Meet Andrew Cotto, Author of The Domino Effect

What inspired you to become an author?
I had been toying with the idea of becoming an author for a while in college, but after seeing the Spike Lee film Do the Right Thing, I knew I had to tell stories.
How did you come up with the idea for The Domino Effect?
The Domino Effect was really born from events that transpired in the neighborhood in Queens where my cousins grew up. I cobbled this together with other things I was aware of or had experienced into a collage that was smoothed into a cohesive narrative courtesy of my imagination.
What do you hope readers will learn from your book?
I really hope that readers remember or recognize how challenging adolescence is for (nearly) everyone, and that this rite of passage is something that can evoke empathy for one another and solidarity, as well. I'd also like to recognize how special and fun this time of our lives can be.
You also have a new book called Outerborough Blues: A Brooklyn Mystery. Can you give us an idea of what this book is about?
As the title suggests, Outerborough Blues is a mystery that takes place in Brooklyn. It's a noir about a young drifter who finds himself immersed in the search for a missing art student. It has some heavy duty themes, like race and class and broken-families, but it's also lyrical in language, full of great food scenes and a Blues soundtrack. Ultimately, it's about identity, hope and home.
Are you currently working on anymore books?
Yes, I'm in the process of extending a novella into a novel called Martinis & Bikinis. It's a page-turner of a Hollywood scandal story with an underlying message about how corporate influence has corrupted our entertainment and media industries.
You can find out more about Andrew Cotto and his books by visiting www.andrewcotto.com.
I had been toying with the idea of becoming an author for a while in college, but after seeing the Spike Lee film Do the Right Thing, I knew I had to tell stories.
How did you come up with the idea for The Domino Effect?
The Domino Effect was really born from events that transpired in the neighborhood in Queens where my cousins grew up. I cobbled this together with other things I was aware of or had experienced into a collage that was smoothed into a cohesive narrative courtesy of my imagination.
What do you hope readers will learn from your book?
I really hope that readers remember or recognize how challenging adolescence is for (nearly) everyone, and that this rite of passage is something that can evoke empathy for one another and solidarity, as well. I'd also like to recognize how special and fun this time of our lives can be.
You also have a new book called Outerborough Blues: A Brooklyn Mystery. Can you give us an idea of what this book is about?
As the title suggests, Outerborough Blues is a mystery that takes place in Brooklyn. It's a noir about a young drifter who finds himself immersed in the search for a missing art student. It has some heavy duty themes, like race and class and broken-families, but it's also lyrical in language, full of great food scenes and a Blues soundtrack. Ultimately, it's about identity, hope and home.
Are you currently working on anymore books?
Yes, I'm in the process of extending a novella into a novel called Martinis & Bikinis. It's a page-turner of a Hollywood scandal story with an underlying message about how corporate influence has corrupted our entertainment and media industries.
You can find out more about Andrew Cotto and his books by visiting www.andrewcotto.com.
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Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012