Author Eddie Jones talks pirates and Davy Jones Locker!
Celebrating the release of Down to Davy Jones, the fifth book in the Caribbean Chronicles series, author Eddie Jones shares more about his pirate-themed series, along with tips for aspiring authors and insights into the industry from a publishing professional with nearly 40 years of experience.
What books inspired you as a child?
Adventures of Tom Sawyer. That’s it. I read it every year until the 10th grade and would always use Tom as my book report source. The first book in the Caribbean Chronicles series is called, The Curse of the Black Avenger. That’s Tom’s doing.
I love how your Caribbean Chronicles series combines time-travel fantasy-adventure within a contemporary-realistic setting, with your main character having Absence Seizures, how did you come up with this idea?
I needed a realistic “portal” “worm-hole” that readers might buy into. Absence Seizures are real and a form of epilepsy, but for kids who suffer from Petit mal seizures, this is more than a story trick. There are accounts of kids raising their hands in class, having an episode, and when they come out of the seizure, other kids in the class are laughing at them and the teacher is asking why the child still has a hand raised. These episodes only last a few seconds but during that time they mentally “zone out.” It’s a little like day dreaming when your eyes become fixed on an object, except with absence seizures you aren’t aware of what’s going on around you. And when come out, you have no recall of those missing moments. So in one sense I feel bad for using absence seizures as part of Ricky’s story. But on the other side, if it helps grow awareness of the issue, perhaps boys like Spencer — I dedicated one of my Caribbean Chronicle books to him — will suffer fewer jokes made at his expense.
One reasons I myself write for kids is to address and help children and teens with mental health issues, and I really like the way Down to Davy Jones and the series advocates for mental health, especially when teen depression and suicide are epidemics.
Regarding depression and social bullying, yes, in Down to Davy Jones that was a big motivation. The life we enjoy now is either heaven or hell on earth depending on where we’re going. If we have life and hate it so much that we want to destroy that life, why would you be trusted with life a second time? I want teens and adults to understand that what happens beyond the grave is directly related to what happens in this life.
As this is the final book in the series, how does it feel to be finished writing about Ricky and his time-traveling, pirate adventures? Bittersweet?
There are plenty of pirate stories yet to be told, and I’ll miss the sailing and fighting and pirate talking, but the projects the Lord has laid on my heart require my time. I suppose it’s like owning a sailboat. The two greatest days are the day you buy a boat, and the day you sell that boat. Same with this series.
You’re also known as the Pirate Preacher, can you share when, how and why you are a lover of all things pirates?
Ah, yes, the Pirate Preacher. I’m not ordained, nor would an organization ever give me credentials. For one, I get bored reading all the works of men required to pass the classes. My training for teaching and preaching is the Bible. I don’t read it to know more. I read my Bible to know Jesus better. I believe he is the Word and the Word made flesh. So when I read Scripture, it’s the very same thing as sitting with Jesus and, by his Holy Spirit, have him teach me. He’s the one who points out a word or phrase and says, “Right there. Highlight that. Let’s talk about what this means.” And because I love learning from Jesus, I want others, kids especially, to know the power of the living Word, the Words of Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit, and by extension, the prophets and Apostles. We are all pirates. We all steal, kill, lie, rape, betray, and live by a mutinous code. That’s why we need a Skipper who is willing to die for us so we can be better than a smelly pirate.
What inspired you to take that leap of faith into writing full time?
Age. By age 65 certain parts of the brain shrink, including those important to learning and other complex mental activities. The longer you remain creative, the more new brain cells you’ll create. I had so many book ideas and I was looking at how long I might remain mentally productive. When the Lord gives you a project, consider that one talent and make the most of it. If we do not, we will lose that talent. I love writing. I don’t want to ever lose that talent.
You have both traditional and self-published titles, would you be able to share some of your insights into the benefits of each?
Every author should be traditionally published at least once. There is nothing like having a company believe in your work — and thus you — enough to pay for your efforts. With traditional, you have deadlines. With Indie publishing, you have complete creative control and set your own deadlines. But you also need to know how to market books. Some authors love having a publisher take care of production, design, marketing . . . but once you know how the sausage is made, you tend to eat bacon. Book publishing is messy. Regardless of if you self publish or a house hires you to write for them, you’ll be responsible for the success of your book.
One thing I tell my clients, “Authors are their own best PR reps.” As an editor and writing coach, can you provide any tips/resources for authors as self-promoters?
For Down to Davy Jones I’m using Tammy Karasek, launchteamgeek@gmail.com. So far I’m super impressed. She’s done a great job of building my team, so I would recommend her for a book launch. That said, after the launch I’ll need to maintain momentum. It’s a “launch,” and unless the title clears the industry’s gravitational pull, the title will plummet. Right now I’m testing for the 10th time BookBub ads. They seem to be helping some. Amazon ads are expensive for the results. Facebook ads are a money pit. Same with Google ads. I’m also back to using http://www.prlog.org/ but that’s mostly for our ministry work at Christ’s Church at Moore Square.
Can you provide tips for authors considering self-publication? And/or resources where authors can learn more?
Reach out to me and let’s chat. I offer free consultation for anyone who is considering self pubbing. It grieves me when I hear of an author spending thousands of dollars so they can release a book that will sell 200 copies max. There’s a better and cheaper way. If someone wants to hire me to coach them through the process, great. If not, I’ll send them all the documents, and they can use IngramSpark and Amazon KDP to release their book for under $1000.
What books inspired you as a child?
Adventures of Tom Sawyer. That’s it. I read it every year until the 10th grade and would always use Tom as my book report source. The first book in the Caribbean Chronicles series is called, The Curse of the Black Avenger. That’s Tom’s doing.
Favorite books?
The Bible. And anything written by John D. McDonald and Dave Barry.
Favorite quote from a book or character?
“In the beginning God created . . .” By the way, this is why AI will never be as smart as people. AI cannot create; it can only replicate. Only humans, made in the image of God, can create.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Hope. Help. Hope does not disappoint. Help fuels hope in others. This is the secret to ending depression. Find someone to help. Any little thing you do that makes their life better, gives them hope. And when you give hope, you receive hope in return.
Love your missions, “Readers Are Leaders” and “Buy a Boy a Book,” where can readers learn more about you and what you do?
Email: authoreddiejones@gmail.com
https://eddiejones.org/
http://pirate-preacher.com/
https://readersareleaders.co/
https://writerscoach.us/
https://mooresquarechurch.org/
Thank you, Eddie, for sharing your author insights and experience!
Graphic novel edition in process:
Eddie Jones is an author, editor, former book publisher of Lighthouse of the Carolinas Publishing, and writers’ coach. Cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries with Cindy Sproles, Eddie Jones has been a #1 Amazon bestselling author in kids / tween / teen mysteries categories and pirate fiction. He has helped countless authors publish their books through writing and publishing workshops and coaching, and he cohosts the writing podcast, Reality Coaching for Writers. When not working, he can be found surfing and sometimes sailing--when the wind is right or someone invites him to crew.
Readers R Leaders – Buy a Boy a Book
Kim Childress is an award-winning editor and author of hundreds of books for children and their adults including Find Your Future in Art, Kim Childress is a product developer in children’s publishing, book editor for Girls’ Life magazine since its 1994 debut; former middle grade acquisitions editor for Zondervan, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, who has maintained a successful career while raising a personal focus group of four children through diapers, doctors, broken bones, college, and plagues.