Author Name: Jarrett MazzaUpcoming Book: Dawn of the Trade (releasing July 2, 2024)
What inspired you to write this series?
I have always been fascinated with the world of “security”. Violence plays a crucial part in all of my work; the implications and the consequences of violence specifically, yet at the same time, I enjoy examining the steps needed to prevent violence and, often, how to learn from it. Taking a profession like bouncing for example, violence is not the intention, it’s about communication, assessment, understanding. You don’t go looking for a fight, in the same in life, you don’t look for fights and this is the focal point of that concept. Well, I thought, let’s take that and extrapolate it, dive in deep, and build some solid worlds and let’s see where that leads. This was my goal, and so, I wanted to create a character who was familiar with violence, but who was not so trained in the strategies needed to avoid it and well, being a bouncer—or anyone in a position of security and authority—the goal is to neutralize and prevent and not necessarily to act. Therefore, examining this world with an intrinsic eye was appealing to me, and once I started writing this story, I realized that was only just the beginning. Gradually, I began to dive deeper, creating a more secretive, highly enigmatic setting that challenged my character not just in terms of his psyche, but challenged his loyalty and made him assess not just the people he lets into his club, but also…to himself, and that became the essence of this tale—the very nature and meaning of the Doormen universe.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?
Hmm. Something operatic, I would think. The world of Doormen is a healthy combination of house music, rock and roll, blood, fists, secrets and pain. Rob Zombie comes to mind. Maybe.
What books are on your to-be-read pile right now?
All of REPs as far as I’m concerned. I have January Bain, Mark Allen, and Nik Morton’s books on my Kindle and on my list. All are my friends and all of them kick ass and take names in the world of pulp writing and fiction. I also am reading Rachel Harrison, who’s this dark, weird, grotesque horror author that is doing very well for herself and who I like to support. I like to support local authors as well, people who are just getting started the same as me. Everyone needs a helping hand, so I like to give one whenever I can.
What scene in Dawn of the Trade was your favorite to write?
Hmm. Jon Haze drives fist into face. Jon Haze kicks knucklehead in the teeth. Jon Haze eats bad guys. Jon Haze bulldozes. Jon Haze eats pain. You get it.
Do you have any quirky writing habits?
I have terrible OCD with my work, and just in general as well. Wouldn’t describe as quirky, but I’m getting better with it.
Can you describe your writing process?
4 AM: wake up and ready.
5 AM: read and edit and write 500 words.
6 AM: CrossFit (fitness helps to clear my head and gets me amped for the bullish turn out that lies ahead)
7 AM: Edit and write 500-1000 words (on average)
8 AM-Bedtime: Read, write, edit, and write more.
A full day is 2000 words, but in the summer, I can hit close to four. It’s a wonderful disease, a gorgeous addiction.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
“Just write.”
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book/series, what would it be?
Invest, divest, ask questions, spread the word, and hopefully come back for more. I’m just a salesman with stories being my chief product, words my weapon, and narratives my calling. I love it, so I do it.
Are there specific types of scenes you struggle with?
Words that are easily interchangeable and mistakeable and different words used for different countries. I’m Canadian. We have a U in honor! And well, when I write here a lot of that disappears and so, no scenes to struggle with, but infinitesimal details regarding words and phrases, yes…it eats away at me and yes, I hate it.
What drew you to this genre in the first place?
I love action, thrillers, pulp, nonstop fuel for the imagination, stories with great characters but stories that challenge the genre as well as readers. I love the work, produce, tell, speak, and listen and I always want to know how to get better. This genre is ripe for contribution and REP wants me to write multiple stories and, as I’ve always stated, you give me a field to sprint down, and I’ll hit the four-minute mile. This genre is allowing me to run and that’s all I want to do.
Any author or authors who inspire you and you look up to?
I like Greg Rucka, Michael Chabon, Stephen King, Don DeLillo, Naben Ruthnum, Craig Davidson, Brian Drake, Lucy Snyder, and Andrew Sullivan to name a few. I like Amy Jones, January Bain, and Chuck Dixon is my reason for being, Brian Drake brought me here, and Mark Allen keeps my head above water. I love these authors, their work, and how much help they’ve given to me over the years, whether it be physically or just in my head. There, is where anyone is reachable at any time.