COVER STORY INTERVIEW
We are thrilled to bring you this issue of The Reader's House, featuring exclusive interviews with some of the most acclaimed authors of our time. Our pages are filled with insights and inspiration from a diverse group of writers, each with their own unique voice and perspective. On the cover of this issue featuring an exclusive interview with Neil Perry Gordon, an acclaimed novelist who has found success by combining historical fiction with the metaphysical. Neil Perry Gordon is a talented writer, known for his engaging and fast-paced novels that captivate readers from all walks of life. His novels have been acclaimed for their engaging storytelling style, well-developed characters and attention to historical detail. Such prestigious publications as Kirkus Reviews, Midwest Book Review and Book Viral have all offered their effusive praise of his works. Gordon's novels allow readers to experience history in a more immersive way as his fictional characters and events are employed to explore social, political and cultural context of a particular period of time. This includes exploring the attitudes and beliefs of people from different eras, the impact of significant historical events on individual and societies, and the role of different groups and classes in shaping the course of human history. Neil Perry Gordon also incorporates within his novels the world of the metaphysical, a genre of literature that explores philosophical and spiritual concepts. His stories delve into complex and abstract ideas relating to the nature of reality, consciousness, and the human condition. By blending the genres of historical fiction with the metaphysical, Gordon creates captivating and thought provoking narratives that explores complex philosophical and spiritual concepts through the lens of historical events.
The Historical Fictionist Arrives!
Neil Perry’s inspiration is his love of literature, music, legends, and myths. His writing has surprising twists and unexpected outcomes that focuses on the character development.
LONDON - 27 March 2023
Neil Perry Gordon, Beginning with his debut novel—A Cobbler’s Tale, followed by Moon Flower, The Righteous One, The Bomb Squad, Hope City, Sadie’s Sin, Cape Nome, Otzi’s Odyssey, Denali, Thunder Falls, and most recently—The Nazarite, Neil Perry Gordon has established himself as a well-respected, prolific novelist of historical and metaphysical fiction. His storytelling abilities has earned him high editorial praise from the likes of Kirkus, Midwest Book Review, Book Viral and others, including hundreds of four and five star reader reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Neil attributes his love of the writing process to his formative education at the Green Meadow Waldorf School, where he understood that classes such as music, dance and theater, writing, literature, legends and myths, were not simply subjects to be learned, but instead lessons to be experienced. His creative writing methods and inspiration have been described as organic; meaning he begins his work with a premise for his characters, rather than working within the confines of a formal, detailed outline. This encourages his writing to offer surprising twists and unexpected outcomes, which readers have celebrated. His novels have the attributes of being driven by an equal balance between character development and face-paced action, which moves his stories along at a swift page-turning pace.
Can you share with our readers how you grew up?
I was raised among the wilds of a distant suburb, where I built forts in the woods, swam with bullfrogs in muddy ponds, and regardless of the weather, played ball until my mother called me in for dinner. My school days were where I learned that music, art, theater, writing, legends, and myths were not courses simply to be studied, memorized, and tested, but instead lessons to be lived and experienced. Meanwhile, during my youth, Father taught me the intricacies of owning and managing a retail business. One that supported our family along with serving the needs of a community.
Was there a single book that inspired you to become a writer?
The one book I attribute as the source driving my writer’s inspiration is Shantaram. It is hard to find another author with the same ability to transform prose into poetry like David Gregory Roberts. When in need, I reach for one of his memorable passages and relish in the marvelous ways he weaves our most sensitive emotions into his storytelling.
Was there an event in your life that has inspired your writing?
On January 27th, 2021, my thirty-two-year-old son passed away. This tragic moment had a massive effect upon me, which in turn began my quest of trying to understand the journey of my son’s soul. I wanted to learn how to pierce the veil between our two worlds in order to maintain our connection. What I’ve learned is that my fiction writing is not only a wonderful way of delving into the metaphysical world, but is also a spiritual practice. This examination blossomed into an idea that our biography is not limited to our time on earth, but continues on into our soul life, creating an infinite loop of an eternal story.
What habits have contributed the most to you becoming a successful writer?
In one word—perseverance. I have published ten novels and a novella in the past five years. To produce this amount of work, I must write every day. This discipline or dare I say—obsession, has allowed me to take great strides in the quality of my storytelling. Of course, if I hadn’t had good reviews, I wouldn’t have persevered. It is truly satisfying to hear from readers about my books.
How would you describe your writing process?
My writing process can be described as organic, meaning I begin with a premise for my characters and let the story unfold from there, rather than working from a detailed outline. This approach results in surprising twists and unexpected outcomes, which readers have celebrated. My novels are known for its balance between character development and fast-paced action, which keeps my stories moving along at a swift pace.
What are the greatest challenges you face as an author?
The greatest challenge in my writing career has been creating awareness of my work. There are so many books being written and offered, which is great as a reader, but difficult for the author to gain notoriety. Hopefully, with publications such as The Reader’s House, I can reach a wider audience.
What’s the last great book you read?
Shantaram by David Gregory Roberts
You’re organizing a party. Which two authors, dead or alive, do you invite? Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury
What do you read when you’re working on a book? I seek out inspiring, poetic prose, even though my writing is not embellished in a similar way. And what kind of reading do you avoid while writing? I avoid complex plot novels, as I want to keep my creative process unincumbered by another writer’s storytelling strategies.
What moves you most in a work of literature? Evocative, meaningful and generational sweeping tales. Such epics fuels my creativity and encourages me to improve the quality of my novels.
What genres do you especially enjoy reading? I’m an avid reader of Historical Fiction and a writer of the same. I also enjoy tales infused with a healthy dose of the metaphysical.
What book are you planning to read next? The Creative Act – A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
What books and authors have impacted your writing career? Stein on Writing by Sol Stein. Steven King on Writing by Steven King. Story by Robert McKee.
Which writer would you want to write your life story? If he were still alive, I would select Ray Bradbury.
What books do you find yourself returning to again and again? ales of Alhambra by Washington Irving. The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov.
What books are you embarrassed not to have read yet? Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco