Big Books of 2026

Ask the Author: Joe Johnston

“I love connecting with readers, and I look forward to your questions or comments here. ” Joe Johnston

Answered Questions (6)

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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?
Joe Johnston Thanks for asking. "Grits to Glory: How Southern Cookin' Got So Good" is the result of my lifelong fascination with folk history and oral history... the stories people tell about why things are the way they are. "Grits to Glory" is a compilation of years of research and untold numbers of stories I've collected. No recipes. All folk history about what we eat, why we eat it, and how we prepare it.
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Unfortunately, I was out of town during your recent book signing in the Festus/Crystal City, MO. area. I have a copy of the Mack Marsden book, and was recognizing some names from my grandfather's side of the the family. My grandfather was Benjamin Franklin Johnston, from Pevely, MO. I have been able to trace back to Edward Johnston, wife Elizabeth Walker. Will you be in the area again, soon, for a signing?
Joe Johnston Bob, I'm glad you're enjoying "The Mack Marsden Murder Mystery!" We are definitely distant cousins. Unfortunately, I don't have a trip planned for your area. If you're interested in help with your genealogy, I hope you'll contact me through my website, joejohnstonarts.com, Then we can exchange info through email. Thanks!
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I am researching Red Galvin and purchased It Ends Here: The Last Missouri Vigilante. Is this a true story? I haven't received it yet. Where did you get your information on Red Galvin?
Joe Johnston Olive, as you know Red Galvin was a real person, just as portrayed in "It Ends Here." My research on Red took a long time, because he's not well know. It took a lot of searching through newspaper reports of his life and death, books, and stories with his byline. In that era, reporters rarely got a byline.
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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
Joe Johnston Don't do it for the money. Do it because you have to write.
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How do you deal with writer’s block?
Joe Johnston Good question and a common problem. But one I've never had. All my life, whether it's journalism, history, fiction, or songs, I write every day. If one thing isn't working, I write something else.
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What are you currently working on?
Joe Johnston "Grits to Glory" was a bit of a departure from the Vigilante Series. Now I'm making another slight turn to a more recent true crime story set in the period of about 1970-present. Stay tuned.
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