As my readers probably know by now, I love me a good smut book, and Steamy Summer, by Mateo P. Chavez, is very good! I had a blast reading this book, and you should all go get it and read it too if you, like me, love a good smut book! I was excited to get a chance to chat with Mateo P. Chavez about his writing and his life, and it made for a pretty interesting interview, if I do say so myself. Check it out below!
Tell me about yourself and your writing?
I've always cherished reading. Writing, however, came to me later, as I never believed I'd be good enough. My mother used to take me to the library every three weeks, and together we'd select a few books. 'Goosebumps' by R.L. Stine was my first true literary crush. His tales were terrifying as a child, and I often envisioned myself as the lead character. Being visually oriented, I immerse myself in the stories I read. Each book creates a vivid world within my mind. This is why I struggle with 'movies over books'—while a film may match your expectations, the worlds and stories conjured in your mind often feel more real.
How did you get into writing?
I've always enjoyed writing stories, whether in my diary or as short narratives. However, it's only in the past few years that I've mustered enough confidence to publish my books as well. In my daily life, I'm quite outgoing, but when it comes to work or writing, I often feel a bit insecure. I think this insecurity stems from the fact that a book becomes immortalized. I sometimes liken it to going out. A decade ago, when I went out, nobody brought their phones or cameras. You could let loose without the fear of waking up to a drunken video on the internet the next day. Now, you're more cautious because there's a lot of judgment. I feel the same way about publishing. Once your story is released, there's no going back. It's out of my control. That realization sometimes scares me.
How can you describe your style?
I'd say my writing style is pretty straightforward, but I always try to sneak in a bit of sarcastic humor— I would say that's my signature. At first, finding the right balance was tough. A friend pointed out that my humor didn't always match the vibe I was going for, especially when things got steamy. So, I went on a quest to find that perfect mix. I'm a firm believer that humor and storytelling go hand in hand, but nailing the combo takes some serious finesse. I also love dropping little easter eggs throughout my stories. Some of my LGBTQ+ readers have already spotted them in 'Steamy Summer' and 'Office Obsession'. They're subtle. To me, these little gems add depth to the reading experience without overpowering the narrative. Without giving too much away, I'm confident that any reader will find them after diving into my upcoming book, slated for release in March
What interests you about writing?
For me, the process of creation is the most rewarding, despite its challenges. Sometimes, you stare at a blank page for hours, and other times, you must 'kill your darlings.' You might feel immensely proud of a piece you wrote, only to wake up hours later hating it. While this might seem discouraging, I embrace the struggle because it feels like I truly deserve the final outcome. It's an organic process. It all starts with a big or small idea, and when you're finished, you've crafted something that exists in only one form in the entire world. Despite the possibility of hundreds of copies, the story you've created is unique—it's never been written before. I make an effort to pause sometimes and express gratitude for every reader. Every time someone buys my book or reads it, I'm filled with appreciation, especially when a reader takes the time to reach out with their thoughts and ideas. I never imagined this would happen to me. It's truly incredible
Have you got any favourite authors?
I’m a big fan of Susanna Clarke and Becky Chambers. When it comes to MM I also like Thomas Carver.
What, in your opinion, makes for a good smut book?
In writing, it's crucial to explore boundaries while staying true to yourself. Within the diverse community of writers and readers, there are generally two main groups of smut writers: those who focus solely on erotica and those who blend erotica with fantasy, romance, or other elements. Regardless of the genre you prefer to write or read, I believe strong character development is key for readers to deeply connect with the protagonist and become fully immersed in their journey. A truly impactful smut book should elicit cheers from readers and ignite a sense of vicarious happiness for the main characters, or inspire a desire to be part of a hot, steamy scene. If I can evoke lust or other positive emotions using only my words, then I consider it a success.
What drew you to write M/M erotica?
Two things are on my mind. Firstly, I craved a challenge. Writing Erotica feels like walking naked—exciting yet scary, liberating, and arousing. It's about shattering society's awkwardness around nudity and sex. I'm drawn to MM stories because they often feel like a guilty pleasure, but they're not. It's the emotional rollercoaster of reading that pulls me into MM erotica. Secondly, it's time Erotica stepped out of the shadows. Sex, love, and desire are universal feelings, yet they carry a stigma. While Erotica becomes more accepting, MM erotica lags behind. It's still tough to admit you write or read MM content. In an ideal world, it wouldn't be such a big deal
What's your favorite horror movie?
It's difficult to pick just one favorite. As I mentioned earlier, I adored Goosebumps by R.L. Stine as a child. One title that sticks out in my memory is "Night of the Living Dummy." It haunted me for nights, leaving me terrified of my own toys. Seeing Chucky immediately reignited the fear I felt for, I believe, Slappy, right? So, it's a favorite due to the memories it evokes. However, I also adored "The Blair Witch Project" and "The Shining
What's your favorite romance?
I don't particularly have a favorite romance movie. When it comes to books, I would say "A Little Life" or "Achilles," but if I had to choose a movie, I'd opt for something from Xavier Dolan. "Les Amours Imaginaires" is one of my favorites; I'm a bit of a sucker for Xavier Dolan
Are you LGBTQ+?
Yes, I'm gay. It wasn't always easy to say it like this, but I'm proud. I'm also a big fan of LGBTQ+ people supporting each other in their arts and in life in general. We need to fight together
Do you have an opinion on whether God accepts LGBTQ+ people?
That's a tough question. To be completely honest, I was raised Catholic, but I don't believe in God. Or at least, I think I don't. I say 'I think' because sometimes I find myself wrestling with belief, an internal struggle that persists. Is it because I genuinely want to believe, or is it driven by fear of what might happen if I'm wrong? Nevertheless, I'm completely convinced that if there's a God, regardless of the form that presence might take, they love everyone, regardless of sexual orientation
Do you think LGBTQ+ topics are becoming more accepted in the media? Why or why not?
I don't believe your readers want me to delve too deeply into politics. However, in general, I believe things are improving. We've fought hard over the past decades, but unfortunately, in recent years, I've noticed a more conservative movement emerging, attempting to erode the freedoms we've fought so hard for. This indicates to me that the fight isn't over yet. When I'm out on the streets or surrounded by friends, colleagues, and family, I'm convinced that things are improving 100%. However, when I'm on social media, I sometimes feel the opposite. Nonetheless, I feel more empowered than ever to push back and strive for a better future for all young people who are struggling.
What's your dream job look like?
That's an easy one. I'm sitting in my cabin at the edge of a forest, overlooking a serene lake, accompanied by my computer, a steaming cup of coffee, and my cat Tokyo, as I write.
Have you ever put any of your real-life experiences into your writing? How did that go?
Absolutely, I'm someone who finds inspiration in personal experiences. While I wouldn't assert that all my writing stems from real events, it's inevitably a fusion of encounters I've had, those I've imagined, and even those I've missed out on. Each story carries a part of me—a reflection inspired by a place (like in Steamy Summer), an emotion, or an actual moment from my life. Yet, out of respect for my surroundings, my writing also embraces a significant element of imagination. It's a delicate balance. This is not just because I enjoy it, but also because creating from nothing isn't my strong suit. I deeply admire dark fantasy MM writers, for instance. The stories they craft solely from imagination are something I can only aspire to achieve
Do you have any advice for young writers out there who want to write in your genre?
Don't wait like I did haha. Write, publish, and go for it. I've never had a better reason not to act than fear. Growing up as part of the LGBTQ+ community can be challenging; at times, I wished I were invincible, avoiding anything that might invite judgment. I filled my days by trying to "act normal." I missed out on experiences because of this mindset. Remember to write for yourself. If you're proud, your book is good enough. Like everything else, experience comes with practice, so don't be too hard on yourself. I'm proud of what I've written, even if it's not everyone's cup of tea. Be shameless and fearless. I know my best book is still to come, and I say that without diminishing the value of my previous works. Just publish your book and don't hesitate to ask others for help
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