Inside Martin
The Official Website of Novelist Martin Lastrapes
My name is Martin Lastrapes and I’m a novelist. I grew up in the Inland Empire, an eclectic region of Southern California with a rich history that nobody knows about, including most of the people who live there. Despite growing up in the region that birthed the Hell’s Angels, housed the first McDonald’s restaurant and is one of the foremost manufacturers and suppliers of crystal meth, I spent the great majority of my childhood watching professional wrestling and reading comic books, when I wasn’t busy avoiding homework or wondering when I should begin my evolution of becoming Batman.
In 2003 I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Creative Writing and in 2006 I earned a Master’s Degree in Composition, both from California State University, San Bernardino. While I loved the time I spent as an undergrad, I often reflect on graduate school as three years I will never get back. But, despite the hellish experience of graduate school, I have happily parlayed my academic résumé into a career as an English professor. During the course of my teaching career, which began in 2006, I have been praised by many of my students, who, in conjunction with RateMyProfessor.com, have offered such glowing reviews as:
i never went to class, he never calls role and I received an A+. he is extremely sexy and vegan.
and
His class is easy, but very boring. you by 2 books & never have to use the expensive one. He’s a hottie too! & he reads these comments.
My writing has been published in various literary journals and websites, such as The Pacific Review and L.A. Voice. In 2004, I won awards for my short fiction from the Cal Poly Writer’s Conference, as well as the California Writer’s Club. I’m also a professional blogger. But, in the end, where it concerns writing, my primary focus and passion is on being a novelist. My debut novel, Inside the Outside, was published in July of 2011 and, in 2012, it won the Grand Prize in the Paris Book Festival.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: martin.lastrapes@gmail.com
Fan my author pages @ Facebook and GoodReads
Follow me on Twitter @MartinLastrapes
2 Responses to “About Me”
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Hi Martin
I found your interview with your brother and laughed myself silly. Well, not really, but I did think it was an imaginative and novel way to get out your information. I have finished my historical novel and am sending it to be edited. This is after four years. Glad my children didn’t take that long to birth. Anyway I was most interested in your comments about self publishing as there are many pluses. Thanks for your informative input and for the chuckles.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview, Elaine! And congratulations on completing your historical novel. I can only imagine how much research must have gone into that manuscript. As far as self-publishing goes, there really are many, many advantages. If you ever want to exchange notes, just shoot me an email.