Gary Goldstein
Author Interview - Gary Goldstein
Author of "The Mother I Never Had" and "Please Come to Boston"
About Please Come to Boston:
First times, fast times, past times...
Boston, 1975. Nicky DeMarco, a naïve but game 18-year-old, is navigating his first semester of college when he falls into a surprising—and life-altering—romantic triangle with Joe, a charismatic, big-hearted jock, and Lori, a warm and adventurous psych student. The three embark on a secret, joyous, and passionate journey of self-discovery as Nicky questions his sexuality—and all that entails.It turns into an emotional high-wire act and loyalty test with unexpected consequences for the trio's present and future, one which we flash forward to some fifty years later when Nicky and Joe reunite back where it all began.
PLEASE COME TO BOSTON is a vivid and evocative snapshot of that youthful time of life when the world is laid out in front of us with all its amazing, intoxicating, and terrifying possibilities—and the thorny complications that can follow.
Gary Goldstein's third novel is a funny, nostalgic, and bittersweet look at first love at a time when exploring one's sexual orientation and authentic self was riskier, more uncharted territory, yet with so many of the same defining issues that resonate today.
Author Interview - Gary Goldstein
About The Mother I Never Had:
It's tough enough for L.A. landscape designer Nate Cronin when his professor father, Jim, who raised him alone since birth, dies, leaving Nate an orphan at thirty years old. But when the provocative and mysterious Amy enters Nate’s life soon after, it sends him on a devastating journey to unravel the truth about his past, the veracity of Amy’s claims, and the history of the father he adored.
At the same time, Nate must come to terms with his commitment to his longtime girlfriend, Jennifer, a dance instructor whose patience with the resistant Nate frays as she attempts to help him navigate the psychological minefield set off by Amy’s arrival.
"The Mother I Never Had" asks readers to consider what they would do if they found themselves faced with a parent they never knew existed—and if they could accept the secrets and lies that kept her away for a lifetime.
Author Interview - Gary Goldstein
Author I draw inspiration from:
Anne Tyler, "The Accidental Tourist"
Author Interview - Gary Goldstein | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
On the outdoor couch in our backyard patio, under a sun umbrella. Weather permitting!
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Jay Gatsby (of, of course, F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby"). I've always had a a lot of questions for him, maybe can finally solve a few mysteries...
Author Interview - Gary Goldstein | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
When I read "The Accidental Tourist" by Anne Tyler and, was so impressed, I decided that one day I wanted to add novel writing to my screenwriting career. It took a long time, but I got there!
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Hardback where possible, but I read my share of paperbacks and ebooks based on what's available--whatever gets me to read, all are fine. I've never been an audiobook person, but I see the benefit to them in that you can "read" while you drive, go walking, etc. But I love the physical/mental act of reading a book.
The last book I read:
2024: "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt. What a captivating story, loved the way the author wove all the pieces together. It's such a touching, original, and entertaining read.
2023: "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus
Author Interview - Gary Goldstein | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
Computer. I prefer seeing the page edited as I go and looking more accurate space-wise, plus my handwriting's not great!
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Writer James Smale, the main character in one of my favorite books of the last few years, "The Editor," by Steven Rowley.
Author Interview - Gary Goldstein | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
Well, I'd still be a screenwriter and playwright. But if I WASN'T a writer I'd be either a chef--or a shrink.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
I like the "Mad Men" era of the early 1960s, but more as it became integrated into contemporary men's fashion.
Place I’d most like to travel:
Spain and Portugal, where I have not yet been. I speak Spanish so would enjoy using that in Spain, plus I find the deep history of both countries fascinating, not to mention that there are both busy cities and beautiful countryside areas to visit.
My signature drink:
Vodka martini--for special occasions. Otherwise, a pinot noir.
Favorite artist:
I'll go with MUSICAL artist: Bruce Springsteen.
Number one on my bucket list:
Don't know if it's #1 but up there would be to write a book that makes the NY Times or LA Times bestseller list (or both!)
Anything else you'd like to add:
Just that I hope readers will check out both my first novel, the LA-set romantic comedy "The Last Birthday Party," and my second book, the family drama "The Mother I Never Had." And if you like them, please drop a review on the books' Amazon and Goodreads pages. Greatly appreciated!
Find more from the author:
Twitter and IG: @GaryGoldsteinLA
Facebook: @GaryGoldsteinLAauthor
Author Interview - Gary Goldstein
About Gary Goldstein:
Gary Goldstein has written more than 15 produced telefilms including the Hallmark Channel comedies "The Wish List," "Hitched for the Holidays," "My Boyfriends' Dogs" and "Lights, Camera, Christmas" along with the first two movies in the "Flower Shop Mystery" series starring Brooke Shields. Gary's most recent TV movie, "Friends & Family Christmas," won a 2024 GLAAD award nomination for Outstanding Film, Streaming Or TV.
His feature film "Politics of Love," a romantic comedy set during the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, was released in theaters in 2011. He also wrote the feature romantic comedy, "If You Only Knew," starring Johnathon Schaech and Alison Eastwood. Gary's feature adaptation of the novel "Mr. 365" premiered on the streaming service Passionflix in 2018 and is available on Amazon Prime.
Gary has also sold or optioned a number of original screenplays, has a string of episodic TV credits and has sold half-hour comedy pilots to both NBC and Warner Bros.
He was represented on the Los Angeles stage most recently with the World Premiere of his acclaimed three-sisters dramedy "April, May & June," produced as part of its subscription season by Theatre 40 of Beverly Hills. The play won five Broadway World award nominations including Best Local Production.
Other L.A. stage credits include the comedies "Just Men," "Parental Discretion" and "Three Grooms and a Bride," which all enjoyed long, well-reviewed runs. Gary’s family drama "Curtain Call" premiered at Carmel, CA's Pacific Repertory Theatre, after winning the PacRep’s national Hyperion Playwriting Competition.
Gary's first novel, the romantic comedy The Last Birthday Party, was published August 2021 by Hadleigh House. It won a 2022 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for Excellence in Fiction. His second novel, the family drama The Mother I Never Had, was published October 2022. It was named one of the "Must-Read Books of Fall 2022" by Town & Country Magazine. His latest novel, the coming-of-age romantic dramedy Please Come to Boston, will be out September 2024.
Gary has also been a regular contributing film reviewer and arts feature writer for the Los Angeles Times since 2007.
