Interview with James Jones

Author of Free to Think

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

Maryland

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

I have lived in Maryland my entire life, married my high school sweetheart, a hometown story book life I suppose

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

I was encouraged over the years by many friends and colleagues. I was actually quite hesitant at first, but I am very glad that I stepped out and did this. I have several more I will be writing in the near future.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

It is informative, and challenging I hope. Through out Free To Think, I share some thoughts, some opinions, and many facts. It is my hope that this will challenge people to take a look at the world around them, an objective look at the world around them. Then make choices not based simply on “someone said so”, or “this is what I was always told”, but because they are free to think for themselves, truly free. Repeatedly I say through out the book, I don’t want you to walk away from this book and say, “well he’s right, that’s how I will think”. I want the reader to be challenged in the way they think, and come to their own conclusions, it is not as easy as it sounds I promise you, but it can be done. If we want to be free to think, we have to be willing to be wrong, even about conclusions we have already come to ourselves, that’s where the true freedom is found.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

Probably Christians, but I truly hope people will look past who I am, and any presupposed agenda they may think I have, and look at the contents of the book. If we could get past our societal prejudice, and presuppositions we can find things we have never considered before. This book was written for those who are not afraid to take a look at the “truth” they hold on to, and expose it to light, to testing. In short this book was written for anyone who truly wants to be, free to think.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

Getting your book to print is not the hardest part really, but letting others know that the book is out there is the real challenge. I am grateful for an opportunity such as this, authorvoices.com.

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

Be ready to research and put in work to get your book out there. Don’t be embarrassed to share your idea and work with others, and do not hesitate to connect with other authors online, and through social media. Building a network to get the word out is imperative, and do not be ashamed to tell everyone about your book. It is not braggadocios to share your work with others, it is sharing your passion with the world around you. We could all do that a little more.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

Honestly there is no limits for me. I really want to be able to encourage, inform, challenge, and even teach as many as possible through out my life. This book is only my first, there are many more to come. While I must think realistically about the distribution, I will still swing for the fence as well, but not at the expense of staying true to who I am, or the content I need to pass on.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

Honestly it has been the marketing side of the book. I did all the normal things, a Facebook page, a website, book signings at local stores, even went to speak at a few venues, all of which were quite successful. Sustaining the marketing has proven to be a bit more than I was ready for though. Marketing the book, has been, and is my biggest challenge.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

In writing my strength comes from being creative, and having an ability to put thoughts to paper smoothly. It took about 8 hours to write my entire first book Free To Think. Of course I was passionate about the content, but I have always enjoyed writing my entire life.

In publishing my strength rests in finding a solid publisher who comes well recommended, and has a solid track record. It went ok on the first book, but I look to improve this on the next one.

With marketing my biggest strength has been having many connections to book store owners, and friends in places of administration. This helped me to get out and share the book face to face, as well as do some creative marketing.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

One of my biggest weaknesses when it comes to writing is ADD. Often even while I am writing my mind is not fully where I would like it to be. While this can make things more difficult, at times I choose to indulge the creativity of the moment, because it can lead to a better textual variety, but I have to have mechanisms in place to keep me focused on the task at hand, and not already planning out another book while typing the current one.

My weakness in publishing is I didn’t really do enough home work on the first publisher I went with for my first book. Don’t get me wrong they were great, but I think I was expecting a bit more help after the delivery of the “finished product”. That is on me though, I didn’t fully research what happens once I have “book in hand”. I will not make that mistake again though, …I hope.

My biggest weakness in marketing is I am introvert. Crazy as that may sound, I truly struggled going to people, even ones I know and asking to share my book in their store, or from their platform. Once I get going I don’t shut up fast enough, but my greatest weakness in marketing is my introvert nature.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I am in the process already, but as I mentioned earlier about the ADD, I am actually in the middle of two book s currently. I will pick one very soon though, and concentrate on that project’s completion. I a setting a goal for Spring 2020 for my next book.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I used Xulon Press, a self publishing service connected with Salem Broadcasting. I am currently looking at Oxbow for my next book, they are connected to a large publisher that “promotes from within” I am told, so we will see.