Ask the Author: Jonathan Maberry
Answered Questions (36)
Jonathan Maberry
That is literally the theme of RED EMPIRE, the 15th Ledger novel, due out next March.
Jonathan Maberry
Yes. It was slowed down by Covid and then by the WGA & SAG strikes. But we just got the second draft of the script, which is awesome. Things are cooking.
Jonathan Maberry
We are now at the second (and quite excellent) draft of the script. Things are moving along.
Jonathan Maberry
I occasionally tap my colleagues/friends in the writing world to ask if I can 'borrow' one of their characters. RJ in Cave 13 is an example; and Joe Lansdale's wonderful Hap & Leonard in Relentless, Agent Franks (Larry Correa) in various books.. Expect more of that.
Jonathan Maberry
I have revisited that concept. The town itself encourages darkness and danger. Have you read LONG PAST MIDNIGHT: TALES FROM PINE DEEP or INK...?
Jonathan Maberry
Not really a jealous person.
Jonathan Maberry
The standalone novel, INK, is a personal favorite.
Jonathan Maberry
I did five nonfiction books on supernatural folklore, and they included a lot about crytpids. They are VAMPIRE UNIVERSE, THE CRYPTOPEDIA (with David F. Kramer), THEY BITE (with David F. Kramer), WANTED UNDEAD OF ALIVE (with Janice Gable bashman), and THE VAMPIRE SLAYERS FIELD GUIDE TO THE UNDEAD (written under the pen name of Shane MacDougall)
Jonathan Maberry
That depends on what you like to read. I write for different ages and in many different genres. Here's a list of suggestions:
1- If you like zombie fiction for adults, then DEAD OF NIGHT.
2- If you like zombie fiction for teens, then ROT & RUIN
3- If you dig weird-science action thrillers, start the Joe Ledger series with PATIENT ZERO
4- If you like family-friendly science fiction, there’s MARS ONE
5- If you enjoy small-town horror, there’s the PINE DEEP TRILOGY (starts with GHOST ROAD BLUES and is followed by DEAD MAN’S SONG and BAD MOON RISING).
6- If you’re a fan of the X-FILES, there’s DEVIL’S ADVOCATE (Dana Scully’s official backstory)
7- For epic fantasy fans, try KAGEN THE DAMNED
8- For movie adaptations there’s THE WOLFMAN
9- Etc.
10- I also have plenty of graphic novels out there (BLACK PANTHER: DOOMWAR, CAPTAIN AMERICA: HAIL HYDRA, THE MARVEL UNIVERSE VS THE PUNISHER, BAD BLOOD, V-WARS, etc)
11- And a dozen collections of my short stories. The first was WHISTLING PAST THE GRAVEYARD.
1- If you like zombie fiction for adults, then DEAD OF NIGHT.
2- If you like zombie fiction for teens, then ROT & RUIN
3- If you dig weird-science action thrillers, start the Joe Ledger series with PATIENT ZERO
4- If you like family-friendly science fiction, there’s MARS ONE
5- If you enjoy small-town horror, there’s the PINE DEEP TRILOGY (starts with GHOST ROAD BLUES and is followed by DEAD MAN’S SONG and BAD MOON RISING).
6- If you’re a fan of the X-FILES, there’s DEVIL’S ADVOCATE (Dana Scully’s official backstory)
7- For epic fantasy fans, try KAGEN THE DAMNED
8- For movie adaptations there’s THE WOLFMAN
9- Etc.
10- I also have plenty of graphic novels out there (BLACK PANTHER: DOOMWAR, CAPTAIN AMERICA: HAIL HYDRA, THE MARVEL UNIVERSE VS THE PUNISHER, BAD BLOOD, V-WARS, etc)
11- And a dozen collections of my short stories. The first was WHISTLING PAST THE GRAVEYARD.
Jonathan Maberry
No, but a former employee of the CIA is VERY close to figuring it out
Jonathan Maberry
Glad you're enjoying the books. The 13th Joe Ledger novel (CAVE 13) debuts on 8/29 and I'll be writing the 14th (BURN TO SHINE) soon. As far as Church goes, the 15th ledger novel (THE ALCHEMIST) will debut in 2025, and it will be his origin story.
Jonathan Maberry
I have big plans for those characters.
Jonathan Maberry
I'm writing the final book in the KAGEN THE DAMNED Trilogy (THE DRAGON IN WINTER) right now. It should be out in about a year.
Jonathan Maberry
Sam Hunter is a character I love to write in the short form. If he appears in a novel (which is likely) it will probably be as a supporting character. Like Monk Addison was in GLIMPSE. Monk's appearance in that novel made me want to use him in a leading role, which I did in INK. Anything's possible
Jonathan Maberry
There is no such thing as writer's block. That's a broad and misleading label often applied to any of a number of challenges writers can face. If you can identify what specific thing is making you feel blocked, then hit me with that question. But...trust me...there is no immovable block for writers. Everything has a fix or a workaround.
Jonathan Maberry
So glad you enjoyed it! That was my first novel and now I'm on #42. But that will always be a sentimental favorite. Have you read the latest Pine Deep book, INK?
Jonathan Maberry
There is a new Pine Deep novel out now...INK. It's set 15 years after the events of Bad Moon Rising. It's a standalone novel with a new (and very creepy villain). Crow, Val, and Mike are in it, as well as new characters.
Also, there's an audio short story collection, DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN, that has a number of stories set in Pine Deep.
Also, there's an audio short story collection, DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN, that has a number of stories set in Pine Deep.
Jonathan Maberry
I'd like to visit Amber, the fantasy realm created by Roger Zelazny
Jonathan Maberry
Did not see this question when it was posted, so I apologize for a two year delay!!
My most recent summer reading was actually hundreds of stories I had to go through as editor for Weird Tales Magazine. For pleasure reading, I re-read THE MIST by Stephen King; a whole bunch of M.R. James' ghost stories, and a slew of Hellboy graphic novels
My most recent summer reading was actually hundreds of stories I had to go through as editor for Weird Tales Magazine. For pleasure reading, I re-read THE MIST by Stephen King; a whole bunch of M.R. James' ghost stories, and a slew of Hellboy graphic novels
Jonathan Maberry
Shortly after I graduated from high school there was a series of unsolved murders by a serial killer. He was never found, as far as I know. I plan to fold some of that into a novel one of these days.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more
Apr 15, 2025 09:00AM · flag