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Spotlight
Web Digest Weekly
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Salvatore Sapienza
Left Of The Ordinary

Writing from personal perspectives is one of the most entertaining formats that
novelists can use to entertain their readers. Salvatore Sapienza is one of those talented
storytellers who can do just that. And he can do it with a gusto that is his and his
alone. From the time of the publication of his semi autobiographical novel Seventy
Times Seven, he has been firmly ensconcing himself with the world as one of the best
writers on the literary scene today. He tells stories that are infused with his own
experiences and yet include a twist of fiction that makes them priceless, and timeless.
Since Seventy Times Seven became such a success, Sal hasn’t been resting on his
laurels. He recently had a short story called Fully Human, Fully Alive published in a
new anthology titled Queer and Catholic. He’s also been on a highly publicized book
tour and he was one of the featured authors at New Orleans’ annual Saints and
Sinners festival. Sal is also a successful businessman, co-operating a booming bed and
breakfast in Saugatuck, Michigan. Currently working on his next novel, I was pleased
when Sal agreed to give me another interview. He’s one of my favorite writers and
he’s also a good man to know.

Carey Parrish

CP: Welcome back, Sal!
SS: Thanks, Carey. I always enjoy speaking with you, and I'm so pleased to be
back in the 'Spotlight' again.
CP: What have you been keeping busy with lately?
SS: Well, I'm still trying to put the finishing touches on my next novel, which was
what I said when you spoke with me last year (laughs). Other things seem to be
getting in the way, but they're good things. I've been writing a pop culture column
for the Sentinel newspapers here in Michigan, plus I've got a column called
Guy'd Lines in the new Michigan For Men magazine. I also took part in a PBS
documentary called Anyone and Everyone, in which I spoke about my coming
out experience. The PBS affiliate here even offered my book, Seventy Times
Seven, as one of the gifts during their pledge drive. I also appeared on the NPR
morning radio show with Shelley Irwin earlier this month. Plus, as you know, my
partner and I own and run a bed-and-breakfast in Saugatuck, and we've been
busy, busy, busy, I'm happy to report.
CP: I understand you had a new story published in the anthology Queer &
Catholic.
SS: Yes, I'm really thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful anthology of gay and
lesbian writers who were raised Catholic. The book will be published next month
by Taylor & Francis. Among those involved are Trebor Healey, Amie Evans, Jeff
Mann and Allistair McCartney, so I'm honored to be among such a great group of
talented writers. The five of us read from the book in New Orleans last month at
the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival. My contribution to the anthology is called
Fully Human, Fully Alive.
CP: What was your motivation for Fully Human, Fully Alive?
SS: So many people have been asking me about my work with Father Mychal
Judge, the Franciscan priest who died on 9/11 and who's the subject of the
documentary film The Saint of 9/11. Therefore, I decided to write about my
memories of him and our work together ministering to people with AIDS in New
York City in the early nineties. He had such a profound influence on me.
CP: What kind of reaction have you been getting from this story?
SS: So many gays and lesbians who've been raised Catholic have such horror
stories to tell about ruler-wielding nuns and predatory priests, so I was happy to
share a positive story about a gay priest who was faithful to his vows, yet fully
celebrated his sexuality. I was nervous reading the story aloud at Saints and
Sinners amongst a group of writers like Dorothy Allison, Patricia Nell Warren,
Stephen McCauley, and Mark Doty, but afterwards so many came up to me and
told me how touched they were hearing me speak about Father Mychal.
CP: Seventy Times Seven remains popular with readers. To what do you attribute
the longevity of its success?
SS: It's really amazing to me. The book was originally published in 2006 by
Harrington Park Press, but it's just been re-issued in a new paperback edition
from Lethe Press this month. The 2008 version has a really cool new cover too,
which I much prefer to the original. The book also just went Top Ten on Amazon
Kindle's Gay Bestsellers List. I can't even begin to tell you what a thrill it is to see
it up there with E. Lynn Harris and Armisted Maupin's books! You know, when I
wrote Seventy Times Seven, I just hoped to tell an entertaining tale that readers
would hopefully find and enjoy, but the fact that so many people have related to it
and found comfort in it has been overwhelming to me. I just received an e-mail
from a man in Brazil who told me how much the booked helped him reconcile his
sexuality with his spirituality. I think it's something so many of us struggle with,
and maybe that's one of the main reasons for the book's continued success.
CP: And when can we expect your new novel?
SS: Well, that book that I was finishing up last year is almost finished - really, it
is! (Laughs) And, hopefully, it will see the light of day sometime late next year.
It's a satire of the gay book business and its obsession with youth and sex. It's
called Hustle Muscle. I'll keep you posted on its progress.
CP: You had a pretty successful book tour a few months ago as well, I see. What
was that like?
SS: It was great to actually get out there and meet readers of Seventy Times
Seven, although it can be nerve-wracking reading your work in front of a group
of forty people in a bookstore. Many in attendance were people I've chatted with
on My Space and Facebook though, so I saw a lot of friendly faces in the
crowds, and it was fun to actually meet readers in the flesh. I'm so appreciative of
their support and encouragement. Plus, I was happy to see so many thriving gay
bookstores throughout the country.
CP: Share a little about the Saints and Sinners festival.
SS: This was my third time at the festival, and I would encourage all who are
interested in GLBT literature to attend the event in the future. It's really a who's-
who of gay literati. You get to learn from and interact with gay literary legends
like Felice Picano and Michael Cunningham. This year, I attended a workshop
facilitated by Aaron Hamburger on setting; a seminar on characterization run by
Stephen McCauley, who wrote The Object of My Affection; and one on memoir
which was taught by award-winning writer Mark Doty. Let me tell you, I learned
a lot. I also got to hang out with some really cool new friends, like Rich Merritt,
who wrote Confessions of A Gay Marine Porn Star. I'm currently reading his
new book, Code of Conduct, and I'm loving it.
CP: What was it like being back in New Orleans?
SS: Well, as you know, I lived in New Orleans for a number of years, so I
enjoyed visiting with many of my old friends. My partner and I had a bed-and-
breakfast there, which we sold two weeks prior to Hurricane Katrina. I've been
back several times since, and I'm happy to report that the French Quarter just
keeps getting stronger and stronger. It's great to see so many tourists coming
back. I think my old neighborhood, the Faubourg Marigny, looks better than it
ever did. The gay bookstore there, Faubourg Marigny Arts & Books, on
Frenchmen Street is a treasure. New Orleans will always hold a special place in
my heart. It's the city where I wrote Seventy Times Seven.
CP: What’s next for you, Sal?
SS: Right now, I'm looking forward to a busy tourist season here at the bed-and-
breakfast in Saugatuck. After that, I hope to join some of the other Queer &
Catholic writers in touring to promote that book in the fall. I still hope to see
Seventy Times Seven as a film at some point in the near future, too.

Salvatore Sapienza is a man who is making history with his writing. To have
become such a success with his debut novel is something that most writers only
wish they could achieve. In a play on words, I have to say that Sal is seeing a
multiplication of his efforts. From Seventy Times Seven, to his story Fully
Human, Fully Alive, to his next book Hustle Muscle, he is in demand and
enjoying his success to its fullest. Aside from all these accolades, Sal is a nice guy
who has given of himself so that the world can better understand points of view
left of the ordinary. This takes perseverance, determination, and more courage
than most people ever have the nerve to attempt. Salvatore Sapienza is the guy for
the job. The world is a much more colorful place because of him, too.

Sal’s Website: www.70x7book.com

All photos used are courtesy of Salvatore Sapienza

CP: Okay…Now those nosy questions for the fans: How’s life in Saugetuck?
SS: For those who have never heard of it, Saugatuck is a gay resort town on
Lake Michigan, and I can't stop singing its praises. Some have called it the
Provincetown or Fire Island of the Midwest, and, like those places, it's a quiet
and very relaxing town full of quaint boutique stores, antique shops, art galleries,
and restaurants, but it's also home to the largest gay resort in the Midwest and
the spectacular Oval Beach, which Out magazine named as one of the top
beaches in the country. Every summer, there's a Gay Family Week, in which
GLBT parents and their kids come from all over the country. It's a special place.
You really must come visit, Carey.
CP: What have you been doing in your spare time these days?
SS: Now that the summer is upon us, I'm trying to be outdoors as much as
possible. I just bought a bike a few weeks back, and I've been riding it all over
town. It's made me realize that I'm not in as good a shape as I thought I was!
And I've been listening to Madonna's Hard Candy ad nauseum. I love that song
she does with Kanye West.
CP: Read any good books?
SS: As I said earlier, I'm in the middle of Rich Merritt's Code of Conduct, which
is very engaging. Next up is Scott Promfret's Since My Last Confession: A Gay
Catholic Memoir, which is, of course, right up my alley. It's sitting on my night
stand right now, and I can't wait to start it.
CP: Who are some of your favorite authors?
SS: Jay Quinn is one of my favorites. He's written Back Where He Started and
Metes and Bounds. I was lucky enough to have him as my editor on Seventy
Times Seven. I also like Steve Berman's Vintage: A Ghost Story, Lewis
DeSimone's Chemistry, Nick Nolan's Strings Attached, Pat Nelson Child's
Orphans Quest and Eric Arvin's The Rest Is Illusion.
CP: Seen any good movies?
SS: Of course, I was a good gay boy, and saw Sex and the City. (Laughs). I
was actually quite moved by it, and I think Sarah Jessica Parker deserves an
Academy Award nomination next year. Really! I also saw a great independent
film called The Visitor. If it's playing in your town, go see it. You won't be
disappointed. The star, Richard Jenkins, will definitely be nominated come Oscar
time, mark my word.
CP: Still living in flip flops? Ha ha.
SS: Well, lately, I've been wearing what I call these hybrid shoes by Speedo.
They're for land and water. Some of my friends think they're really ugly, but
they're super comfortable. I've actually worn them out, and need to get a new
pair, but my five dollar Old Navy flip flops will always be a mainstay of my
footware wardrobe.
CP: What advice or wisdom can you share with our readers?
SS: Well, this winter I read the Tao Te Ching, the 2,500-year-old work by Lao-
Tzu. I know that sounds very pretentious, but I meditate with it each day, and
I've gained so much wisdom from it. Probably the best known verse is also the
most famous: "Those who know do not talk/Those who talk do not know." I love
that.
CP: What are you most proud of?
SS: Of course, I'm proud of my accomplishments as a writer, but I'm most
proud of my gentleness and sensitivity. Some view these qualities as weakness,
but I know they are my greatest strengths. One of Boy George's recent songs
has a great lyric: "When I was born, they poisoned my mind/They told me to
fight, but I'm not that kind/They said I was weak, I did not mind/It's a case of
the weak leading the blind."
CP: Sal, thanks so much for another wonderful interview!
SS: Well, thanks so much for asking again, Carey. I'm so appreciative of your
interest in my work, and I hope you have a great summer.