This is my interview with Jeffrey Voccola, the author of Kings Row, which was recently released in May 2020. Selected for Hidden River Arts‘ Blue Mountain Novel Award, Kings Row portrays the nuances of small-town America today, presenting the feelings that lead to greater racial and class tensions. Jeffrey draws on past events and his personal experiences living in a small college town to deconstruct the subtle complexities found in working-class communities. Through true-to-life characters and situations, Kings Row puts forth an accessible story that has something to offer for all readers. If you’d like to read more about the novel, check out my full review. I hope you enjoy learning more about Jeffrey and his debut novel as much as I did. If you would like a copy of Kings Row, you can find more information here.
What books or authors have most influenced your writing?
I’ve always tried to read a little bit of everything, and like most writers I think I’ve been influenced by many different authors along the way. That said, I had Kent Haruf’s Plainsong in mind when working on this book. He always did a beautiful job writing about people in small-town communities, and he was never afraid to show their flaws and vulnerabilities. I find his characters both genuine and relatable.
What tips do you have for other aspiring authors?
Every writer is different, but for me it’s important that I set aside a specific time to write each day and stick to that routine. Some days I’m not productive at all, but that’s part of the process. Most of the writing I do each day winds up being revised extensively or deleted, but buried within those drafts is the material I’m looking for. I just have to dig through the mess to find it. It often takes me weeks to settle into a story and feel like I’m a part of it. Conversely, if I go long stretches without writing or even if I miss a few days, it’s like starting the process from the beginning.
What is your favorite scene in the novel?
I enjoy reading about people’s experiences in everyday life, particularly regarding family, so the scenes with Christopher and Joel navigating their personal lives are especially engaging for me. I’m also drawn to the scenes that show the complex dynamic between siblings. I find the bond and friction that exist between the brothers of this story especially interesting.
Do you feel like your position as a professor in the US public university system gave you a good vantage point to write about the nuances of a college town? And if yes, how so?
Yes, the experience of living in a college town and working as a professor was essential to writing this book. Town/Gown relations can be contentious, and I wanted to give different perspectives on how the characters view their community. There is also a focus on how people react to change.
Both Christopher and Joel learn of Waylan’s local artist Owen Turner, who is mentioned several times throughout the novel. Is there significance behind the references to this deceased local celebrity?
Owen Turner is based loosely off of artist Keith Haring, who grew up in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Artists come from all parts of the world and walks of life, and I wanted to include a character from this small town of Waylan who moved onto the world stage. In some ways, I think the Owen Turner character began as a tribute to Haring and an interesting backdrop for the story, but for me he also became a metaphor for hope.
Kings Row perfectly hangs together and unfolds in such a beautifully paced way to provide readers with true to life characters and situations. Can you tell us a little bit about the method behind the novel’s organization?
I kept the structure of this novel as simple as possible. It’s not a mystery; there are no gimmicks or surprises. The climax of the book—Christopher’s murder—is revealed in the prologue, and there is little question as to what happened or who is responsible. My goal, instead, was to have the reader focus on the characters, who move inexorably toward that tragic end. I didn’t want anything to distract the reader from that.
What do you hope international readers, in particular, take away from your novel?
I did my best to show some of the class and racial tensions that exist in the United States today. The novel essentially holds up a mirror, asking the reader to consider how people sometimes view and treat others. I understand that we often prefer to avoid thinking about difficult issues, but I think it’s important to acknowledge and discuss topics like intolerance, bigotry, privilege, and inequality. I believe any conversation that is generated from the book is a good thing.
What are you working on next?
Since the novel, I’ve only written short stories, but I hope to start another novel soon. I haven’t decided on anything yet, but I have a love for stories that include space aliens.
STATS
Title: Kings Row
Author: Jeffrey Voccola
Publication Year: 2020
Pages: 159
Excellent work by Taryn!