Hidden Gems: a Conversation with Alex Rogers

Author Alex Rogers

Alex gave his interview like he gave his story. Hands moving, eyes holding the attention of his audience, I had never heard a reading quite like Alex’s Anxiety Mi Amor. It began with silly excitement and, much in the spirit of Chuck Palahniuk, suddenly and surprisingly divulged into terror and mystery. 

The literary balance that Alex achieves in this piece is impressive. It juxtaposes the not-so-serious demeanor of Pete Dwindle, the main character, with a deathly serious subject matter. The piece showcases a mastery of tone and humor that are able to hold together this contradiction. “My favorite things in writing are the two ‘Fs,” Alex told me, “Funny and fucked up.” 

These skills are not chanced upon; Alex has been writing his whole life. He even has a writers’ group, which he credited for helping him pioneer his passionate reading style. Alex explained how the group helps him to “see what works, what doesn’t work,” but also how the writers in his group empower each other. 

Alex first began publishing his work this past summer. If you want more than Anxiety Mi Amor, which can be found on the Santa Barbara Literary Journal website, Alex is currently working on a novella titled Rogue Helicopter Pilot. 

“Sometimes, if I’m very lucky, my characters talk to me.” There are very few authors bold enough to talk to characters like Pete Dwindle, and fewer yet that are willing to tell their stories.

Alex Rogers is a deep-sea diver of an author; he pulls from the nooks and crannies of society and polishes them into delightful tales. I can’t wait for the next gem by Rogers to surprise me from the get-go.  

Check out Alex’s story, Anxiety, Mi Amor, in our Fiction section.