Today we get to know Ashley Gary Johnson, author of Tiny Warriors: Lena & Luca and
— where thoughts, words, and wanderings entwine; and where you get glimpses into Ashley’s literary creations, updates on his authorial journey, and captivating tales of his travels.In this episode, we cover:
(00:26): The Inspirations Behind Ashley Johnson's Debut Novel: A Q&A with the Author
(00:48): Overcoming Anxiety and Imposter Syndrome to Pursue Writing: A Personal Journey
(01:00): Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: The Journey of a Creative Writer
(01:09): Unveiling the Power of Miracles: Finding Light in the Darkest Moments
(01:12): The Perils of Penning: Unraveling the Toughest Writing Challenges
(01:14): Conquering Imposter Syndrome: Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Success
(01:16): Exploring the Depths of Literary Preferences
(01:18): Inspirational Stories: Exploring the World of Biographies and Memoirs
(01:21): Unleashing Creativity: Exploring Different Genre Preferences
(01:23): Blurring the Lines: Exploring the Intersection of Memoirs, Fiction, and Non-Fiction
(01:26): Unraveling the Power of Inspiring Words: Conversations on Favorite Quotes
(01:27): The Power of Dishonesty: Exploring the Surprising Benefits
(01:31): Upcoming Projects and Plans: A Glimpse into the Future
(01:33): Exploring Fact and Fiction: Unveiling Two Compelling Novels Based on True Stories
(01:40): Exploring New Frontiers: A Book Signing Journey
(01:47): Exploring the Magic of Waterstones: A Literary Haven in London
(01:49): Adventures in Book Promotion: Unveiling the Most Exciting and Unusual Locations!
(01:52): The Heartfelt Gesture: Giving Back to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
(02:07): Lessons Learned: The Unexpected Challenges of Publishing a Book
(02:13): The Power of Daily Notes: Enhancing Narrative Writing Through Unseen Significance
(02:20): Unleashing Your Inner Author: Essential Advice for Aspiring Writers
(02:22): Unleashing Your Potential: Empowering Yourself to Achieve Success
(02:25): The Joys of Being an Author: Discovering Passion in the Written Word
(02:27): Unleashing the Power of Written Expression
(02:30): The Downsides of Being an Author: Unveiling the One Thing I Dislike
(02:32): Exploring the Delights of Being an Author
(02:36): The Key to Selling More Books: Successful Strategies From Top Authors
(02:39): Effective Communication: Navigating Relationships with Family, Friends, and Co-workers
(02:42): Discovering Our Digital Footprint: Tracing Your Online Presence
(02:43): The Online Presence of Ashley Johnson: Exploring His Personal Website and Substack
(02:47): Podcast Segment: Poetry Contest, Book Launches, and Author Interviews
(04:44): Podcast Production Made Easy with Wondercraft AI
(05:25): Outro
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to Bookends, a podcast about the books, chapters, and pages of our lives and the writers behind the stories we love. Today we will get to know debut author Ashley Gary Johnson. If you want to get in on the fun by doing an author interview, answer the questions you can find at writerkat.com. Now, on with the show.
Welcome back, bookworms!
I'm your host WriterKat. I am doing a Q&A with debut author Ashley Gary Johnson. Ashley lives in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in the United Kingdom. He is married and has two children, Luca and Lena, who are the stars of his first book, Tiny Warriors. Ashley also has two dogs and a tortoise.
Beyond the realm of storytelling, Ashley is a skilled developer, breathing life into digital creations and bringing innovative ideas to fruition. When the ink is momentarily set aside, you can find Ashley immersed in various hobbies that add color to his world. From the thrill of gaming to the serenity of long walks in nature, each pursuit enriches his life in unique ways.
Ashley's life journey has shaped a deep passion for writing. As a dedicated father, Ashley faced challenging times when both of his children spent time in the hospital after birth. It is from these experiences that Ashley's love for writing emerged as a powerful outlet to express emotions, share memories, and explore his passions. A true bibliophile, Ashley finds joy in the written word, reveling in the beauty of books, poetry, and language. With heartfelt narratives that resonate deeply, Ashley invites readers to embark on a literary journey where words have the power to heal, inspire, and forge connections that endure beyond the pages.
Welcome to Bookends, Ashley. What inspires you to write?
Thanks. I guess I have always been inspired to write books, even as a child. I think what held me back before now has been my anxiety and a sense of imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is common for creatives. Congratulations on overcoming it to write and publish your first book!
What do you hope readers will take away from your book, Tiny Warriors?
That miracles can happen even in the darkest of times.
What is the most challenging part of writing?
Definitely my imposter syndrome.
What is your favorite genre to read?
Biographies/Memoirs, Non-fiction, basically.
What is your favorite genre to write?
Memoirs or fiction but based on non-fiction.
What is your favorite quote?
It’s a quote by David Mitchell, "Dishonesty is the second-best policy."
What are you working on next?
Two fictional books that are based loosely on true events. The working titles are Love Across Borders and Bridging Horizons.
Bridging Horizons is a great title. It makes me want to know more!
If you could do a book signing anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Waterstones in London.
Where is the most exciting or unusual place you promoted your book?
I donated a signed copy to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where my children spent their early days, along with teddies for the sick children and a code where moms could get the eBook for free.
I love that, Ashley. What a caring thing to do. What is one thing you wish you had known before publishing your book?
Take notes every day, no matter how insignificant they seem at the time. It will help when writing narratives.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
You can do it!
What is one thing you love about being an author?
The freedom to express yourself through the written word.
What is one thing you dislike about being an author?
I haven’t found anything I dislike about being an author.
What has helped you sell the most books?
Informing family, friends, and co-workers.
Where can we find you?
ashleyjohnson.co.uk and ashleygaryjohnson.substack.com
Thank you for sharing your writing journey with us, Ashley Gary Johnson. And thank you, listeners, for tuning in. If you are looking for a heartwarming true story, check out Ashley’s book, Tiny Warriors!
Now, on to the News for poets and writers.
Poets! Have you sent in your poems for the PSI 45th Annual Poetry Contest? You can win money and publication for your poems. This contest has not one or two but a whopping 32 categories for you. Enter one or all for the same low fee of ten dollars for PSI members or fifteen for non-members. We are still waiting for our first international entry. The deadline is September 1st, 2023. Visit poetrysocietyofIndiana.org for more details.
Indie Authors! If you want to see how a master marketer does a book launch, join me and over 466,000 other curious creatives on Saturday, August 19th, 2023, at 12 p.m. Eastern Time for Alex Hormozi's book launch of $100M Leads. It's free, and he's giving gifts to everyone who shows up for his virtual book launch. You don’t want to miss this. Who else do you know that gets a half-million people to sign up for a book launch? Alex charges over $100,000 to give presentations, and you can get his book launch and marketing insights for free! Alex put over $1M into this event, all to provide value to us as part of his massive new book launch. It is the Super Bowl of creative entrepreneurship. Don’t miss out. Sign up at booklaunch.xyz. I’ll see you there!
If you're an author with a book release on the horizon or want to participate in a Q&A interview, visit writerkat.com for the author interview questions.
If you want to support author interviews and book launches, please subscribe at indieauthors.substack.com.
Alright, bookworms, that’s it for today. Visit writerkat.com for links to all my writerly projects and social media. Until next time, keep reading, keep writing, and remember; every story has the power to change lives!
Thanks to Wondercraft AI for producing this podcast. Wondercraft is a game-changer for podcast production. It’s perfect for introverts and busy authors. No being put on the spot with unexpected questions, no having to be on camera, or rearranging your schedule. Just type a draft or let Wondercraft AI help you with everything from creating the script to quality audio to show notes with time stamps. No equipment necessary. If you want to try Wondercraft AI for free or get 50% off for the first month of premium service, please use my referral link at writerkat.net.
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That's a wrap for this episode of the Bookends Podcast. Thank you for listening! We hope you enjoyed getting to know Ashley Gary Johnson. Please subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes. We'll be back soon with more great conversations about books and authors. In the meantime, we hope you continue to enjoy those special moments between the bookends of your life.
Until next time, happy reading!
Q&A with Ashley Gary Johnson