Author David Kraine

Name: David Kraine

Birth Place: Texas

Occupation: Advertising

 What kinds of books do you write and why?

I write sci-fi/fantasy because the genre let’s me see an idea through to its end. Most of my writing starts with a central question and then writing for me, is all about exploring that question all the way through. “What would happen if…?” and then play it out. Sci-fi/fantasy gives the wiggle room that makes answering philosophical questions interesting.

Who has been your biggest influence in writing?

There are so many people who have (and continue) to influence my writing. The biggest jumpstart to writing for me happened in sixth grade where my English teacher would play Enya during “free write,” which meant the whole class was required to scribble for forty-five minutes in a notepad whatever we wanted. That is still pretty much heaven.

The biggest influencers in writing Renegayd are the people who collide with me as a gay man: the supportive ones who instill love, and the hateful ones who breed anger. I’m a married gay man, fortunate enough to have been married in San Francisco just days after this latest round of legal marriage. But, even with a wedding in one of the most progressive cities in the world, someone still drove by our ceremony to shout “Faggots!”

Renegayd aims tells the story of that struggle between love and hate. For any LGBTQ person who’s been bullied, or beaten, or made to feel inadequate by inequality’s various forms Renegayd is sweet revenge — but it also explores important questions about our continued struggle for equality.

Tell us about your recent work especially Renegayd?

Renegayd is an unapologetic, gay adventure. The conflict revolves around our main character’s involvement in a rebel organization’s pursuit of equality, as he grapples with the utility of increasingly extreme actions.

The story plunge into a fantastic world celebrating the rich history of LGBT rights in over-the-top fun, updating the typical gay fiction novel to reflect today’s reality: the progress that’s been won and the work still left undone. This book is not about tolerance or acceptance. It’s about perfect equality, and the cost of each day without it.

Words that best describe you?

Creative and Persistent

When did you become out to friends and family?

2008 – junior in college at Notre Dame

Who has been your biggest influence in your life? 

My brother. He has an incredible ability to put his mind to something and see it through.

I would give anything to meet…

Lake Street Dive. They are just so good.

Your idea of a perfect evening is?

Sharing cheese fondue and playing games with friends… lately that’s come in the form of the Nintendo Switch!

The last book I read was ….

Evicted, by Matthew Desmond

My favorite movies/plays are?

Gladiator / Spring Awakening

Nobody knows that I ……

Love crying to Jodi Picoult books and was fired from Starbucks (years ago!)

What’s your favorite place in the entire world?

The Friendly Society. A tiny underground bar in London which makes an appearance in Renegayd.

What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?

Honeymooning to Australia with no itinerary. We wound up “relocating” an RV, which means we got paid to drive an RV from Sydney to Adelaide (which is wine country!)

What odd talent do you have?

Can make a mean cappuccino (5+ years as a barista… see “nobody knows” for how that ended!)

What had been your biggest setback or failure in life and how did you overcome it? 

I can’t think of one defining external struggle. Coming out in a small TX town was hard and going to a Catholic college had challenges, but I’m fortunate that overall I look at those memories fondly.

The biggest challenge for me has been figuring out how to be myself. “Being Myself” has meant figuring out who that is, rejecting alternatives, and living purposefully each day. It’s a journey that will never end. A trite summary might be:  Reject #FOMO (fear of missing out). It’s hard not to get caught up doing what other people want, or doing what’s “expected,” or doing what you “should want.” It’s not that we lose ourself in the process, it’s that we never find ourselves, because we’re too busy to look.

If what you want more than anything else is to be in a cafe writing a book, be there.

If I could meet my younger self, I would tell him…

Brixton’s a long walk from Farringdon at 3 in the morning. You’ve got work tomorrow. (I’ll know what I mean)

What would you like to say to the Gay Life after 40 tribe? 

As a 30 year old, married gay man, so much of my life has been affected by the struggle and perseverance of others. Renegayd aims to celebrate that rich history of the LGBTQ movement and updates the typical gay fiction novel to reflect today’s reality: the progress that’s been won and the work still left undone. This book is not about tolerance or acceptance. It’s about perfect equality, and the cost of each day without it.

Everybody shares much more in common than not, but LGBTQ people have some unique commonalities that give us a special bond. For anyone who’s been bullied, or beaten, or made to feel inadequate by inequality’s various forms, Renegayd is sweet revenge and incredible fun.

Where can our readers find you or know more about you?

www.RenegaydBook.com or email me davidkraine@gmail.com

How can they purchase your book?

www.RenegaydBook.com available in print or e-book!