Former IVP reporter launches his first novel
SAN DIEGO — Former Imperial Valley Press sports reporter and El Centro native Michael Dukes can now add the title “published novelist” to his list of accomplishments.
Duke’s western, “The Avenging Angels,” was released by Five Star Publishing on Aug. 16. According to a synopsis on Amazon.com, the book tells the story of a former Confederate cavalry captain who leads a gang of outlaws being pursued by two Texas Rangers and a pair of Pinkerton detectives, while he also contends with an old enemy.
In a telephone interview, Dukes said he’s been formally writing western novels for several years. By combining it with his work as a journalist, Dukes attended writers’ conferences in Los Angeles and San Diego, where he familiarized himself with the work and listened to recommendations from experts in the literary industry.
During one of these meetings he met his future editor, Jean Jenkins, who helped him develop the book.
However, for a year due to personal and work commitments, Dukes temporarily stepped away from the project. It wasn’t until October 2016 that he again had contact with his editor, who helped put the final touches to his first novel.
Jenkins explored several publishing options before finally settling on Five Star Publishing, a small press specializing in westerns and historical fiction.
This company, which releases about three western-themed books a month, responded quickly, within a three months of his query.
“It was great news for me. It was the first publishing house that answered me,” he said.
In the conferences he attended, the experts had urged the writers not to give up in the face of constant rejection, which could be disheartening, so he admits he was surprised how quickly the manuscript found a publisher.
Dukes said this is not his first literary work, noting that he has been writing practically his entire life. He became interested in westerns in fifth grade at McCabe Elementary School. Not only did he watch films of that genre, but he often went to the library to explore the subject.
Dukes said that if everything goes well with his first book, he will try his hand at another novel, which could be a sequel to the first or reworking one of his unpublished manuscripts.
What is clear is that he’s interested in much more than westerns and has thought of exploring historical fiction and stories featuring detectives, the colonial era, pirates and others.
The writer said storytelling is in his family’s blood. Both of his grandfathers enjoyed writing and telling stories without ever having their work published.
In addition to the support of his parents, the young author was especially encouraged to enter the literary world by his paternal grandfather, Kenneth Dukes, a member of the Imperial County Sheri ’s O ce. Unfortunately, his grandfather died before seeing his grandson published as a book author.
Not everyone was particularly encouraging when Dukes first revealed his intentions to become a writer. He said some urged him to get a job that would bring him more financial stability.
“I understand that,” he said, adding that family members never discouraged him but rather nourished his writing and creativity.
After being a sports journalist with the Imperial Valley Press, Dukes decided to make a change and took a job as copywriter for an off-road online retailer called AutoAnything.
For Dukes, the roles of author and reporter are vastly different, since the first one depends on inspiration and dedicating time to writing in a way that is very personal.
Dukes has read many authors of different genres; however, it was Louis L’Amour, famous writer of the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, who died in 1988, who inspired him to pursue western novels.
For those who wish to follow this path, the author recommends putting time aside to write, read and familiarize themselves with other authors and their works, and find their own voice.
He also recommends attending literature conferences and writers’ conventions.
“Explore. Just do it,” he said, adding that aspiring literati should also seek other’s opinions about their works.
The author personally thanked his family, wife and friends, who urged him to start on the path of writing.
“It’s good to make money from what you like to do, but it is more exhilarating when other people like what you write,” he said.
Dukes ended with a message from his favorite author, who said, “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”