Elin Gregory

My guest today is one of the driving forces behind the Summer’s Day anthology, Rian Durant.

Welcome, Rian, and thank you for answering my questions.

What led you to pick your source material for your story?

The idea to write an MM version of a Shakespeare play has been nagging me for a long time and when the idea of an Anthology struck me I already knew which would be the play. I can’t say it’s my favorite per se but there are lot of things which fascinate me in there. Like the character of Iago.. 😉 Also it explores many intriguing topics. Jealousy for example. It’s a weird thing, Jealousy. We want want it and yet we don’t, some perceive it as a sign of love, some as the opposite, it can be a driving but also a destructive force. There’s also exploration if the attitude to the foreign, provoking appeal for some and repulsion to others.
By the way, my Othello (Olvin) is Cuban. I’m crazy about Cuban music so it just clicked.

Shakespeare definitely has a way with words. What is your favourite insult/endearment/inspiring passage/? Which bit do you wish you had written?

Insult? Hmm It’s “vile owl”. 😀 Old Will has much more imaginative insults but I laughed so much the first time I saw it and it stuck with me. As a matter of fact everything that comes out of Thersites mouth in “Troilus and Cressida” is a favorite insult of mine.
As far as endearments go, I’m not much into them but everything in the “Fair youth” sonnets kind of makes me melt. That’s why I chose the title of the Anthology from there.

What are you working on now?

I have a lot of passion for writing but not as much discipline as I would’ve liked. Consequently I have a heap if WIPs that I’m working on.
The main one is a novel that might be contemporary or paranormal and it has something to do with dragons that might or might not be real. I know the truth but as things are at 60 k, it’s still a guessing game for anyone who reads it.
There’s another one completely outlined in my head and in my pretty notebook. I can’t bring myself to start it yet but the guys are getting really insistent.
However, In the coming month or so I’ll have to concentrate mainly on the promo work for “A Summer’s Day”.I’d like to use this opportunity to tell you a big thank you for the wonderful interview idea and for helping us promote this Anthology.

Could we please have an excerpt?

“Hey, was that Michael talking to Des in the garden?”
Ian had managed to take Olvin right on time to a spot where he could see the two talking, but it seemed Michael had seen them as well and promptly took his leave. Which, of course, made him look even more guilty.
“Yes, I think it was but why would he steal away like that? “Hm!”
The sound made the Cuban turn around and stare at him.
“What was about?”
He paused dramatically, and gazed again at Desmond who had taken his book and looked as innocent as new fallen snow.
“Tell me, did Michael know you had an affair with Des before the… you know, before everybody found out?”
Clearly, the man didn’t like being reminded of this and winced before replying.
“Yes, he knew. I even asked Michael to give him a present and chocolates from me once or twice as he lives closer to their house and could see him more often while we were hiding.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. Why?”
He looked at the Cuban who seemed utterly confused. He’d never seen him like this with the meanest experts in negotiations, with those who were capable of convincing you to sell yourself by the small print in their contracts and make you tie a ribbon around your head for their pleasure. He was swift and efficient in curbing their desires to trick him, but now he was lost.
“Why, think for a minute.”
“I can’t think, damn it!” He slammed his fist in the nearby wall. “I don’t have an assistant now, some fuck made a video of the fight last night and we are again on YouTube. Branson shouted at me for half an hour this morning, which is something he’d never done before. And now you and your riddles!”
Ian waited for him to take a few deep breaths and tried his best to look a tad offended. Which, by the reaction of the Cuban, he had done quite well.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to shout at you. If you’re my friend, you’ll tell me without torturing me further.”
“I am your friend but maybe I’m overreacting. Just in case, watch how they behave when they are together. Like last night.”
Olvin’s expression changed, only for a second, but it was enough for Ian to see he’d fallen for it hook, line and sinker.
“I hope you are overreacting, my friend, otherwise he’d wish he’d never been born.”
The Cuban turned around and walked in the direction of his lover.

Bio:

RIAN DURANT is one of those who are both blessed and cursed by the insatiable desire to write
stories. Short stories, sometimes longer stories, and yeah, primarily M/M (you can insert more Ms if you like) romance stories.
Always having a plot in mind sometimes proves being hard when having a daytime job but Rian manages
them both for the time being assisted by the priceless support of her soul mate, large amounts of coffee,
and pure obstinacy.
What makes Rian smile is a sunny day, a beautiful flower, a piece of chocolate, a nice song, a good book
and anything that could be the reason for that spark in the eyes, accompanied by the exclamation “Oh my,
I just saw something!“

Website: https://riandurants.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rian.Durant
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rian_durant

Release Date: 12th of August

Cover Art: Jay Aheer Simply Defined Art

Genre: MM Mixed*

We have modern retelling of some plays, interpretations of others and one of the sonnets, and delightful referencing of anything Shakespeare.

There is gentle YA romance next to very hot 18+ stories and all kinds of relationships – first love, May/December, interracial, second chances, happy endings and even a tragic one.

We’re travelling from Ancient Rome through Renaissance England to modern day UK, Venice Beach and other places in USA, Vancouver and Havana.

There’s fun, drama, tears, angst, joy and, above all, lots of true love.

Note: All proceeds of this collection go to the It Gets Better Project™.

Buy Links:
amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Summers-Day-Shakespearean-Anthology-Twist-ebook/dp/B01JH97LVA
amazon.co.uk:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Summers-Day-Shakespearean-Anthology-Twist-ebook/dp/B01JH97LVA
amazon.de: https://www.amazon.de/Summers-Day-Shakespearean-Anthology-English-ebook/dp/B01JH97LVA
amazon.com.au: https://www.amazon.com.au/Summers-Day-Shakespearean-Anthology-Twist-ebook/dp/B01JH97LVA
amazon.ca: https://www.amazon.ca/Summers-Day-Shakespearean-Anthology-Twist-ebook/dp/B01JH97LVA
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/655310