Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written twelve novels and written and illustrated four children’s books. The novels range from cozy mysteries to historical mysteries to horror and paranormal stories. I have a cozy mystery series under the pen name of Jeri Green, as well.
My settings are as varied as the American landscape. My works of fiction cover a wide range of topics and themes. From ugly, racist attitudes to the humble kindness of strangers, from unavoidable tragedy and defeat to the unconquerable human spirit that rises from the ashes of chaos, from peace to war, from undying love to utter madness, I delve into the human soul and reveal glimpses of the frail and mortal character of Man. The settings are sometimes gritty and surreal, sometimes, simple and small town.
My children’s books are full of entertaining and unique illustrations geared to making learning fun.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I have been a reader for as long as I can remember. I smile at the picture my mind’s eye paints: a skinny kid dragging a hardback copy of ‘Anna Karenina’ to the beach. Yes, that was a beach read.
I remember losing a copy of Marcel Proust’s ‘Swann’s Way’ in a campground on the Outerbanks. I was surprised to find it lying on a sink in the cinderblock bathhouse at the Salter Path Family Campground a few days later.
My sister ribbed me for days that somebody had returned it because it was such a boring read no one would ever keep it. (I got the book back, but sadly, that campground is no longer in existence. So many fond memories. So many good people who visited there year after year.)
I was into the classics as a kid. It may sound painstakingly boring, but I wanted to learn from the best the world had to offer. It was a rich education – Hemingway, Faulkner, Steinbeck, and scores of others.
I went to an estate sale as a teenager. There in the corner of that musty old house was an old gunmetal manual typewriter. It stood on a little table with wheels and 2 spring-levered leaves that folded in or out. I was lucky enough to get it.
I still have that old thing, though I never use it. I keep it for what it symbolizes. In the age of touch pads and such, it’s nice to see the old mechanical type hammers lined up in their neat row, each with their slug of metal type on the end.
Like I said, it’s nice to look at.
For the actual typing, give me touch pads and laptop keyboards.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Murder at the Buy-Right is a book that came about as my way of trying to lift the spirits of a lady who was recently widowed. I don’t really know her that well, but I guess you can describe this latest story as a labor of love — my gift to her.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love to pile up in bed with my laptop. What’s unusual about this is that I prop the computer up on a small metal shelf organizer. It’s the perfect height for typing and keeps the laptop from overheating — from the hours of typing I put in in a day.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
William Faulkner
Ernest Hemingway
Eudora Welty
What are you working on now?
A small town horror story called Legion’s Legacy.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website is http://jonigreen. I offer the first book in my 1920s mystery series for free.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep your mind open and keep learning.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be willing to put in the sweat and bleed a little. No good thing was ever accomplished without a lot of both.
What are you reading now?
James Lee Burke
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am always striving to make the next project better than the others that came before.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Chéri by Colette
Author Websites and Profiles
Joni Green Website
Joni Green Amazon Profile
Joni Green’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
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