Lifestyle

Bestselling and Award Winning Author Lee Mathew Goldberg Discusses His Latest Work, The Ancestor

Published

4 years ago

November 12, 2020

Lee Matthew Goldberg is the author of THE ANCESTOR, THE DESIRE CARD, SLOW DOWN and THE MENTOR from St. Martin’s Press. He has been published in multiple languages and nominated for the 2018 Prix du Polar. ORANGE CITY, his first sci-fi novel, is forthcoming in 2021. His pilots and screenplays have been finalists in Script Pipeline, Book Pipeline, Stage 32, We Screenplay, the New York Screenplay, Screencraft, and the Hollywood Screenplay contests. Lee’s Latest book THE ANCESTOR is a work of pure mastery, from start to finish the story captivates as much as it enthralls the mind and senses. We had a chace to catch up with Lee for an exclusive interview. This is what he shared up with us.

Talk to us about The Ancestor and how the historical aspect of the book linked together to formulate the plot and storyline in the book?

The Ancestor is about a man who wakes up in the Alaskan wilderness with amnesia and believes he was a prospector from the Gold Rush in the 1890s. About a third of the book takes place in the 1890s as he remembers what led him to be frozen, so the novel is really a mix of historical and a present era. As he recalls more parts of the era, who he was become revealed as well that affects him in the present since he did many bad things back then in pursuit of gold.

Within every good story comes a lot of research, in The Ancestor the story takes place in Alaska, how did you come about using Alaska as the place in which the story would take place and was it difficult to come envision the characters walking through the Alaskan forefront?

Yeah, there was a lot of research for this one. I read a ton of books that took place in Alaska and during the Gold Rush there like Klondike by Pierre Berton and the Floor of Heaven by Howard Blum. Since the book takes place in a made-up town, I didn’t want to visit Alaska and have it color my imagination too much. It was also written during a very cold and frozen winter in New York City, so it wasn’t too hard to imagine the cold and snow.

All of your books can be paved for the movies, The Ancestor is no exception, if you can pick any Hollywood actor to play the role of the lead character Wyatt, who would it be and why?

100 percent Jake Gyllenhaal. So if you reading this Jake Gyllenhaal give me a call! Not only is he a great actor but he takes chances with his roles going back all the way to Donnie Darko. This would be. dual role, since he would also play Wyatt’s supposed descendant Travis. It’s definitely a meaty roll he can dig his acting teeth into!

You have been writing for many years, is there a common theme in your style of writing and if so how could a new writer adapt that theme to develop their own style of writing?

My books have a lot of thriller elements to them and tend to deal with obsessions. My debut is about a man trying to break into Hollywood who does some terrible things. My next book the Mentor deals with obsessive writers and The Ancestor is about a man obsessed with learning who he was and a new family who reminds him of his own. I say you should always write what interests you rather than what you think a reader may like. A style of writing tends to develop naturally.

Now that The Ancestor is behind you I am sure your fans want to know, what’s next? Do you have any projects in the works and have you given any thought of writing your next book outside NYC?

Yes, I have a YA series coming up in 2021 about a girl in the 1990s grunge scene who runs away from home to become a singer. The starts in LA up to Seattle so there’s no NYC in that one!

Lifestyle

From Wealth to Fields: A Billionaire’s Commitment to Small Farmers

Published

2 weeks ago

July 11, 2024

Michelle Langton

In recent years, billionaire Stefan Soloviev has transitioned from the world of New York real estate to the fertile farmlands of the American West.

His journey from urban wealth to rural development showcases a unique dedication to revitalizing small farming communities and transforming the agricultural landscape.

A New Vision for Agriculture

Stefan Soloviev, son of the late real estate tycoon Sheldon Solow, has amassed a considerable amount of farmland across Colorado, Kansas, and New Mexico. Soloviev’s agricultural enterprise, Crossroads Agriculture, spans over 400,000 acres, making him one of the largest landowners in the United States.

This substantial investment is not merely a financial venture; it represents a commitment to supporting and empowering small farmers in these regions.

Soloviev’s approach to farming is characterized by his desire to move away from competitive practices that often leave small farmers struggling. Instead, he emphasizes collaboration and sustainability.

By leveraging his resources, Soloviev aims to create a farming environment where smallholders can thrive alongside larger operations. This philosophy is particularly evident in his strategic acquisition of the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad, a critical transportation link for agricultural products in the region.

Revitalizing Rural Communities

Soloviev’s impact extends beyond farmland acquisition. His purchase of the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad at a bankruptcy auction for $10.7 million highlights his broader vision for the agricultural sector.

This railroad, previously owned by Iowa Pacific Holdings, connects the San Luis Valley to the national rail network, facilitating the efficient transport of goods and boosting local economies.

The acquisition is seen as a positive development for the San Luis Valley, with Soloviev’s Colorado Pacific Railroad expected to be more community-focused and supportive of local initiatives compared to the previous owners. This includes potential cooperation with local recreational projects, such as the proposed Heart of the Valley Trail, which aims to integrate rail and trail use for community benefit.

Soloviev’s dedication to the region is also reflected in his willingness to work with local stakeholders to address community needs. His approach contrasts with more traditional, profit-driven business models and underscores his commitment to fostering a sustainable and inclusive agricultural ecosystem.

Building a Sustainable Future

Soloviev’s investment in the Colorado Pacific Railroad and the broader agricultural infrastructure is part of a long-term vision to create a more resilient and sustainable farming community. By improving transportation networks and providing support to small farmers, he hopes to mitigate some of the challenges these farmers face, such as market access and transportation costs.

Moreover, Soloviev’s initiatives are seen as a way to preserve and enhance the rural way of life, which is increasingly threatened by industrial farming and urban encroachment. His efforts to balance economic viability with environmental stewardship demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the complexities of modern agriculture.

In conclusion, Stefan Soloviev’s transition from urban real estate mogul to a champion of small farmers is a testament to his innovative and community-oriented approach.

His significant investments in farmland and infrastructure, coupled with a commitment to sustainability and local engagement, are paving the way for a brighter future for small farmers in Colorado and beyond. Through his efforts, Soloviev is not only transforming

the agricultural landscape but also setting a precedent for how wealth and resources can be used to foster positive change in rural communities.