Interview With Author J.C. Copley
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Creeped is my first adventure into the world of writing children’s horror. However I have a long history in publishing. I’ve written for newspaper and magazines along with running my own music and culture magazine for many years.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first book is called Creeped: A Middle School Horror Story. Very much inspired by my daughter and her love of the Goosebumps book series. The original idea comes from a weird dream I had that was later expanded on. The plot and characters are all a collaboration between me and my young daughter, Rowan.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am constantly spitballing ideas with my 8yr old daughter, Rowan. We have a great time playing around with character ideas and weird plot twists. I actually feel that she has as much ownership of the book as I do. It wouldn’t exist without her enthusiasm.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been reading Stephen King since I was little so that very much influences my taste in media. Recently I have read a bunch of Goosebumps and Bone Chillers books. My daughter showed interest in them as young as 6yrs old so I started pre-reading them to make sure they were appropriate for her to read. Skip to today where she is 8yrs old and we have really bonded over these books.
What are you working on now?
Oh I’m always busy busy busy. I’m trying to promote Creeped and working on ideas with my daughter for the second book in the series. The current working title is “Mystery Meat” and is about school lunch that comes alive and causes trouble in the cafeteria. I’m hoping to have that out by end of Summer 2025. Other than that I also run an old school black and white music zine called NTW Punk Zine. I’m also helping some friend put together a new art magazine for the Springfield Cultural Arts Foundation. The first issue of that just got back from the printer this week.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly so far I haven’t found a great way to promote the new book. I’m mostly using word-a-mouth by friends and acquaintances from my other projects. I have a few possible book events planned at local libraries and book stores. My daughter is actually going to do the chapter reading. She is pretty excited about it. In the end the book is for her so its already done its job in my eyes.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just sit down and write. Get your ideas out there. If people read your book that is just a bonus. You have to enjoy making the book in the first place or all the other stuff doesn’t really matter in my opinion.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Everyone is allowed to take up space. You don’t have to be a professional artist to make art. Do what you enjoy and you won’t work a day in your life. If you have and idea put it out there for the community to see. Get the community and all your friends in on the game. The more people involved in projects the better.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading Stephen King’s HOLLY. Its pretty good so far. I’m also slowly working my way through a friends fantasy book, Salvation’s Path by Kyle Harvey.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to start working on Creeped book two soon. New issues of NTW Punk Zine come out every other month and I do band interviews in those.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I could probably read Stephen King’s Dark Tower series over and over for years before I got tired of them. I’m also a big fan of the Night Watch series by Sergei Lukyanenko. Thats like a dozen books though so that might be pushing your “3 or 4” books rule.
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