A View from Steven James' Window - The Christy Awards and The Queen!

Getting to meet and interview Steven James was indeed the highlight of my first International Christian Retail Show and my first Christy Awards Banquet. (I'm praying for other opportunities in my life time!)

It also provided one of my most embarassing moments. When you go up to the person standing next to an author that really wows you and say, "Are you his publicist?" And the answer is, "No, I'm his wife." It's pretty much a humiliating experience. Not that his wife was rude at all, but I stuck my foot in my mouth and swallowed it! Suffice it to say I took plenty of ribbing over that episode!

But, in spite of my embarassment, I pressed on, and the interview that follows is my "hollywood" moment of the 2011 Christy Awards! Enjoy!


What is it like to win a Christy award?

I am honored. Quite a number of brilliant authors were nominated. It’s an honor just to be nominated.

Tell us about your current project The Queen.

The Queen is the most explosive novel in the series so far. Patrick’s relationship with Tessa is still prominent, but the plot involved eco-terrorism as well as giving readers what they asked for – finding out what happens with Patrick and his love interest – finally! Tessa has to deal with the most difficult issue of her life in this novel, and readers will meet one off the most fascinating villains in the series.

The Queen is also an opportunity for me to give back to the fans of the series what they wanted, and to fulfill some of the promises I’ve made throughout the series. As I wrote this novel, I kept thinking about the fans throughout the process. The fans shaped this story in a very real way.

Do you like to read books in the same genre within which you write?

I read a lot of non-fiction. I like poetry, and I like stories about serial-killers. I do read some thrillers, but I like to watch thriller movies.

I used to shy away from thriller novels, because I didn’t want my work to be even subtly influenced by other writers in the same genre. I think it is a good idea not to read what you like to write.

Was The Pawn your first published work?

The Pawn was my first published novel, but the first thing I ever had published was a novelization of Pilgrim’s Progress. It was a fantasy retelling, not an allegory, entitled Quest for Celestia. This story will be re-released next year.

Any parting words you would like to share with your fans?

Any time you meet or exceed your goals, it’s very satisfying, but I can’t control any awards I might win or how many readers enjoy my novels. All I can control is the quality of work I do each day, and that’s what I try to do – give my best effort to my writing every day.