A native of Toledo, Ohio, Keith Lee Johnson begin writing purely by accident when a literature professor unwittingly challenged his ability to tell a credible story in class one day. He picked up a pen that very day and has been writing ever since.

Upon graduating from high school in June, Keith joined the United States Air Force the following September and attained a Top Secret security clearance. He served his country in Texas, Mississippi, Nevada, California, Turkey, and various other places in his four years of service.

Keith has written four books and is currently working on his fifth. Three of his books have either been released or they will be released in November 2003 (Sugar and Spice) and June 2004 (Pretenses).

 

You did a fine job with PRETENSES. What kinds of research did you did, particularly in terms of setting, since PRETENSES takes place in multiple locations.

In terms of location research, I really like to visit the city and the locations I want to use. Being in the city I’m writing about gives me [a chance to] feel the sites I put my characters in. In PRETENSES, Phoenix Perry and Kelly McPherson travel to San Francisco, where I’ve been specifically to do research for Fate’s Redemption due out May 2005. In SCARECROW, the next Phoenix Perry novel, due out in the Fall 2005, they go to Las Vegas, Tucson, Texas, and Tennessee. I’ve been to all of these places.

How would you describe your writing style and who are some of your influences? Your writing reminded me of a cross between Sidney Sheldon and Gary Hardwick.

I don’t know that I have a style, per se, Cydney, but I got my short chapter format from James Patterson. I have great admiration for him because he proved that black heroes could have a mainstream following with his Alex Cross novels. But, it should be noted that in Fate’s Redemption, the chapters are much longer. I’m not sure how fans will receive that at this point since many of them who contact me express their appreciation for shorter chapters, basically getting to the point. I couldn’t do that in Fate due to the nature of the story. The people who influenced me are not writers per se. They are often written about and their biographies are on shelves, but they wouldn’t be considered authors. These men are Bruce Lee, Malcolm X, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They each influenced me in philosophical ways and you’ll see their influence in all of my books, albeit subtle for the most part.

Has your literature professor read any of your books to your knowledge, and if so, what does he think? In your bio it’s noted that you began writing by accident - purely based on a challenge presented by a former lit professor.

As far as I know Professor Leonard Kress has not read my work. Since you mentioned this, I will make it a priority to get him a copy of PRETENSES. I had planned to get him a copy of Fate’s Redemption when it comes out because he came up with the main storyline of that work.

When you first began to think about pursuing a writing career, did you always know you wanted to write suspense novels? What other types of genres, if any, do you enjoy reading? And what is it about suspense that keeps your pen to paper?

When I decided to pursue a writing career, suspense novels never even crossed my mind. One day I had a flash of insight about a particular story (PRETENSES) and I decided to pursue it with the prodding of a close friend, to whom I dedicated the book. I like reading Eric Jerome Dickey and Jackie Collins. Both of them are funny and direct in their approach to storytelling. However, I prefer non-fiction to fiction when I read. And I love non-fiction Mobster stories. They absolutely fascinate me. Fade 2 Black Book Club in Nashville, Tennessee gave me a forty dollar book gift certificate and I bought four Mobster books with it. I was in heaven. As to the second half of the suspense question, I’d have to say that I don’t think my books are all that suspenseful to be honest. Perhaps that’s because I know what’s going to happen and readers don’t. It’s the reader’s feedback that keeps pen to paper on the Phoenix Perry novels. For each person that I meet and sign an autograph, I try to call that person at least once if they leave their phone number and most do. So I talk to them, give them free books, and a sneak peek at upcoming novels and short stories.

Thus far, what is one of the greatest things you love about being a writer?

The thing that I love most about writing is the complete autonomy it affords me as the artist. While my characters are free moral agents, and do evil things, I always make sure they get what’s coming to them in the end—unlike our current judicial system—I dispense my brand of justice.

Please describe your journey to publication. Did you experience lots of rejection? Were you tenacious in getting your works seen by those in the industry? What are some of the challenges you may had to overcome in seeing your books in print?

As for my journey to publication, yes, I received my share of rejection letters. I still get rejection letters from agents and I’ve got three books out. LOL! The most difficult challenge to overcome was self. I had to keep myself motivated. All around me were negative comments, with the exception of a few, who told me I couldn’t. Thank God I didn’t listen to them.

What is the best advice you’ve been given to date?

The best advice I received to date was from Tee C. Royal of RAWSISTAZ when she advised me to let Zane take a look at my work.

What is the worst advice you’ve been given to date?

As for the worse advice I’ve received: No comment.

How did you feel when you saw your book on the shelf for the very first time?

The first time I saw Sugar & Spice was on the shelves in Toledo, Ohio, I grinned from ear to ear because they said I couldn’t do it.

Do you plan to travel in support of PRETENSES? If so, where will your travels take you?

Yes, I do intend to travel and tour with PRETENSES. I’ll be going to Howard University, Baltimore, Atlanta, and various parts of Michigan & Ohio. To see my schedule, go to www.keithleejohnson.com and click on the tour link.