Interview With Cover Model Len Gunn
Today on Cover Model Corner I'm pleased to introduce cover model Len Gunn.
I had the pleasure of meeting Len at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention last year in Chicago at the Desert Breeze Publishing author breakfast and I'm pleased to host him here on Cover Model Corner so you can have a chance to meet him too. :-)
Len, what was the first cover you appeared on and how did this come about?
My first cover is Honor by Janet Dailey. I had the good fortune of competing in the 2011 Mr. Romance Competition in LA during the RT convention. To my surprise, I won the competition and was awarded a photoshoot with Kensington Publishing which yielded not one but five covers!
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If you could do a photo shoot anywhere in the world for a cover, where would you most want to go? What sort of shoot would it be?
I would love to shoot in Florence, Italy. The natural beauty of the lush hillsides is breathtaking! I could see either shooting a picnic scene with a vineyard in the background or walking through the vineyard holding hands with my beloved.
Beyond romance novel cover shots, what other projects or jobs keep you busy?
In my spare time (haha), I run a lawn irrigation company. Yeah, I dig holes all day! I enjoy the blue collar work; always have. It allows me to keep life in perspective and to fully appreciate getting treated like a “king” when I am on a photoshoot.
What's one question you wish an interviewer would ask you?
Why hasn’t a woman swept you off your feet?
This question is almost always asked in interviews because your fitness level is beyond the average persons. What is your exercise routine and what sort of nutrition plan do you follow to achieve and maintain your level of fitness?
Hmm, I honestly don’t like to bore others with this subject. I live by one simple rule, what you put into your body (fuel) is what you will get out of it. There is really no reason to make it any more complicated than that. I maintain a very healthy diet of course, and try to change it up every so often so my body doesn’t become dependent on any specific items. Since two years ago I rarely eat meat at all! I feel better than I ever did when on the traditional high protein, lots of meats diet. I feel like a well-oiled machine at all times and haven’t lost any size (common occurance for a traditional vegan or vegetarian male). As a matter of fact, I have added 7-8 lbs of muscle while on my newer diet. I work out with weights five days a week and seven days a week on core and cardio. It’s not an option, It’s everyday life! Desire, Discipline, and Dedication (3 D’s) is the key to any success. You gotta want it!
If you could share three simple fitness tips the average romance reader could do every day to stay healthy, what would they be?
Eat clean (the more ingredients on the list, the more processed it is), Find a way to sweat every day (guarantees you are raising your heart rate), and find ways to change it up often (go for a long walk one day, slow jog the next, change locations to keep you interested, etc).
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It's your birthday dinner and the calories don't count. What's on the menu and what are you drinking?
Corned Beef and cabbage (favorite past time from growing up in the Northeast) and Boston Crème Pie! And of course a Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley area.
Describe the perfect romantic evening:
It’s very simple; just spending time with someone that you have an unexplainable connection with. It doesn’t matter in what capacity when the connection is there. Sure, a low lit dinner exuding the ambiance of romance with a great view of a great city or the ocean in the background sets the night off right. But the connection is what it’s all about, because it’s any backdrop special.
10.) Please share one unusual fact about you or your life:
I am only the second in my extended family to attend college and obtain a four year degree (with honors I might add!). My oldest brother was the first and my inspiration for following through with the achievement.
Eight Quickie questions:
1.) Watching the sunset or watching the stars? Watching the sunset
2.) The beach or the mountains? The Beach
3.) Primitive camping or luxury hotel? Camping
4.) Snow skiing or water skiing? Snow skiing
5.) Favorite movie: Tommy Boy (I love comedies that don’t require thought)
6.) Best book you ever read: Intensity by Dean Koontz
7.) Fav. Sport to play: Golf and Beach Volleyball
8.) Fav. Sport to watch: Football (NFL)
Thank you for visiting with me today. It's been fun getting to know you. Before we say goodbye, how can fans stay up to date on your latest news?
Website: www.lengunn.com
Facebook: lengunnmodel
Twitter: @lengunnmodel
