Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Lewis
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I found my passion for writing when I was in the fourth grade. I mainly kept my writing to myself. I would come and go to my writing over the years, but in 2017 I incurred a back injury that nearly left me paralyzed. I reevaluated my life and found I was living my life for everyone else and started living my life for myself. I started writing short stories again, posting on various reading platforms and found that people really enjoyed my writing. I launched my site filled with short stories and grew my following. I attempted to write and publish two books on my own. Because I didn’t know what I was doing and didn’t know how to market them, they fell flat. I returned to focusing on my stories on my site. In 2020 I began writing a specialized web series, this is also the time I answered a writer audition to write for the adult film studios Icon Male and Noir Male. In all, I wrote over 30 scripts for Noir Male and 4 for Icon male. By November of 2020, I finished my specialized web series and liked the story so much, I decided to try and have it published before putting it out for the world. I submitted my manuscript in December of 2020, and I was signed in January of 2021. While working on my second book for my Someone Series, I started writing the first book in my Shadow Guardian series. From there I started focusing on my writing, building my Instagram, X (Twitter then) and TikTok following. In July of 2023, after posting a video review of one of Luxxxe Studios movies, they approached me to join their team in helping promote their movies as the Luxxxe Studios Insider. It was because of my position with them that gave me the opportunity for the 25th Annual Grabby Awards to be their first ever red-carpet correspondent where I got to interview some of the biggest names in the gay adult film industry. I now have 7 books out, 2 more releasing later in 2024, offers to write more movies and I have several new series planned out.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not been a smooth road. When I was growing up, the self-publishing industry wasn’t what it is today. Writing was a dream, something you did for fun, but you really couldn’t expect the success of people like Anne Rice or Stephen King. I was mainly focused on trying to find a career to survive with writing always taking a back seat to taking care of my family. It wasn’t until I sustained a back injury, and I was scared to death I wouldn’t be able to support my family or myself that I really delved back into writing. It’s a scary thing putting your art out there for other to criticize, but I did. Yes, people tore my work apart, but people also loved it. Even after having my first book rejected from multiple publishers, I had faith in my writing and kept on. After being signed and releasing my first book with my publisher, I did get imposter syndrome. I almost gave up again. I honestly wasn’t telling people I was a writer or author then. Now I say it proudly, and I do my best to help encourage people to follow their dreams.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m known for several things. My Someone Series follows a group of gay adult film stars as they try to live their lives and find love along the way. My Shadow Guardian Series is my LatinX MM superhero series where I get to celebrate my heritage, culture, show off my sense of humor and be all inclusive with BIPOC and LGBTQIA representation. With Luxxxe Studios I am known for my video reviews.
I know being the red-carpet correspondent for the 25th Annual Grabby America Awards, but what I am proudest of is when I do things like book fairs and conventions, and LGBTQIA youth come up to my table. I can see their trepidation and I make them feel at ease, feel seen and be a positive experience for them. Seeing their faces light up when I talk to them is amazing. Whether they bought a book or not, those are my proudest moments because I get to see their faces light up.
That’s what I think sets me apart from others. Being nice. I’m a firm believer that we rise together, and I support everyone I can without any expectations. I repost, encourage and promote all that I can. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was struggling to get my work out. People are surprised about that, because everyone is so used to people wanting something from you. This has helped me build some great friendships.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am actually lucky to be alive. I didn’t find out until I was older, but it really put my life in perspective and inspired me to experience life. When I was baby there was an outbreak of spinal meningitis. I was infected and for six months I was in a coma. They didn’t think I would live, but the doctor wouldn’t give up on me. They ran out of places to put an IV in me so he had them put the IV in my head. I was one of the few babies that recovered and when I woke up, I said my first word to my mother, “Mama.” At least that is how the story was told to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://robert-j-lewis.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorrobertjlewis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077175596186
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Robbylewis77
- Other: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51124.Robert_J_Lewis
