Philly Dame

Earlier, I posted that Giovanni’s Room, the famous LGBT bookstore at 12th and Pine in Center City, is holding a 50/50 benefit for the Lambda Literary Foundation and Giovanni’s Room on Saturday 11/21 at 7:30.

One of the authors reading tomorrow night is young adult novelist Mark Hardy. Mark is the author of Nothing Pink, a novel about a teenager named Vincent struggling to reconcile his sexuality with his deeply religious childhood. Mark and his partner Jim live in Raleigh, NC where Mark teaches second grade at Creech Road Elementary School. He also works as a national literacy consultant and was kind enough to conduct this interview while waiting for his car to be repaired on the way to Philadelphia. Thank you, Mark!

When did you first conceive of the idea of writing a novel and why did you decide to write this book for a young adult audience?

(Mark Hardy) As a teacher, I came to realize that when I was a teen, I never found myself in the literature I read. Not once. Not even in gay erotica. One summer soon after this realization, I took a short story writing course with young adult author, Carolyn Coman. In order to write a story, I needed a protagonist I loved. Vincent immediately appeared. Because this was Vincent’s story, and he tells it as a young adult, the novel is categorized YA. Although, apparently the 1970s setting and theological themes make the book appealing for adults like me, who were themselves teens during that era.

In Nothing Pink, Vincent struggles to reconcile his gay identity with his Christian upbringing. How did you come up with the idea?

(Mark Hardy) Once Vincent appeared on the scene, my first job was to get to know him. As he revealed himself to me, his crisis was clearly a spiritual one. As I tried to discern the thing he most desperately wanted, it was obviously unconditional love and acceptance from God and family; freedom from the tyranny of his religious upbringing. Even though I was more than thirty years old at the time, I was in a similar crisis. As I wrote the book, Vincent and I both wrestled with and reconciled religion and sexuality.

What other young adult literature would you recommend for someone struggling with his or her sexuality? Are there any books in particular that you think are “must reads?”

(Mark Hardy) As far as great titles for YA, I would actually not recommend titles, but rather a queer YA lit blog or two. How fortunate that young people struggling with identity issues today have such a wide range of readers’ advisory tools on the internet so that they may find books that not only speak to them as young queer people, but that also appeal to their interests outside of being gay.

Try these: I’m here. I’m queer. Now, what the hell do I read?. Additionally, ALA’s roundtable on GLBTQ YA lit is worth looking at.

That said, Cameron’s SOMEDAY THIS PAIN WILL BE USEFUL TO YOU is awesome. And I can’t forget to mention Sanchez’s THE GOD BOX, which is similar in theme.

What kind of response did you get after Nothing Pink came out?

(Mark Hardy) My closest friends who stuck by me throughout the decade I took to write Nothing Pink rejoiced and helped me celebrate. Very few members of my family said a word. For the most part, reviewers were generous and gracious. I still weep with gratitude when I read favorable reviews. I am blessed to have personally met and corresponded with readers who have been touched and moved by NOTHING PINK. Many, many people-gay and straight, find themselves as they live Vincent’s story.

Are you working on anything now?

(Mark Hardy) I am working at teaching 2^nd grade and also on three writing projects: a second YA novel, ICED TEA SKY, a short story for submission to an anthology of micro-fiction that Persea is publishing, and a professional book for teachers of writing.

Okay, one last question. You’re stuck on a desert island, with either Betsy Ross, Ben Franklin, or Thomas Jefferson. Who do you pick and how do the two of you get off the island?

(Mark Hardy) First of all, I would definitely leave Thomas Jefferson on the island. The hypocrisy of some of his writing angers me. So much of it is was untrue at the time written and remains untrue today. I’d have to take Betsy with me off the island. We carve needles out of fish bones and sew our clothes (and Thom’s and Ben’s) into parasails. We float naked over the ocean until we land on a nearby, inhabited island.