The Readers’ Writers: Author KB Cutter
New York state’s KB Cutter is a relatively new author still looking to make his mark. What first snagged my attention is that KB is an active duty police officer who writes romance – edgy, sometimes erotic, always entertaining romance. Next came the realization that the man is a gifted storyteller and avid student of the written word. Add to that an ever-growing fan base, a recent partnering with award-winning author Margie Church, and I knew that I had to ask KB a few questions.
KB isn’t shy about what genres he’s willing to explore. “The Darker Side of Heaven” is a paranormal tale about the clash of light and dark, the reuniting of former lovers (a vampire and an unworldly woman warrior), and a mysterious force behind the scenes. “Undead Reflections” is a short story surrounding a woman filled with a mistrust of life and a nearly uncontrollable need to find love before the zombie horde surrounding the diner she’s trapped in fill their bellies. “Killing Apathy” is the author’s twist of a serial killer with a unique perspective of life in suburbia.
However, it is KB’s collaboration with Margie Church that has produced a story being talked about in many circles. “Razor” follows the desire of a married couple to reconnect in the bedroom. The bondage, domination, and submission play may have started as fun, but husband Bryce is taking his domination role a little too far, and wife Amy has had enough. But Amy doesn’t want to lose her marriage. So, she reaches out for help. Her solution is to bring in a female dominant named Raine to tame Bryce and his growing needs for exploration. And this is where KB and Margie’s partnership excels. The authors took what could have been a trite sexual fantasy and created a psychological tale of questionable motives, mental sparring, and an atmosphere of erotic suspense that keeps the reader on (pardon the pun) a razor’s edge of anticipation with love the ultimate prize.
Q. What prompted you to write romance?
A. Strange happenstance, for it never crossed my mind I would some day write almost exclusively in this genre, until I began to participate in an online creative writing group a few years ago. Most of my writing partners were female, so each story contained an element of romance, no matter what the plot or setting. Eventually, I figured I might have a modicum of talent and felt comfortable enough to submit a story to a publisher. I was fortunate enough to have my submission accepted and a few days later, I was signing a contract with Noble Romance.
Q. How did your collaboration with Margie Church come about?
A. Margie and I became fast friends, so I think an eventual collaboration on a writing project was inevitable. Margie conjured up this fascinating psycho-sexual tale about a dominant male who meets his match with an equally dominant woman. We had an exchange of emails, each taking part in crafting the next scene and we immediately knew it begged to be shown to a wider audience. Through her contacts, “Razor” began a short story in a BDSM themed anthology produced by Sizzler Publications. The publisher wanted us to work Razor into a full-length stand-alone novel. Encouraged by the positive reader response to “Razor,” Sizzler Publications has asked us to make Razor into a trilogy. Margie and I are currently working on book two – “Razor: Love's Storm.”
Q. You’re married. How did your wife take to the decision to write a story as sexually complex as “Razor”?
A. It certainly has the potential to be a thorny problem; however, my wife is supportive of my writing, although admittedly, she is not a 100 percent. Mathematically, she informed me it is more like 97.4 percent. There is the social stigma of writing erotic romance, especially if one is a male. I understand her reservations and her wishes for me to write “something else,” however, it keeps me home and there is hope that one day my royalty checks will pay the mortgage. For now, she's content with them covering the cost of Star Buck's house blend.
Q. Have you considered writing a suspense/thriller like we readers tend to expect from authors with law enforcement experience?
A. I have. I often day dreamed of being the next Wambaugh or following in the footsteps of Ed McBain. It's a tough, crowded market. I may go retro and take a page from Mickey Spillaine's body of work and combine the fists and .45 of Mike Hammer's hard-boiled detective persona and work that concept into a uniquely K.B. Cutter romantic thriller.
Maybe I'll throw in a zombie or two. …
Q. Any parting comments for fans and those yet to read your work?
A. For those who have yet to view my work, please do. You may be pleasantly surprised or disturbed, either way, it stay with you, because I do so enjoy bucking convention.
For my fans, thank you. Without you, dear readers, there would be no joy in my words.
DA Kentner is the author of the award-winning novel “Whistle Pass.” http://whistlepass.blogspot.com/