The Authors Speak: Mario Acevedo

Mario Acevedo first crossed my radar screen when his book The Nymphos of Rocky Flats was released.   title like that had a way of drawing interest.  And while I never picked up the book (the main reason for this was I feared it was a book with a righteous, attention grabbing title and would lack substance), but it remained a presence on the ol' radar screen.  From time to time I glanced at the book's back cover, describing a tale about a vampire PI named Felix Gomez and I released a groan.

I like a good series, but with all the series I read, I didn't want to get caught up in another one.  Especially since so many of my series took turns for the worse.  See, I liked Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake books when they were in the early stages.  Yes, they were absolute fluff, but it was a quick brain candy read.  Then the books turned god-awful and I had to jump ship.  She didn't warrant any more of my funds.

Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books started bad, got better, then kind of flatlined (though, I'm an admitted fan of "True Blood").

I still pick up a Dresden book from time to time. 

So, as you can see, there just wasn't room for yet another urban fantasy series.

Flash forward a few years...I find myself in a Books-A-Million and see the Acevedo's second book, X-Rated Bloodsuckers (Felix Gomez, Book 2).  Maybe it was just curiosity.  Perhaps it was a lack of creative things in my "to-be-read" pile, but I purchased this one and "Nymphos" and said I'd give Gomez a try.  I've never once regretted it.  And, every year, I get excited for a new Mario Acevedo title.

There's nothing original about P.I. Felix Gomez, in comparison to the others that are out there.  Mario makes no pretense that Felix is above and beyond the competition.  That's one of the things that I find endearing; it is what it is.  And what it is, is good.  Acevedo brings quality writing, pitch-perfect dialogue, and classic noir storylines to the table.  The reader just suspends disbelief and accepts that the people involved are vamps and werewolves and aliens and zombies.

If you've never read Mario Acevedo, go to your local library, pick up Nymphos of Rocky Flats and let us know your thoughts.  I'd love to post your thoughts of Mario Acevedo's books right here. 

His latest in the series veers from the "suggestive" titles, which concerned me.  However, Werewolf Smackdown: A Novel, is one of my must-read suggestions (review will be posted soon).  It's probably my favorite of the series (which is saying something, since the fourth of the series was entitled Jailbait Zombie (Felix Gomez, Book 4)).

I got the chance to chat with Mario Acevedo about vampires, the urban fantasy and horror genres, true fears, and what annoying thing he wants fans to just cut out!

Eric Mays: Mario, you've created vamp sleuth Felix Gomez. Man, I'll tell you that man has a run of bad days. I realize that he's a vampire, but it seems that he should have died several times over. How do you keep Felix Gomez and the concept of a vampire detective from dipping into the realm of camp?

Mario Acevedo: I don’t know. I just write the stories as Felix dictates them to me.

EM: Your first four books had provocative titles - "Nymphos of Rocky Flats", "X-Rated Bloodsuckers", "The Undead Kama Sutra", and "Jailbait Zombie". Your new release, "Werewolf Smackdown", kind of strays from the risque titles. What happened there? Did the titles, while catchy, send the wrong message?

MA: My editor and I tossed about several titles. We liked the risqué slant of the previous titles but felt WEREWOLF SMACKDOWN best captured the meaty, hairy flavor of the new book.

EM: Vampires have sort of been shoved down the throats of pop culture recently. Seems to me that the vamp mythos is constantly being reworked and reimagined so many different ways. Is this good for the sub-genre, or is it overkill? Will vampires ever get back to being as scary as they once were?

MA: What are you talking about? I’m scared to death of my vampire. He can kick my ass.

EM: While there are vampires aplenty, and zombies aplenty, what happened to werewolves? I know that you've got them in spades, but why don't lycanthropes garner as much interest? Any thoughts?


MA: First of all, lycanthropes is hard to spell. Second, have you ever tried to housebreak a werewolf? Plus they shed and chew your shoes.

EM: You tend to get very into every creature that you write about. Take for example a zombie in "Jailbait Zombie". The zombie bites Felix and injures him - injures a vamp! - all because of a silver filling. Man! I'm a zombie fan and I'd never stopped to imagine that. How much research do you do? And, how many scenarios do you play out when getting ready to play with these monsters?

MA: I act out as many of my scenarios as I can until the police enforce the restraining order.

EM: I remember when Felix Gomez first burst onto the scene. The thing that caught my eye was the stamp on the rear of the book - "The First and Only Vampire Book to be Declassified by the Federal Government". Talk about buzz. How did that come about, Mario, and are you now required to enter the witness protection program?

MA: Since I once worked at Rocky Flats and wrote a story about the place, I had to submit the manuscript to the US Dept of Energy for a declassification review. But If I was really smart I would’ve included secret info. That way, the pages would’ve been redacted with black marks. Meaning, what does the government not want us to know about vampires and nymphomaniacs at Rocky Flats?

EM: Urban fantasy seems to be the hot genre, and I commend you for keeping it fresh! There seems to be so much of the same being rehashed over and over and over again. Just curious, is this genre going to outdo itself? How does the good within the genre stay without the bad tainting it?

MA: Hmm, I ask myself the same thing about potato salad. How do I keep the bad from tainting the good? I do hope the genre outdoes itself and that I’m there when it happens.

EM: I've talked with Jim Butcher, author of the Dresden mysteries, who fell into publishing completely by luck (or so says he). With so much in this urban fantasy genre, are the odds stacked against new voices? How was the experience for you back in, what, 2003?

MA: The odds are stacked against anyone trying to get published. In any genre. For all aspiring writers, I advise that you grow a thick skin and a strong sense of denial.

EM: We know you're well acquainted with the things that go bump in the night, so let's look at Mario Acevedo the comedian. Felix has a very wry sense of humor. What, or who, makes you laugh?

MA: Dear John letters from old girlfriends. All of my New Year’s resolutions. My delusion to think I can survive on my royalty checks.

EM: I'm sure with a series like this you get some loyal fans and some...well, let's just say, weird fans. Have you gained a large enough following to have those "weird fan experiences"? If so, what's the weirdest and what would like fans to stop doing?

MA: Weirdest fan experience? Some guy who ranted that NY publishers will only print garbage (meaning urban fantasy and specifically me) while ignoring his six-hundred thousand word tomes.


I would like my fans to stop spending money on food and rent so they can buy my books by the armload. Priorities, people!

EM: Moment of truth, Mario. Team Bill or Team Eric?

MA: Team Eric because I think he will co-sign a note if I ask him.

EM: Remember those campy 60's and 70's crossovers? Whether it was television or the movies, there was always a crossover happening somewhere. If Felix Gomez had to crossover (and let's seriously see that happen, if you want it to) in what author's work would you like to see him in?

MA: Deepak Chopra. I see my vampire as an inspirational, meditative character. Like Siddhartha. With fangs. And cocktails. In a hot tub with topless chicks.

EM: And, the obligatory question, what's next for Mario and Felix?

MA: Killing the Cobra. My comic book series from IDW Publishing. Issue #1 out May 12, 2010. Felix against the Chinese Han Cobras. Lock and load.

Thanks for the interview. Happy fanging.

As if Mario's not fun enough as it is, one thing that makes him a superstar is that he's also an artist.  You can check out his art, which is quite good, by going to: http://www.adelantearts.com/.  While you're online stop by the place where it all happens, http://www.marioacevedo.com/home.htm, where you can learn more about Mario Acevedo, visit his blog (http://www.biting-edge.blogspot.com/), and gather the latest news about Felix Gomez and Mario Acevedo.

That last bit of reference to "Killing the Cobra", is the latest graphic novel/comic book series from Mario.  Felix Gomez gets animated in a big way...and it sounds like he's fighting Cobra Kais (couldn't resist the old school "Karate Kid" reference).

I do implore you to check out Mario's books.  I realize that they're not for everybody, but they're fun reads.  Go ahead and toss a few into the summer reading mix.  You won't regret it.

Join us tomorrow, because we're showing you a load of new books that you may have missed.  It's your alternative Summer Reading List (remember Monday is the #1 day of Summer).

And since summer is upon us we're taking our thoughts towards the beach.  Discovery Channel likes to launch Shark Week, as people have macabre visions of shark attacks.  One essential thing people forget about, though, is that there are some giant monsters that come from the sea (think Godzilla, the Kraken, Mega Shark v. Giant Octobpus).  Therefore, The Authors Speak is launching the first ever:

DAIKAIJU MONSTER WEEK!

Join us next week as Jeff Burk, Stephen Mark Rainey, and James Morrow discuss daikaiju all week long!