We were lucky to catch up with Cutter Slagle recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cutter , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?

Interestingly enough, I haven’t had to ask my friends and family to support my writing. For the most part, the people closest to me have always supported me–on their own. Some have come to book signings, purchased copies of my novels, left reviews online, or simply shared social media posts to help spread awareness of my various writing projects.

Generally speaking, I don’t think it’s wrong to ask for support from your friends and family–but once or twice, don’t nag or beg. However, I truly believe that friends and family who care, will support your endeavors without be asking to.

Cutter , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Cutter Slagle, and I’m a writer. I write a column for an LGBTQ+ magazine, as well as crime fiction novels. I started writing my first novel when I was 12 years old, and I think a couple of different things led to me becoming an author, specifically an author in the crime fiction space. First, I grew up in the suburbs of Ohio. I was blessed to live on a cul-de-sac with lots of other kids. As such, we were always outside, making up games, creating our own fun. In my mind (which can be a scary place!), my childhood was very much like The Goonies or an episode of Stranger Things, giving me a passion for mystery. Additionally, my mom introduced the joy of reading to me at a young age, beginning with R.L. Stine’s Goosebump novels, The Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew, and the Hardy Boys. I officially finished the first draft of my first novel in high school, and then when it came time to go to college and choose a major, I knew I wanted to pursue writing. I had an amazing professor my freshman year of college at The Ohio State University, and he helped guide me the next four years, making me not just a better writer, but a storyteller. After having a handful of short stories published for various online publications and self-publishing a murder-mystery anthology, a traditional, small press publishing house picked up my first novel (the one I started drafting when I was 12) in 2015. That same publisher published my second crime fiction novel, ‘Til Death, in 2016. Once my contract expired, I decided to re-release these two novels myself in 2023 and 2024 via Kindle Direct Publishing, which can be viewed on my website: cutterslagle.com. Today, I’m working on a new novel, one that leans towards psychological suspense. When it comes to writing, be it a column, blog article, or novel, my main goal is to entertain people. I just want readers to be able to escape their lives for a bit.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first started pursuing publishing, I was completely against self-publishing. Obviously, I’ve re-thought or unlearned that perspective. I had this mindset that if I wasn’t solely traditionally published, then I wasn’t a real writer or a professional writer. This is simply not true. Now, I truly believe that if you write, regardless of length, genre, or publication credentials, then you’re a writer.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is and has always been to be a full-time fiction writer. I’m lucky to have full-time work outside of the fiction space (I write a column for a magazine and work with a couple of marketing firms, handling all content needs i.e. copywriting), but the ultimate goal that keeps pushing me forward is to support myself fully (and healthy!) writing crime fiction novels.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cutterslagle.com
• Instagram: @cutterslagle
• Facebook: Writer: Cutter Slagle
• Other: TikTok: @CutterSlagle

Image Credits

Steve Smith
Vedder Slagle
Gabriel Anthony Patterson
Carlo Fiorillo
Rage Monthly