Tony Burnett is an award-winning poet and songwriter, Tony Burnett is the Executive Director of Kallisto Gaia Press. He served as President of the Writers’ League of Texas from 2013 to 2017. His poetry, short fiction, and environmentally-focused nonfiction appear in over 70 publications.

His previous books include the story collection, Southern Gentlemen, and a full-length poetry collection, The Reckless Hope of Scoundrels. He resides in rural central Texas with his trophy wife and several rescue dogs who pay him no mind unless hungry.

His hobbies include poking wasp nests with short sticks and wandering aimlessly about. He hopes you enjoy meeting his imaginary friends.

10 Q’s with Tony Burnett

Who are some of your favorite authors?

In no particular order: Barbara Kingsolver Tom Robbins, Donna Tartt, Sandra Cisneros, Don Winslow, John Irving, Margaret Atwood, Billy Collins, Gillian Flynn, Ann Patchett, Kim Addozinio, and a number of as-yet-unknown but amazing scribes.

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?

I want to have a strong sense of place so I’ll go visit the geographical setting. That’s one reason I don’t write space opera.

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?

I can draft one novel at a time. I’ll have other projects going; revision, poetry, short stories. Being the Executive director of a nonprofit publishing company, I write a LOT of grant applications.

Pen or type writer or computer?

Pen (or pencil) to draft. Voice recognition software to transpose. Computer to revise and edit.

Do you have any advice for new authors?

Only put in the effort if you’re having fun or possessed by the muse. Otherwise, you are wasting your time. If you are going to write, learn all you can about craft and then write the story you are called to write- your story – for you. There’s a reader out there waiting.

What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?

I’m a “seat of my pants” writer. If I get bogged down I may break loose and outline a few scenes to get back in the game. I waste a lot of paper.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Assuming your first book will be your masterpiece and writing for the market are the two things I’ve seen destroy many talented beginners.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

It takes me two or three years but that has to do with my editing and mentoring of other writers and running a publishing company as well as my prolific short story fixation.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from other genders?

I was raised in a matriarchal family. I’ve been loved and detested by powerful women to the point I’ve been told I actually write more authentic women characters than men.

What are your thoughts on writer’s block?

Writer’s block is real. It’s also easily treatable. I have three ways to overcome it. I guarantee one of them will work for you.

1. Work on a writing project totally different from what’s blocking you.
2. Switch your focus to research until you find something to write about.
3. Get outside and engage in physical activity

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About Tony’s new book

Watermelon Tattoo by Tony Burnett

Genre: High-Octane Thriller, Sapphic Romance

Naïve but charismatic farm girl, Jacquelyn Benderman, has her life perfectly planned until her town blames her for the accidental death of the local high school’s star running back. Feeling like a pariah, she flees to Austin, Texas where her luck seems to change. Her rapid rise to stardom as a blues diva is derailed when an anonymous stalker begins systematically murdering her associates, leaving the police to suspect her. As Y2K approaches, she wrestles with the guilt of falling for her roommate, a Romanian folk singer who survives as a call-girl, while the show band she sings with rehearses for a national tour. Can she protect her new lover from danger? Will the world end at midnight? Is there no hiding place when everyone knows who you are?

Praises for Watermelon Tattoo

Burnett has created an unconventional and magnetic character who makes a memorable first impression. Strong characterizations will keep readers engaged in what happens next in this murder tale.  — Kirkus Reviews

“Tony Burnett’s novel, Watermelon Tattoo, is one wild ride. This Texas hill country bildungsroman features Jacqui Benderman, a feral, beautiful, and musically talented eighteen-year-old on her journey from daddy Sarge’s watermelon farm to international stardom.  Fast-paced, lusty, and chocked full of wry and insightful commentary on self-discovery, the music industry, and religion, this is one great read by a seasoned author.” —Gary V. Powell, author of Lucky Bastard, Beyond Redemption, and Super Blood Wolf Moon

In his debut novel Watermelon Tattoo, Tony Burnett serves up the fecundity of Texas in temperatures hovering just above triple digits.  Part high octane thriller, part love story, the reader moves fluidly between rural earthiness and Austin’s scintillating music scene. We follow Burnett’s protagonist Jaqui, a gorgeous 18-year-old with an Ella Fitzgerald voice from a tractor seat to the open mic stage and beyond. Her meth-fueled antagonist is never far behind. The author has an eye for detail, an ear for dialogue, but what’s so extraordinary is the novel’s ease at blending pacing, plotting, and supple syntax. Spinning cones of dust briefly appeared and disintegrated. This season had ended, for melons, for rain, for redemption.  Burnett’s characters all seem set on a kind of liberation, a release from or a rescue of the self. His body-on-body scenes—and be forewarned Burnett writes of coupling in myriad forms—are breathtaking, some down and dirty, others beautifully transcendent.  A thriller that Don Winslow would not be ashamed to claim, the pages turn by themselves. –Stephanie Dickinson, author of Razor Wire Wilderness

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