“Fame, Fear, and Funhouse Mirrors” — A Short Interview with Jeff Elder, Author of Starr Love
Interview by Mic Copiloti (MC)
MC: Jeff, Starr Love is a novel that feels both intimate and unsettling in the best way. For readers who haven’t encountered it yet, how would you describe what the story is about at its core?
Jeff: Starr Love is the story of a wanna‑be rock star gone wrong. It takes us through his life, how he rose to fame, and beyond.
MC: The book unfolds across Tulsa and Las Vegas — two places with wildly different energies. What drew you to set the story there?
Jeff: I wanted to be able to describe subtle details of the city Stu lived in. I grew up in Tulsa, and since it’s such a rich playground for subject matter and scenery, it seemed perfect for the Starr family. As for Las Vegas — that’s where stars go to fade away into history, right?
MC: Stu is a complicated figure: delusional, earnest, hungry, and heartbreakingly human. What should readers understand about his psychology?
Jeff: Unfortunately, Stu is a bit like what the U.S. has become. He’s obsessed with fame, fortune, himself and not much else. It’s a sad commentary, but if you look at any device, that’s what you see. Stu is just an exaggerated version of that.
MC: That cultural reflection is part of what makes the book so timely. Let’s talk about your writing process. Are you an outliner, a discovery writer, or something in between?
Jeff: First off, I don’t consider myself a writer — not like a Stephen King or whatnot. I’m a story creative. I develop mostly full stories in my mind, then take them into a word processor and lay them out as completely as I can. From there, I’m not afraid to use the tools out there: editing software, critiquing software like AutoCrit, and bouncing ideas with AI. But I don’t use AI for coming up with ideas — I bring the ideas, and I might just ask how to word something or ask if something says what I am trying to express. At heart, I’m a dumb musician with a knack for crazy ideas, and I’m okay with that.
MC: You’ve been open about using modern tools in your creative process. What’s your take on technology’s role in creativity?
Jeff: AI isn’t for coming up with ideas — it’s for exploring them. I don’t think it’s a threat to the writing world. Have you ever read a book totally conceived by AI? I have. They’re all over Amazon. Add in virtual voice and it’s a double‑whammy slap to the creative community. But as a collaborator? As a tool? Absolutely. I’m a bit of a hermit, so sometimes I need a sounding board. Technology lets me sanity‑check ideas, take notes, voice‑type, and assemble thoughts into usable chunks. I’m all for technology in the arts when it’s used responsibly.
MC: You’ve said before that Starr Love carries an underlying message. What do you hope readers take away?
Jeff: The underlying message is to — gasp — stop worshipping fame so much. Fandom is fun, but when it crosses into worship? That’s kind of like being in a cult, isn’t it? While my story is fiction, it could happen. It’s not far‑fetched in today’s world. That alone makes it a pretty scary story, huh?
MC: One last question. Why was now the right time to tell this story?
Jeff: I can do it in one sentence: Have you seen the news?
MC:
That might be the most concise — and accurate — justification I’ve heard for a novel in years. Sometimes the world hands you a moment so absurd, so loud, so fame‑drunk that the only reasonable response is to write a story that holds a mirror up to it.
⭐ Book Availability
Starr Love will be available February 14th, 2026 in both digital and print formats. Readers will be able to purchase it through Amazon and other major retailers. A full announcement with links will be posted prior to its release.
