Author Interview: J.S. FRANKEL

I'm back and kicking off the new week with ...
you guessed it, a new author interview! 
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The Author...
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J.S. Frankel was born in Toronto, Canada and grew up there, receiving his tertiary education from the University of Toronto and graduating with a double major in English Literature and Political Science. After working at Gray Coach Lines for a grand total of three years, he came to Japan at the age of twenty-six and has been there ever since, teaching English to any and all students who enter his hallowed school of learning. In 1997, he married Akiko Koike. He, his wife and his two children, Kai and Ray, currently reside in Osaka. His hobbies include weight training, watching movies when his writing schedule allows, and listening to various kinds of music. 

His novels, all for the YA set, include Twisted, Lindsay Versus the Marauders and it's sequels, Lindsay, Jo, and the Tree of Forever, and Lindsay, Jo and the Well of Nevermore, all courtesy of Regal Crest Enterprises. He has also written the Catnip series (five novels), Mr. Taxi, The Titans of Ardana and its sequel, The Titans of Ardana 2: Battlefield, along with Picture (Im)perfect and more novels, courtesy of DevineDestinies.com. 

Future projects for Devine Destinies include the final novel in the Titans trilogy, the final novel in the Just Another Quiet... trilogy, The Undernet, the re-release of Star Maps, and more. He is also the author of The Menagerie and The Nightmare Crew trilogy, all courtesy of Finch Books.
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The Links...
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Amazon
Twitter
Facebook

​The Books...
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The Interview...

Did you always dream of being a writer?

Actually, no. I started writing very late, at forty-eight years of age. My son--he was about twelve at the time--had been watching a cartoon on television, something about trees, and he said, "Papa, wouldn't it be great if trees could talk?" It sounded odd, but it made me think, and after that, I came out with my first novel, The Tower. 


When did you start pursuing publication of your work?

About nine years ago. I wrote out my stories by hand, dithered over what to do, and then I decided to make a commitment. 


How long did it take from that first thought to release day?

It took about a year from submitting my work to a publisher accepting it. Before that, there were a lot of rejections, but I persevered!


What's been the hardest part of publishing a book so far?

Probably marketing. I love writing, but marketing, especially in the YA Fantasy genre, is difficult. There's a lot of competition. And not all methods of marketing work or work for long.


And the easiest, or most enjoyable?

Oh, the writing, of course! I get to sit at my computer and think and ponder and create and do research, when necessary. That's the fun part, even though it takes a long time. 


What's next for you?

Hmmm...writing a sequel to The Tower, advertising my novels on Twitter and Facebook, and improving my craft. I never want to stop improving. Many writers become complacent if they achieve a measure of success and go through the motions with subsequent works. I don't want to be that kind of writer. 


What's one piece of advice you'd give to writers just started their pursuit of publication?

I know it sounds trite, but you can't give up. I was rejected more than a hundred times before I got accepted. It would have been easy to give up, but I didn't. Something inside me made me stay the course. So, stay the course. Finish what you started. You'll be glad you did.

Last book you just read?

The Name of Red, by Beena Khan. Very good, moody work. 


What book are you reading now?

Actually, nothing. I'm working on the sequel of The Tower.


Best book you've ever read?

Gone South, by Robert McCammon.


Fave author?

Besides me (sorry, I had to say it!) Robert McCammon.


Best moment of your writing life?

The first time someone said, "I really loved your book!"


Name of your newest WIP?

Return To The Tower.