Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name’s Russ Allen and I’m the Student Ministries Pastor at a large church in Pennsylvania. I have a wife and two daughters and love every minute I get to spend with them. In my free time – which is few and far between these days – I like to read, write, and work out. I have written one book – a Christian inspirational memoir called The Bonny Lane Club.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book, The Bonny Lane Club, is an inspirational Christian memoir recounting my knee injury playing college football and the physical therapist who befriended me and became a key spiritual mentor in my life. We began a workout group in his basement called the Bonny Lane Club and it grew to impact many people in our community. Although originally just a small project, the book has impacted so many people and even gone on to win several awards – truly a testament to God’s blessing through the whole project.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
With a full-time job and two kids under 3 years old, I don’t get a lot of extensive time to write. So, I’ve developed the ability to consistently write small amounts over long periods of time. Most weeks, this means I can only write 2-3 pages… but after 2-3 years, this results in a book!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
From a religious perspective, the biggest influence on my writing is C.S. Lewis. I love Lewis’s writing – both his fiction and nonfiction – because it is simple yet profound. Lewis deals with difficult topics in a way that are sensible and enlightening. Interestingly, another big influence on my writing is Anthony Horowitz, a teen and young adult suspense/thriller author. Horowitz impacted my writing because his narratives are captivating and keep young readers wanting to read more. Although The Bonny Lane Club is not a suspense/thriller book, I hope it is written in a way that makes young people want to keep reading.
What are you working on now?
Right now I am writing articles regularly for several websites, including my own – The Work of Redemption. I am also continuing to promote my recently released inspirational Christian memoir, The Bonny Lane Club.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method for promoting my book is social media. We created an amazing book trailer video that was shared over 100 times and reached several thousand people!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My biggest advice to new authors is to not rush. Take your time, refine your craft, do your research, and be patient for opportunities. We live in a culture where we’re used to things happening so quickly. It takes time to write a good book. Slow down. It’s worth it in the end.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever been given is to be faithful to God in all the small things of life. These are the things that build our character and grow our relationship with God.
What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading a Christian classic – The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
What’s next for you as a writer?
I will continue to write regular articles for my website and guest articles for other blogs I contribute to. I also plan to begin work on my next book!
What is your favorite book of all time?
My favorite book of all time is The Lord of the Rings. There is a lot of Christian symbolism in the story and it’s brilliantly written.
Author Websites and Profiles
Russ Allen Website
Russ Allen Amazon Profile
Russ Allen’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile