Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a freelance photographer and writer based near Kamakura, Japan where I have lived for many years (if one includes 20 years in Tokyo). My special interests are: Japanese gardens, Japanese festivals and cuisine
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest book, due out late October 2021 is The Shikoku PIlgrimage – Japan’s Sacred Trail, published by River Books. It took more more than 20 years to complete the entire trail of 88 temples in Shikoku even though I live on a completely different island, over the years I have visited Shikoku many times and was finally able to put the book together with a variety of images for each temple.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write long in the first draft then chop chop chop into more bite-sized text, which is almost always required for photo captions.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Bill Bryson, Paul Theroux, Pico Iyer and Bruce Chatwin
What are you working on now?
I am working on a new book devoted to Japanese gardens: Hidden Gardens of Tokyo, to be followed by Hidden Gardens of Kyoto – hopefully. Prior to the pandemic, visiting the most famous gardens in Japan had become a trail with busloads of tour groups, noisy visitors that rather spoiled the entire atmosphere, so I set out to find gardens that are either not publicized, off-the-beaten-track or the temple monks were simply not interested in turning their place into a tourist attraction. GREAT!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Author events on Zoom, at present I am scheduled to give about 5 more Zoom events, mostly with branches of Japan Society around the world.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep on keeping on!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If you find something to do in life that you love to do as your life’s work, then it doesn’t feel like you are working at all, but rather a pleasure.”
What are you reading now?
I am addicted to spy novels, especially John Le Carre
What’s next for you as a writer?
More gardens, gardens, gardens
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?
The Anatomy of Restlessness, Bruce Chatwin
The Enigma of Arrival, V.S. Naipaul
Neither Here nor There, Bill Bryson
Author Websites and Profiles
John Lander Website
John Lander Amazon Profile
John Lander’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account
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