Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Having been in education for forty-seven years as a teacher, coach, counselor and administrator, Joseph Lewis has semi-retired and now works part-time as an online learning facilitator. He is an award-winning author and uses his psychology and counseling background to craft thriller/crime/detective mysteries. He has taken creative writing and screen writing courses at UCLA and USC. Lewis has published nine books, all available on Amazon and each to excellent reviews: Taking Lives (May 2021) the prequel to the Lives Trilogy; Stolen Lives (May 2021) Book One of the Lives Trilogy is a BestThrillers 1st Place Award Winner for Crime Fiction, and a Literary Titan Gold Book Award Winner; Shattered Lives (May 2021) Book Two of the Trilogy; and Splintered Lives (May 2021) Book Three of the Trilogy (May 2021); Caught in a Web (April 2018), which was a PenCraft Literary Award Winner for Crime Fiction and named “One of the Best Crime Fiction Thrillers of 2018!” by Best Thrillers; Spiral Into Darkness (January 2019), which was named a Recommended Read by Author’s Favorites; Betrayed November 2020 is a Best Seller on Amazon in Two Categories, a Top Shelf Award 1st Place Fiction-Mystery; Top Shelf Award Runner-Up Fiction-Crime; PenCraft Award 1st Place Winner, Maxy Award Runner-Up for Mystery-Suspense, a Literary Titan Silver Book Award Winner, and a Reader’s Favorite 5 Star Rating Winner; Blaze In, Blaze Out (January 2022) was named Thriller-Action Book of the Year for 2022 by BestThrillers, Literary Titan Gold Book Award, A Reader’s Favorite Award Winner, an Author’s Shout Award Winner, and was an Editor’s Pick by BestThrillers.com . Lewis has another thriller-crime-mystery, Fan Mail available for preorder, and officially hitting the market on March 30, 2023, and it has already been named a Literary Titan Silver Book Award winner. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Lewis has been happily married to his wife, Kim. Together they have three wonderful children: Wil (deceased July 2014), Hannah, and Emily. He and his wife now live in Virginia.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Fan Mail is my newest book. I wanted to explore the world of "celebrity" and how it might impact and affect a close-knit family of adopted brothers. I've heard of stalking cases where things go tragically wrong. This book deals with that, but more importantly, it explores how a close-knit family of adopted brothers is affected.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been told I am like James Patterson in that I write short chapters that move the story towards a conclusion. I enjoy David Baldacci's character development, and John Sandford's economy of words. I read them regularly.
What are you working on now?
A book tentatively titled, At Any Cost, which is a sequel of sorts to my 2018 PenCraft Award Winner, Caught in a Web. A secret is only as good as it is kept. Once told, no one is safe.
Which Websites you like most to promote your book
Author Website at https://www.jrlewisauthor.blog Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Joseph.Lewis.Author Instagram at: https://www.Instagram.com/joseph.lewis.author Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Lewis/e/B01FWB9AOI / Blog at: https://www.simplethoughtsfromacomplicatedmindsortof.com
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read as much as you can. If you don't read, you won't have the tools to write. Keep at it. The goal to success is persistence.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read as much as you can. If you don't read, you won't have the tools to write. Never quit. Don't get discouraged. Be persistent.
What are you reading now?
James Patterson by James Patterson
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am approximately half-way complete with the first draft of At Any Cost, and I want to finish that up before summer.
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?
Lord of the Flies; The Stand; The Bible.