The Wasteland: The Secret Life of T.S. Eliot

The Wasteland is a controversial new novel by Author Harper Jameson that puts T.S. Eliot's sexuality in the spotlight.

In The Wasteland, Author Harper Jameson brings readers into the extraordinary mind of T.S. Eliot as he rises from an obscure bank clerk to the world's most famous poet. The book explores his profound struggle to accept his sexuality. It weaves a narrative inspired by Eliot's poems, his letters, and his iconic characters, and is as much a meditation on art, intolerance, and demagoguery as it is a story about the poet's life.

T.S. Eliot's sexuality has never been settled, historically. In fact, Eliot publicly denied being gay, then burned nearly all letters that might have contradicted this. But on January 2, 2020, over 1100 letters written by Eliot were published by Princeton University. Emily Hale, the recipient of these letters, donated them with the instruction to publish them 50 years after she and Eliot died. They give insight into Eliot's true character, a side of him shut off from the public.

In The Wasteland, Eliot begins as a hollow man trapped in the dreary world of a London bank in the 1920s. One day Eliot intervenes to save a man being badly beaten. He discovers Jack, an out and proud gay man. Jack introduces Eliot to the gay underground and unleashes a torrent of creativity that begins to transform his life.

Meanwhile, lovable but naïve Vivienne is also falling in love with Eliot. Eliot finds that as his fame increases, pressure for conformity increases as well. Religious intolerance, increasing Fascist inspired anti-gay violence, and an ever brighter public spotlight push him to sacrifice.

The Wasteland is the untold story of T.S. Eliot.

FASHIONADO

Mistress Suffragette: Exclusive Interview with Author Diana Forbes

The Movement that

Defined FASHION in

America: Exclusive

Interview with Author Diana Forbes

Out Now:

A young woman without prospects at a ball in Gilded Age Newport, Rhode Island is a target for a certain kind of "suitor." 

At the Memorial Day Ball during the Panic of 1893, impoverished but feisty Penelope Stanton draws the unwanted advances of a villainous millionaire banker who preys on distressed women, the incorrigible Edgar Daggers.

Over a series of encounters, he promises Penelope the financial security she craves, but at what cost?

Skilled in the art of flirtation, Edgar is not without his charms, and Penelope is attracted to him against her better judgment.

Initially, as Penelope grows into her own in the burgeoning early Women's Suffrage Movement, Edgar exerts pressure, promising to use his power and access to help her advance.

But can he be trusted, or are his words part of an elaborate mind game played between him and his wife?

During a glittering age where a woman's reputation is her most valuable possession, Penelope must decide whether to compromise her principles for love, lust, and the allure of an easier life.

Diana Forbes has single handedly captivated the historic movement in America in a way that has shaped how we live and see fashion today. In this riveting novel we get a first hand look of a time in America where trends in fashion defined how we look towards who we are a individuals. I was able to catch up with Diana in New York City where we discussed not only fashion but also her novel Mistress Suffragette. 

Because this is a work of historical fiction how did the whole suffrage movement, particularly in women's fashion come about?

There was a movement on the hemlines of the women’s suffrage movement, called The Rational Dress Movement – a push for clothes that were breathable. Corsets were often so tight that they hurt women’s ability to breathe. The problem for most women at the time was that, while they agreed that traditional clothing was hard to wear (and weighty!), the alternatives were ugly. Amelia Bloomer was laughed at for trying to bring trousers into fashion. In my debut novel, Mistress Suffragette, I explore The Rational Dress Movement. One of the characters is for it, and the other, my protagonist, is not.

What were some of the fashion trends at the time that inspired such a huge movement In fashion and in culture? 

My novel takes place in the 1890’s. At the time, there was a grudging recognition of the fact that women needed to wear easier, more breathable clothing to ride bicycles. There was a push toward more athleticism. Gradually, the trousers a woman wore to pursue athletic activities became less outrageous looking. Another huge trend was the push towards industrialization, and in particular, ready-to-wear clothing. Women started going to department stores to buy their clothes instead of having them hand crafted my dressmakers.

What was the inspiration behind Mistress Suffragette and how did you become an author? 

I have always been a history buff, and many of my ancestors lived in America during the time period in which the novel takes place. I am lucky because my ancestors left letters and photographs, so I have a record of their stories. Two of my ancestors were tailors living in New York City. In terms of becoming an author, I wrote poems at the age of 6, a diary from the age of ten on, articles for the school newspaper from age 12 on. It’s been an evolution!

Because Mistress Suffragette is such a well-written, thought out novel, I am curious as to how long did it take you to write it and more so to research out the facts that tie into the story line.

Thank you for the nice sentiment. From the idea through publication, the novel took me five years. I am going to tack on two additional years for the research. I read a lot of fiction that was written at the time as well as non-fiction about the time period. I visited each building that still exists in my novel. I also searched for items, such as menus, letters, and periodicals to give the story a more authentic feel.

If there is one message that you would like to share with fans of your writing and those interested in learning more about Mistress Suffragette what would it be and why?

 The novel examines whether it’s possible to be independent and in love, of if you have to sacrifice one for the other.

Do you envision Mistress Suffragette on film and if so who would your top three picks be to play the main character role. 

Yes, I feel the book should either be a film or possibly a made-for-TV series. I would love for a young ingénue to come along and make a name for herself with this fantastic role! 

What’s next for your writing? Do you see a sequel in the future or will you be writing another incredible work to add to an already compelling story? 

Thank you for asking. I am writing the sequel now. I love my characters, and there are some new ones in Book Two! 

*Bonus Question: You live in one of the busiest cities in the world, when you aren't writing what are some of the things you enjoy doing for fun? 

I live and write in Manhattan. I love to explore the buildings where my ancestors lived, loved, survived, and thrived. Beyond that, I enjoy throwing parties, and dancing. One day I hope to master the quadrille.

Follow Diana Forbes and Read Mistress Suffragette Today:

fashionado

Exclusive Interview with Best-selling Author Dan Tito Davis

A real-life memoir "Gringo:

My Life on the Edge as an

International Fugitive"
 

The Drug Game From The Inside: Dan "Tito" Davis comes from a town in South Dakota that's so small everyone knows their neighbor's cat's name. But once he got out, he made some noise. While at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, he started manufacturing White Crosses, aka speed, and soon had the Banditos Motorcycle Club distributing ten million pills a week.

Life On The Run: After serving a nickel, he got into the weed game, but just when he got going, he was set up by a childhood friend. Facing thirty years, Davis slipped into Mexico, not knowing a word of Spanish, which began a thirteen-year odyssey that led him to an underground hideout for a Medellin cartel, through the jungles of the Darien Gap, the middle of Mumbai's madness, and much more.

The Ultimate Fugitive Story: Tito didn’t have a mega-mansion filled with pretty girls and expensive cars. He survived in the Third World facing adversity at every turn. Millions of dollars came and went as Tito stayed one step ahead of the Feds and the Federales.

A Must Read Provocative Page Turner! Buy TODAY -

INTERVIEW WITH DAN TITO DAVIS:

Your story is remarkable. On your travels, prior to getting arrested what where some of the places that you saw yourself traveling to and why?

I was forced to do this. I was setup on a crime I didn't commit. I was going to do life for something I had nothing to do with. It was because of my prior record. Prior to getting arrested, I was thinking like every other typical American. You go on vacation... you go back home. When you go on a permanent vacation and need to create a new home, you are doing reverse immigration. You need papers and I didn't even have a name. You need a name to get started. You need an ID . Once you're in a country for a few weeks or a couple months depending on where you are, you can't legally work. It's the same problems that Latinos or other immigrants face
here in the states. When I was out traveling as a tourist, I never thought about that.
But when you're a fugitive, everything is about ID. You can't do anything, even entering a school. My first ID was under the name Jeff as a student actually since it was the easiest one to get.

Fast forward to the day of the arrest. How did it all go down? Was it something like the movies where you get surrounded and where do you feel there is so much fascination with crime stories these days.

I was kidnapped, I was not arrested. I was walking through the restaurant in my resort in Venezuela with one of my buddies. The place was sold out and I was trying to get him accommodations at another hotel. I looked out and saw some large guys with slacks sitting at the tables. Not exactly dressed for the beach. Then I saw three suburbans with dark tinted windows which was the same vehicle that the undercover Federalis used down there. I knew when I saw this it wasn't going to be good. I walked outside and these guys got up and grabbed me, wrestled me down with pistols to my back and threw a black bag over my head. They tossed me in the back of one of the suburbans and we went for a wild ride. I never saw a judge or pled my
case in front of jury, I was just shipped back to the U.S. Within a few days I ended up in a jail cell back in Miami. It hasn't been the same since. When you're actually out there, it's not like the movies. Your heart hits an indescribable pain. I didn't see the sun for months, my hair turned white, and I was using a soggy toilet paper roll as a pillow.

Your book 'Gringo' is an international bestseller. Why do you feel the public as such a fascination with your story and the experiences you have faced on your journey?

My book Gringo went wild when the ebook came out. When the print book came out we got a lot of good reviews but when ebook came out it went #1 on Amazon in several categories. I think the reason the public is fascinated by the story is because most people haven't lived it. I've done things that almost nobody else has. I was a white midwesterner surviving on my wits after being forced out of my home country.

I did a quick check I saw that there is movie titled Gringo. I kind of feel that it’s a quick rendition and yours is the real deal, but from your own words what’s the difference?

If I didn't run I was going to be doing life in prison. I got my "get out of jail free card" once and I wasn't going to mess it up. I didn't drink, I didn't do drugs and I didn't break the law. I took it very seriously. I enrolled in several universities in Latin America where I studied languages and business trying to get contacts for a new life. I was fortunate enough to have funds to get me through it. Interestingly enough, I was fully self-rehabilitated while I was on the run. It was a wild journey. When you leave the country with only your wits you can do a million things right but one thing wrong and you're screwed. The book is only about 300 pages but the manuscript I
wrote in prison was about 800 pages. It's scary and lonely being on the run. For example, if someone is speaking English I would immediately turn and go the other way. You try to avoid anyone who is breaking the law and could put your freedom in danger regardless of your personal connection to them. Like when I was living with the cartel in Medellin, they were my friends but I knew their lifestyle was putting my freedom in danger. It was constantly spooky.

Obviously in prison, orange is the new black. Being locked up for 20+ years is no small task. I am sure that fashion trends have changed over the years, what was the biggest shock for you when you finally got out and walked the streets of life to see people again and their fashion tastes.

As far as fashion trends people seem to be way more out of shape. Back then it seemed like 200 pounds was big, now it's 300 pounds. Everything also seems much more casual. You don't see suits anymore. When I was on the prison bus leaving the FCC in Miami, I was looking out of the window and saw much bigger, more casually dressed people. Everyone is dressed for comfort these days and that aspect seems like a switch for the best in my opinion.

Bonus Question: I see from your Instagram that you are traveling the world on a book tour. What's that experience like and tell us how you got into the travel business? Lets face it, some of the places you are visiting aren't necessarily hot travel destinations, its almost as if we are watching a season of Anthony Bourdain.

I've been on a world book tour after my book hit #1 on Amazon. I went around the world in 53 days and met a lot of interesting people like the Dalai Lama. Originally, I went to the hot cities like New York City, Paris, Tokyo, and Los Angeles. But I preferred going off the beaten path and away from where most people go. Everyone has gone on the mainstream routes. I thought I would garner more interest in places where nobody goes. I wanted to hit the spots less traveled and get some culture shock while promoting my book. I enjoy being off the beaten path and having new
experiences. I enjoy seeing different cultures and not just doing "canned tourism."

For example, when I was in Nicaragua I did some volcano surfing where I met a writer named Morgan who introduced me to the Young Pioneer Tours. I found out about their Pilipino Crucifixion tour and I decided to sign up for it. The founder of that company, Gaz, was leading the tour and we hit it off. I enjoyed it so much that I immediately went off to their Unrecognized Countries tour which I am on right now. It's been amazing. I love traveling so the second the federal judge let me off parole, I immediately went to the passport office so I could travel the world legally, this was the first time I could get a US Passport in my own name in 33 years!! I went to Mexico to get my teeth fixed then off to Cuba. I love hitting the places on the fringe
and I think they're more intriguing for the people who follow me on social media and
my new travel blog at DanTitoDavis.com.

fashionado