This week #AuthorSpotlight is going to be a little different, as our guest today is an aspiring author. JM Wolf volunteered to be our victim this week, and I thought it would be refreshing to chat with someone who’s just starting out in this career, and who will one day (hopefully soon) have his name on the front of a book.
So let’s get to know JM Wolf!
1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
Well I’m 24 years old and I live in Virginia with my husband Alan. When I’m not writing or reading, I work as a pharmacy technician. I was born in Chicago but moved to Texas around the age of 6 or 7 and spent the rest of my childhood there. I am very much a Gay male. I came out freshmen year of High School. It was a scary process of figuring out my sexuality but I’m happy with who I am. I used to write a lot as a kid. I went from writing song lyrics to writing short stories, but nothing ever really stuck out. Then earlier last year, the idea for my upcoming debut MM series titled “The Black Feather” came to mind, and well here we are lol
2. Who are some of your favorite authors/books?
Ooh that’s a pretty long list for both authors and books haha. Well before I discovered MM books, I grew up loving the Percy Jackson series. I was always a fan of mythology so the series really stuck out to me. I also fell in love with the Cirque Du Freak series which is a vampire series. My favorites of all, however, were the Pendragon Adventures by D.J. MacHale and the Heir series by Cinda Williams Chima. Then, when it came to MM, the first series I discovered was the With/Without series by J.L. Langley which is about werewolves. That series will always hold a special place in my heart because if it wasn’t for that series, well I wouldn’t be here answering your questions lol. I also love Wolfsong and The Lightning-Struck Heart by TJ Klune. I love the Cursed series by X Aratare. I love the Beautiful Monsters by Jex Lane because her work is what got me to realize that Dark Fantasy is so amazing. I can go on and on but I think I’ve listed enough haha.
As for my favorite authors, I have so many but I think I’ll go with my top favorites. Like I said I love Cinda Williams Chima because the worlds she creates in her books are so captivating and beautiful.
I love Chance Christopher and Bella Liddell, who wrote “To Never Walk Alone” (If you haven’t read it, I strongly suggest you should.) They make a great team and Chance has been one of my biggest supporters and I love him for that.
Jex Lane because as I said she has shown me the beauty of Dark Fantasy novels which is the genre I’m writing. So I consider her a big inspiration.
Sean Kerr, who wrote Dead Camp, because the way he describes his settings in his books are so detailed and poetic, it’s literally breathtaking. Also he has been my mentor since I started writing to get published. He’s the one who keeps steering me into the right track and advising me and giving me pointers. I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I have without him.
My favorite author of them all however, is TJ Klune. The man is the most amazing writer I know. His books are beyond masterpieces and what really stands him out the most is that he can constantly switch genres and make it work. He can go from writing comedy like Lightning-Struck, to Dark Fantasy like Wolfsong, to mystery like Murmuration, etc. He goes beyond what most authors can do. And for him being Asexual, and still able to create some of the most beautiful romance I’ve ever read and some steamy moments, is a true talent. He’s my idol.
3. What are your writing goals?
Right now, my goal is to get my current work published and really to just keep writing. I love writing and I love how far my current work is going. I can see it getting published. I can see people reading it and enjoying it. I don’t expect to be like a big famous author or even a best-selling one. I write for me, and it’s something I truly enjoy. I fall in love with my stories, I fall in love with the characters I create. My stories are my babies. But my goal is to get my work out there and hopefully people will love all the hard work I’ve put into it
4. What genre do hope to write in?
You mean besides Gay Romance lol? I consider my work MM Romance/Dark Fantasy/Action/Adventure. So it has a little bit of everything. I want the action to have that anime feel that I grew up on and love. I want people to feel the love and emotion within the romance of my books. And with Dark Fantasy, I’ve always loved fiction and I always had a fascination with dark creatures like vampires, werewolves, demons etc. So I want to be able to turn something dark and make it into something beautiful, while still keeping their characteristics. Meaning if I ever write a Vampire story, I want to be able to keep their origin story and characteristics as much as I possibly can. No vampires that sparkle in sunlight lmao.
5. Can you tell us a bit about your work in progress?
So, I’m currently working on my debut series called “The Black Feather”. The story line for it came to me after listening to the song Fallen Angel by Three Days Grace. So I’m basically turning a song into what I’m hoping would be an amazing series. The Black Feather is about a fallen angel name Bastion McDowell, whose real name is Belial, who was once an angel but circumstances happened and he became a demon. So for a very long time, he’s been trying to find a way to earn his white wings back. But also, he’s been secretly watching over a human, Sco
tt Grayson, ever since he was a boy. After years have passed they finally meet face to face, and during the whole story you see them trying to cope with making their relationship work while also dealing with the fact that they both seem to have a special role to play in an upcoming war run by Lucifer.
6. What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?
Well I’ve actually received a lot of advice since I started writing and putting myself out there, meeting all sorts of authors and beta readers. Some of the best advice I’ve gotten is basically write what I know. To put myself and my name out there. To meet and socialize with other authors with the same passion as I do. But I think the best advice I’ve received, is to just keep writing and to enjoy what I’m writing because that is what matters the most above all else. The authors I’ve met have been some of the best people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. They try to make sure I keep writing because they believe in me. I owe them everything.
Here is an excerpt from JM Wolf’s work in progress The Black Feather. The following excerpt is property of JM Wolf.
The next morning, he awoke to the smell of food coming from downstairs. Normally Bastion would bring breakfast up to his room. Scott decided to change that this time. He wanted to have breakfast with Bastion. So instead of staying in bed, he got up, putting on his navy-blue pajama pants and a white T-shirt then stepped out of the bedroom heading downstairs. When he got to the kitchen, Scott froze in his tracks.
Bastion was at the sink washing some of the cookware he was using, and he was shirtless. The muscles on his arms flexed and his abs were tight. His caramelized skin glistening from the light of the early morning sun coming through the window. This was a sight to behold. Even his morning wood was enjoying the view.
Be still my virgin heart. Scott thought biting his lower lip.
Bastion turned his gaze and smiled at the sight of Scott.
“Hey! Good morning, little crow.” He said walking to Scott and placing a kiss on his forehead.
My lips! Enough with the forehead bullshit and kiss me on the lips, you bastard! Oh God, what’s wrong with me? Scott said in his mind.
He cleared his throat to prevent himself from laughing. “Good morning Bastion.”
Bastion did his usual morning routine by examining the wounds around Scott’s neck and face. The smell of autumn leaves and caffeine coming off of him greeted Scott’s nostrils.
“You seem to be healing well. I hope you’re hungry. Breakfast will be ready soon,” Bastion said.
Forget the food! Have me for breakfast! Take me! Take me in your mouth you fool! Eat me! Scott’s body shook as he couldn’t help himself, and giggled this time.
“What’s so funny?” Bastion asked also laughing a bit.
Scott shook his head. “Nothing. Breakfast sounds great.”
Bastion arched an eyebrow. “If you say so.”
He turned back to the stove and continued cooking. The smell of eggs, bacon and French toast filled the kitchen. When he turned, Scott was admiring every detail of Bastion’s body. His strong legs through his black jeans. The fullness of his ass. The curves of his hips. Trailing up to his back, Scott noticed something that made his jaw drop and his eyes widened.
“Jesus…” Scott said softly.
Two large scar tissues near each of his shoulder blades were plastered on Bastion’s back. Damage like that would normally tarnish the body’s perfection, but they looked natural on him.
“Your back. How did it happen?” Scott asked.
Bastion froze, and his shoulders tensed for a moment before relaxing.
“An accident. It happened…years ago,” Bastion finally said.
Scott slowly walked toward him, placing a hand on his back. His skin felt warm to the touch. His fingers trailed the scar tissues. They felt rough. What kind of accident could cause these? The dream he had of the figure with black wings flashed in Scott’s mind, along with the black feather attached to his earring.
But that’s not possible.
Scott leaned towards Bastion’s back and without thinking, he placed a kiss on both scar tissues. Bastion’s body stilled to the touch of Scott’s lips. He pushed back pressing himself against Scott’s front.
“I’m sorry,” Scott said softly.
Bastion turned himself around and looked at Scott directly in the eyes. Scott’s brown eyes were full of concern. Concern and affection for him.
“Beautiful,” Bastion blurted out before he could stop himself.
With that comment, Scott lost all resistance. He grabbed Bastion’s face and did the one thing he’d been wanting to do since that night in the alley. He kissed Bastion. His hot lips pressing against his own. The contact took Bastion by surprise, but then his eyes shut and he clutched Scott’s hips, deepening the contact. Scott’s body began to heat up.
He brought his tongue out, pressing it to Bastion’s lips, desperate to seek entrance. Bastion opened up for him. Their tongues danced in the open before Scott snaked his inside and devoured every taste that was Bastion. In return, Bastion threaded his fingers through Scott’s hair, groaning in Scott’s mouth. He held Scott close tasting as much of him as he could. He barely managed to pull away so they both could breathe.
“God, I’ve been wanting to do this since I brought you home. You have no idea,” Bastion cried out in Scott’s mouth.
He brought Scott to the kitchen counter, pressing him against it. Bastion then grabbed him by his hips, lifting Scott up and sitting him down on top of it.
Scott breathed heavily in Bastion’s mouth. Tasting him. Devouring him. He wanted more. His semi erection from when he awoke that morning was now rock hard. He’s dreamt of Bastion fucking him. Scott wondered if he would now.
Bastion’s hands snaked inside Scott’s shirt, running up his smooth chest. He bit down and started pulling on Scott’s lip letting out a low growl. Scott’s fingernails scratched down Bastion’s back, avoiding the scar tissues and his legs wrapped around the man’s hips.
Bastion’s back arched up, and began pinching Scott’s nipples through his shirt. Scott hissed out a breath as his body trembled in pleasure. He tried to deepen the kiss but Bastion pulled away, saliva dripping from his mouth, breathing heavily and his eyes dilated. Scott moaned in disappointment at the absence of his sexy savior’s mouth.
Bastion chuckled and pulled one of his hands out from inside Scott’s shirt and lifted up his chin so they made eye contact.
“Oh baby. Believe me I don’t want to stop either, but if we keep this up, our breakfast will burn,” he said wrinkling his nose.
Scott began to smell the bacon burning up and he couldn’t help but laugh.
“Is it sad that I really don’t care about breakfast?” Scott asked smiling big.
Bastion in return cupped his face and gave him a gentle kiss.
“I don’t either, but since you’re feeling better I thought it would be nice to have breakfast together,” Bastion said.
Scott’s heart swelled.
“Okay, breakfast together it is then. No matter how burnt the bacon is now.” Scott laughed.
-The Black Feather
JM Wolf
