Episode Details

Welcome back to Beyond the Page, the Page Chewing interview series where we go beyond the stories and explore the people who create them.

In this episode, Steve sits down with John David, author of the award winning thriller The Bystander, longtime public relations and crisis communication consultant, nonfiction author, and corporate ghostwriter.

Drawing on decades of experience in communications, John shares his fascinating journey from writing nonfiction business books to crafting suspense novels that tackle timely and thought-provoking issues.

Together they discuss:

Writing the award-winning thriller The Bystander

Transitioning from nonfiction to fiction

Traditional publishing vs. self-publishing

The realities of finding an agent and publisher

Marketing books in today's publishing landscape

Book awards and whether they help authors grow

Corporate ghostwriting and what the job actually involves

Crisis communication, online reputation, and social media

Writing complex stories around controversial topics without preaching

How politics, culture, and current events influence modern fiction

The conversation also explores the slow pace of publishing, building a readership, creating a successful book series, and the challenges every new author faces after typing "The End."

Whether you're an aspiring writer, a publishing enthusiast, or simply enjoy thoughtful conversations about storytelling and the creative process, this episode offers an honest and insightful look behind the curtain of the publishing industry.

Guest: John David

Featured Book: The Bystander

Thanks for listening, and let's go Beyond the Page.