The Storyteller's Diary Paperback – April 28, 2020
by J. Edwards Holt (Author)
Whether you're looking for a mystery, adventure, light-hearted laughs, or even something on the scarier side, "The Storyteller's Diary" has it all! Set in the fantasy world of J. Edwards Holt's "Little Men, Big Treasures" trilogy, this collection of short stories includes over a dozen tales, featuring all kinds of fantastic mythical creatures like dragons, wizards, elves, and much, much more!
Paperback: 245 pages
Publisher: Independently published (April 28, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 979-8639276927
ASIN: B087R98VV1
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16475228.J_Edwards_Holt?from_search=true
https://m.facebook.com/jedwardsholt/
Tell your readers a little about yourself, where you grew up, where you live now, where you went to school etc. Let them get to know the personal you.
I'm J. Edwards Holt. I'm an author of fantasy fiction — mostly for young adults, although I have published one young children's book. I grew up in the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area, and that's where I currently live. I went to a few different elementary and middle schools, and I was homeschooled for all of my high school years. I went to college and got a degree in teaching, then taught for a few years before deciding that wasn't what I wanted to do.
What inspired you to author this book?
I've always loved writing stories. Even when I was a kid, I would write — sometimes when I should've been doing "assigned" school work! About a year ago, I was going through some old paper in my bedroom closet and found a bunch of old stories I had written. I took them out, refined them, and added some new ones. I decided to combine all the short stories into one book!
Where did you get the inspiration for your book's cover?
When I was designing the cover, I wanted something that would appeal to the imagination in my readers. I commissioned an artist to draw me a picture of a mixture of things you would see in a fairy tale. Then, once I was satisfied with the image, I talked with a graphic designer who made the cover for me.
Who has been the most significant influence on you personally and as a writer?
I say this a lot, but C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien are my biggest author influences. I model myself behind them the most. As far as other influences, I'm always inspired by people who follow their dreams no matter what. My family has always inspired me to do what I love, and so have my friends. I've always been taught to go after what you want, and to believe in myself.
What were your struggles or obstacles you had to overcome to get this book written?
I wouldn't say I had any extremely difficult obstacles when writing this book, other than the usual anxieties that come along with writing. Even when you've written several books, starting and completing a new one is always intimidating. It's a very lengthy process, and some parts are just tedious. But once you finish and get to hold that new book in your hand, it's all worth it!
Tell your readers about your book.
My latest book is called "The Storyteller's Diary." It's a collection of short stories I've written over the years, and it has everything from fairy tales to exciting action sequences. It's a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy!
Who is your target audience, and why?
This book is really intended for a wide variety of readers. As Fantasy Review Club said in their review, it's "Fun from ages 9 to 99", and that's what I was going for while writing it. There are some stories in the book that will appeal to younger people, while some have a deeper, more serious meaning in them. Honestly, I've had people all the way from 5th graders to grandparents tell me they enjoyed the stories.
What do you consider your greatest success in life?
Determination. I've been through a lot of things in my life — mostly struggles with mental illness, but I've always been determined to achieve the things I want. Being an author has been my dream for a long time now, and I'm proud that I have accomplished it.
What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your genre?
What sets me apart from others in the fantasy genre is that all of my stories have Christian messages in them. I've always wanted to be in some form of ministry, but I've never been the type of guy that can get up and preach a sermon every Sunday morning, so I decided to make writing my ministry.
