When my long time friend Paul Kraut told me how essential it was to not only experience a New York Red Bulls game in-person, but to go to one via the Legends Bus, I decided to listen. Not only was the game a blast and the first time I had ever traveled to Harrison, New Jersey, but a lot of the other people on that Legends shuttle were incredibly interesting. One of those people was Peter Thomas Fornatale, a prolific author who it had turned out that I had read multiple books by. And unfortunately for him, he had to entertain a lot of questions from me about wrestling, the XFL and classic rock radio. And then plenty more about earning a living as a freelancer.
Fast forwarding a few years, I reached out to Peter to see if he’d be game for being the subject of a “Really Busy People” column. Fortunately he was willing, and he had even more of a unique career path happening than when we had last spoken. Not only did his Q&A come out great, but it may have turned me onto horse racing. Peter, who is the son of legendary New York rock radio DJ and writer Pete Fornatale, seemingly knows something about every topic imaginable, so I’m very interested to see what the subject of his next book will be.
Do you identify most as a writer, an editor, a betting specialist, or a podcast host?
Peter Thomas Fornatale: I sometimes reflexively still tell people I’m a freelance writer and editor but that’s an outright lie. I’ve been a Daily Racing Form employee for a year and a half now. I guess I got so used to being freelance and having a lot of balls in the air, which I still do even as an employee, that I haven’t been able to shake branding myself freelance in my own head. That said, I absolutely love being part of the Daily Racing Form team where I get to work with a lot of great creative people who share my vision and interests.
What was your first paid gig as a writer?
P: This is a good one. Along with my father, in 1992 I spent the summer writing the backs of Elvis Presley trading cards. They still turn up from time to time.
Do you feel that there are any misconceptions about cowriting books?
P: I do. I think most people think of cowriters as people who listen to a tape and somehow spin a yarn out of it. But cowriting can be a true collaborative process, more like a record producer and a recording artist, where my job is simply to get the best out of an already creative person. See my work with Chris Jericho for an example. Chris really wrote every word of that book, but I was integral to the structure, pacing, and process.
Where did the idea come from for your latest book, Brooklyn Spirits?
P: Like most good ideas I have, it came from my wife. Chris Wertz and I were talking about doing a craft beer book, sitting around one day tasting through and talking about a bunch of the new spirits being made in Brooklyn. She was like, “Hey dorks, forget the beer book. This stuff you’re talking about now is way more unique and interesting.” As always, she was right.
Pardon this question, as I’m guessing you’ve heard it plenty, but how much research when required when writing a book called Brooklyn Spirits?
P: Oh lord, tons. Not sure if the toll on my wallet or my liver was worse. Any penny of our advance that didn’t go to our ace photographer Max Kelly went to research and development. Truly a labor of love, though. And we met some amazing people along the way.
When was it that you realized that you could make a living in a fun way? Or at least on your own terms?
P: There was a eureka moment in 1996. My pal Frank Scatoni and I were toiling away on the 14th floor of Simon & Schuster in editorial row, wrestling daily with the photo copier that scene in Office Space made me wet myself. Then we heard about a couple of chump assistants across town who got tired of working on books so they sold one instead. We said, “We could be those chumps.”
Is there a past project or credit that you’re most proud of?
P: I love all my writing projects equally but two of my editorial projects leap to mind. Helping out Paul Feig with his de facto Freaks And Geeks prequel Kick Me, and being involved of every step of the process with Josh Wilker’s Cardboard Gods. I could not be happier with those two projects with those guys who talents I envy.
Is there a field you haven’t yet worked in which you hope to get involved in one day? Or something you haven’t yet accomplished which you’re working to change?
P: This might make me sound a little goofy, but I’ve always been intrigued by the stage I can’t really act so I guess that means writing. I also want to continue to develop as a broadcaster, both on screen and on the mic. My father was a disc jockey in New York from the ’60s until his untimely passing in 2012 and I literally have it in my blood a music show might happen some day. I would also like to do more DIY cocktail stuff, hopefully in conjunction with someone who understands the food and beverage business.
Are there any upcoming projects that you can talk about?
P: A few things in development that aren’t quite ready for discussion. I can say that I’m eager to hopefully expand my roll with Daily Racing Form to just do more of the stuff I’m doing now. I love promoting racing to new fans and explaining to all types of racing fans just how great things are in the handicapping contest world.
Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly is a handicapping contest?
P: Contests are a new way of betting horses, very similiar to poker tournaments, a la the World Series Of Poker. Players put up money and compete directly against one another. We even have our own championship events, the National Handicapping Championship and the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge, worth millions. Contests offer camaraderie, competition, and value that are unmatched in other corners of the gambling world. If you like betting and/or horses at all, you should really check them out. I write about them all the time at drf.com and they are a frequent topic of conversation on the DRF Players’ Podcast which I co-host with my guys Mike Hogan and Matt Bernier.
When it comes to your creative process, is there a routine? A particular artist you listen to when inspiration is running low?
P: I’m cranking Neil Young as I type this. Music is wonderful generally for rhythmic inspiration, though there is no artist for me in particular. If I’m composing words that take a lot of thought, it needs to be instrumental. When I’m in a groove, any music I’m already familiar with works. Deadlines are tremendous motivators.
Are there any apps or tools you rely on for productivity?
P: For horse racing stuff, there is a program called Formulator I can’t live without it allows me instant access to a tremendous database of info and a chance to have all my notes in one place. There’s also one called Ticketmaker that makes bet writing 1,000 times easier. I use spreadsheets a lot to track projects, bets, my record collection.
When you’re not working, what do you like to do with yourself?
P: I love spending time with my family and friends, preferably with good food and drink involved — sheesh, I’ve kinda turned that into work too, huh? Anyway, I do love to cook and make drinks. I also really like exercise, especially yoga and tennis.
Finally, Peter, any last words for the kids?
P: Stay in school. Unless school gets too expensive. Then come work for me.
-by Darren Paltrowitz
