BooksChatter: ℚ♫ Let's Stalk Rex Jupiter!

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Allison A. Spector to talk about Let's Stalk Rex Jupiter! (19 November 2015, 1888, 224 pages), a Humor, literary fiction, with elements of magical realism.

“Druid zealots, conservative Christians, busking jugglers, hipster baristas—every group, subgroup, and underground subgroup finds a home in a little town known as the City of Subdued Excitement. And while life in the Evergreen Jungle usually means butting heads with a variety of vegans, hippies and ladies’ pinochle club-goers, there is one person that can bring them together: the most insufferable man in the Pacific Northwest. Using her sharpened wit, Spector invites readers into a world rife with scrumptious satire, slightly ruffled feathers, and utter madness.” -Elise Portale, Editor

Author Q&A | Synopsis | Trailer | Teaser | About the Author | Giveaway & Tour Stops

A very warm welcom to Allison Spector; thank you for joining us.

We cannot get enough of music playlists, so Allison has shared with us her soundtrack for Let's Stalk Rex Jupiter! - enjoy!

"Disco Deewane: Dave would have this on loop;
John Lennon’s Imagine: For the Riot Scene;
The I Heart Huckabees Soundtrack: Because it was stuck in my head as I wrote this."

What was the inspiration for Let's Stalk Rex Jupiter!?

"I’ve had the plot of LSJR! Is my mind since my late teens. It all began with the concept of a quasi-delusional private detective who attends the funeral of a woman by the same name. I also always had the idea of having her husband be a prankster. There were other elements, like an uptight housewife, and having an author, and a book thief in the mix, but none of it really came together until I had a location. When I moved to Bellingham, WA in 2010 I knew I would write a story about the town someday, but it was only when I took a job in the Midwest and my heart ached for home that I blended together the loose plotline in my mind with the home of my heart."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"Well, Marian Krause, the “detective” in some very minor way is part of me that isn’t necessarily…ahem…neuro-typical. She tends towards her little habits and routines, is deliciously socially awkward, and has her obsessive tendencies. She’s insufferably pedantic and a Northwest Don Quixote and I love her dearly. I’m not her, but I’d take pity on her and be her friend. In fact, I’m very kind to her as an author because the quirky folk should stick together.

There as snippets of my husband in Dave, but only in passing. I don’t think they’d get along very well. Dave can be pretty full of himself. Phil, the bearded virgin, is every guy I’ve ever had a crush on…cause I’m a big hurkin’ dork. Abbie is someone that I’d love to have my back.

On my best days, I’m Gertrude, the publicist in the story. She’s brave, clam under pressure and doesn’t take crap from anyone.

I’ve met plenty of Frank’s and Penelope’s to last me a lifetime. They can be good, or go bad, depending on the conditions, but they tend to gravitate towards demagogues and one knows how that goes…"

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Let's Stalk Rex Jupiter! - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"Ooh, I really glad you asked! My story was one of three novellas selected for publishing under the 1888 / Black Hill Press Summer Writing Project. Part of the prize was having a custom cover created by the clever and talented Mariya Suzuki. Her style is so distinct and beautiful and I was absolutely honored to have my book graced by her artwork. If you want to see more of her work, you can visit Mariya’s website at http://www.mariyasketch.com/.

As for the concept that drove the artwork—a major part of the story takes place in the forest surrounding Whatcom Falls in Bellingam, WA and we wanted to reflect that. The story also have very eccentric characters and much madness. So you have a touch of that as well."

Why should we read Let's Stalk Rex Jupiter! and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"Let’s Stalk Rex Jupiter is just pure, unadulterated silliness. It’s a fever dream of beautiful places, eccentric people, and mass hysteria. There’s snippets of modern fears and social commentary, but all tied together with a ribbon of whimsy and farce, and just a dash of social commentary.
On the whole it’s just good, geeky fun."

Can you tell us something quirky about Let's Stalk Rex Jupiter!, its story and characters?

"Trick question—the entire story is a quirky magpie’s nest of craziness and tizzies. Specific examples include:

Myriad references to magical places and things in Bellingham, WA including (but not limited to) The Pel’ Meni, a hipster pierogi heaven on unbridled awesomeness; Whatcom Falls; the strange and wondrous Bellingham Circus Guild; the fabulous Village Books; and much, much more!

An entire chapter that reads like a “Dear Abby” column…

An entire chapter that reads like a D&D style roleplaying campaign…

An entire chapter that follows screenplay format…

References to many things known and sacred to the Geekosphere….and

Druid-hipster-superheroes that resemble Frida Kahlo!"

OK. So there are some "quirks" there... :-)

Who would you recommend Let's Stalk Rex Jupiter! to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"Let’s Stalk Rex Jupiter! is probably a hard PG-13. There’s some cursing and mature-ish themes. Think Black Adder, if the F-word was periodically included for realism (but not gratuitously…usually).

Fans of quirk, farce, and the sublimely ridiculous would be right at home with my book. It makes fun of extremes no matter the political banner, so be prepared for that. If you take your own camp very seriously and don’t like things that are irreverent or transgressive, I still love you, but you might be uncomfortable with my story. So, in short—radical moderates that dig cultural sacrilege will have a blast."

If you could / wished to turn Let's Stalk Rex Jupiter! into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"Oh, this would so be a Wes Anderson film. The entire movie would be filmed on-location in Bellingham (which means that it would in reality be filed in Vancouver, Canada.) I’d insist on casting the REAL Bellingham Circus Guild, and have real bodied actors play my characters. And since I have the option of casting something “dead, alive, or mythical,” I want Zombie Bigfoot!"

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular Humor, literary fiction, with elements of magical realism or do you like to explore different ones?

"I tend towards either light or dark humor. There’s often a fantastical element to them. Magical Realism and Sci-Fi/Dystopia heavily appeal to me. Ultimately, I write what resonates with me—things that I would enjoy reading.

My favorite types of book are speculative fiction, futurist non-fiction, humor, and farce. Political and sociological texts are fun as well. Really, I’d hate to read myself into a corner. I want books that challenge my perceptions, that test out new voices and distinct styles. I really recommend reading outside your own demographic. There are so many amazing brains out there and you can explore them one at a time through the diversity of literature."

What is your writing process?

"I write the most after work. Probably between 7pm and 1am. I sit in my cozy chair with my feet propped up on my ottoman and a cup of tea on my end table and I write about 500 – 1500 words. Sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less. But regardless, I keep on pressing forward."

What is in store next?

"I have an ongoing serial on JukePop.com entitled The Fringers. It’s dystopian with a touch of Vonnegut-esque inspiration. The plot centers on a cold war between a paranoid surveillance state and nihilistic corporate fascists. Our protagonist is a Professional Lifestyle Model – a job that’s half way between a reality star and an indentured servant. All the models have glasses that tell them exactly what to say, think, and do at all times. There’s also a post-apocalyptic Seaside Heights, so fun times had by all."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?