Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Emily Kay Johnson lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two kids, and two cats. If you don’t know who she is, that’s okay. The important people to know about are the Dudes. At least, that’s what her writing partner, Tyler, says. Luckily, no madcap plans or crazy schemes ever happen in Emily's quiet suburb!
Her goal, like that of most writers, is to spend as much of the day in a fantasy world as possible.
Along with her son, Tyler, Emily writes The Dudes Adventure Chronicles, a funny, realistic series for modern boys 8-14.
She is also working on a space-time travel series and a wizards and castles fantasy series for the same age group. She started Epic Spiel Press to publish rollicking good reads for kids to get lost in.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dudes Hard Target was inspired by the sometimes contradictory efforts that adults undertake to "protect" kids. We're all frightened by the dangers of modern life, but the Dudes see fun and funny in everything. I think turning fear into laughs is a healthy habit to learn early.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I read new chapters out loud to the kids after dinner. Teens are brutally honest, so, if I don't get the reaction I want I lick my wounds and go back to the drawing board.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up reading fantasy and sci-fi to escape from what I considered a boring suburban childhood. My kids taught me that comedy is another kind of escape. They didn't want to read problem novels or learn something. They taught me (I hope) to write without the moralistic parental viewpoint.
What are you working on now?
I like to keep a lot of irons in the fire. I'm currently immersed in world-building for my new sci-fi time travel series as well as final drafts on my medieval techno fantasy series–all for kids. And, of course, I'm drafting the next Dudes book: Dudes Dystopia, based on their adventures during the pandemic. (They had a lot more fun than the rest of us.)
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Amazon Ads, and I love AllAuthor for its great author marketing tools as well as for keeping me current on Twitter.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
It's easy to get distracted by marketing stuff and social media. But you've got nothing to promote if you don't keep writing, every day, for as much time as you can scrape together.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read more books.
What are you reading now?
The Witchwood Crown by Tad Williams.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Choosing an illustrator for my medieval fantasy series. It's so important to have a professional cover. And it's also important to support artists with union-scale pay for their work. My illustrator on the Dudes Series, Jacquelyn B. Moore, is awesome. She really captures the Dudes hilarious expressions as their escapades backfire.
What is your favorite book of all time?
This is always the book I'm currently reading. As long as I can't wait to get back to it, each new adventure is part of my life and changes me. And I'm always anxious to find a new favorite!
Author Websites and Profiles
Emily Kay Johnson Website
Emily Kay Johnson Amazon Profile
Emily Kay Johnson Author Profile Other Bookseller
Emily Kay Johnson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
If you enjoyed this writer’s interview, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors to discover. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring! If you are an author and want to get exposure to new readers submit your book to our book promotion service.