Templeton and the Missing Maronski
Author: Darcia Helle // Category: General Nonsense, Literary Corner
That was the major story a few weeks ago. Nestor Maronski, the renown reviewer and destroyer of indie books all over the world, disappeared. Maronski is still missing. In my opinion, the Maronski fortune is the only thing continuing to drive the search. Does anyone truly miss the man? If so, I’ve yet to find that person.
My guest today is Dar Templeton, one of the countless indie authors whose career was destroyed by Nestor Maronski. Dar is the author of Day of the Vampire, a book that had attained cult status within the indie movement. That is to say, until Maronski got ahold of it. His scathing review left Dar’s book in a smoldering pile of doggy-do. No one would pick it up, much less read it.
Let’s hear what Dar has to say about Nestor Maronski’s disappearance.
Dar, thank you for joining me here today. I understand that you’ve refused all interview requests by the mainstream media. I appreciate your willingness to speak to the indie world about Nestor Maronski and the steady stream of destruction he has left in his wake.
Your book Day of the Vampire had gained incredible traction as a cult hit within the indie community, until Nestor Maronski gave it one scathing review. After that, your sales plummeted. Why do you think that one man has the power to destroy an author’s career?
I think it’s silly, really. That ONE man can wield so much power. This publishing system we have in place simply must change. Hodgson Publishing put a considerable store of their vast power behind Day of the Vampire and then Maronski’s review of my book hit newstands. They actually had admin. assistants out yanking copies off the shelves. Hodgson has gone under now and my writing career was hit in the backside for a number of years. In a weird way, his disappearance has helped bring me some attention. Hell, I wouldn’t be doing this interview, would I? I think the Maronski fortune is too big. I think he has contacts in nearly every industry associated with big publishing: PR firms, the printers, internet media, of course the vast newspaper network in this country. A man that influential can’t afford to be so opinionated. Less of course, he’s got a personal security force as big as the city’s police department.
In your opinion, what drives Maronski to crucify every indie author he comes across?
Spite. Nestor Maronski is just like his father, Nettles Maronski the third. He has what I call Very Small Man Syndrome. And before you ask, no, I’m not fearful of saying such things. Just look at the Internet. It’s buzzing with people saying the same. It’s like an uprising. People who were once afraid of what that man could do to them are now paying proper homage. If he’s dead, or just in hiding, he must surely be upset with this new kind of infamy he’s gotten.
You have not published anything new since that first book. In fact, you now work as a nurse. Are you happy with your new career?
I love my new career! Helping people, it turns out, is what I was born to do. There’s nothing more gratifying than watching a new mother or a heart surgery patient walk out of my care, looking flush with colour, and feeling so much better than when they were wheeled in. I still write. Every day, in fact. I’m finishing final edits on a new novel about the inner workings of a big city hospital. The drama, the excitement, the cruelty of fate as it decides who will live and who will die. Oh and there’s a twist! Vampires live in the basement of the hospital and subsist on the blood of the patients, late at night. One young male nurse must rise up against an army of them. Look for it this spring! It’s called VR: The Vampire Room.
I can’t wait to read it!
On the day that Maronski was thought to have attempted suicide, I understand that he was brought to the hospital where you are employed. Was he at any time one of your patients?
You know, with all due respect, I’m really getting tired of this question. I know you need to ask it, but for them millionth time…NO! I had called in sick that day. These are just rumours by bloggers and small newspapers trying to pin me to the disappearance. I sound like a broken record, but I’ve been investigated and cleared of any wrong-doing.
What can you tell us about BestsellerRebound.com and topic #777? I looked for this website but it is no longer in existence.
I have no idea what you’re talking about. Sounds really clandestine though, doesn’t it? Just like the one about me being on shift at the hospital when he was brought in, there are so many rumours out there since Maronski went missing. I should use some of them as ideas for my next novel. Maybe vampires took Maronski…
Abduction by vampires is an interesting thought, though highly improbable. What do you think really happened to Nestor Maronski?
Honestly? I think some poor writer like myself probably couldn’t bear what he’d done to them through one of his idiotic reviews. I know it sounds silly to you –you would probably never fully understand unless you’d been ripped by a reviewer– but I think someone probably either has Nestor Maronski…or had Nestor Maronski. I’ll say no more, because I’m just speculating and there is, as I understand it, an open investigation.
If Maronski is in fact dead, will you resume your writing career with the intention of being published?
Already there! My next book, VR: The Vampire Room is being backed by a major publisher but the papers aren’t signed yet so I’m not at liberty to say who today. As I said, it will be a big deal come spring of next year. I have a new website and I’m lined up for an interview with People magazine: The Man Maronski Mangled is the working name of their article. Should be out in January.
Congratulations!
What would you like to say to all of Maronski’s readers, who were led to believe that no indie author was worthy of the time it took to read his or her book?
I’d tell them to go with their gut: if a book sounds good, if you open it and read it and it excites you or pulls on your heartstrings, buy it and read it. If you like it, it doesn’t much matter whether big publishing is responsible for it getting into your hands or not. In the end, it’s about quality. What you think is good. Not whether the Nestor Maronskis of the world thinks it’s legitimate.
***
I understand that two indie authors – Jason McIntyre and Maria Savva – have been commissioned to write Nestor Maronski’s story. Nestor Maronski, the man whose singular mission in life has been to seek and destroy indie authors everywhere, is having his story written by two of those very same indie authors. You have to appreciate the irony in that.
The title and release date of this book will be announced soon. I’m also planning an interview with these two brave indie authors, who have taken on Nestor Maronski and the story of his disappearance.
In the meantime, you can learn more about Nestor Maronski and his disappearance via past interviews:
Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick’s interview with the infamous Nestor Maronski, done just prior to Maronski’s disappearance: http://thetaleisthething.blogspot.com/2010/11/megaphone-for-small-mind.html
Jaleta Clegg’s interview with the indie author Richard Jameson: http://jaletaclegg.blogspot.com/2010/12/monday-nestor-maronski-noted-book.html
Calum, otherwise known as The Secret Writer, has an interview with Russell Flemming, who was once thought to be a friend to Nestor Maronski: http://thesecretwriterblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/news-scoop-renowned-book-critic.html
Stay tuned for updates on Nestor Maronski’s whereabouts, as well as the upcoming book detailing the events leaving up to his disappearance, written by Jason McIntyre and Maria Savva.
Thanks for reading. 
