Interview With Author Kit James
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
One way or another, I’ve been working creatively all my life, initially in the music business, then in advertising, and also writing comedy sketches for one of Australia’s leading TV comedians, so it’s been a fun ride. During all that time I would write stories, hoping one day to publish. Finally, the moment came when I could concentrate on writing, and Reality Barks was the first book I published. Elliott, the hero of my Mutt to Megastar series, is a fictional dog character, inspired by all the great dogs who have shared their lives with me. He’s super-smart, funny, quick to learn, and he’s a bit of a “smart-arse” too. I love his sense of humour. I quickly realised his story had to be a series, so there are now 3 Elliott books, a prequel, and a Boxset.
I also write as Jinx James, this time mostly dark humour and satire. Using my music experience, I have a series featuring an ageing rock star, Marc Charles, who is desperate to reboot his career, but no matter how hard he tries, he finds he’s the target of a scam to wreck his plans. There are currently three books in my Con The Rock Star series, described as a dark comedy crime caper, with another on the way. Then there’s Dead Funny which I describe as a dark comedy crime fest, a collection of short stories.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Every Which Way But Home. It’s the Prequel to Reality Barks. Readers wanted to know how Elliott had ended up in Barranyup Dog Pound before he was rescued by Jamie, Penny, Adriana and Paul. Amazing as it may seem, I hadn’t thought about it before that, and although my wife and I had adopted lots of dogs from various dog pounds, I had to research the procedure to write this book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No. Any place, any time is fine for me. Gimme a snoring dog and a blank wall, and I’m happy.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Because everything I write has humour, satire and a bit of the dark side to it, that’s where I normally go. Thinking of dogs, I always chuckle at Chet, Spencer Quinn’s really cool dog character. I love the Chet & Bernie series. Then, everything from Carl Hiaasen; Jennifer Egan’s Goon Squad; Chuck Palahniuk’s Survivor, and John Lanchester’s arch and ultra-wicked The Debt to Pleasure. I couldn’t leave out Look Who’s Back from Timur Vermes; the very dark David Grossman’s A Horse Walks Into A Bar, and anything by Janet Evanovitch.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a new story in the Mutt to Megastar series, in which Elliott will be challenged like never before. Poor dog, thanks to Adman Jamie’s money-making scheming, he’ll have to face up to a big doggie dilemma at the end.
Also, as Jinx James, I’m putting the finishing touches to my first paranormal story, featuring a witch, a psychic, and three famous ghosts. It’s got my signature humour and satire, with corporate greed as its target.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I rely on sites such as Awesome Gang to promote my books.
I have Blog-A-Dog on my Kit James website:
https://kitjamesauthor.com/index.php/blog-a-dog/
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep on tapping.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Charles Dickens once said, “An idea, like a ghost, must be spoken to a little before it will explain itself.” So I’m working on it.
What are you reading now?
I’m re-reading Martin Amis.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Time Travel.
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?
My reading companions on a desert island would be the inimitable P. G. Wodehouse, the satirical Gore Vidal, and the masterful Vladimir Nabokov.
Author Websites and Profiles
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