Ask the Author: Jonathan Epps

“Ask me a question.” Jonathan Epps

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Jerry William asked Jonathan Epps: That's a really insightful approach, Jonathan. I love how you use genre to explore real issues that mainstream literary fiction often overlooks. Quick question - how do you handle pushback from publishers or readers expecting traditional genre boundaries? Would love to discuss your work further: jerrywilliamcall@gmail.com http://69737955c48dd.site123.me
Jonathan Epps I've never interacted with publishers, as I am not formally represented. I am totally self-published. I've come up against the interests of the industry that do not include giving someone of my description entrance into that world. It has been incredibly liberating, in fact. I can write whatever I wish. None of my novels would have gotten past the sensitivity readers in part because I would have declined their changes and lost representation that way. But no agent would take me on in the first place, so it's moot. Readers expecting strict adherence to genre are probably not the right readers for my work. I try to publicize (however limited my potential audience might be) the general interest I have in how I write and what I write about so their expectations can be more aligned with the essential promise in the novels. I'll shoot you an email.
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Hi Jonathan, I read your Goodreads profile and really like how you blend realism with genre how do you decide which boundaries to push in a story? jerrywilliamcall@gmail.com
Jonathan Epps Hi Jerry,

I choose which boundaries to push based on what I feel is necessary to write about, given the difficult and taboo issues are often ignored by the literary culture, as it is today. In my view, the sector has turned away from engaging with real problems. But I wanted to give the stories momentum, so it made sense to marry subjects otherwise showcased by literary treatment exclusively to the more engaging pace and plotting of a commercial genre. Thanks for asking.
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