Thank you, Jean, for taking the time to share a little about your journey as an author, the integral role your faith plays in your writing, and your creative process. We look forward to hearing more about what exciting developments lie ahead for your readers and gaining insights and perspectives on your self-publishing journey in the Christian genre.

Can you share a bit about yourself and your background? What led you to become an author?

Thank you for this opportunity to share about my life as a writer. I was actually a visual artist first, so my book cover illustrations, just as the words, I’ve penned myself. Like the detail in my renderings coming together to form the whole, close observations of life have provided a panoramic view, and it is that full (startling) perspective that caused me to double up on pen and ink. Having an independent temperament, an upbringing in Oakland, California, I was blessed by way of a church bus ministry, and Christ truly steered me from an early age.

What inspired you to write The First and Last King Series, and how did the concept for Corrupted Root come about?

What inspired me, pushed me…challenged and enlivened me was God’s Holy Spirit. I’d gleaned relevant information over thirty years and didn’t want to withhold my observations – these were alterations in what God intended for life on Earth. It was that fallen angel that spoiled The Garden, and he continues, now with urgency, to hunt and gather a crop of souls. Even at this time when we have made great accomplishments, Lucifer deceives effortlessly; so it is, I show evidence of this in CORRUPTED ROOT.

But as an introvert it seemed an impossibility for me to speak up. It was my artistic sense that prompted the need to transform the collection of knowledge into fiction in order to draw those destined to read it. But I had to be shaken with the seriousness of this undertaking; it wasn’t enough to wake in the middle of the night to scribble notes, or to write a sentence saved on the grocery list, or on a paper napkin in a café; it took the occurrence of a serious illness, disseminated coccidioidomycosis, or valley fever, bedridden for two years in order to write.

How does your faith influence your writing and the themes you explore in your novels?

It was when the Olivet Discourse met with Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy that my interest in bioethics emerged; a combination of books studied during isolated hours in the bowels of great research institutions – hospitals and teaching centers, I, with sensitivities, observed drastic changes in technology and medicine; this benefit came from the companionship of my physician husband, a specialist in nuclear medicine.

As achievements in science quickly expanded into technology and pharmacology, dark medicine progressed, gradually infiltrating with designs to alter the human made in God’s image, while many engineering feats were tainted. What is coming out of this electronic and scientific era is being manipulated by those who are working toward building a kingdom that belongs to the Antichrist.

Scientific and medical effusion by way of new eugenics and technology, through bureaucratic indoctrination, dictated by the Luciferian cabal, an evolutionary breed of people will be created. This harsh reality is what I write about, presented in a parallel world, a fictional account making it easily perceptible. Do not think that God will be silent, nor will His people be submissive!

If it was a singular item that grabbed my attention, I suppose it was the War of the Sons of Light and Sons of Darkness, from a Judaica document found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, that inspired me to write a portrayal of the first half of the Tribulation.

CORRUPTED ROOT, the 4^th in the series, introduces a new period of discovery. While each book can easily be read independent of the others, there is a connection to each in the journey the characters take toward Beulah. Book four builds the structures to accommodate a dark city and for the illusions manufactured by invisible demons. It describes the mainland city, a machine of artificial intelligence with each part of its body functioning as the bureaucratic mind ordered.

This is juxtaposed to the island, cut off from all modern means. Throughout the series a comparison is made between the two. Book 5, CORONA RADIATA reveals that the evil is all encompassing, corruption taken place in the world is led by technocrats under the spell of Lucifer – and Book 6, the manuscript for which I’m currently editing, introduces the towering stone figure of Aesculapius, the god of medicine and healing, and with his Apollonian dominance demanding worship, he comes to life by technical and demonic means. Of course, this god is symbolic of the beast of Revelation 13 – all who dwell on the earth will worship it, whose names are not written in the book of life.

I’d have nothing really to write about without my faith in Christ – since those varied topics braided together in my books are by His guiding light. Enabling me to see that these connected, I had to carry out the story multifaceted in topic and genre and composed in a series.

In crafting the storylines for your books what is your creative process like? How do you approach developing characters and plot?

The characters drive the plot; sometimes without my permission. But as long as they stay within the confines of the synopsis, I can learn from them. Some characters are composites of people I’ve known; most are totally made-up; only a few are truly based on people close to me, and with their approval, of course, but even their identity is obscured.

Inanimate objects can take a similar position, important as a character; throughout the series a large leather pouch colored rust-red, holding documents of significance, is passed down from several heroes. And in my current novel the reader will discover a banned book which takes on an essential role, sought after for succor or salvation – or for the sale of it. God’s Word had disappeared, the campaign against it, as scripture forewarned, had succeeded.  

Corrupted Root is described as an eschatological novel. What messages or themes do you hope readers take away from this book?

Eschatological – that word is a mouthful! And frankly, it has scared the living daylights out of some people. Even the idea of speculative fiction can be intimidating, so using the science fiction genre helps in this “end-times” setting. It might seem odd to learn of what holy scriptures have warned us about in a make-believe university hospital and research center created in my books.

But the theme of the story required this spot, for humankind was on the verge of extinction, pushed over the threshold of medical and scientific evolution, appropriate, especially with circumstances such as mandates and bio-warfare we now live with. The global population, in my story, had entered a technological experiment regulating their behavior, forcing a segmentation and inevitable polarization of the Homo-sapiens; this is what I hope my readers will grasp.

The concept of choice is central to your series. Can you elaborate on how you developed this idea and its significance in your stories?

Choice. Kids hope for do-overs. We have a choice, just as my fictional characters have, a choice of everlasting life promised by two rival kings. Wishing you’d made a different decision…seeing oneself in other circumstances…I’ve also used time dilation, time overlapping, running out of time – all these to project the credible plausibility of the future.

Interestingly, Satan will “think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” (Daniel 7:25) I once heard a professor say, “You are living your future now in the choices you currently make.” I’ve been told that my books read somewhat like the parallel dimensions which theoretical physicists pose, and as the characters of the story have experienced in seeing themselves as alternate versions; the dynamics of its nature moves back and forth through seasons, is multi-layered, and use of symbolism is used in a variety of themes – such as extraterrestrial life and artificial intelligence, hypothetical and pure science, acquaintance with our spirit nature and close fellowship with God.

What has been your experience with self-publishing? What challenges have you faced, and how have you navigated them?

My first introduction to the publishing world was a collaboration with my author daughter, Jennifer Anderson, with my part in creating 27 paintings for her faithful re-telling of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in picture-book format; THE ILLUSTRATED FRANKENSTEIN was self-published using Amazon publishing services.
With the series of THE FIRST AND LAST KING, it was natural to seek a type of self-publishing complimentary to my purposes, one supporting the Christian ethic. For this Judeo-Christian Speculative Fiction series I selected a different publisher, once again self-publishing, though I consider the company (WestBow) I’m using as hybrid-publishing, (working within ethical/content guidelines with editorial assessment reviewing author materials) which has allowed me to be involved directly in important decisions while retaining ownership/copyrights.

And the aspects that the company provides – like the ISBN number, retail distribution to major book retailers, etc., frees me up. I have received compliments on the quality of the finished product of all my books – the paper, clarity of print, binding, etc., elements that are sometimes missing even in traditional publishing. I’ve had positive experiences throughout the process. (I’m not recommending their marketing services, however.)

I find promotion the difficult aspect of self-publishing, so it’s with great appreciation this venue of April’s is being established; we, as authors, come to this table with a variety of offerings representing many genres to reach people where they are.

There is only one criticism I have in self-publishing with my current company, and that’s the high retail price of the book, which is due to page length; if I had it my way I’d provide it at cost because I see it as an outreach. But the publisher I’ve used for my series of five books has set the sale price firmly. On the bright side, agreement of $2.99 for the electronic book! For love or money, an author must only write out of devotion.

Can you tell us about the development and release process for your upcoming fifth book, Corona Radiata? What can readers expect from this installment?

My newest novel, CORONA RADIATA, is just now being released, September 2024. To cushion the impact of catastrophic conditions in the story I’ve introduced mythical characters (as C.S. Lewis effectively used) and romantic love.

How do you balance writing fiction with your faith and beliefs? Do you find that one influences the other?

My story has a Biblically-based foundation. I’m motivated by faith that when my life ceases on this planet the message will reach those living.

Are there any particular authors or books that have inspired you in your writing journey?

I began as a teen reading Traditional Hard (accurately based science) Science fiction and the classics, and I’m an avid reader of the Bible. There are too many authors to mention who have influenced me, as I continue to read and add more writers to that list.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors, particularly those interested in self-publishing?

Aspiring authors should first write for themselves, tell the story their unique way, write what they know, on occasion thinking about those they wish to reach, but always being their authentic selves writing with a reason.

How do you engage with your readers and build a community around your work?

My story is for adult readers with a crossover for teens; most have interest in ecclesiastical issues or in medicine, drawn because of the topics. But what I’m working toward is to reach a broader audience with the end-time message of hope in a real, physical Heaven. My characters face times of persecution; perhaps these enactments will prepare us to realize our appointed trials. And I do write to convince unbelievers of the realities they will soon be facing under a global dictator.

Finally, where can readers find your books, and how can the stay updated on your upcoming releases?

Please read more about my commitment to writing; my books will not bore you!
www.firstandlastking.com I share articles pertinent to the themes in my story on my author’s Facebook page – The First And Last King Series. And I’m currently using InShot to produce half-minute reels for Instagram and Facebook.

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You can check out Jean’s books here: