The Adam Norty book’s called Slut, but our cover model Dale is anything but. We took him to the English countryside, introduced him to some of the locals, and asked Dale Michalowski some tough questions.

Welcome Dale.

So, you live in London then? How long have you lived in London?

I have only been in London since March 2019. I live in East London, but for no particular rhyme or reason. It is just very central and close to my work.

What are three things you love about London?

1. How central it is to the rest of Europe.
2. London is a cultural melting pot made up of people from literally every corner of the planet.
3. Whether it’s night or day, there is always so much to see and do in this city.

How would you describe London to aliens from another planet?

I’d describe it as the hub of the world. If you want to experience cultures and foods from all over the world, London is the place to be.

Where were you before London? What made you move to London?

I moved to London from Cape Town, South Africa. I just found myself bored in Cape Town and wanted some change. I’d always wanted to move, but couldn’t quite muster up the courage to do so.

Can you tell me three things you miss most about home?

1. Biltong
2. Sunshine
3. My friends, family and dog.

How are you coping with the Pandemic? The restrictions are confusing, these Tier 2 or 3 and fears of another lockdown, I mean…how are you coping with the whole situation?

Lockdown has been really tough for me. I went through an extremely nasty breakup just before it started. Being stuck indoors working from home is not an environment I thrive in. I definitely enjoy interacting with people on a face to face basis more than being isolated in my flat. Things have improved for me now. I used lockdown to study and write some exams. I tried to make the most out of the time and be as productive as I could be. I also bought some gym equipment for the flat which definitely helped me deal with the whole lockdown situation better.

If aliens kidnapped you and took you to alpha-bumfuckknowhere-centaury, what’s one thing you would have to take with you?

My iPhone of course!

Do you have another job. I mean, you don’t sit around looking fabulous all day and staring at your own biceps?

Haha, I do have another job. I work in IT as a network engineer, although I am currently on a journey to change career paths. As I get older I find myself wanting to leave the technical/ engineering side of things and more into a management ISO (Information Security Officer) type of role. I won’t bore you with the details as you will probably fall asleep!

Speaking of biceps, and generally looking fabulous, how the fuck do you get so big and buff?! I mean, you’re like Incredible Hulk kind of big, just a lot less green. And less angry (I think).

I have been training since I was about 20 years old. I used to be really skinny. Some of the older guys at the gym would take the piss out of me occasionally which really affected me. So one day I decided to change it all and become bigger and stronger than them. Ironically it was their mockery of how small I was, that drove me to where I am today. So in many ways I thank them for taking the piss out of me all those years ago.

It’s all about diet and consistency. If you can master those 2 principles, you literally cannot fail at achieving your gym goals.

Would you mind running through your routine with us? Like, do you work out daily and if so, we’re talking… how long in the gym and every day? And how much you’re lifting?

I used to train 7 days a week for as long as I can remember. Since moving to London, things have changed a bit, but I still manage to get 6 days in each week.

A typical day in the gym for me is a muscle group of my choice followed by at least 1 hour of cardio. I usually spend about 2 hours in the gym each day.

For me, it’s not always about going heavy, but rather perfect form. The weights I use are probably a lot lighter than you’d think.

I usually train harder just before summer. It sounds vain, but in the gay world, your body is everything. Can’t be heading to the beach with anything less than a 6-pack! haha

Have you always been into working out and heavy gym lifting?

My gym interests only developed as I got older. I never imagined I’d have grown to the size I am now. It kind of just happened over time.

I also used to train in muaythai (thai kickboxing) for about 6 and a half years.

If you met an alien, would your first thought be whether you could lift them or outrun them? And why?

Probably lift them! Haha

Aliens are quite small, at least that’s how the movies portray them ☺

I guess eating well is super important. How do you stay motivated and what’s your general diet like?

The results keep me motivated. Although I am never content with my body. I always see room for improvement. It can be quite a bad outlook to have, but it works for me.

My general diet is really clean. Surprisingly I am almost always in a carb deficit.

I eat a lot of fish, chicken, vegetables and brown rice. At least once or twice a month I’ll have a cheat day where I will literally eat whatever I want like a savage for the entire day!

What’s one thing you recommend an alien must eat to stay in shape?

Eating is cheating! Haha, just joking.

I’d recommend they eat fish and rice.

Your instagram is cool. But you mentioned you wanted to get rid of it. Do you mind if I ask why? 

Instagram played a massive role in the demise of my previous relationship. Unfortunately my ex was not faithful, had a massive gay following on Instagram and used it as a platform to meet guys behind my back and cheat. It got to a point where watching him use his Instagram would feel like my heart was being shattered. 

I also have a sizeable gay following on my Instagram, which admittedly, has thirsty pictures on it. However, I never want a boyfriend of mine to feel threatened by that in any way, shape or form. I made a promise to myself that when I find a new boyfriend, my Instagram will be deleted.

What’s the weirdest thing someone has said or done to you online?

That would have to come from the random Grindr messages. I compare Grindr to the Twilight Zone.

Since the book Slut is all about sex, I’ll give you one of the dirtier messages that comes to mind.

The main one that stands out is a guy who offered me money to not shower for 7 days and then allow him to eat me out. He was a bit more graphic than that! Haha

Um… er… okay… So, there’s a growing sentiment that social media, and Instagram particularly, are creating self-centred, socially awkward gay types that are too tied to the likes and the comments. Have you seen much of this yourself? Would you agree with this assessment?

I 100% agree with that statement. Instagram provides instant gratification. Even I will admit that when I post something thirsty, the comment and likes definitely improve my mood for the day.

On the flip side, if a post doesn’t generate substantial likes and/or comments, it can be a little deflating. I think you need to find balance and come to terms with the fact that in the grand scheme of things, none of it is real. I honestly don’t know who 95% of my followers actually are.

Instagram is definitely playing a role in diminishing the ability of people to interact in real life. Friendships forged in the virtual world are but skin deep.

What is your biggest fear?

Cancer, it scares the shit out of me. Cancer has been quite prevalent in my family. My dad was diagnosed with it just a few years back, but luckily the doctors were able to cut out the cancerous tumours and he is now in remission.

What would be your super power?

The ability to spawn whatever superpower I desire. This way I get them all! haha

What would be a good theme song to your life?

To many to name, but one that stands out and is quite fitting to what I’ve recently been through would be “Camelphat – Breathe”.

If aliens from another planet came to Earth, what’s one thing you would tell them about humans?

Humans are generally cunts! Do not trust them! Get yourself a dog ☺

Do you agree that garden gnomes are creepy and should be banned all over the world?

Haha, never really given it much thought. I mean personally, if I saw a garden gnome in the garden of a friend, I’d definitely mumble under my breath “weirdo”. 

So yea, I’d have to agree with you. Garden gnomes should be shot on site.

So, what made you accept to be the cover of Slut? 

It’s not every day that you get an offer to be on the cover of a book. Thought it would be a cool thing to do. I also found it quite flattering that I was even considered for this.

There’s a couple of characters in Slut that are noteworthy, and Gordon is a main character. He’s wholesome and gentle, loving and smart, entrepreneurial and loyal, and he’s really into Hayden, who’s…well, he’s the Slut. You’re physically like Gordon. Do you think you can relate to him as a character too?

I am definitely like Gordon. I am all about true love and monogamy. I have quite a strong outlook and opinions on certain aspects of the London gay scene which I don’t agree with. 

I can also relate to Gordon in that I somehow manage to fall for the slutty type of guys. Gordon’s dilemma of loving Hayden has an uncanny resemblance to that of my previous relationship.

At the end of the day you can never change people. If I could tell Gordon one thing, I’d say break it off and run for the fucking hills.

Do you like to read? If so, what’s your genre?

I do like to read, although I probably don’t read often enough.

The last book I read was called “The subtle art of not giving a fuck”. Really good book!

If you made a song, what would the name be?

The Silence ☺

Thanks for your time today. I’m sure the readers will enjoy seeing you on the cover, reading about Gordon and wondering what other similarities you have!

You can stalk…I mean, check out more of Dale here…
Slut part one is out now and is a short, free read. Slut 2 is coming soon.