About Feet of Clay
by Amanda Steiger
144 pages / 28000 words
ISBN: 978-1-61040-225-5
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When Galvin Cloud -- a shy young magazine writer -- is unexpectedly offered a chance to interview his favorite author, he ought to be delighted. Instead, he’s terrified. Galvin has always idolized Spike Radcliff, but the idea of actually meeting him face to face is overwhelming…and despite the sensitivity of his prose, Spike has a reputation for being a surly, reclusive misanthrope. Galvin knows he can’t pass up this rare chance.
After a disastrous attempt at an interview, Spike surprises Galvin by offering him a job as his assistant. As they spend more time together, Galvin discovers that beneath the harsh exterior is a complex, broken man…one he’s quickly falling in love with.
Review
Stephanie Vaughan, author of OC Pride: Crossing the Line and Jumping the Fence, writes: This is a beautifully written story of two damaged people finding the courage to love again. As drawn to each other as they are, both men have valid reasons not to trust and Steiger skillfully weaves these elements of back-story into the unfolding relationship, raising the emotional stakes at every turn. “Feet of Clay” is a surprisingly tender story that resists the easy clichés, building to a satisfying ending that feels both well deserved and refreshingly real.
Sample
The Underground’s readership consisted largely
of academic circles and beatnik coffee house crowds. Its pages were usually
filled with short stories, poems, and reviews of arty films and obscure
theatrical productions. Its office was a single large room on the top floor
of a dilapidated brick building. Galvin walked up the cement stairs and
opened the door.
Shelly, his boss, was leaning back in her chair, heels propped up on her
desk and a cup of coffee in one hand. A fringe of sapphire blue hair hung
over her left eye. "Hey." She glanced up at him. "'Nother sleepless night?"
He rubbed the back of his neck, self-conscious. Though Shelly knew about his
sleeping troubles, she didn’t know what caused them. Didn’t know about the
nightmares. He didn’t want anyone to know about those. "Is it that obvious?"
She blew steam from her coffee. "Those dark circles under your eyes are
starting to seem like a permanent fixture. Tried valerian root? My cousin
says it works for him."
Galvin shrugged out of his jacket. "I’ve tried just about everything." He
forced a slight smile. "Well, except knocking myself out with a
sledgehammer."
Shelly chuckled.
"So, what’s on the schedule today?" he asked, hanging his jacket up.
"An interview." She sipped her coffee. Her eyes twinkled at him, a strange,
knowing expression. "I’ve been wanting to interview a Chicago author. Guess
who I found?"
Galvin sucked in his breath swiftly. "You mean…"
"Yup. Spike Radcliff. I finally got a hold of him."
He realized his jaw was hanging and snapped it shut. Spike had never done a
real interview, never talked about his work. Or himself. Galvin knew, since
he’d scoured the internet for information about him. "He said yes?"
"Surprisingly."
He took a deep breath, trying to bring his racing heartbeat under control.
"Who’ll be interviewing him?"
"You, of course."
Galvin felt dizzy. "Me?"
"I figured you’d be the best person to do it. You’ll know the right
questions to ask."
"Oh." It was the only word his brain would produce. His thoughts were stuck
in a loop. Spike Radcliff. An interview. And he, Galvin Cloud, was going to
conduct it. "I, uh -- so what time do I call him?"
"You don’t. It’s at his place."
"Wait -- he agreed to be interviewed in person?"
She shrugged. "Said he doesn’t like talking on the phone." She plucked a
sheet of paper off the desk and held it out to him. "Here’s his address,
along with directions."
Galvin stared, mouth dry, palms moist with sweat. He took the paper with a
hand that wanted to tremble and looked at the directions. It was a printout
from an online map site. "What should I ask him?"
"Well, that’s up to you." Her brow furrowed. She slid her feet off the desk
and sat up straighter. "Hey, you okay? You’re pale."
"Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine." He gulped. "I just…didn’t expect this."
"Well, you’ve still got four hours to write up some questions. But if you’re
not up to it…"
"I can do it." How could he possibly refuse?
She relaxed into her chair and smiled. "Great." She handed him a small black
tape recorder. "You’ll need this. And be prepared."
"For what?"
"I did some research on him. His people skills are awful, to put it mildly.
The last time someone tried to interview him, they say it ended with him
throwing a half-eaten bagel at the guy and storming out of the restaurant.
Apparently he thought the questions were too personal." She rolled her eyes.
"What did he expect?"
Galvin said nothing. He’d heard about the bagel-throwing incident. It had
achieved urban legend status among Spike’s tiny fan following, but Galvin
wasn’t sure whether to believe it.
"Anyway, I just wanted to give you an idea of what to expect," Shelly said.
She drained her coffee cup with a gulp. "If he rips you a new one, don’t
take it personally."