My Interview with James W. Lewis

James W. Lewis is the author of Sellout, A Hard Man is Good to Find, and Premature Eradication. As part owner of The Pantheon Collective, an indie publishing company, he has insights on publishing, as well as on writing. He agreed to answer some questions for me. I hope you enjoy his answers as much as I did.


Premature Eradication was definitely different, but it was also awesome. Where did you come up with the idea for such a crazy story?
I’ve always wanted to write a sci-fi, suspense thriller about a world dominated by women. Anyone can argue women already rule the world, but I wanted to put my own crazy twist on the plot. And I came up with the perfect way to force men into life-long servitude. :)


How did you come up with the title for A Hard Man is Good to Find?
The title stems from an old Mae West quote and I thought it summed up the book very well!


Have you ever encountered the hatred that some whites have for blacks? I'm talking about the part in Sellout where the two guys kidnap a black man and do some very bad things to him.
I’ve never had anything done to me as drastic as what’s portrayed in Sellout, but I’ve definitely experienced my fair share of racist remarks.


Here in Kentucky where I live, I am ashamed to say that tempers still tend to flare over interracial dating. Is this still a problem in other parts of the country?
Barriers are definitely breaking down. The younger generation doesn’t view interracial dating the same as older adults who grew up in the 60s or even 80s. Still, dating someone of another race is a hot button topic based on my book club meet-and-greets in different parts of the country (mostly west, east and southern regions). You still see cases of hatred toward interracial couples in the news. I know some parents who admitted to preventing their kids from dating someone of a different race.


The Cut Up was one wild short story. What inspired this one?
As with Premature Eradication, I enjoy writing stories of twisted revenge involving a woman perpetrating the most devious crimes. I believe women in general are extremely calculating and crafty, and are more likely to commit a diabolical deed if wronged by a man. Just look at Lorena Bobbit!


Are you working on another book now? If so, would you tell us about it? When do you expect it to be finished?
I’m writing a collection of stories addressing issues often debated among African Americans (i.e., racism, crime, the N-word, Hip Hop culture, etc). I hope to generate discussion and ultimately, find solutions to problems plaguing the community.


You write on some pretty serious topics, yet I found comedy in each one of your stories. Do you intentionally inject humor into all of your stories?
I try to include humor in almost everything I write because I love to laugh. I think most readers love a good chuckle, too. I believe you can find comedy in just about any situation if done right.


How much research, if any, did you have to do for your books?
Most of my books are based on what I’ve been through, saw, or read about. As far as settings, I try to experience them firsthand before writing about them. I set Sellout and A Hard Man is Good to Find in San Diego because I lived there for almost twenty years and always thought the city had the perfect back drop for my books. If I can’t experience something I’ve written firsthand, Google becomes my personal assistant.


How did you choose the names for your characters?
I don’t have any special formula to come up with the names. I honestly just make them up.


When did you realize that you wanted to write?
I was always an avid reader, but my mother unlocked a gift for writing in me that I didn’t know I had by using a very unique, “slick” method. When I was about twelve years old, I got in trouble for something (I don’t remember exactly what) and my mother placed me on house restriction for a week. Not only that, she gave me assignments to write a short story every night of my punishment. I initially hated to write under duress, but as they say Mom knows best, and writing eventually became my passion. Thanks, Mom!

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