John recently retired as an English professor at Norfolk State University where he designed and taught a course in how to write Science fiction and Fantasy. He is a former Chairman of the Board of the Horror Writers Association and has published approximately 350 stories in places such as Weird Tales, Whitley Strieber's Aliens, Fangoria, Galaxy, The Age of Wonders, and the Hot Blood anthology series. John has published 20 books. Recent developments: MuseItUp Publishing published two novels, Dark Wizard and Dax Rigby, War Correspondent. Another SF novel, Inspector of the Cross, will appear in February. MuseItUp Publishing also published More Stately Mansions and The Blue of Her Hair, the Gold of Her Eyes, and it will release Steam Heat, a tale of erotic horror in December.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a retired English professor who taught for over 40 years at various schools, most recently at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA. I love SF and Horror, '50s science-fiction and horror movies (The War of the Worlds, The Thing, etc.) I’ve been married to my wife Jane for 44 years and we have two children, Lori and David. If I’m healthy, you’re likely to find me out on the tennis court, swatting the ball. I have an impish, quirky, irreverent sense of humor that sometimes backfires.
What made you first decide to become a writer?
I’ve written stories for about as far back as I can remember, but I didn’t always know what I wanted to be because in our society, there is no formal profession such as Writer. Doctor and lawyer and teacher, maybe, but not Writer. Anyway, I can remember scribbling little tales as a small kid and later doing comic strips in crayon that told a story. Later, in my twenties, I made a formal commitment to be a writer, even though I would need a day job to support me.
Can you tell us about your latest book?
In Dax Rigby, War Correspondent Dax travels to Arcadia, a distant world to investigate a war between two alien species, the Flyers and Hoppers. Meanwhile, back on Earth, World War III is raging, and his side is losing it. While on Arcadia, he has rollicking adventures and a passionate romance. He discovers a sinister, mysterious conspiracy, and someone tries to kill him. Arcadia is a lovely tropical world, but it harbors a mysterious secret that will kill him and everyone on the planet if he doesn’t solve it.
Article comments
1 - Frances Pauli
Wonderful interview, John. The book sounds fascinating! Best of luck with it.
2 - John B. Rosenman
Thanks, Frances. I'll tell you, the novel was a real challenge to write.
3 - joylene
Very impressive credentials, John. Best of success with your novel.
4 - John B. Rosenman
Thanks, Joylene. And Dax thanks you, too. ;)
5 - Wendy L
Very interesting post, John. I can imagine your book posed many challenges for you, but will provide your readers with a believable insight into future possibilities.
6 - John B. Rosenman
Thanks, Wendy. I hope you're right. One future possibility I explore is WWIII on Earth and trying to be faithful to someone who is 900 light-years away. Okay, actually that's two possibilities. ;)
7 - Sheila Deeth
Loved this interview. Dax Rigby sounds fun and intriguing--ah, you've got me wanting to know about him and the aliens and the earth... I got lucky and my celiac disease was diagnosed before I got too sick. Hope it's going well now.
8 - John B. Rosenman
It is, Sheila. Thanks for the good wishes! And I'm glad your CD was diagnosed before you got too sick. With me, the doctor was stumped. Glad you liked the interview.