Q&A: Jonathan Parks-Ramage, Author of ‘Yes, Daddy’

The Nerd Daily contributor Mimi recently had the chance to sit down with Jonathan Parks-Ramage, author of the upcoming debut Yes, Daddy, a compelling gothic that follows an ambitious young man named Jonah who falls for an older, successful playwright. We got to ask Jonathan all our burning questions about his debut novel, writing process and dark stories!

Hi, Jonathan! Thanks for chatting with us! Why don’t you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Thank you for having me! I’m a novelist, journalist and screenwriter living in Los Angeles, California. My writing has appeared in a variety of publications including Vice, OUT Magazine, Slate, Medium, Atlas Obscura, W Magazine, and more. Yes, Daddy is my debut novel. And I’m very excited to be chatting with The Nerd Daily!

Now, tell us about Yes, Daddy! What can readers expect?

Here’s a brief spoiler-free peek: When Jonah Keller meets Richard Shriver—rather, pursues the older famous writer as stepping-stone to the fame he craves—the two begin a hungry, passionate affair. And when summer arrives, Richard invites his young lover for a spell at his sprawling country estate on Long Island. Set in the hamlet of Sagaponack, Southampton, a tall iron fence surrounds the idyllic gated compound where Richard and a number of like-minded, successful artists enjoy their summers. But Jonah can’t help noticing that the “help” is composed of young, attractive gay men—some sporting ugly bruises—and before long the chic getaway takes a series of disturbing turns. With stomach-dropping suddenness, Jonah is cast out of Richard’s good graces and forced into something more sinister. As a series of transgressions and degradations lead inexorably to a violent climax, Jonah hurtles towards a decisive revenge that will shape the rest of his life.

Yes, Daddy is an unpredictable read that hooks readers right from the beginning with its unsettling yet compelling prologue. What inspired this book for you?

Yes, Daddy is a very personal book for me. Though it is not autobiographical, it does explore many subjects that have had a profound impact on my life: the erotic pull of older men, the power imbalance at play within “daddy” relationships, the potential for toxicity and abuse, and sexual violence within the queer community.

In recent years, there has been an incredible and important cultural shift in how we, as a society, view sexual assault and rape. Stories of power imbalances, abuse, exploitation and sexual assault have become common place in the media. When the criminal justice system fails victims (as it still does far too frequently), the court of public opinion has emerged as a place where society can hold abusers accountable. But, of course, there is still so far to go. I think part of the challenge moving forward is adjusting our ideas of who we think of as victims. I long for these vital discussions around harassment, assault and abuse to incorporate more queer and trans victims, for the media to pay attention to people within my own community. I hope that Yes, Daddy can be part of the movement to create more space for LGBTQIA+ voices in our national dialogue surrounding sexual misconduct. I also wanted to show intersecting issues that could lead someone to become uniquely vulnerable to the type of exploitation depicted in my novel: poverty, familial estrangement, and the spiritual trauma that is experienced by so many members of the LGBTQIA+ community who come from Christian backgrounds.

The main character Jonah is the definition of “young, scrappy, and hungry” and tugged at my heartstrings with his ambitions and the painful journey he goes through. Without spoiling too much, can you talk a bit about Jonah’s struggles and what it was like to bring them to the page?

Jonah is an ambitious aspiring writer, who has a passion for storytelling. He believes that through his relationship with Richard—an older, famous writer—he will finally experience the success he longs for. He thinks that Richard is the answer to his professional prayers. Additionally, he identifies Richard as a man who can provide him with a version of paternal love that he never received as the child of an evangelical pastor who put him through horrific conversion therapy. In short, Jonah’s critical mistake is leaning on Richard for everything he desires: love, acceptance, financial support, professional validation. In the process, he loses himself and becomes completely dependent upon someone who will eventually exploit his vulnerabilities.

You explore difficult topics in this book – what’s your writing/research progress like? Are there ever moments where you need to take a step back because a scene gets too overwhelming? If so, do you have any tips for fellow writers on how to make it “through”?

I think that therapy is a wonderful thing that can be incredibly helpful to anyone going through a tough time. I also think that for writers who are dealing with subject matter that is personally difficult or overwhelming, it’s important for us to remember that writing is not a substitute for therapy. Writing can be therapeutic, but it is also important to have a support system in place while engaging with intensely personal subjects in your writing practice. If you are unable for whatever reason to hire a therapist, I would recommend seeking out a supportive friend, family member, or a fellow writer who can give you the support you need while writing about a topic that is painful for you.

In terms of research, this book was written over the course of four years, and I conducted comprehensive research to complement and enhance my personal knowledge of the topics and themes explored in the novel. The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk is one of the best resources on trauma that I’ve encountered. Know My Name by Chanel Miller is a bracing and essential memoir that gives a powerful account of the personal impact of assault and the systemic failures of the U.S. justice system when it comes to victims. Boy Erased by Garrard Conley is a searing depiction of the horrific effects of conversion therapy. The essay anthology Not That Bad, edited by Roxane Gay, is another excellent resource. I’ve also read countless articles chronicling the #MeToo movement, but The Atlantic piece about Bryan Singer, titled “No One is Going to Believe You,” was particularly vital to my research for this book. The Jeffrey Epstein documentary Filthy Rich, Michael Jackson documentary Leaving Neverland, NXIVM documentary The Vow, and Surviving R Kelly are all essential viewing for understanding the ways in which wealth can be used to control the lives of victims and silence their voices. I also recommend the following scripted television series: I May Destroy You, Unbelievable, and The Tale.

You have contributed pieces for outlets such as Slate, Out, W, Atlas Obscura and many more – has this experience helped you in writing Yes, Daddy?

I believe that my experience as a journalist has helped hone my eye for detail and deepened my involvement with communities that share similar concerns as myself. I’ve worked with activists, organizers, artists, political advocacy groups, and various non-profits to help promote wide-ranging and intersectional social justice initiatives. Particularly close to my heart are issues that impact the LGBTQIA+ community, which is why I view this novel as a companion to my journalistic work.

Yes, Daddy has already been optioned by Amazon Studios. What are you most excited to see translated from the book to another medium? Is there a moment in the story that you need to be included?

I am very grateful to have queer collaborators who are helping me bring my book to the screen! Patrick Moran is a gay producer with so many incredible book-to-screen adaptations under his belt; he’s overseen the Little Fires Everywhere adaption for Hulu as well as the Zoe Kravitz-starring adaptation of High Fidelity, and so, so many other incredible shows. I’m also lucky to have queer filmmaker Stephen Dunn onboard, who is helming the upcoming Queer As Folk reboot for Peacock, and is the director of the film Closet Monster and the queer episode of Apple TV+’s Little America.

I don’t know if I’m as concerned with one particular moment being adapted for screen. What matters the most to me is that I have found queer collaborators who truly understand what I am trying to accomplish with this book. They understand the intense nature of this subject matter and the importance of adapting it with sensitivity and care. I feel lucky to be in such capable queer hands!

Last but not least, do you have any bookish recommendations for our readers?

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters is one of my favorite books in recent memory. I’d also recommend the recent release Let The Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York, 1987-1993 by Sarah Schulman, which is a critical account of a crucial chapter in the history of the AIDS epidemic. A few other recent favorites: We Do This ‘Til We Free Us: Abolitionist Organizing and Transforming Justice by Mariame Kaba, Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon, Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia, Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour, 100 Boyfriends by Brontez Purnell. I feel lucky to have my book coming out around the same time as so many other fabulous recent releases!

Will you be picking up Yes, Daddy? Tell us in the comments below!