An Interview with Robert Dyer

I began my love of writing in grade school. With seven brothers who were all artistic and athletic, I knew I had to be different to stand out, so I fell into writing thanks to the Smith Corona in the attic. Six years ago, thanks to a phone psychic (that’s a story for another time), I promised myself I would write every day. Other than natural and family catastrophes, I have kept that promise.

My husband of thirty-two years and our opinionated basset hound have made our home in NC for the past ten years after a lifetime of living in Illinois.

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Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I had the idea for the book, and before I even wrote one word, I knew the title was going to be A Small Memory. The fact that amnesia and repressed memories play an important part in the plot, I thought having “memory” in the title was significant. “Small” was important because sometimes it’s the little memories we have that mean the most.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

It honestly took my breath away when I first saw the cover. It’s important to know that the first draft of this book was written almost fifty years ago. It collected dust in a drawer for so long until I realized I wanted to get that story out there. The two young men on the cover fit the mental image I have of the two main characters, and its simplicity fits the narrative so well.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

My sixth-grade teacher was my first fan. I wrote a short story for an assignment, and I remember him showing it off to other teachers. That made me believe in myself. Then when I found the old Smith Corona in the attic, I started creating and never stopped.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I am a career educator. I have worked at every level from kindergarten through graduate school. My positions include being a teacher, an assistant principal, principal, superintendent, and college professor. Looking back on my career, I would much rather be in a classroom, and being a grade school principal was the best administrative job I have had.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

The knowledge that something that started as a dream in 1977 could still become a reality in 2026 proves that it is never too late to give up on a dream.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Thank You for Being a Friend by Andrew Gold

Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel

Lean on Me by Bill Withers

Count on Me by Bruno Mars

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I hope the message of forgiveness comes through as well as the importance of the relationships in our lives. This story of Mike and Ted comes down to those two concepts.

What creative projects are you currently working on?

I always have a short story I’m working on, and I have a novel that is complete called Curveballs, about a young man finding love when he least expects it. Also, I am working on a satirical novel about early Hollywood.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

The designers and editors have been fantastic. Excellent feedback and insights!

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