Carrying the torch

by Robin DeFrescia

The late John Preston probably could not have placed his books in better hands than those of Michael Lowenthal.

Preston, who died in April 1994, was unable to finish his anthology, Friends and Lovers: Gay Men Write About the Families They Create (Dutton) and Flesh and the Word 3: An Anthology of Gay Erotic Writing. The prolific and well-loved author and editor became ill from AIDS complications and transferred responsibility for his final anthologies to Lowenthal, his protege.

A 26-year old native of Chevy Chase, Md., Lowenthal appears to be one of the most promising rising talents in Gay literature. A former editor for a university press, he has been published in over two dozen periodicals and many anthologies including Men on Men 5, Sister and Brother, Flesh and the Word 2, and Best American Erotica.

Blade: How did Preston become your mentor?
Lowenthal: After a period of friendship and correspondence and sharing of work, John called me one day and explicitly said that he was interested in being a mentor for a few younger Gay writers and he wondered if I would like to be in that relationship. I was thrilled. It was somewhat funny how he put it right out there and created these roles of mentor and protege, as if they were standard, definable relationships. But he did define them in his head. So I agreed and a couple other writers signed on to the project. It was all very official.

Blade: AIDS has created a generation of people finishing other people's work. Have you been in touch with other people who are doing work similar to yours?
Lowenthal: I would love to be more in touch with other people and share some thoughts on it. There have always been people finishing other people's work throughout history, but I think it is unprecedented to have a targeted community devastated within such a short period of time, so there is this new role....When John was still alive, I had these competing impulses to say, on the one hand, "You've had an incredible career; you should be so proud. It's fine to let go and be proud of your achievements. You're sick; just relax." At the same time, I wanted to say, "Oh, God, keep working, finish this because nobody will ever be able to get it right the way you would have." It was similar when I accepted his request to finish his work, because of course I wanted to say, "Yes, absolutely, I'll do whatever you want me to if it helps you feel more secure and have more of a sense of closure." Also I believed in the projects. But at the same time I wanted to say, "No, don't ask me this, I can't be you."

Blade: You've helped organize the gathering Preston wanted and finished his final books. Is your engagement with Preston's work over?
Lowenthal: Yes, that should be pretty much it. Back to my life.

Blade: Which is?
Lowenthal: I'm working on a novel now, and other fiction. And also keeping my hand in freelance writing--journalism and reviews and whatnot.

Blade: Can you tell me about your novel?
Lowenthal: I don't mean to be evasive, but I'm one of those weirdo

This article reprinted without any approval from the Washington Blade, May 17, 1996.