Interview With Author J.S. Manning
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Australian and I work as an international teacher abroad. I started writing novels when Covid-19 began. So far, I’ve written 5 books.
I studied fine art and I originally set out to write and illustrate graphic novels. Eventually, I became just a novelist because illustrating requires more time and space.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Colossal Collapse. Everyone is worried about the government wanting to put a brain implant in them to control them. Little do they realize they’ve been controlled through information. Human beings are very easy to control.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write when I am waiting at the bus stop, when my wife stops at a clothes sale, and when I’ve got a ten-minute break in between classes. Every other author needs a secluded writing den, but I type on my mobile in any place that’s crowded and noisy.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Roald Dahl; his description of James crawling through the tunnel of the giant peach. How did this inspire me? In describing the stickiness of the peach’s meat; it demonstrated that a writer needs imagination which I have plenty of.
What are you working on now?
The Factory in Windy Valley. No matter how well-intended an ideology is, it will be very destructive.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t care for social media; I know it is vital for promotion but I’m not trying hard to advertise or promote my books. I use websites like this one to promote my books.
What am I supposed to do; a stupid dance on TikTok?
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Self-publish. Don’t waste time with literary agents or publishers.
I saw a disclaimer on a publisher’s website that by submitting your manuscript to them they have the right to reject you and to keep your idea.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A certain entrepreneur once said that he doesn’t fear failure but fears regret.
I’ve got zero reviews on my books, I’m probably a sh*tty writer and no one has ever read a single page. But I don’t give a damn, I write just to get these ideas out of my head, and something to do.
What are you reading now?
A Brave New World. I like reading early twentieth-century dystopian novels; they were right.
What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next? I can’t control the universe; every time I try to plan something, life gives me a surprise. Once I complete a book, I get an idea for the next one straight away. I am just going to keep on writing because nothing is stopping me. It cost me nothing to write and I use free editing software instead of paying for an editor. I can’t afford to pay someone who earns more than me. I only write because I don’t have any other goal in life.
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?
How to find food on a desert island. How to build shelter on a desert island. How to accept the inevitable fate of never returning to civilization, if you are stranded on a desert island.
I know, I know; I’m supposed to enter real books but this is a hard question.
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