We recently had the chance to connect with Justin Leslie and have shared our conversation below.
Justin, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Great question. There are a lot of misconceptions about becoming and being an author. I have people reach out all the time asking “How did you do it? I wouldn’t know where to start but want to write.” I say to this. Just write. Writing to me is an artform. You can learn how to play guitar, draw, and several other things. Some people are naturally gifted, and some take time.
The part that no one understands is the grind to be seen by the public and gain an audience. Marketing, time, money, and connections are all very important things. Very seldom does an author show up out of nowhere and write a bestseller. I say this as there are several independent authors that are putting out way better material than some of the stuff you see through large publishers, they just don’t have the reach. I feel tech is changing this.
Yes, I do have a book deal with a large publisher, but I actually prefer my independent Max Abaddon series. Way more flexibility and when you are on your own schedule, you write better. Just my take, but I truly believe this. Say what you want about Amazon and other similar retailers, but they have given a voice to independent writers that was not previously there.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As an author, I like to tell stories. I often tell people you can believe as much as you think I’m willing to tell when it comes to my story. I call Northeast Florida home these days, having moved here in 2000 and haven’t looked back from my days growing up in Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee. To date, I have written fourteen books and produced ten best-selling audiobooks. The one and only Luke Daniels performs the Max Abaddon Series.
The two main series I currently write are the Max Abaddon Series, Urban Fantasy stuff, and The Sinking Man Series, Zombie stuff. Interestingly enough I am working to turn this into a TV show.
I also scored a book deal not to long ago and published a sci-fi series known as the Descending Worlds Series. A long and surprising path led me to become an author. I joined the army at eighteen and was able to retire after several long years. The odd thing about traveling around the world and having time to do things like read was I found myself devouring entire series. Enter wanting to write my own….
I also have a 9-5 working as a sales leader in the Healthcare space. Yes, I have a job, and during my evenings after work, writing is my escape.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
What a question for an author. My ego and ability to take criticism. Yes, I’m looking at you sci-fi fans….the fact that one of my main characters had a toaster for a head should have tipped you off it was not an overly serious. I like Douglas Adam’s. See what I did there? I let it go. As a writer you get an overwhelming amount of good and bad reviews. I even like to read my bad reviews for fun and make videos out of them. Writing is not for the thin skinned. Not to mention there is always a better author out there.
That being stated, when I received my first rightfully deserved bad review due to my initial editing, I was beside myself. Should I stop now? Is everyone going to hate my work? Then something dawned on me. I have good reviews and people that do like my work. Every band puts out a few duds as I was told. The thing here is to learn from it. Once I worked through this and decided not to respond to the bad reviews, I found it as fuel to write better.
I now love a poorly written bad review. Just not to many of them…
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
Yes, Yup, absolutely…. When I started writing I did just that…write. Before I knew it I had my first Max Abaddon novel completed. I then did something I never thought would work. I reached out to an author that I enjoyed to read, and guess what, they responded. This is why I often help authors out. Hunter Blain writes the Preternatural Chronicles and due to the fact I had already written a book and not released it, truly listened to my questions and truly helped me out.
Having already gone through this, he listened to my concerns and questions and to this day we are friends. We are even writing a book together. When an author reaches out I always ask. Have you finished your book yet, doesn’t matter how rough it is? If I get a yes, of they come back when they have I do the same. I listen and help in every way I can. There are several books out there and new writers that I helped get started.
The writer community is great. We know how to listen. Words mean things and to us, it’s all about what you do with those words.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
It is. No pen names, just me. Funny story. I went to a large writer convention and when people met me, they didn’t believe I was a writer. I don’t fit the part in person. The same goes when People I work with learn what I do outside work. “You? Really? You write Fantasy books?” Me. “Yes, I’m a 6 foot 8, 270 pound ex-army nerd. I always had a great imagination and sometimes people don’t see it. I also play music, was in bands, and through on a suit from time to time. But that’s me. What you see is what you get. Don’t judge a book by its cover. See what I did there… But all joking aside, I do know writers that like to remain private. I met one of my favorite authors and they were not who you see publicly. I wanted a picture, but respected their privacy and just settled for a coffee and a handshake.
Oh, and don’t get me started on some of the steamy romance writers. Yes, some of those authors you think are whomever writing your favorite steamy novel (some are really good) are not who you think they are…… I understand this on a larger scale. For example, if I wanted to write something different and more serious, I would likely try a pen name to see where it went. At the end of the day, I am who I am. I just surprise people every now and then when they find out I am a moderately successful, okay writer.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Planning my next series! And possible TV show.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://justinleslie.com/
- Facebook: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/MaxAbaddonbooks/__;!!OFBJNr4F2A!RPjLX94tL3r2U8cx1uispbV4Q5W6t1SEVTaTGWZeFRke8zmZykQp2ZPrZZ6cjYPJVhfqDbXAxJJ3SJJyvFOL5ouBaw$
- Soundcloud: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://dl.bookfunnel.com/fsdv7acnxd__;!!OFBJNr4F2A!RPjLX94tL3r2U8cx1uispbV4Q5W6t1SEVTaTGWZeFRke8zmZykQp2ZPrZZ6cjYPJVhfqDbXAxJJ3SJJyvFOMvFyy-g$
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/author/justinleslie__;!!OFBJNr4F2A!RPjLX94tL3r2U8cx1uispbV4Q5W6t1SEVTaTGWZeFRke8zmZykQp2ZPrZZ6cjYPJVhfqDbXAxJJ3SJJyvFNU0_aLXA$
https://podiumaudio.com/book-series/the-descending-worlds/__;!!OFBJNr4F2A!RPjLX94tL3r2U8cx1uispbV4Q5W6t1SEVTaTGWZeFRke8zmZykQp2ZPrZZ6cjYPJVhfqDbXAxJJ3SJJyvFNcrrcwwg$
