This is a sensitive subject for me to admit because I wasn’t raised to make excuses. If I fail…the last thing I ever want is to say is, it’s because the system is rigged against me. Sounds like a cop-out, an excuse to make you feel better for your own lack of talent, determination, or ability.
But…now that it’s 2026 and becoming a best-seller isn’t my “everything” the way it used to be, I think it’s about time to speak up on an issue I’ve known for well over ten years.
With the exception of Non-Fiction Books (think self-help, biographies, books on religion, politics, and psychology, etc) the Book Publishing Industry favors Female Authors and is biased Against Men.
Some of you already know this, but there are those who don’t and those who deny it. I’m talking to those people.
Here, we sit down for a candid interview with the Author of a provocative action thriller called “The Perennial War of Paramours”.
Based in the Tampa Bay Area, Rock Kitaro reveals his inspiration for the story, how the culture of 2017 shaped his ideas, and a little bit about his background as author. It was really interesting to see how he started out as a Screenwriter and carried what he learned in the film industry over to the Publishing industry. Check him out!
During my 20s, I obsessed over two main goals. One was to lose weight after getting up to 378lbs. I succeeded in getting down to 220. The other was to become a published author, and not just “any” published author. I wanted to be the best. The kind future generations had to write reports about in school.
Just recently, a friend asked me why I had given up on that goal. It’s difficult to explain without sounding like I’ve straight-up failed. It’s understandable to assume I was using the Bible as an excuse, as if to say I couldn’t hack it in the world of publishing. Because he asked a good question.
“What does reading the Bible have to do with you not succeeding as an author? It’s not like you’re doing drugs or committing a crime. Are you saying God doesn’t approve of authors or success?”
He didn’t ask those questions to offend me. I could tell he was genuinely seeking to understand. Truth is, I haven’t given up on that goal. The difference between 34-year-old Rock and 24-year-old Rock is that it’s no longer the priority. It’s still high up there. But once upon a time, nothing else mattered more.
First off, you have to understand that being a Christian is voluntary. Reading the Bible and believing in Christ’s teachings is something we “choose” to do. So as I begin, I’d like you to keep these critical scriptures in mind.
In Matthew 19:16-23. A rich young man asks Jesus, “What must I do to have eternal life?” Since he was a boy, the young man has kept the commandments. He didn’t steal. He didn’t commit murder. He honored his mother and father. So what commandment must he do to have eternal life?
In verse 21, Jesus answered, “Sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me.”
What I’m about to reveal will probably make me sound like a sociopath. Method Actors do it all the time and it seems accepted. However, for an author, because projects we work on can take months if not years…I understand why it might be difficult to maintain a relationship with us.
It’s been over a year since I’ve created a new story. In 2019, I was 32-years-old and after committing myself to books and screenplays for a decade, decided to commit myself to other aspects of adult life…like advancing in a corporate job, becoming a homeowner, and building relationships with real people. In that, 2019 was a success. I’ve progressed and accomplished everything I set out to do.
But still…Despite everything I’ve done, I confess that nothing on earth has given me greater pleasure than escaping to another world and writing down everything I see. I can’t overstate this enough. 2019 has been the longest I’ve gone without creating anything new, and while I am happy…I don’t feel fulfilled. Yes, I’ve written critical essays here and there…but fiction is where it’s at.
Everything else just seems ephemeral. I know that one day I will die and memories of me will fade. I’m just a tenant on this earth. The condo I bought will belong to someone else. My money and possessions will be given to someone else or discarded. And if last summer has taught me anything when a co-worker took his own life…people’s perception of who you are, is pretty much whatever they want it to be, regardless if it’s true. Continue Reading
I know people think that in the future we’ll have flying cars and teleportation machines. While it would be nice if people really thought about and poured money into those ridiculous problem-causing types of inventions, everyone knows that war has always been history’s biggest moneymaker. Sure ideas and ambition can drive men to strive for improvement. But in the year 2202, the people who really stand up to make a change…those people fully believe in the idea that fighting solves everything.
As expected, a lot has changed from 2012 to 2202. The United States, once a country built on democracy and expressed freedoms, has turned into a machine controlled by men who have never stepped foot in front of cameras. The ones dancing in front of podiums and giving manufactured speeches are puppets held by the strings of corporations and investors. The renaming of the United States of America to the United Empire of America was a joke. America is still one of the most influential countries in the world, but the real power comes from private corporations that act on their own independent constitutions.
Just in case you’ve happened to stumble on this website without me actually giving you a link to it, thanks for visiting, obviously.
But I wanted to let you know that I already have a boatload of content written and ready to be put up. But I’m kind of new towards the whole online publishing stuff. So, I’m taking my time and doing it right. Better so than going in haphazardly and what not.
I plan to start with the “Original Stories” Page.
I’m writing quick summaries of the stories I already have written and plan to put up. So far, I have five of them. And once you read the summaries, you’ll be drooling at the mouth to see more. But never fear. I work tirelessly to put it out there.
After I put up the summaries of the stories, I want to post the character bios of those stories in the “Character Bios” page. And its not just character bios, but I’ve also found photos of actors and famous celebrities who I’d cast if I were to make the stories into a live production. I did this to help stimulate your imagination so you can see the characters in your head when you’re reading about them. Alright! Here I go. I hope you’re rooting for me.
Stage In The Sky 