BooksChatter: ℚ Mamma's Moon: Peckerwood Finch [2]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Jerome Mark Antil to talk about Mamma's Moon (7 May 2019, Little York Books, 270 pages), a Literary Fiction, book two in the Peckerwood Finch series.

"Jerome Mark Antil's Mamma's Moon does for Acadiana what Truman Capote did for Tiffany's or Tennessee Williams did for streetcars. This is a novel about a lot of things, including sex, crime, life, and death. But most of all, it's a novel about hope and about love.

Mamma's Moon gives the reader a dramatic and insightful glimpse into the very special world of today's Louisiana French Acadians, whose early tragic history was immortalized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his classic poem, Evangeline, even before the heartless bayou's more contemporary history was buried deep and forgotten." ~ Tom Hyman (LA Times bestselling author: writer for LIFE magazine, The Saturday Evening Post, Argosy, Washington Post Book World and New York Magazine).

|| Synopsis || Trailer || Teaser: Excerpt || The Series || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to Jerome Mark Antil; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for Mamma's Moon?

"My life was threatened in a Walmart. I learned self-defence with a can or walking stick as a result. My character Gabe was established in One More Last Dance but uses his cane before his arrest in Chapter one of Mamma’s Moon."

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

"100%. I only write what I know or am familiar with. My characters are drawn from voices of people I know personally."

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

"The artist is Dennis Graham. The story has a dark side to a portion of it – a sadness that stems from a real life tragedy – a plane crash in the 1960s – with the passenger’s bodies still aboard at the bottom of Lake Pontchartrain."

Why should we read Mamma's Moon and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"The story is relevant today. It could inspire a lessening of the culture divide in America – and give awareness to resolvable issues causing Louisiana to disappear into the Gulf of Mexico at a rapid pace."

Can you tell us something quirky about Mamma's Moon, its story and characters?

"Peckerwood is a pejorative term for a poor white in the south. It’s the ‘N” word for a poor white. Lily Cup has a fun beginning – but spoiler alert keeps me from telling. Read One More Last Dance for the answer to that."

Who would you recommend Mamma's Moon to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"It has sex in it- but basically, it’s a great read for readers who like cultural tales of streetcars and swamps – jazz and dancing. It’s a rich story that will bring laughter, tears and sensuality."

If you could / wished to turn Mamma's Moon and the Peckerwood Finch series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"Clint Eastwood, Director; Samuel L. Jackson actor; Eastwood’s son as Peck; Sophia Lauren as Sasha; Amy Adams as Millie; Leslie Ann Warren for Lily Cup."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"All genre. I like truth telling – with a stretch into a yarn. I study for months before I sit down to write."

What is your writing process?

"I pick a topic. I research it for at least six months. (In the afternoons.) I study the place in time, the times, events, surroundings, backdrops. Then I come up with an end to my story…and begin to write to it from the beginning."

What is in store next?

"TALL JERRY – Legend One of The Delphi Falls Trilogy – book one coming in November 2019."

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?