Conversations with Cody Wagner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cody Wagner.

Hi Cody, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in a bank. Okay, so it was a hospital that later became a bank, but it’s a fun way to start my story. That special hospital bank was in a little town in the Texas Panhandle called Pampa. So here’s the thing about Pampa: It’s the friendliest place ever.

Unless you’re gay. I had the misfortune of being born the right sexuality in the wrong town. Pampa wasn’t violently homophobic, with pitchforks and torches. Instead, Pampa found homosexuality so abhorrent; it liked to pretend it wasn’t a thing. “Gay doesn’t exist in Pampa!” was a rallying cry. Okay, I may have made that cry up, but the town swept anything LGBTQ right under the rug. You didn’t talk about it.

On one hand, that saved me from years of gay-bashing (I was bullied for other reasons, like not washing my hair for months at a time… true story. I was a wee awkward lad). On the other hand, it made for a very lonely existence for Poor Little Gay Cody (PLGC). There was seriously a 3-4 year period where I thought I was the only gay person in the world. I had no one to talk to or relate to, and I shoved myself deep into the closet.

During this time, I found I liked two things: reading and video games, and I immersed myself into both. After devouring books, I developed a penchant for writing Nancy Drew fan fiction (tee hee!), and I’d write harrowing tales that put Nancy, Bess, and George into real danger.

All this time, I knew I would eventually write a book for PLGC, and I knew I’d invent a time machine and go back to give Young Me (trademark pending) the book. That way, he’d have someone to relate to, and he’d know he wasn’t alone.

Computer science delayed that dream. I ended up with degrees in computer science and math because I wanted a “stable” job. I became a developer at an advertising agency, and while they were very good to me, large advertising agencies suck out your soul. After over ten years, I quit to take a year’s sabbatical.

See, my sister moved to Page, Arizona, and it was the most beautiful place I’d ever seen. I became determined to live there and finally write my book. So I saved and saved and eventually made it happen. That’s where I wrote my first novel, The Gay Teen’s Guide to Defeating a Siren, a young adult LGBTQ novel for people like PLGC.

About a year later, my sister and her husband were transferred to Phoenix, and I decided to tag along. I’m glad I did, as I met amazing writers who helped me improve (hello Central Phoenix Writers Workshop!). And then I wrote two sequels to my little gay novel that could. That brings me to now… 🙂

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I’d say my road has been caliche. Okay, y’all. Nobody outside of Texas seems to know what that is! It’s one of those roads that’s kind of a mix between rock and paved. So it’s kind of smooth but has its bumpy parts.

Also, it’s pronounced “kuh-lee-chee”. Honestly, one of the things I didn’t have to struggle with was my own sexuality. I was closeted, but it was for my own protection. I knew from an early age that I was gay. But I was actually okay with being gay. Thank the stars for having good self-esteem as a kid. But accepting yourself and being accepted are two very different things. And I’ve definitely had some rough times with those less accepting. Right now, it’s especially hard for me to see young people struggling.

I do book events, and when I see kids who are fighting for acceptance, it’s heartbreaking. I once had a girl approach me with her mom, and they were both very rude to me. It happens, and I try to brush it off. Don’t get me wrong, it sucks. When the “straight macho cool guys” walk by and start laughing – out loud- at my book titles, it’s never fun. But I try to chalk it up to ignorance (and not the bad form of the word). Anyway, I had pushed the girl and her mom out of my head when the girl approached me about a half-hour later. While constantly looking over her shoulder, she apologized for her behavior. It turns out she was actually bisexual. Her mother was such a homophobe; the girl had to play along for fear of being outed. I talked to her for just a couple minutes before she had to scurry off, and it was eye-opening. I wish her the best. And I so feel for that girl and the others who struggle like that. That’s one of the reasons I write.

There are also struggles outside of sexuality. Writing can be really tough. You’re not going into it to start making money. You’re also going to deal with a LOT of rejection. Rejection is one of the hardest parts to writing, and it’s going to happen to everyone, but that doesn’t always make it any easier. I circulated early copies of Gay Teen’s Guide to agencies around the country, but no one wanted it. This was years ago, before the LGBTQ book boom we’re seeing right now, so there wasn’t a demand for it. I have a special inbox full of rejection emails, and everyone was like a needle to the heart. But I focus on the wonderful things around my book to help compensate. And I eat lots of Thai food. It’s my obsession.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m the author of the award-winning LGBTQ young adult trilogy, The Gay Teen’s Guide to Defeating a Siren. In a nutshell, the books are about a fourteen-year-old boy, Blaize Trales (pronounced “Blaze Trails”), who accidentally comes out of the closet. His homophobic parents freak out and drag him to Sanctuary Prep, a full-time conversion therapy boarding school. The place sucks, but when his parents leave, Sanctuary reveals it’s actually a gay refuge, and Blaize gets to attend a secret LGBTQ high school. They’re also at war with an ancient enemy – a Siren, who can control people using her voice – and Blaize has to figure out why Sanctuary is being attacked.

I’m so proud of the series. I actually call the novels “the little gay books that could” because they’ve taken me to places I’ve never expected. I’ve been so fortunate to attend amazing events with wonderful readers. I’ve been able to do author panels and just talk to kids (and great adults) about writing and the LGBTQ community, and it’s been awesome. I’m one of the rare extroverted authors (hey, that’s something lame that sets me apart, lol!), so I really love those events and meeting people. As far as what sets my books apart, I think some of it is the fact they explore the idea that being gay is a superpower. Literally.

Here’s a fun story. While drinking margaritas with my sister once, we got to talking about mythology. After a ponderous sip, I said, “You know how the Sirens in Greek mythology would control the male sailors with their songs and make them crash into the rocks?” After she gave me a blank stare, I continued, “What if some of the sailors were gay? Do you think that would make them immune to the Sirens?”

And that’s where the idea for the books was born. Gay is the new hero. 🙂

In addition to writing, I’m also the very proud co-host of the paranormal, LGBTQ, comedy podcast, BSP: Believer Skeptic Podcast. Each episode, we choose a paranormal topic, share fun stories and information, and then I proceed to debunk the crap out of it. But very respectfully, 🙂 we’ve actually been around for three years and have a great time producing a really fun podcast.

Any big plans?
Oh gosh. Well, the trilogy is officially done (book three was released just a couple months ago, woot!), so I’m moving on to other projects. That makes me kind of nervous and sad. I mean, Blaize Trales was a part of my life for over five years. But I’m also excited to tackle new projects.

Right now, I’m writing a young adult novel about male body shaming. It’s completely contemporary, with no magic or fantasy at all. That’s different for me, but I’m really loving it so far. I’ve always been a “character” author who loves focusing on people, so it’s a great opportunity to do just that.

I’m planning to finish the first draft in July, and then I’ll edit it and see where that takes me. Wish me luck! And send Thai food, please!

Pricing:

• Book 1 is available on Amazon for $4.99 (Kindle) or $12.95 (Paperback)
• Book 2 is available on Amazon for $4.99 (Kindle) or $14.95 (Paperback)
• Book 3 is available on Amazon for $5.99 (Kindle) or $14.95 (Paperback)

Contact Info:

• Email: cfjwagner@gmail.com
• Website: www.wagner-writer.com
• Instagram: wagner.writer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwagner.writer/
• Twitter: @cfjwagner
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/Cody-Wagner/e/B016NYGV40

Image Credits
Robin Vuchnich Steve Johnson