Describe your book in five words or less.
City of Angels Meets the Matrix (not counting “of” and “the”)
How did the ideas for your books come to you?
They’re often triggered by a thought, concept, character, or theme that has moved me deeply. But sometimes it’s something that fascinates me and compels me to explore it in the journey of a set of characters.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
There are many, but the most important ones are that there is so much more to our existence than the short lifetime we spend here in this mortal life. When put in that perspective, and knowing that there is an eternity to be lived afterwards, our priorities change. There is ultimately so much more hope, and equally so much more despair, when we know that this life is just so temporary and fleeting, like a dream. If there is truly an eternity to be lived this life, will that affect your attitudes, choices, and the way you live today? I hope so.
What is the hardest part of writing for you? What's the easiest?
The hardest part of writing is quite simply getting started. I’ve been at this for years now, and I still forget that I don’t need inspiration, I just need commitment. Things start to flow once I sit down. It’s usually the fear that what I write will be bad. But then, I remind myself that I can always edit and improve bad writing. But the only way to improve a blank page is to type.
The easiest part? When I’m in the flow, I can’t seem to type fast enough. This usually happens when I’m in the heads of my characters and they’re having a conflict. I love writing conflict dialogue.
What's next for you? Are you currently working on or have plans for future projects?
I have several books for which my readers are demanding sequels. I’m not certain which one will be first. But I have a feeling it might have something to do with a photographer. ;)
Why did you choose to write for specific genre?
I didn’t set out looking for the genre. The story came to me and later I figured out what genre it should be categorized as. The story is more important than which bookshelf it sits on.
What's it like hearing that readers are eagerly awaiting your book's release date?
Of course, it’s gratifying. But I face it with a bit of trepidation because I don’t only want to make sure not to disappoint them, but I really want them to feel that my latest book is the best one ever.
What is one question that you've always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
Hmmm…right, well this is one question I wish to be asked: Are you a Christian Fiction writer or not?
My answer: I am a Christian, yes. But I am not exclusively a Christian Fiction author. By that, I mean to say that while I cannot help but to express some of my own faith in my stories, I’m not writing to convert anyone or preach at anyone. Some of my novels might be a bit too edgy for some very religious readers, and yet lacking gratuitous sex, language, and darkness, perhaps not down and dirty enough for other non-religious readers. But I think it’s only the small minority of readers at those opposite extremes who might not feel my books are for them.
For the most part, I’m happy to say that my non-religious readers find my writing to be like I am, myself. I am not ashamed of my faith, but I don’t use it to beat people over the head with it. I share it because it’s who I am, but only when I think someone might find it either interesting or beneficial. I’m fairly safe to be around. :)
What was your road to publications like?
Full of mercy and unmerited grace. I honestly feel like the steps were laid before more and all I had to do was write the books. I won’t minimize the hard work involved, the hours of reading, studying, and learning. But to me, that was fun, not toil and labor. But aside from all that, I’m fully appreciative of how difficult it is to receive rejection letter after rejection letter, to watch your indie book remain relatively unknown. The fact that I have been published by Simon & Schuster/Howard Books, and that my independent books have hit the top of several bestseller charts is something I can’t fathom completely. I can only say how grateful I am to God, and to my wonderful readers who made this all possible. I’m humbled at the privilege of this career, and hope to do it justice in the eyes of all.
How can readers learn more about, and contact you?
I absolutely love connecting with readers! I can be reached on my website’s contact form:
www.joshua-graham.com/contact
on Facebook: www.facebook.com/j0shgraham
on Twitter: www.twitter.com/j0shuagraham
ABOUT TERMINUS
How far must an angel fall to find his destiny?
Having witnessed one too many senseless deaths, Nikolai, a disillusioned Reaper 3rd Class, resigns his commission with the Angel Forces after a tedious century of gathering souls.
Immediately, another division recruits him with the promise of a more rewarding career, and issues his initial assignments: To bring down a few very dangerous threats to the human race. In the process, Nikolai falls in love with one of his targets—Hope Matheson, a woman who will lead thousands astray.
Caught between conflicting agendas, Nikolai chooses to “fall” from his celestial state and become mortal in order to circumvent angel law and be with her. But for angels and humans alike, things are not always as they appear. Still a target, the threat against Hope’s life intensifies.
Now, in order to save her, Nikolai must rally the last remnants of his failing supernatural abilities to prevent her assassination, as well as the destruction of an entire city by a nuclear terrorist strike.
But his time and power are running out…
Terminus is a perspective-altering saga that delves into ageless themes of redemption, destiny, and the eternal power of love.
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE
ABOUT JOSHUA GRAHAM
WINNER OF the INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS (Beyond Justice),
#1 bestselling author Joshua Graham’s award-winning novel DARKROOM hit 3 bestseller lists on Amazon the night of its release.
CBS News described DARKROOM as a book with “action, political intrigue and well-rounded characters…a novel that thriller fans will devour.”
Many of Graham’s readers blame him for sleepless nights, arriving to work late, neglected dishes and family members, and not allowing them to put the book down.
Suspense Magazine listed BEYOND JUSTICE in its BEST OF 2010, alongside titles by Scott Turrow, Ted Dekker, Steven James and Brad Thor.
His short story THE DOOR’S OPEN won the HarperCollins Authonomy Competition (Christmas 2010.)
Publishers Weekly described BEYOND JUSTICE as: “A riveting legal thriller…breaking new ground with a vengeance…demonically entertaining and surprisingly inspiring.”
Joshua Graham grew up in Brooklyn, NY where he lived for the better part of 30 years. He holds a Bachelor and Master’s Degree and went on to earn his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. During his time in Maryland, he taught as a professor at Shepherd College (WV), Western Maryland College, and Columbia Union College (MD).
Today he lives with his beautiful wife and children in Southern California. Several of Graham’s short fiction works have been published by Pocket Books and Dawn Treader Press.
Writing under the pen name Ian Alexander, Graham debuted with his first Epic Fantasy novel ONCE WE WERE KINGS, an Amazon #1 Bestseller in multiple categories and Award-Winning Finalist in the SciFi/Fantasy category of The USA “Best Books 2011″ Awards, as well as an Award-Winning Finalist in the Young Adult Fiction category of The USA “Best Books 2011″ Awards, and an Award Winner in the 2011 Forward National Literature Awards in the Teen/Young Adult category. ONCE WE WERE KINGS is available in ebook and hardcover editions.
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your interviews are always so insightful to the books that I have read of yours, they are very spellbinding and rewarding as well as memorable, loved the answer you gave on : What is one question that you've always wanted to be asked in an interview?
ReplyDeletekeep the stories going keep us guessing and living through the eyes of the characters in each and every story. love them all. ~great interview~