The Dirty Parts of the Bible: A Graphic Novel was the winner in the GRAPHIC NOVEL category of the 2024 IndieReader Discovery Awards, where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.
Following find an interview with author Sam Torode.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The Dirty Parts of the Bible: A Graphic Novel (November 1, 2023)
What’s the book’s first line?
“In the beginning…I ditched church to go fishing at Leach Lake.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
It’s a rollicking adventure across Depression-era America. Tobias Henry, a Baptist preacher’s son, must travel from Michigan to Texas to recover a long-lost stash of money.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
The plot was inspired by the Book of Tobit, an ancient Jewish work considered part of the Christian Apocrypha (not included in Protestant Bibles). The setting and characters were inspired by stories my maternal grandparents told me about growing up in Texas during the ‘20s and ‘30s.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Tobias is timid, somewhat naive, thoughtful, and skeptical of his father’s religion, reflecting my own psychology at that age. Perhaps it’s rare to have an introvert as the lead character, but as an introvert myself that’s what I know best.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
It’s not for everyone. But if it’s for you, it will make you laugh, think, and feel. It’s a comedy, but also sincere in its exploration of serious themes.
When did you first decide to become an author?
When I was in 5th grade, my parents put me in a Christian school with a work-at-your-own-pace curriculum. I finished the full year’s work in one semester, so the pastor in charge decided that I should spend the entire second semester writing a book-length report about the lake where my dad always took me fishing—Leach Lake. I researched every aspect of that lake. I catalogued all the fish and plants and drew pictures of them. I even looked at water samples under a microscope and drew the microorganisms I saw swimming around. When it was finished, my dad took the book to the local library, where it was accepted as a reference work. It’s still there today!
The Dirty Parts of the Bible opens with Tobias fishing at “Leach Lake.” Tobias lives several hours north of where I grew up, so it’s not the same lake. But I used the name because it’s a funny (who wants to go in a lake with leaches?), and it’s a secret reference to my first book.
Is this your first book?
I’ve written, edited, or compiled around 20 short nonfiction books, but The Dirty Parts of the Bible is my first and only novel. The original prose version was self-published in 2010 after being rejected by around 100 publishers.
In 2018, I started work on the graphic novel version, which took six years to complete. Scripting the graphic novel enabled me to make changes and improvements to the story. Best of all, I found an amazing artist—Tina Ritchie—to create the final illustrations. I’m very proud of how this book turned out, largely thanks to Tina.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
I love the control and flexibility of self-publishing. I can set my own prices, run sales, make edits to already-published books, etc. Before I became established as a writer, I was a freelance book designer, so I’ve always enjoyed designing my own books—that might be the most fun part.
The hardest part? Getting the word out with a shoestring marketing budget and no mainstream media support.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
With this graphic novel, yes (if the contract terms were fair). Because a major publisher could get the book stocked in brick-and-mortar stores—particularly comics shops—around the country.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
My “holy trinity” of literary heroes is Ralph Waldo Emerson, Joseph Campbell, and Ray Bradbury.
Emerson, the great prose stylist and spiritual mystic. Campbell, the preeminent guide to mythology and the world’s religions. And Bradbury, the exuberant fount of endless creativity.
But because we’re talking about my graphic novel, I must add Will Eisner. When I was a comics-loving teenager, I became obsessed with Eisner’s work and he became a major influence.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Twenty years ago when I started writing the prose version of Dirty Parts, I definitely wanted fame and fortune! I dreamed everything I’d say to Oprah when she was interviewing me for her book club. By now, I’ve learned that the main satisfaction of writing is found in the act of writing itself. I’m happiest when I’m engrossed in a project that’s meaningful to me. That said, I want to create books that help others. When someone picks up one of my books, I hope they’ll laugh (or at least smile), learn something, and come away feeling inspired.