How long have you lived in the Bay Area? Which parts?
Basically for 32 years give or take a few stints in Los Angeles. Walnut Creek.
When did you get your first book published?
2007
What type of books do you write?
My first book is a self help book written for women, on men. But men seem to dig it too. (Probably has something to do with chapter 8. ;) Having significant publishing and editorial experience, I chose self publishing because I'm a control freak about my own work. I promoted the book extensively, and I lucked into a promotional pairing with a book that was twice highlighted on Oprah, which jump started my sales. I've sold nationally despite a lack of bookstore distribution, and since I listed it on SCRIBD, I've garnered international readers which has also translated into sales. I have a double-sized revised version cooking, which I would like to publish back to back with Mojo Risin' - the sequel for men on women. I'm not really a self help author specifically. I also write plays, short stories (of the freakish nature) and I'm working on a Godzilla sized story.
Why do you write?
Because I breathe.
How involved are you with the community?
Not as involved as I would like to be, although I do volunteer when projects are discussed.
What challenges have you faced as an author?
There are too many gatekeepers in the lit industry, which is why I started my own publishing company. However, even with an independent spirit, there are still gatekeepers who manage to keep readers from writers.
Who were some your influences as a writer?
Tama Janowitz, Carrie Fisher, Janet Fitch, William Burroughs, Hunter S. Thompson,Erma Bombeck, Jack Kerouac, Ken Kesey, John Hopkins, Chuck Palahniuk, Amy Hempel
What types of books would you recommend for young readers?
Contemporaneously - Harry Potter. Scott Westerfeld. Ally Carter.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Tama Janowitz, Carrie Fisher, Janet Fitch, William Burroughs, Hunter S. Thompson,Erma Bombeck, Jack Kerouac, Ken Kesey, John Hopkins, Chuck Palahniuk, Amy Hempel
Hunter S. Thompson also happens to be one of my favorite authors. Which book of his would you say is your favorite?
Definitely Fear And Loathing. Probably because I read it during a time when I was forming my own perceptions and HST's radical views allowed my own thoughts to swing liberally for the first time in my life.
What are some of your other favorite books?
Please Kill Me. Stranger Than Fiction. Paint It Black. On The Road. If Life Is A Bowl Of Cherries Why Am I In The Pits. Tangiers Diaries. Fugitives and Refugees. Slaves Of New York. Reasons To Live. Hunter.
Have you happened to read any Oscar Zeta Acosta? He was Hunter's lawyer friend.
I haven't read any Acosta, but I'll find some on your recommendation. Thanks! You might check out Hunter, by E. Jean Carroll. She was one of HST's live ins, but she bailed with more than a few permanent repercussions. Her book is classified as fiction because she felt she could only write about her experiences in a 3rd person persona after the fact. PTSD, no doubt. I thought the book written by his last wife was crap. She's no author.
Do you have a website we can visit?
www.morethanwordspublishing.com (my indie publishing website)
www.leslielamarr.com
www.myspace.com/leslielamarr
Where can we find your books?
Amazon.com
SCRIBD.com (for free reading) - http://www.scribd.com/doc/15631502/Come-Together
www.morethanwordspublishing.com
www.mobipocket.com
This book and this writer are a waste of time.
ReplyDeletePoor writing from a deperate middle aged woman trying find her 15 minutes of fame by calling herself an author.
She professes to know about men & relationships
however she is approaching 50, still single, lives with her mother(her editor) and gets her kicks having overtly flirty internet relationships & phone sex with multiple married men.
Ms. Lamarr is nothing but a pathetic, attention seeking con.
A relationship/author who lives with her mom
ReplyDeleteat 50 and publishes her books? I actually
read some excerpts on line and it was drivel.
More like the rantings of an aging hooker.
Clever in some spots but clearly not an
important writer on womens issues and
someone I would definitely NOT want my
daughter to emulate. I wouldn't know about
the rest of the comments made by the previous
person but would not surprise me after what
I did read. Sad
Clearly an intelligent woman but not much of a writer.
ReplyDeleteNot an insightful book, not ironic or clever.
Don't get the feeling this woman knows the
first thing about men on anything other than
a very superficial level. Seems more about her
own experiences with bad choices. Gratuitious
explicite sex chapters and inane observations
about men being dogs. A waste of time and money.