. I’m also motivated by a sense of legacy, I suppose. When I die, I’d like to know I left something behind that could have a positive impact on those who come after me. Maybe it’s a way to repay the luminaries who came before me. Fortune and fame are certainly seductive, but fail to motivate me, as I’m wary of both. In the cautionary words of Bob Dylan, “neither of them are to be what they claim.”