Ask the Author: Justin Sloan
Answered Questions (5)
Justin Sloan
Did I ever answer this? It looks like not! Sorry :(
ALL of the books in the Reclaiming Honor series are now in Audio, Trish. Thanks for asking. Also, Valerie's Elites has at least two of them in audio.
I agree - Kate Rudd is amazing!
ALL of the books in the Reclaiming Honor series are now in Audio, Trish. Thanks for asking. Also, Valerie's Elites has at least two of them in audio.
I agree - Kate Rudd is amazing!
Justin Sloan
Thank you for the question, Steven. I love the Wheel of Time series. Although I don't think there are questions I would have asked, I certainly wish I had the patience to wait 20 years to publish my first novel. But the joy of publishing on Amazon means we can always release a new edition down the road, so that takes some of that pressure off of the author. Of course, would still advise authors to put everything they can into their novels, and pay for covers and editing.
I take that back - I would ask for an introduction to Robert Jordan's editor and agent, if given a chance to ask. Might as well get a magic lamp and get three wishes though!
I take that back - I would ask for an introduction to Robert Jordan's editor and agent, if given a chance to ask. Might as well get a magic lamp and get three wishes though!
Justin Sloan
I am always working on multiple projects. I just finished up a short spin off to my Teddy Bears in Monsterland novel, and am working with an illustrator for the cover and a narrator for the audiobook. The audiobook for Back by Sunrise has just been released, by the way, and the narrator did an amazing job. I have book two of Falls of Redemption (The Land of Gods trilogy) outlined and ready to go, and am finishing up my first draft to book two of my Allie Strom series (the first in the series is the one I am sending to agents). I can’t wait to share more with everyone on my website, www.JustinMSloan.com.
Justin Sloan
For the potential Indie author:
Being an Indie author can be a thrill, but it is also a lot of work. Now that I am about to have my fourth novel published (plus a couple of spin-off short stories and some non-fiction), I am looking at an agent for my next novel (it’s being considered right now, so we’ll see!). But I love the idea of
having my own books out there than I can market how I want, or publish sequels to in a timely manner (some publishers say they take as much as three years for your book to hit the shelves from the moment they pick it up).
My advice is to look at the publishing market with open eyes, and don’t dismiss the Indie route. But also think about what you’re willing to put into it. Are you willing to invest the money to hire an editor? How about a cover artist? What are you going to do to promote your book? I have talked to
way too many Indie authors who have horrible looking covers and sell one or two copies a year, because they don’t make the commitment needed. Analyze yourself and, if you are ready, make the commitment. Otherwise keep on submitting and wait patiently (but write in the meantime).
Being an Indie author can be a thrill, but it is also a lot of work. Now that I am about to have my fourth novel published (plus a couple of spin-off short stories and some non-fiction), I am looking at an agent for my next novel (it’s being considered right now, so we’ll see!). But I love the idea of
having my own books out there than I can market how I want, or publish sequels to in a timely manner (some publishers say they take as much as three years for your book to hit the shelves from the moment they pick it up).
My advice is to look at the publishing market with open eyes, and don’t dismiss the Indie route. But also think about what you’re willing to put into it. Are you willing to invest the money to hire an editor? How about a cover artist? What are you going to do to promote your book? I have talked to
way too many Indie authors who have horrible looking covers and sell one or two copies a year, because they don’t make the commitment needed. Analyze yourself and, if you are ready, make the commitment. Otherwise keep on submitting and wait patiently (but write in the meantime).
Justin Sloan
I started writing children's books because I love reading children's books. I was heavily influenced by the Narnia series and The Hobbit, and just as much by Disney and Pixar films. Now that I have children, I want to convey that same sense of mystery and awe that I felt as a child (and let's be honest, still feel when reading these and similar books, such as Fablehaven and Spirit Animals).
But let's get more specific: I love the story of BACK BY SUNRISE because it feels very personal to me, even if it is so different from anything I will ever actually experience. The idea came to me when my friend was deploying with the Marines to Iraq, and I couldn’t imagine the pain his daughter would feel if he never returned. So I wrote this fantastical way of dealing with the grief, sort of a modern Land Before Time but with birds and a mouse and a magical necklace.
With TEDDY BEARS IN MONSTERLAND, I've just always loved the idea of our teddy bears coming to life at night to protect us, and so the novel seemed like a logical (and very fun) story to write.
But let's get more specific: I love the story of BACK BY SUNRISE because it feels very personal to me, even if it is so different from anything I will ever actually experience. The idea came to me when my friend was deploying with the Marines to Iraq, and I couldn’t imagine the pain his daughter would feel if he never returned. So I wrote this fantastical way of dealing with the grief, sort of a modern Land Before Time but with birds and a mouse and a magical necklace.
With TEDDY BEARS IN MONSTERLAND, I've just always loved the idea of our teddy bears coming to life at night to protect us, and so the novel seemed like a logical (and very fun) story to write.
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