Dion McTavish, Author of American Stripper

Today we are interviewing Dion McTavish about this memoir American Stripper: A True Story of an Exotic Male Dancer.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Dion, and I am a male stripper.

Describe your book, American Stripper, in a few sentences.
Here’s the synopsis of the book:

As a teenager, Dion McTavish was a nerd. Smart, quiet, and scrawny, he surrounded himself with video games and books. He didn't drink or try drugs and he definitely did not party. But something happened when he got to the University of Florida. He began to work out. Soon, his new physique and a chance visit to a lingerie shop led him to a profession he'd never considered: male stripping.

American Stripper tells the story of Dion's personal and professional growth as a stripper and as a young man navigating a new world of debauched parties, drunk sorority girls, swingers, jealous boyfriends, and male revues. Come along as he acquires a highly prized cop uniform, has his first threesome, and falls in love--all while pursuing his original dream, to become an English teacher abroad. Vivid, thoughtful, and hilarious, American Stripper is a candid account of the transformation of an ordinary boy into a hunky, world traveling young man who knows how to balance business with pleasure.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Anyone who enjoyed Magic Mike or Fifty Shades of Grey. Also, fans of the memoir and erotica genre.

What inspired you to write a book about your experiences as a male stripper?
When I first started stripping back in 2003, I wanted to learn more about the male stripping industry. I scoured the Internet for articles and stories about the job, but there was next to nothing on the subject!

In 2007, I started a blog about male stripping, and it took off. As I posted more stories, my readers wanted more. Thus, the book is a response to their demands.

What first got you interested in stripping?
Women and money. When I started at age 21, the veteran stripper who trained me promised that I’d get a healthy dose of both. Plus, I always wanted to be a rock star, but I lacked the musical talent. Therefore, stripping is a great way for me to be a performer and get paid for it.

Did being a male stripper turn out to be all you thought it would be? If not, what was different than you expected?
Yes and no. I had my share of wild encounters that exceeded even my wildest dreams! Handjobs, blowjobs, threesomes – you name it; it happened at the parties.

However, the nature of the job was a little different than I’d anticipated. For one, showing up and acting sexy doesn’t cut it. Women want to be entertained and stimulated. Therefore, being a good male stripper requires a charismatic personality, an entertaining routine, and a certain degree of showmanship.

Do you have a favorite place to strip (bachelorette parties, clubs, etc)?
Bachelorette parties, hands down. The shows last about an hour and consist of around a dozen women on average. I perform these solo, meaning there are no other male dancers to compete against for tips and attention.

There are other outlets for male strippers, such as male revues, gay clubs, etc. But I focus only on bachelorette parties.

In a similar vein, are some clients typically more fun than others?
Definitely! There are girls who will run and hide, and the performance becomes very awkward when that happens. Then there are girls who will outright molest you.

I prefer wild crowds because they are very enthusiastic, but not so crazy to the point where they are disrespectful.

Do you pick the costume or does the client pick the costume? Do you have a favorite costume?
The clients always pick. I’ll give them several options to choose from.

My favorite costume is the cop because I can arrive on the premise of a noise complaint. I’ll threaten to write citations and scold everyone in a stern manner. The look on the bride’s face when I start dancing with her is always priceless.

Have you ever gotten any bizarre requests from clients?
A bride asked me to make out with her best friend, who had been single for several months. A group of ladies wanted me to get completely naked and masturbate until I was hard. The most bizarre requests are the husbands who want me to seduce their wives.

I’ve heard so many different requests over the years that very little surprises me anymore, so my definition of “bizarre” has become quite warped.

How often do you practice your stripping when you’re not working?
When I first started, I practiced dancing all the time. Now, I will occasionally practice a few moves at home. I focus more on activities than dancing at private bachelorette parties.

How do people react when you tell them you are a male stripper?
I keep my stripping gig a secret. Only three or four of my closest friends and family know I do this. Because of my day job, most people think I’m ultra-conservative and boring. Little do they know…  

Back when I first started, however, I used to tell everyone. Most people reacted in amazement or disbelief. Many thought I was joking. A few guys would ask me how they could become strippers. Some men would get envious.

What do you think are some of the biggest misconceptions about male strippers?
One of the biggest misconceptions is the assumption that all male strippers are gay. I don’t know where this stereotype comes from. However, since the release of Magic Mike, this myth has died down a bit.

Have you showed your book/blog to other male strippers? What was their response?
I rarely meet other male strippers in person since I only do private parties. However, many other strippers stumble upon my site when searching for stories and reference material. Most like the book and blog, and some even ask me for advice.

In your book, you write about finding love through your career. Can you elaborate on this without giving too much away?
There was a girl in one of my college classes that I had a crush on. She was a beautiful girl who often voiced her intelligent thoughts to the teacher, and I was enamored with her, but never in a million years would I have approached her. I was the shy, nerdy guy who kept to himself in class.

Then one day while stripping at a birthday party, I saw her in the crowd. Now I had a great reason to approach her. On top of that, I mentioned our class together and shocked recognition flickered across her face.

After the party, we began talking and hit it off well, realizing that we shared many common interests. When I told her that I was going to teach in Japan, she expressed admiration and pulled some extra money out of her purse and gave it to me. That kind gesture really touched me, and I knew that I had to keep talking to her.

How do you think reading your book will impact people?
Male stripping is a little-known profession that differs greatly from its female counterpart, so this book will expose what goes on behind-the-scenes.

What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
I was considering picking up where American Stripper leaves off – about my experience teaching English in Japan. I faced strange moments over there that rivaled my stripping gig, such as living nearby several Russian sex workers, encounters with Yakuza (Japanese mafia), dealing with a suicidal student, and hanging out with Eishiro – an old perverted English student who would often shit himself.

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
It’s available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play, Smashwords, etc.

More Information
www.malestripperdion.com
Buy American Stripper on Amazon