Free Book Friday Jan 6: Interview Repost

To start the new year, I thought I would repost an interview I did with myself in 2020, after my first poetry book was out and before The View from Here had been finished. I think I had grand plans of being a podcaster but having only 3 episode to show for it … well, that worked out, didn’t it?

If you want to just read the transcript, I’ve posted it below.

Transcript Part I: Leon Stevens, Author, interviews Leon Stevens, Reader

Today we sit down with Leon Stevens, the reader. We haven’t chatted for a while, how have you been?
   -I’m doing well, thanks for asking!
Tea?
   -Oh, yes please.
[clinking of fine china teacups]
Say when.
   -When?
When you want me to stop pouring.
   -Can’t you tell when it’s full?

[silence]

Well then, enough of the small talk. Let’s get started, shall we? First question:
What was the first book that you remember reading?
   -Ever?
Yes.
   -Wow, that’s a great question.
I thought it was.
   -I guess if I try to remember all the way back, I’d have to say, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
That’s the one with all the holes in the pages through the apples.
   -Yup. I think that I got my finger stuck in one of them.
I think we all did.
[laughter]
Any others worth mentioning?
   -I do recall reading Curious George, Pippi Longstocking, Hardy Boys, and I liked pop-up books. Oh, and the Highlights magazines.
Next Question: What was the first book that fascinated you?
   -That’s an easy one, A Wrinkle in Time.
Why that one?
   -My fifth-grade teacher read it to us. I looked forward to that time. He was a great reader, and I was sad when the book ended. It was a kind of a dark adventure for that age group.
Did you like reading?
   -I didn’t dislike it, but I wasn’t a voracious reader.
Were you encouraged to read?
   -I think so. My dad would read to me at bedtime. He would make space stories for me. I later found out, when I started reading science fiction on my own, that many of those “made up” stories were ones he had read before. I don’t fault him for it. It was funny reading a story and thinking, “Hey, Dad didn’t make that up!”
Do you have a favorite genre, or do you have a variety of interests?
   – I usually read science fiction, and I prefer the older works over new. I do enjoy historical non-fiction, especially about explorers. I do enjoy some fantasy from time to time, as well as crime dramas.
What book have you re-read the most?
   -I would have to say, Klondike by Pierre Burton, followed by Alive by Piers Paul Read, and The Chronicles of Narnia.
Favorite book?
   -Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut.
Any newer books that I might know that you have enjoyed?
   -Umm, you know the same books I do.
I suppose that’s true…Well?
   –Ready Player One and The Martian would be the most recent. But again, you knew that.
Have you ever not finished a book?
   -Yes.
Care to throw it under the bus?
   -Nope. Not fair to the authors. Sometimes a book just doesn’t fit with the reader.
I understand. Well then, last question: What will you be reading next?
   -I’m waiting for you to finish your science fiction book.
It’s getting there, don’t rush me.
   -I’m just yankin’ your chain, I’ve liked what I have read so far.
Thanks. I appreciate that.
   -I knew you would.
I knew that you knew that I would.
   -I’m not playing that game.

[silence]

I guess we are done then. It has been a pleasure interviewing you.
   -Well, thank you. It was fun! We should do this again.
Agreed!

[sounds of shaking hands (which doesn’t sound like anything…)]

Now on to the free books!

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Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/