Thursday, April 18, 2013

Straight From the Mouth of 'Terminus' 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.

For Film Rights Josh is represented by UNITED TALENT AGENCY.   Please use the CONTACT button on this website for all inquiries.

Joshua’s latest book is the paranormal suspense novel, Terminus.
Visit his website at www.joshua-graham.com.

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Thanks for letting us interrogate interview you, Josh!  Can you give us a go-for-the-gut answer as to why you wanted to be an author?

Since childhood, I loved crafting stories that drew an emotional response from readers/listeners.  Seeing their reaction, knowing that it scared, moved them to tears, or made them laugh, was truly rewarding.  As life went on and I moved through several different vocations—some creative, some technical, some business—I was led back to the love to story.  Now, I believe I am following a calling to create stories that not only entertain, but challenge people to think deeper.  I still love the seeing the response of my readers.

Tell us (we won’t tell promise!) is it all it’s cracked up to be?  I mean what are the perks and what are the demands?

As with all things, the life of a writer has its ups and downs.  There are things that have happened in my writing career that have been utterly amazing, things that further prove to me that there is a good and amazing God.  And then there are those days where you wonder why you’re doing this.  Either way, I’m committed to this regardless of the circumstances and ever changing emotions of life.

Which route did you take – traditional or self-published – and can you give us the nitty gritty low down on what’s that like?

Why chose?  I took both.  I started off as an independent writer, and then became traditionally published.  Both venues can help each other synergistically, but the bottom line is getting more books out to more readers who enjoy them.  I don’t get the animosity between the two “camps.”  We can indeed all get along, as long as there is mutual respect and competence in the field.  I like Amazon.com’s mantra to “build Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company.”  I’d like be an author who helps build the Earth’s most Reader-Centric brand of books.

Tell us for real what your family feels about you spending so much time getting your book written, polished, edited, formatted, published, what have you?

They still allow me to live under the same roof.  Seriously though, they are completely supportive and take a great interest in what I’m doing.  I couldn’t be more blessed.

This is for pet lovers.  If you don’t own a pet, skip this question, but do your pets actually get their food on time or do they have to wait until you type just one more word?

Ask my kids instead.  Nah, just kidding.  Kids, dog, turtles, and hamsters are all fed on time, regularly, though my kids might beg to differ, what with their voracious appetites.  I just make it part of my daily routine.  Plus, I love the little critters (and the animals too!)

This is for plant lovers.  If you don’t own a plant, skip this question, but if you do, are they actually still alive?

Uhmmm….hold on, let me check….

Er….Next question please.

In writing your book, how did you deal with the phone ringing, your family needing dinner or your boss calling you saying you’re late?

When I’m writing, I only answer emergency calls, or calls from my wife or close friends/family members. 

What was the craziest or insane thing that happened to you in the book publishing process?

Simply that in 2010, I was a complete unknown, and now I have so many wonderful readers who I am so blessed to call my facebook and twitter friends.  This is a miracle, a blessing, and a confirmation of an all-powerful God…who has a great sense of humor!

How about the social networks?  Which ones do you believe help and which ones do you wish you could avoid?

Disclaimer:  I am not paid by, nor do I work for Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Goodreads.   Yes, I believe they are all great venues for authors to connect with their readers, not just advertise their books.  Avoid?  I don’t know of any that I would need to avoid.  If there are any, I’m glad I don’t know of them.

I hope readers of this interview will connect with me on
My newsletter (sign up to be automatically entered in all contests and giveaways):  www.joshua-graham.com/newsletter

Book sales.  Don’t you just love them (or lack of?)?  How are you making the sales happen for you?

All I can do is write the book, and find a way to let people know about it.  How did I become a bestselling author then?  Well, ultimately that’s something only God can do, by moving the hearts of my dear readers to leave nice reviews and tell all their friends about my book.  Another thing I can do is simply ask my readers to help me with that.  I try to do this with all humility.  I know that most people don’t mind helping authors out, especially if they love their books.  But often, it doesn’t occur to them unless someone reminds them. 

What is one thing you’d like to jump on the rooftop and scream about?

If you’ve noticed nothing else in all my books, I hope you’ll notice the messages of hope.  Know that there is an ultimate hope that transcends every tragedy, every challenge you can face.  It’s the love and awesome power of God.  I’ve witnessed firsthand in my own life, and the lives of others the healing, transformations, and miracles (my writing career is a tiny example).  I’d love to connect with everyone.  So please drop me a line at: www.joshua-graham.com/contact !

Okay, too much sugar for you today!  Here’s a nice cup of Chamomile tea and come on over and sit under the cabana and watch the waves roll in.  Now…can you tell us what you love about being a published author and how all those things above doesn’t matter because it’s all part of the whole scheme of things and you wouldn’t have it any other way?

Not exactly sure what you’re asking there, but this I do know.  We were all created with greatness within.  It’s in our DNA because we are created in the image of the Almighty.  The Scriptures say that we are His masterpiece, created with a great purpose.  So whether you’re an author, musician, doctor, clerk, stay-at-home mother, student, anything at all, you were meant to fulfill a great destiny.  The greatest tragedy is that so many people don’t realize/believe this, and settle for a mediocre existence.  Don’t allow this to happen to you.  Find your calling and purpose by consulting the master plans and your designer/creator.  When you do, be prepared for the ride of your life.  It will take some pretty big steps of faith, but no one who lived out their destiny ever did so without this.

1 comment:

Joshua Graham said...

Thanks for the interview! I had a great time. FYI:

TERMINUS can be found for Kindle and Paperback here: http://amzn.to/178qkvn and for
Nook and paperback here: http://bit.ly/14TdKAN
and for Kobo here: http://bit.ly/16xa6sF