Brendan Slocumb

Interview by Angela Anderson

Extending the Universal Language of Music from Concert Halls to Classrooms to Books

Brendan Slocumb was born in Yuba City, California, and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in music education, with a concentration in Violin and Viola. While at UNCG, Brendan was the concertmaster for the University Symphony orchestra and served as the principal violist.

Brendan has dedicated twenty-plus years to both public and private school music education from kindergarten through twelfth grade, teaching general music, orchestra, and guitar ensembles. Through music, Brendan developed a work ethic that he consciously makes an effort to instill in his students so that they can experience the joys of what music can do for us all with its built-in universal language. This musical extraordinaire even has a rock band, which he enjoys performing with, and even has written original songs for, Geppetto’s Wüd.

Fast forward to the summer of 2020, during the pandemic, Brendan found himself with the time to focus on writing. Although he had written before, none of his work had ever been published. Add to that the traumatization, heartache, and pain felt across the United States caused by the murder of George Floyd. The aftermath of the racial reckoning brought about a realization that people in the world were becoming more receptive to looking at the realness of racism and discrimination that exist. This, in part, inspired Brendan to write a novel based on his reality and path as a Black classical musician growing up in the South. The inspiration for his debut novel began to take shape. As the characters created melodies and notes in his head traveling down to his fingertips, Brendan birthed his debut novel, The Violin Conspiracy, in roughly two months. His debut novel was the February 2022 GMA Book Club Pick.

A musician, music teacher, fitness buff, comic book collector, and now author are just a few things to describe the eclecticness of Brendan Slocumb. Brendan has found his flow and has no signs of slowing down when it comes to bringing riveting stories to the masses to enjoy.

Angela Anderson: When did you know that you wanted to become an author?

Brendan Slocumb: I’ve always read comic books and have always put words on paper. Over the past years, I’ve dabbled at writing novels. But it wasn’t until the pandemic, when I had too much time on my hands, that I decided to get serious about writing.

AA: What do you enjoy about writing and creating stories?

BS: It’s extraordinarily amazing to watch ideas and words and scenes in my head come to life on the page. It’s incredibly rewarding.

AA: How would you describe your writing style?

BS: Solid book club fiction that’s hopefully entertaining and fun to read.

AA: Do you have any quirky writing habits or must-haves when you are in your writing flow?

BS: I have to have the TV on – I function better when I’m not working in total silence. Definitely no classical music, though – that distracts me because I’m constantly analyzing it.

AA: What was one surprising thing you learned about yourself during the writing process?

BS: I learned that I had to be vulnerable when I write. In order to make the scenes and people ring true on the page, I had to put myself on the page with them – quirks and weaknesses, too. That was pretty scary to do, and I’m still struggling to get used to doing it regularly.

AA: You released your debut novel during the month of February 2022, The Violin Conspiracy. What was the inspiration behind this story?

BS: I’ve been walking around with stories to tell for most of my life. I know, being in the classical music world, that there are a lot of people just like me, with similar stories, and we’ve never had the opportunity to tell them before. Nobody really cared how hard it was to play the violin or felt sorry for me if I couldn’t take private lessons. Which is fine: I don’t need people to feel sorry for me. But they didn’t seem to want to hear what I faced, as a Black man. My perspective was vastly different from what they were used to, and by “different,” it seemed that it also meant that my perspective was wrong. When I told people about things that happened in my life, people would say, “No you’re exaggerating, no that doesn’t happen, absolutely not.” Finally, the tragic events of 2020 made it seem like this was a moment when I could tell my stories and that people would actually listen to me, acknowledge my experiences, and not deny that my perspective was as valid as theirs.

AA: The Violin Conspiracy is also a GMA Book Club Pick. What was your reaction to this amazing encounter?

BS: I was stunned, humbled, and absolutely thrilled. It was the most exciting experience of my life: seeing my face in Times Square, being interviewed in – and playing on the stage of – Carnegie Hall: there’s never been anything like it. I’m still in disbelief that all of this is actually happening.

AA: If you could describe The Violin Conspiracy in three words, what would they be? BS: Fast-paced, heartfelt.

AA: You have written your first novel and currently working on your second. What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring authors?

BS: Put in the work every day. 1000 words a day, minimum. No excuses, no procrastinating. Even if the 1000 words are terrible, they’re something – and having them written down, glowing on your screen, will mean the next day you’ll have a place to start and edit them and make them better.

AA: June is the month we celebrate Father’s Day. Who is an influential man in your life and how has he helped shape and mold you into the man you are today?

BS: My younger brother, who passed away last year, and to whom I dedicated The Violin Conspiracy, showed me what it was to be a good big brother. He wanted to follow in my footsteps, so I always tried to set a good example for him.

AA: When you think of fathers and father figures, what comes to mind?

BS: My students have told me that I was their father figure. Even kids with two parents in their home, my students always felt like they could come to me and that I’d keep their confidences. And that’s what a good father figure means to me: someone authoritative, but approachable.

AA: When you are not writing, what can we find you doing?

BS: Collecting comics and exercising.

AA: What is next for Brendan Slocumb?

BS: I’ve finished writing my next book and currently doing the final edits on it now – and I can’t wait to start my third novel!

AA: How can we stay connected with you?

BS: I am active on social media. You can stay connected with me on Instagram at BrendanSlocumb, Twitter at Brendan_Slocumb, and Facebook, Brendan.Slocumb.