Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve loved telling stories since I was a kid. Forty years as an advertising copywriter/producer forced me to be succinct and clear in my writing. And, as that kid has never really grown up, my imagination is still uninhibited. I’ve had trouble getting published traditionally because I don’t follow genres. I write on subjects that mean something to me, and I make them page-turners you can’t put down. Characters first. Story second. Theme third. I always have a theme, usually something existential or environmental, but my characters lead the story. Even my action-packed books will give you something to contemplate.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Okay, here I go contradicting myself. I’m writing in the medieval fantasy genre now. I grew up reading Howard, Moorcock, and Zelazny, and have always wanted to bring my own spin to the genre. “Beware O Traveler The Blistering Gates,” is the second book in the Expeditions of the Six Fingers series. “The Bloody Awakening of the Anaxagorum” was the first. I combine the traditional (Lord of the Rings) and the gritty (Game of Thrones) with aspects of Dungeons & Dragons. There aren’t magic swords falling off of trees or Orcs living on the other side of the hill or dragons hoarding treasure under mountains. Every fantastic element feels fantastic as the characters discover it. Magic is exotic and feared. Enchanted weapons are few and hard-earned. Each novel will explore relevant themes. The setting reflects our own age and the attack by misinformation on known fact and reason. The fun comes when magic is introduced to the equation.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write every day but at different times. Some days I write an hour in the morning, an hour i the afternoon, and an hour at night. Sometimes I’ll write four hours into the early morning. I write freelance advertising/branding on the desktop PC in my office, but I write fiction in my living room on a laptop, feet on an Ottoman, glass of water at my side.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Other than the fantasy authors of my youth mentioned above, I’ve been very much influenced, not by authors, but by certain books. McMurtry’s “Lonesome Dove,” Frazier’s “Thirteen Moons” (far superior to “Cold Mountain,” and Clavell’s “Shogun,” lead the pack. Adam’s “Hitchhiker’s Guide” is also notable.
What are you working on now?
“Beware O Traveler the Blistering Gates: The Second Expedition of the Six Fingers.” (See above.)
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m terrible at promoting my books. Readers often recommend my titles, but I have zero presence in social media. I currently have five novels available from Amazon, another ready to publish, and a seventh in the oven. I’m hoping Goodreads will help me find my readers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do something else. Fry cook, ditch digger, gladiator, anything. Writing is an affliction, and it’s lonely.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Trust your characters. They will lead the way through your story.
What are you reading now?
Rebecca Makkai’s “Music for Wartime.” Effortlessly awesome short stories.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Gladiator school.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Larry McMurtry’s “Lonesome Dove.” A cast of unforgettable characters trying to live life in the present, as death is around every corner.
Author Websites and Profiles
John Graham Website
John Graham Amazon Profile
John Graham’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile