Today we’d like to introduce you to Cody Wagner.
Hi Cody, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up gay in the Texas Panhandle. It was definitely not the best place to be the gay kid (understatement), so I rooted myself firmly in the closet, but I knew I’d eventually write a book for young me, a book to give gay kids a fun, hopeful, adventurous ride.
Fast forward some years (between ten and a hundred). I was working for a large advertising agency in Dallas, and it was eating my soul alive. It was hard because I had this creative bug buried in me that I was dying to let out. Finally, I quit, moved to a small (but absolutely gorgeous) town in Northern Arizona called Page. It nourished my soul, and I took a year off to finally write The Gay Teen’s Guide to Defeating a Siren, the first book in what would be that trilogy for Young Me (trademark pending).
Since then, I’ve moved to Phoenix, where there’s a much better circle of authors, and I’ve continued to write and work on my craft. I actually have two creative havens, though, I live and write in Phoenix, but I do all of my visits and events in Dallas (and the surrounding areas). I’ve just met such a great circle of authors, teachers, and librarians in Texas that it keeps my heart.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’d say it’s been a “mid” road for me. Being the gay kid in a small town was hard. That town was so homophobic, it tried to pretend that gay people didn’t exist. So it felt like I was living on an island by myself. It was very lonely and isolating at times. But after college, I moved to Dallas and came out. That was glorious, and I was really able to find myself.
In terms of writing, it’s also been a mixed bag of treats. In some areas, it’s been like grabbing a Twix, KitKat, or something else great. Other times, though, you get gross candy like Smarties or Laffy Taffy.
The plus side has been the people. I’ve met so many kind, funny, wonderful authors who strive to lift other authors up. We had an amazing critique group here with really great, talented people. Unfortunately, COVID (damn you, COVID!) shut a lot of it down, but there are still pocket groups around the valley (that’s what we call the Phoenix metroplex for you non-Phoenicians). I can’t express enough gratitude for some of the authors out there! The events in Texas have also been great. Dallas Fan Expo is particularly awesome, as is the Teen Bookfest by the Bay in Corpus Christi.
The struggles mainly have to do with publishing and marketing. I’m currently an indie author, meaning I’m responsible for everything around my books (publishing, editing, covers, marketing, etc…). It offers a greater amount of control than traditional publishing, but, geez, marketing can be really difficult. It’s impossible to know what really will or won’t work. Additionally, there are definitely those in the traditionally published circle who look down on indies, even though there are some truly wonderful indie books out there. On top of that, indie authors have less access to book festivals around the country, so that has been a struggle.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an author who primarily writes LGBTQ+ young adult fiction. My trilogy, The Gay Teen’s Guide to Defeating a Siren, is an award-winning series, and I’ve been able to travel all over promoting it. The series is about a teenager, Blaize Trales (see what I did there?) who comes out to his homophobic parents. They freak out and drag him off to a seemingly awful conversion therapy boarding school. But when the parents leave, the school reveals it’s actually a secret refuge for gay teens, and Blaize gets to attend a secret gay high school. . . . that’s at war with a siren. Dun dun dunnnn! I’m extremely proud of the series, and people of all ages have enjoyed it.
Regarding my novels, I’m most proud of the difference I’ve been able to make in the right peoples’ lives. I once had a teenager come up to me at an event and break down crying. She said that she’d been having a really hard time dealing with her sexuality, and my books helped her feel better about herself. That was the ultimate compliment, and I had to join in on the crying.
Honestly, what sets me apart from other authors is I’m the rarish (is that a word?) extroverted author. So I love going to book events and speaking to people. In terms of writing, I really focus on character development, and that sets me apart from some writers. I look at it this way: A lot of us go through similar struggles, but it’s how we handle them as individuals that sets our stories apart. That’s why character development is so important to me.
On a completely separate note, I’ve also started a TikTok series called Cody Ruins Covers, where I use AI to ruin book covers. I think it’s one of the few acceptable uses of AI in the arts as I show how awful AI is. The series is hilarious and fun, and it’s gotten a loyal following
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I honestly suffer from a lot of anxiety. Being in the advertising world – that is all about image – I learned to really hide that anxiety in public. It’s something I think I’m pretty skilled at, and so people see me as confident and gregarious. But deep down, I worry about how I come across, how I sound, how I look, etc… It can be hard, but it also gives me some depth, I think, if that makes sense. And it also helps me have true empathy for other people who struggle. I’m actually exploring anxiety in my current novel.
Pricing:
- $13.95 – The Gay Teen’s Guide to Defeating a Siren, Book 1
- $14.95 – The Gay Teen’s Guide to Defeating a Siren, Book 2
- $14.95 – The Gay Teen’s Guide to Defeating a Siren, Book 3
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wagner-writer.com/
- Instagram: @wagner.writer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cody.wagner.397
- Other: TikTok: @wagner.writer
