Author Spotlight: A.S. Johnson

Meet A.S. Johnson, author of multi-genre paranormal, science fiction, and romance novels:

1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in a traditional family structure with four older sisters and one younger brother. My father was a retired Navy Corpman and my mom was a traditional stay at home mom until we were all in school. Both our parents taught us that hard work and determination brokered success. After high school, I attended college and married. It wasn't until my later years that I started to follow my passion in life and become a writer full time.

2. Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Oklahoma and Texas. I believe my writing is influenced by own strong personality. We moved a lot and in order to have friends, I couldn't sit back and be a shy person, otherwise I would have had a lonely childhood. I actively participated in sports, band, and choir. I think this trait of being a leader and not a follower as well as participating in life is something I've developed that comes through in each main character.

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3. When did you start writing, and why?
Since childhood, I've written poetry and short stories. It wasn't until 2008, after a crazy dream, that I actually started to write novels. I shared my dream with my niece Stacy, who encouraged me to write it out, so I did. In a matter of days, I had written the first six chapters of my debut novel "Orion" and it has been a continual journey ever since.

4. Who or what are your inspirations/influences?
My influences in my youth are what lead me to my inspirations. My English Lit teacher, Mr. Black in tenth grade had us read Ray Bradbury's Canterbury Tales. Never in my life had I been exposed to something so vivid and deep. After that year, my love of reading boomed and I found myself amazing at how someone could pull you in and make you feel like you were a part of the story.

5. What do you write, and why? What do you enjoy about what you write?
I write a broad variation of Fiction sub-genres, Romance, Science Fiction, Paranormal, Altered History, that cover everything from young adult to erotica. The main thing I enjoy about what I write, is how the story unfolds the deeper I go into each plot.

6. What music do you listen to while writing?
I listen to a broad variety of romantic ballads in English and Spanish. These tend to spark my creative juices and help me overcome brief moments of writer's block.

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7. What is your latest book or series? Any forthcoming books?
My book, The Bayou Vampires: Lily, is to be released this March. It will be the first book in a erotica series of four. My forthcoming novel, Under Siege will be my first non-romantic based science fiction novel. I'm hopeful for a winter release date.

8. "Welcome To My Worlds": Tell us a little about the world of your latest book or series.
My worlds are futuristic in nature and science fiction based. The Bayou Vampires: Lily is set three hundred years into the future after a peaceful alien race seeks refuge on Earth only to be subjected to the lies and betrayal of a U.S. Military with a desire to create a super soldier. This series follows Lily's journey into uncovering the truth along with three others who enter uncharted water all determine to bring down the military and make those responsible pay.

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9. Introduce us to some of your characters. What do you like about them?
Lily Guidry, is a Cajun with a strong female presence who is raised as a vampire hunter. She is confident in her abilities, and a dominate force over her three older brothers. Landry, Rex, and Billy Guidry are famously notorious for being brutal in their interrogation methods of rogue vampires and aliens. Their entire existence is based upon getting the job no matter the cost, their only flaw is a family secret. These crazy Cajun brothers aren't just crazy they are also vampires, a mutant race created when the human military tried to crossbreed with an alien race and Lily's younger(not older) half-brothers.

I like the structure of each sibling and the idea that despite their bizarre upbringing and genetics, each one of them would kill to protect the other yet when it comes to their little sister, Lily, she is the Alfa of this pack.

10. Is there a message in your book? Do you want your readers to take something home?
Every novel I write has a message of hope, determination, and self-awareness. Every female character I write is a strong female who never gives up her dreams. I want my readers to always believe in themselves first and remember they don't need a man to give you self-worth or purpose.

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11. What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
My greatest joy is when readers get inspired to pick themselves up and get back to the task of following their passion in life.

12. A fun fact you would like your readers to know about you or your book.
The main male character, Arturo Tregree, aka Art, is named after my husband.

Where to find A.S. Johnson:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

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