Leo Sparx is a digital artist who is bringing his fascination with the history of queer sex to the literary erotica world. Inspiration for his work is often found during virtual orgies, trips to offbeat museums, or classic—occasionally spooky—literature. His unique blend of steamy sensations and dark passion takes the reader on a kinky exploration and allows them to experience encounters in unexpected locations.
What is your writing routine or schedule like? Walk us through a typical writing episode.
My writing routine consistently involves either a soft rainbow blanket and a cat on my lap or balancing my phone dangerously over the bathtub water with a glass of wine. There is no in-between.
Have you considered writing under a pen name? Why or why not?
Gay vampires included Anne Rice has done quite a bit correctly as an author. So, I don’t mind following in her footsteps and using a pen name for my queer dark BDSM erotica collections. The fun part will be readers finding parallels between these narratives and stories I have released under my other author name (which are not erotica.) The more observant readers may notice some of the same characters have crossed over into both worlds. Happy hunting 😉
“The fun part will be readers finding parallels between these narratives and stories I have released under my other author name”
What are your feelings on Happy Endings? As a reader? As a writer?
As both a writer and reader I like endings that make me feel something. If that means a happily ever after, great, but I never start a book expecting every character will make it to the other side unscathed. In my books, the kind of happy endings readers can anticipate may happen on a massage table in a private room, but they’ll never cost extra 😉
What should we watch on Netflix? Why?
My favorite thing to do on Netflix is find an indie movie I’ve never heard of before and give it my full attention. Independently made films are so often labors of love and I highly recommend letting the writer take you on their journey. The stranger the better. You may even discover a classic before anyone else has had a chance to appreciate it.
“The stranger the better.”
What kind of music do you listen to, if any? Why? Share a link if you have one (Spotify, YouTube, etc.).
When I’m writing certain scenes, music is essential. A lot of times I find myself with the same song on repeat because it captures the exact mood I’m trying to get on the page. For the House of Otter series I made a playlist that doubles as a great soundtrack for reading the books.
What’s your editing process? Describe it for us.
As far as editing goes, picture me clicking my tongue and rolling my eyes at my characters telling them they sound stupid or are taking the wrong action and them saying, “Well you wrote it, honey.”
“Well you wrote it, honey.”
How much of the real world do you place into your writing? Are your friends in your stories? Your family? Do you take revenge in your stories? What about research? (Names can be removed to protect the innocent.)
Dark magic elements aside in a few of my stories, almost everything I write is something I’ve experienced in some capacity. Like the beach where young men proposition older men for money, the backroom with mystery built-in tunnels, and even the BDSM dungeon where things get a little too dangerous—I’ve seen these places and met the people, that’s how I know how to write about them.
“I’ve seen these places and met the people”
What advice would you give to new writers?
If you’re just starting out, my best advice is to connect with other writers. Whether you join a virtual group, perform at open mics to share your work, attend conferences, or use a meetup app to find critique buddies– the most valuable asset I have in my tool set has always been talented people who appreciate the written word. That sort of networking and support system continue to be essential for me every step of the way.
“…connect with other writers.”
How does where you live inspire your writing?
I tend to be a bit nomadic and every place I’ve ever called home has found its way into my stories. Gay bars on the beach, bath houses in the desert, clothing optional queer resorts deep in the forest– they all have a special place in my heart and inspire me to explain their lore for people who may have otherwise never had the opportunity to experience it.
“My appreciation for Edgar Allan Poe extends beyond my loose adaptations of some of his stories.”
Why’d you get that tattoo?
This could out me as far as secret identity pen names go, by my appreciation for Edgar Allan Poe extends beyond my loose adaptations of some of his stories. On the space above each of my knees I have symbols inspired by his tales: so far, a black cat and a raven sitting on a book with a skull. The plan is to add a few more: a wine bottle, a heart with an eye inside, a beetle, and anything else I can fit into the blank skin I have left on my body.
