One thing I learned from writing and acting and producing the show is, the more specific you are in details, the more universal and accessible the story becomes as a result.
Leon Acord – 30 August 2020
The Back Flap
A droll, oddly inspirational memoir from the actor Breitbart once called “a gay leftist activist,” SUB-LEBRITY by Leon Acord (Old Dogs & New Tricks, Amazon Prime) is an honest, sometimes bitchy but always sincere story about growing up (very) gay in rural Indiana, achieving acting success outside the closet, and generating headlines with his very-public smackdown with Trump-loving Susan Olsen (Cindy, The Brady Bunch).
About the book
What is the book about?
SUB-LEBRITY is a slightly tongue-in-cheek “Hollywood memoir written by a non-famous actor” who, because he was gay and not “movie-star handsome,” had to do things the hard way. But that’s okay. Since I grew up gay in rural Indiana during the late 1960s and 1970s, I’m used to a challenge.
When did you start writing the book?
September 2018.
How long did it take you to write it?
The first draft took about six months or so. But I spent the next twelve months, and about nine drafts, refining, editing, streamlining, cutting, rewriting.
Where did you get the idea from?
I have several friends and colleagues from various shows I’ve done who have gone on to write books. Andrew Jordan Nance, with whom I did two plays at New Conservatory, is now a very successful children’s writer. Scott Stabile now writes inspiration self-help books. Quinn Fontaine wrote a book about his transition called Hung Like a Seahorse. Director Dan Oliverio wrote The Round World. One day, I posted on Facebook that maybe it was time to write a book of my own. Damned if a small-press publisher didn’t reach out, saying there could be a small market for my book. That’s all I needed to hear!
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
If I struggled, it was against the voice in my head, saying “You’re nobody, Leon! Who cares?” Because of that voice, I realized that, since I had no fame to coast on, the book would have to be well-written and, most importantly, entertaining.
What came easily?
I thought writing about my friend and colleague Jeffrey Hartgraves’ death in 2008 would be tough, so I saved that until last. But as it turns out, that was the easiest section to write. I hadn’t really talked about our time together near the end of his life. After all, “I just talked my friend out of committing suicide” isn’t something you post on Facebook! Because I hadn’t talked about it, it was fresh and came spilling out. I still cried a bit while writing it, but it felt really good to share it finally.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
They are all 100% real. I did change a few names, like my high-school girlfriend and my first boyfriend. And those of the frogs I kissed in my 20s. There a couple of directors I merely refer to as “The Director” or “Our Director” because I wanted to be completely honest without being sued.
Do you have a target reader?
Several. I have several sub-groups of “fans” (though I hate using that word) from Old Dogs & New Tricks. Gay men from my generation, naturally. Also, I think even more middle-aged women follow me on social media than men. And I used to be a bit of a role model to younger folks in the web-series game, but I think that’s probably faded by now.
One thing I learned from writing and acting and producing the show is, the more specific you are in details, the more universal and accessible the story becomes as a result.
I do hope the book also appeals to young, up-and-coming gay actors and actresses who will read it and be inspired to remain honest about who they are as they pursue their goals.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
It depends on what I’m writing. When I’d write Old Dogs, it was always late at night, when everyone was asleep and the house was completely silent and I was free of all distractions.
Writing the memoir was completely different. I would “assign” myself the subject of the chapter, and then I would just write whenever I could – either with my laptop at home on weekends or evenings, or even scribbling in my notebook at lunch or breaks during the day job. Sometimes it was just jotting down memories and thoughts as they came, then tying them together with narrative when I had more time.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I knew SUB-LEBRITY would have three sections – growing up gay on the farm in Indiana, moving to San Francisco and finding my artistic voice, then relocating to Los Angeles and having to redefine everything I thought I knew. Beyond that, I just followed my instincts.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I don’t edit too much as I write, other than thinking about sentence structure, for example. I’m a believer of the “vomit draft” – that you write down everything the first time – and that writing really is mostly re-writing and editing after you get the first one done.
I also followed the general guideline I used when writing the series, which is (a) does it advance the story, or (b) is it funny? If the answer was “no” to both questions, I’d cut it.
Did you hire a professional editor?
No. A good friend of mine, Jenn Garagliano, who is magically gifted with the ability of doing anything she sets her mind to, offered to edit and she didn’t disappoint. Also, my niece Charlotte Thompson, and a good friend of mine, Emmy-winning television writer Courtney Flavin, volunteered to proofread the book, and they each offered valuable advice about what the book did and didn’t need.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Man, I wish I could. I once had a roommate who was a fine artist, and I always marveled that he could blast disco and the TV while working. Other than a few times writing Old Dogs, when I listened to either instrumental music or club music, I really can’t do it.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Nope. I’m 57. I have neither the time nor the patience to “start at the bottom” of the publishing game. Besides, half of my career has been “DIY,” so why change the habits of a lifetime?
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
That publisher who told me there might be a small market for my memoir? Well, when I offered to write and submit a couple of sample chapters, he told me that wasn’t necessary. “Just call one of our editors, tell her some of your stories, and she’ll turn it into a manuscript.”
Uh, that’s cheating! So, I thanked him, and decided to do it myself.
But I was already a bit pre-disposed to self-publish. Old Dogs had a DVD distributor for about five New York minutes, and if that experience taught me anything, its that I’m a control freak when it comes to marketing and packaging.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
The general concept was mine. A professional photographer I’ve worked with, Dexter Brown, took the cover photo, and my niece Charlotte, who’s also a talented graphic artist, took his photo and my vague idea, and gave me a fabulous front and back cover. I’m very lucky.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Just kind of winging it and learning as we go! My husband Laurence is totally into the marketing, so that actually has made it far less stressful than I originally expected.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Take your time and spend the money to get it right. If I had it to do over (and I certainly hope this won’t be my only book), I wouldn’t even set the release date until the book was completely finished and formatted and ready to print. Then I’d set the release date to six months after that. That way, there is plenty of time to line up all your boats, and get the publicity going before the book is even available. Next time!
All that said, you also have to roll with the punches. COVID-19 totally changed our roll-out plans for the book. But I’m not whining. Compared to the [expletive deleted] so many are going through right now, big deal! Like with anything – like with life! – you have to be able to quickly adapt to things you can’t control.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Rural Indiana.
Where do you live now?
Los Angeles.
What would you like readers to know about you?
Well, they should read my book if they want to know about me! Can you insert a wicked laugh here?
I’d want them to know that I really don’t take myself too seriously. I know some folks see the book and think “Who the hell does Leon Acord think he is?” But if they actually read it, they’d see I puncture my own balloons quickly, and often.
I wish I could remember who said it, but its kind of my philosophy. To be an performer, you have to think, on one hand, that you’re the greatest thing in the world – all the while, on the other hand, you have to know that you absolutely are not the greatest thing in the world! I think that philosophy comes through pretty strongly in my book.
What are you working on now?
Now that I know how to self-publish, I’m going to get Jeffery Hartgraves’ play Carved in Stone, which he bequeathed to me, out in print. After that, I’m thinking of a different kind of memoir, about my family during this last bizarre year. My sister Tammy, my only sibling, died last year. I don’t think any parent should outlive their kid, so I determined then that my parents would never go through that again. I quit smoking, even. But then – COVID! I had no idea what a challenge playing “Saving Private Acord” was going to be! And I’m also toying with maybe a series of novels based on Old Dogs & New Tricks, since said virus has basically shut down show business for the duration anyway!
End of Interview:
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