An interview with Jeffrey Baer, author of A Song Apart

After reading his fabulous music-themed debut novel, A Song Apart, I was keen to interview Jeffrey Baer, and introduce his book to you. It's a five-star read that kept me entertained.








Here's the interview:


A Song Apart is your first novel. When did you start writing it and how long did it take?

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I began writing it in 2004, soon after I lost my job as a bank teller. The rough draft was done about a year later, but then there was the matter of editing. I had a polished manuscript five years after that.



Music is a theme that runs through your book. Shannon Kistler is a famous pop star, Kevin Derow is a music lover, and writes songs and plays guitar in his spare time. Do you have a musical background, or play any instruments?

My earliest musical memory is “Hitchin’ A Ride” by Vanity Fare, and from then on music became a part of my life. I play guitar, bass and drums, I compose songs with software, and I’m a regular at the karaoke gazebo on Coney Island every summer.



Your main character, Kevin, attracts a lot of negative attention by wearing a Shannon Kistler T-shirt. This results in him getting into many random (often hilarious) arguments with complete strangers. Have you ever been in a similar situation because of an item of clothing?

Only what happened in college, which is similar to what Kevin puts up with. If anyone on the street noticed me in my Debbie Gibson t-shirt, they never said a word–maybe because they were too stunned to say anything.



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There are original lyrics in the novel, for songs that Kevin has written. Are we ever likely to see those produced into songs? (I'm thinking of another book I've read, Pixels of Young Mueller, by Jerry Schwartz, where he has lyrics in the book, which are also real songs and available for download, making the novel almost interactive)

If it’s ever made into a movie, yeah. An editor I met at a conference suggested including a CD with the book, but I figured I could only do that if A Song Apart were published via traditional channels.



Have you ever been fixated on a pop star in the way that Kevin is with Shannon? If so, who?

I’ve idolized the aforementioned Ms. Gibson since she burst onto the music scene in 1987. I couldn’t–and still can’t–stand her hit “Only In My Dreams,” but I soon found out she was a musical prodigy like I thought I was. More importantly, she had the guts to stand up and say “Here I am, and here’s what makes me special.”

Although I’ve admired her all these years, I wouldn’t say I’m fixated on her. I never decorated my bedroom walls with every picture of her I could find, for example. But if you didn’t get the point seeing the t-shirt, you wouldn’t get the point at all. Heh heh heh…



The way the book ends, leaves it open, in my opinion, for the possibility of a sequel. Is that deliberate, and is it something you would consider doing?

A sequel is always possible, but I shy away from them because they water down the impact of the original. Maybe if I hit upon a separate theme that would lend itself to Kevin and Shannon after A Song Apart, I could continue the story.



As you've written a musical themed book, what's your favourite type of music, and do you have a favourite song or artist?

I used to listen to all types of music–until I first heard Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” One thing led to another, and I became a fan of what’s called old school R&B. I don’t have a favorite performer in the genre, but I have seven songs by the Average White Band on my iPod. Must be a blue-eyed soul thing.



Shannon's brother is autistic, and Asperger's syndrome is also mentioned in the novel. How much research did you have to do into these conditions, and how did you go about doing that?

None, actually. I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome eleven years ago. As you might guess, my childhood was a rough ride because of it, but I try to focus on the positive aspects of the condition. ASpies, as we’re called, tend to become interested in one subject, and a significant percentage of them are drawn to music. For all any of us know, we heard several ASpies on the radio over the decades.



Are any of the characters in your book based on/inspired by real people?

Mostly the minor characters: the Jewish Society members, the other store workers, the music critic, and Kevin’s best friend Andy. For the record, Kevin isn’t me; we both play guitar, but he’s better at it than I am–and he learned to blow off anyone with nothing in common at a far younger age than I did. But we do have the same sarcastic mouth.



To answer the big question, Shannon is NOT Ms. Gibson. Some authors subconsciously model characters after people they know, but all I know of Ms. Gibson is what I read in papers and saw on TV over the years, which should explain any similarities.


I thought the music critic in your novel was a particularly well-developed character, and it certainly helps to show that opinions in art are subjective, and sometimes driven by ulterior motives. Did you have any real life critic in mind when you created that character?

Yes, indeed. Without naming names, he stunk up one New York City newspaper for roughly 30 years. He comes off as presumptuous and smug, as if he can zero in on how the public thinks about music. It would’ve been easy to ignore his pieces, but some of us are morbidly curious about his opinions. (Maybe I should send him a copy…)



Did you do your own editing for the book?

Mostly, but I asked for help too–and it turned out to be very valuable.



Are you working on any other projects at the moment?

Soon after I left the worst job I ever had, I wrote a novel based on the experience called The Strickland File. I probably spent too much time fixing it up and querying agents about it, but that’s a moot point now. In 2010 I began writing a Sidney Sheldon parody called Desperate People, about a gorgeous NYC club owner caught between the FBI and the Mafia during the twilight of the disco era. But researching it was tougher than I thought, and I heard The Strickland File calling to me–it desperately needed serious editing.



What was the last book you read?

The Street Lawyer by John Grisham–eleven years ago. Shame on me…


Are there any authors that inspired you to start writing?

Not really, but I do have favorites, like John Grisham, Sue Grafton and Jonathan Kellerman. I started writing from the desire to express myself.


Do you have any tips for someone who might be thinking of self-publishing a book?

First of all, NEVER rush into the decision to self-publish. Racking up agent rejections might spur you on, but you also have to consider your financial situation.

If you decide to self-publish, do your homework. Find out which companies are on the level, like CreateSpace (whom I signed up with) and Lulu. And if you’re so inclined, figure out who offers the best deal (production, promotion, royalties, etc.). Ultimately I chose CreateSpace because they’re part of Amazon.

Most importantly, make your manuscript the best it can be. Just because you can get into print doesn’t mean you can be content with whatever you throw up on your monitor.



Where can people buy your book?


CreateSpace: https://www.createspace.com/3534466

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Song-Apart-Jeff... (paperback)

http://www.amazon.com/A-Song-Apart-eb... (Kindle)

Smashwords :http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/song-...

Books-a-million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Song-A...

Where can people find you online?

Website: http://www.jeffreyhbaer.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JBaer10314

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.baer.7 (personal page)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Song... (novel’s page)



Do you have any other news for your readers?

It’ll be a while before The Strickland File sees the light of day, but I’m inclined to publish it via CreateSpace. I’ll put up links on my web site when the time comes, as well as create a Facebook page for the novel as well.

I am looking forward to reading more of your work, Jeffrey! Thanks for answering my questions!