Following find an interview with authors Sean P. Mahoney.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
I self-published FENIAN’S TRACE in November 2016.
What’s the book’s first line?
Could there be a grander place in all the world?
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
FENIAN’S TRACE is the story of two lads raised as brothers in the west of Ireland during the early 1900s. Though they choose different paths when rebellion against the British begins, they both take a fancy to the spirited and alluring Maria upon her homecoming from America. It’s a story of secrets and sacrifice, fathers and sons, loyalty and love. And, if you like the sound of an Irish accent, you’ll love the audiobook.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I was bartending at an Irish pub in San Francisco when I wrote it and The Chieftains song The Long Black Veil was often on the jukebox. Sung by Mick Jagger, it includes the verse:
The judge said son, what’s your alibi?
If you were somewhere else, then you don’t have to die
I spoke not a word, though it meant my life
For I’d been in the arms of my best friend’s wife.
For some reason that dilemma stuck with me, though I had to set it nearly a hundred years ago to imagine a plausible scenario where such a betrayal would be handled with honor.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Tough questions … there are two main characters, both headstrong and heroic, but heading in opposing directions. There might be a bit of Butch (Cassidy) and (the) Sundance (Kid) in them.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
They have a fondness for Ireland and could maybe use a good cry. Also, as this concerns the audiobook version, because the great actor Liam Carney did a wonderful job with the narration and listening to his brogue really brings it home to Ireland.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
I first wrote the story as a screenplay so am always thinking about casting it but the main characters are in their early twenties so it would take relatively unknown actors to play the parts. That said, I’ve always had a young Colin Farrell in mind for the role of Conor.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I have a hard time using the A-word but I first tried my hand at writing around the time I graduated law school, mostly because I didn’t want to practice law.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
FENIAN’S TRACE was my first, and until very, very recently, (as in not even really quite done yet) only book.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
Manage homes for really rich people.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I find at least an hour or so most nights, whether I get a sentence or a couple pages.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part is I write whatever I want, whenever I want, simply for me and with no deadlines or expectations. The worst part is it’s simply for me and there are no deadlines or expectations.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Probably. I’m not big on self-promo and would hope a publisher would get my stuff to more readers.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Just trying to get these stories outta my head.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Nabakov.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
Lolita.