Ask the Author: Julia Ash
Answered Questions (16)
Julia Ash
Aw, thank you, Deb! Yes! I'm writing a new book!!! I'm heading back into sci-fi and dystopian survival. If you're interested in my progress, check out my website page on this project: https://juliaashbooks.wordpress.com/s...
I'm anticipating publication sometime in March 2025, but I'll keep you posted!
I'm so grateful for your steadfast interest and support, Deb :) You are the best!!!
Julia :)
I'm anticipating publication sometime in March 2025, but I'll keep you posted!
I'm so grateful for your steadfast interest and support, Deb :) You are the best!!!
Julia :)
Julia Ash
Thank you, Kaija! For MYSTIFIED (which is about a teenager who is drown in her parents' pool and comes back as a ghost to solve her murder), I got the idea to write ghost fiction because I grew up in a haunted house!
Julia Ash
Thank you for your question, Kaija! For MYSTIFIED (which is about a teenager who is drown in her parents' pool and comes back as a ghost to solve her murder), I got the idea to write ghost fiction because I grew up in a haunted house!
Julia Ash
Hello Alex,
The company Damonza ( https://damonza.com/ ) from New Zealand designs all my covers, including for The One and Only. Damonza does not directly connect authors with their artists, though, so I don't know if he actually did the cover artwork for Damonza or not. I have emailed Damonza to let them know of his claim since the company (not an individual) are the official designers of my covers.
Thanks for letting me know,
Julia
The company Damonza ( https://damonza.com/ ) from New Zealand designs all my covers, including for The One and Only. Damonza does not directly connect authors with their artists, though, so I don't know if he actually did the cover artwork for Damonza or not. I have emailed Damonza to let them know of his claim since the company (not an individual) are the official designers of my covers.
Thanks for letting me know,
Julia
Julia Ash
Hi Carl,
So sorry this is happening to you.
My cover for THE ONE AND ONLY was designed by Damonza in New Zealand (https://damonza.com/). However, authors aren't connected directly to their artist, so I don't know the name of the artist who designed it. (Authors fill out an extensive form, send samples of covers they like, and then work with a Damonza liaison.)
I've emailed DAMONZA to let them know of this artist's claim and provided them with a link.
I've now had four book covers designed by DAMONZA and I've loved them all. The cover for THE ONE AND ONLY (my first published novel) is even showcased in their extensive portfolio. If you're interested, check it out:
https://damonza.com/portfolio-2/ficti...
Julia
So sorry this is happening to you.
My cover for THE ONE AND ONLY was designed by Damonza in New Zealand (https://damonza.com/). However, authors aren't connected directly to their artist, so I don't know the name of the artist who designed it. (Authors fill out an extensive form, send samples of covers they like, and then work with a Damonza liaison.)
I've emailed DAMONZA to let them know of this artist's claim and provided them with a link.
I've now had four book covers designed by DAMONZA and I've loved them all. The cover for THE ONE AND ONLY (my first published novel) is even showcased in their extensive portfolio. If you're interested, check it out:
https://damonza.com/portfolio-2/ficti...
Julia
Julia Ash
Hi Jayson! I'm sorry I missed this question.
I think my favorite thing about writing is creating a story that readers enjoy.
When I'm actually writing, I don't think about that; I'm just immersed in the world and challenges of my characters, as well as the craft required to bring their story to each page. So... when readers tell me they enjoyed my story, it's icing on the cake :) It's what makes all the hard work feel totally worth it.
Thanks for asking, Jayson!!!
I think my favorite thing about writing is creating a story that readers enjoy.
When I'm actually writing, I don't think about that; I'm just immersed in the world and challenges of my characters, as well as the craft required to bring their story to each page. So... when readers tell me they enjoyed my story, it's icing on the cake :) It's what makes all the hard work feel totally worth it.
Thanks for asking, Jayson!!!
Julia Ash
Love this question, though as an uber curious realist (who is also sensitive to the fantastical), I've unraveled most of the mysteries of my life. If you don't mind, I would like to tweak the question just a bit...how about: What aspect of your life led to a book plot (that includes a mystery)?
LOL...funny you should ask :D
I grew up in a haunted house! My family researched our ghost's identity since she left plenty of clues. Her name is/was Sarah Pinkerton--a former resident of our home who died in 1917. My knowledge of ghosts inspired me to write my latest novel (MYSTIFIED) about a drowned teen who wants to solve her murder...yes, as a ghost! MYSTIFIED has not been released yet.
Again, thank you for the question, Goodreads :)
LOL...funny you should ask :D
I grew up in a haunted house! My family researched our ghost's identity since she left plenty of clues. Her name is/was Sarah Pinkerton--a former resident of our home who died in 1917. My knowledge of ghosts inspired me to write my latest novel (MYSTIFIED) about a drowned teen who wants to solve her murder...yes, as a ghost! MYSTIFIED has not been released yet.
Again, thank you for the question, Goodreads :)
Julia Ash
Hi Jayson! Great question. Everyone "comes to the table" with different gifts and talents, as well as different levels of knowledge. For me, I started writing novels long before my published, debut novel (The One and Only). In reflection, I wish I had understood the structure (the acts and plot points of every great story) prior to beginning to craft a story. Without this knowledge, it's like building a house without an architectural plan which assures the dwelling is stable and sound!!! (My first two manuscripts are collecting dust because I wrote these stories before I understood structure!) Other than that, my advice is always to... never give up, as long as you're loving what you do!
Julia Ash
Hi Karin! Thank you soooo much for taking the time to read The Tether and ask me great questions!!!
I'm wondering if you've always had a passion for writing or was it something you decided to do later in life? I've always had a passion for writing and after reading A Wrinkle in Time (by Madeleine L'Engle), I decided I wanted to be an author someday! My career was in public relations for a school system and as soon as I qualified for early retirement, I kickstarted my dream of becoming an author :) I truly love it!!!
How did you decide to get into zombism? What was your inspiration for that? I've always LOVED the books I'm reading to get my heart racing, cause me to question what I would do in a crisis, focus on survival, and include science to ground what's happening (even if it's magic). I find that legendary monsters (vampires, zombies, shifters, ghosts, etc.) satisfy my checkmarks and I attempt to add the science to make them more believable :)
In terms of zombism specifically...my second favorite movie of all time is I am Legend with Will Smith. LOVE this movie. Also, I am a huge fan of The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey and World War Z by Max Brooks. I also loved the movies for both these books :) So I would say that all of these were inspirational!
Thanks again for your questions and for being interested in my work :)
I'm wondering if you've always had a passion for writing or was it something you decided to do later in life? I've always had a passion for writing and after reading A Wrinkle in Time (by Madeleine L'Engle), I decided I wanted to be an author someday! My career was in public relations for a school system and as soon as I qualified for early retirement, I kickstarted my dream of becoming an author :) I truly love it!!!
How did you decide to get into zombism? What was your inspiration for that? I've always LOVED the books I'm reading to get my heart racing, cause me to question what I would do in a crisis, focus on survival, and include science to ground what's happening (even if it's magic). I find that legendary monsters (vampires, zombies, shifters, ghosts, etc.) satisfy my checkmarks and I attempt to add the science to make them more believable :)
In terms of zombism specifically...my second favorite movie of all time is I am Legend with Will Smith. LOVE this movie. Also, I am a huge fan of The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey and World War Z by Max Brooks. I also loved the movies for both these books :) So I would say that all of these were inspirational!
Thanks again for your questions and for being interested in my work :)
Julia Ash
"As I walked across the park at night, on my way home after the breakup, I couldn’t help likening the dense fog to Dan and his relentless intensity—always jabbing at my confidence, piercing my doubts with rationalizations, and thrusting me into smothered isolation. But when Dan emerged from the mist, brandishing his hunting knife, I realized that some mistakes wanted me lost in obscurity forever."
Julia Ash
Thank you for the GREAT question, Marie :) There is a nine-year span between Book 1 and Book 2 for two reasons. In The One and Only, Ruby and Clay’s daughter (Gabby) is three-months old. And since I wanted Gabby to play a role in Books 2 and 3, I needed her to mature! Secondly, I also needed the time lapse in order for the zombie crisis to have been brought under control. I didn’t want zombies to compete with Ruby’s next challenge, though readers in The Tether do learn the strategies which have contributed to zombiism’s decline. A time lapse, however, will not happen between The Tether and The Turning Point (Book 3). The day Book 2 ends is the day Book 3 begins! Thanks again for taking the time and having the interest to ask, Marie! Much appreciated :)
Julia Ash
I watch current events and then ask the question: what if? THE ONE AND ONLY (my first book in the series) involves three superpowers playing a war game: the U.S., China, and Russia. Yup...sounds familiar! But in my story, those corrupt war games lead to fantastical consequences that place humanity on the brink.
Julia Ash
I am working on THE TURNING POINT, the third installment to my series called The ELI Chronicles, scheduled to be released in or near May 2020. This story is like "Underworld" (2003 film) meets "Animal Farm" (George Orwell). Strange combination, right? I'm loving it and hope you will, too :)
Julia Ash
Learn story structure BEFORE writing your first book. I wrote my first project before understanding plot-points and well, the novel rests in a closet, collecting dust! Storytelling is both an art and a science, and the science cannot be ignored! Imagine putting on siding before a house is properly framed. Yeah, the siding won't stick so no one is going to buy the house :)
Julia Ash
Storytelling! I love creating characters, events, tension, and twists, while evoking the whole spectrum of emotions from my readers! And I am especially excited when readers tell me they appreciate my craft. I've worked very hard to improve my storytelling skills and have no plans on letting up :)
Julia Ash
Being a writer involves researching, outlining (I'm a plotter), writing, reading (especially on current events), and improving craft. So the key to avoiding writer's block is mixing-up my day to match my mood. I have found this strategy very effective. And if I feel like writing but seem to be having trouble kick-starting a writing session, I read my last chapters and this usually reignites my excitement to move the story forward :)
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more