by John J. Sullivan

The founder of the Dire Series poetry readings and author of the newly published short story collection Short Street spoke at the June 25 contributors meeting of the Somerville News.

“There’s nothing like the literary scene that exists in Massachusetts. In Kansas, you could be a writer and be the only one for miles. In Somerville, everyone writes,” said Timothy Gager.

Gager said he didn’t like being told what to write when he was young, and didn’t begin to enjoy writing until later in life.

The author said that his first passion was music. “I was actually making it quite big,” he said. “I played with May Tags and then with bigger bands,” he said.

His early career in music, Gager said, taught him how to market himself – a skill that helped him publicize his writing later on. “You never forget how to market yourself and get your name out there,” he said.

The transition to writing wasn’t always smooth. Gager said that he published his first book, The Dambed Middle, as an e-book.

“That was about four or five years ago when people were thinking paper was going out of style fast,” he said.

As it turned out, public enthusiasm for e-books was short-lived, and The Damned Middle was not successful. Undaunted, Gager went out and looked for open mics to do readings.

Now, things are going more smoothly, Gager said. About five years ago, he started the Dire Series, which runs at The Gallery in Cambridge every month. In addition, his poetry has been nominated for two Cambridge poetry awards, he said.

Gager said he draws his inspiration to write in part from “skid row,” the nickname of a place he lived while studying at the University of Delaware.

Location continues to inspire Gager, who recalled that when his son was born, he was living in a room overlooking the Citgo sign.

“That sign is like a beacon,” he said. “You tell your friends when they get lost to follow the Citgo sign.

“Inspiration comes from everything,” Gager said. “In terms of living conditions, Somerville has people who share similar demographics – artists and writers. This city is diverse and welcomes these people. You can go into any coffee shop and see someone either reading or writing.”

Gager said he has been very busy lately. He has 16 to 20 readings in the next month, and he is also working on three novels simultaneously. He writes about 20 stories every month and also edits a literary review called The Heat City Review, for which he processes about 40 submissions each day, he said.

Gager has had four books published – Short Street, Twenty Six Pack, The Dambed Middle, and The Same Corner of the Bar – and has contributed to another collection, Out of the Blue Writers Unite.

“Writers are very approachable people,” Gager said. “My interaction with other writers is very important to me.”

Gager hosts writing events every year. One event featured Steve Almond, author of Candyfreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of Ameria; Tom Poratta, author of Little Children; and Andre Dubus III, author of House of Sand and Fog.

He is also involved with the Pen New England night and a writer’s fest. He is hosting Dire B-Q, a literary cookout and open mic, July 9.

Gager cited Doug Holder, arts editor for the Somerville News, and Steve Almond as his favorite Somerville authors, and said he is very influenced by Charles Bukowski.

For prospective writers, Gager had this advice: “Write and write often. Keep writing, take classes and join clubs. There are no short cuts.

“I think there’s a point in saying that it takes a little bit of work to find your voice.”