Indie Author Interview with Alexandra Bogdanovic - Author of the Memoir Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey.
After receiving 10 Virginia Press Association awards for her work at a twice-weekly newspaper in Warrenton, Va., from 2004 to 2012, the veteran reporter Alexandra Bogdanovic returned to Connecticut, where she is now a freelance writer. She enjoys spending her free time with family and friends, chilling with her cat, Eli and watching and photographing high-goal polo.
Her Memoir Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey is a tragedy, a comedy and a love story. It is the Author's story. In vivid detail, she recalls how she met, fell in love with and married the man of her dreams, only to find that he self-identified as and wanted to become a woman.
Interview with Alexandra Bogdanovic
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| Author Alexandra Bogdanovic |
Alexandra Bogdanovic: I was born to write. I knew I wanted to be a reporter by age 12 and got my first byline in a daily newspaper when I was a high school freshman. I essentially did a four-year apprenticeship with the Greenwich Time and a yearlong college internship there. I got my first “real” newspaper job soon after graduating from college. Following my passion, I devoted more than 20 years to a career in community journalism.
Strategic Book Publishing and Rights Agency published my first book in 2012, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
Oh my. That’s a good question. There are almost too many writers to name. I read all of the Black Stallion books as a child and I still love Walter Farley to this day. Some of my favorite contemporary authors are David Baldacci, J.K. Rowling, Patricia Cornwell, and Ellen Hilderbrand.
I have tons of “favorite” books, too. I love the whole Harry Potter series. But right now, I’m reading The Hit by David Baldacci and I absolutely love it, so it’s going to the top of the list…
It may sound arrogant, but in terms of writing influences, I really don’t have any. I have developed my own unique style over the years, and am happy with that.
"I guess I’ve always had ink in my blood."
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
As I said earlier, I’ve been writing one thing or another for just about as long as I can remember, and knew I wanted to be a reporter by age 12. I guess I’ve always had ink in my blood.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I sure do. I think it was in fourth or fifth grade. I did a short story based on a role-playing game that was popular at the time. It was a classic tale of good versus evil – but my story had a twist. Evil won in the end.
"[...] I prefer to write with some sort of background noise."
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
I do a lot of different types of writing, so my routine literally depends on what’s on my agenda on any given day. Generally speaking, I prefer to write with some sort of background noise. For some reason I just can’t concentrate in complete silence. I also prefer to write for a couple of hours at a time – there’s no way I can sit at my desk and write all day.
Please, describe your desk/workplace.
Right now our house is being renovated, so I am working at a small kitchen table in what will eventually be my mother’s office. It’s a cozy space, but I’ve got a great view of the back yard. I’ve also got everything I need (except my printer) within reach, so as far as I’m concerned, it’s the perfect place to write.
"[...] the hardest thing about writing is just getting started."
What do you find easiest about writing? What the hardest?
I’ll take the second question first. Sometimes the hardest thing about writing is just getting started. The easiest thing for me is writing in the narrative voice. It’s a skill I learned while writing features for newspapers in three states, and it’s a technique I really enjoy.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
As a reporter, the thing I enjoyed most was helping other people share their stories. As an author, my philosophy is that if I can touch even one life, or make one person think about things differently, I’ve done my job.
Alexandra, please tell us a little about your Memoir 'Truth Be Told.’
In “Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey,” I share how I met, fell in love with and married the man of my dreams, only to find out that he self-identified as and planned on having surgery to become a woman. I also share what happened after I learned the truth.
.jpg "Truth Be Told: Adam becomes Audrey (Alexandra Bogdanovic)") |
| Click to Read an Excerpt |
What inspired you to write the book?
While many members of the LGBT community come forward to share their stories, we seldom hear how those experiences affect their friends and families. I wrote “Truth” in order to let those people know that they are not alone, that their stories matter – and that they matter. I also wrote my memoir in order to share a different perspective on transgender issues as they continue to garner mainstream media attention.
Who do you see as your target audience and where can we buy the book?
I think the target audience is the general public, and colleges or universities that offer gender studies programs.
It is available on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and through my publisher.
What makes your book special?
The thing that makes my book special is that it is told from my perspective; this is my story.
How would you describe the success of your book so far?
I’ve had moderate success; sales have been sporadic, but given the controversial and sensitive subject matter, it doesn’t surprise me.
How long did it take it to write the book?
It took about two-and-a-half years to write and another year to go through the editing and publishing process.
"[...] do not write for the masses."
Can you give some advice for other Authors regarding the writing process?
Sure. First and foremost, I would advise them to find their “voice” and not to deviate from it. Unless you want to make a lot of money (which is a long shot for most of us), do not write for the masses. Do not write to the lowest common denominator.
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
I think no matter how much technology changes, there will always be a demand for printed books. In the short term, there may not be enough of a demand to sustain large chain bookshops, but independent booksellers serving niche markets will survive. In the long term, nostalgia for larger booksellers may even prompt resurgence.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I have an I-pad mini and I absolutely love to read books on it.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
I’m currently doing research for my second book, which will be a novel based on my father’s life as a staunch anti-Communist and political refugee.
Thank you very much for the Interview, Alexandra.
About the Book Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey
.jpg "Truth Be Told: Adam becomes Audrey (Alexandra Bogdanovic)") |
| Click to Read an Excerpt |
But this is the other side of the story.
Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey is a tragedy, a comedy and a love story. It is the Author's story. In vivid detail, She recalls how she met, fell in love with and married the man of her dreams, only to find that he self-identified as and wanted to become a woman. Read what happened after she learned the truth.
Links to the Author and the Book
Connect with the Author on Twitter: @TruthBeTold024
Link to the Paperback Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey with Excerpt on Amazon
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