Author Interview by Shakuita Johnson, Wicked Crimson

Ancient cultures often tell tales of ancient legends…

Welcome to one of the October 20th stops on the blog tour for the Wicked Crimson collection by Shakuita Johnson and others with Silver Dagger Book Tours. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for spotlights, reviews, author guest posts, and a giveaway! More on that at the end of this post.

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Author Interview

Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
I have always enjoyed writing. I wrote a lot of poetry in high school, but I didn’t start writing my first book until the end of 2011 and published it Dec. 2013! I served 8 years in the United States Air Force. After that I moved to Boston to work on my Master’s in Public Admin. I’m currently back in my hometown. I’m a Scorpio. I enjoy music and the arts. I’m the oldest of brothers. I have 3 biological and 2 stepbrothers. I have 11 nieces and nephews and currently child-free.

Tell us something really interesting that’s happened to you!
When I was working in the military a chain-link fence almost fell on top of me. It was like something out of Final Destination. I moved out of the way just in time. No one else was around and it probably would have been a while before someone found me and I don’t even remember if I had my phone on me or not.

What are you passionate about these days?
These days I’m passionate about crafting. I make journals and notebooks because I’m obsessed with also buying them. I thought if I could make them myself it would lessen my spending but that was a lie. I still buy notebooks and the raw materials to make journals and I believe I’ve spent even more money on it.

What inspired you to write this book?
I’m super into anime and I decided to do something along those lines with paranormal. So, I decided to write a book about a fox yokai or Kitsune as they are referred as in Japan.

Where did you come up with the names in the story?
I decided to use Japanese names since the setting is Japan-like and there are some really beautiful names and their meanings can vary depending on what characters are used when writing them.

What can we expect from you in the future?
I have so many projects but I def will be finishing my first series that started with the first book I wrote. I have other series/trilogies I have started and some I need to start. I have some erotic shorts I need to finish, and I plan to possibly do a shared world if I can get the interest.

Who designed your book covers?
My book covers are mostly designed by Daria Brennan of https://beegraphica.com. Its been great seeing her grow in her craft from the first book cover she’s done for me til the most recent ones she’s designed. I have also used L.M. Adams, and three other cover designers.

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
It’s def something different from the norm. I try to stay away from what’s considered mainstream and write something outside the box. It seems lately everything follows the same formula, and I don’t like to read things that read like every other book. I like diversity and stories that push the envelope. I like to think that I write stories like that. I write what I would want to read. There is nothing wrong with reading the same sort of stories but I like writing off beat things and I write for those who are of the same mind.

What are your top 10 favorite books/authors?
This is hard but I’d say: Anne Rice, R.L. Stine, V.C. Andrews, Christopher Pike, Shelly Laurenston, Kresley Cole, Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice, Patricia Briggs, L.M. Adams, and Kim Harrison.

There are many more I read but I find myself rereading these authors and I’ve def read Queen of the Damned dozens of times.

What book do you think everyone should read?
A Child Called It. It really highlights some of the things children suffer at the hands of those who are supposed to love them and how lacking our resources still are when it comes to the safety and welfare of children that are really in danger.

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since at least high school that I can remember. I took a creative writing class where I also wrote my first short stories but before that it was mostly poetry, and I journaled a lot.

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
Yes, my favorite is paranormal followed by fantasy.

What are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading manga and light novels. There are so many I don’t know how I keep up. But the last book I read was The Call of Crows series by Shelly Laurenston. Some of the manga I’m reading are: Tokyo Revengers, The Time I Reincarnated As A Slime, My Hero Academia, Unromantic, Ring, Counterattack of Pregnancy, My Weird Roommate, and Equipoise.

About the Collection

Wicked Crimson
A Myths and Legends Anthology
Shakuita Johnson, Stephanie Kelley, Stephanie Ayers, Kelsey D Garmendia, Aubrie Nuttle, E.S. McMillan, L.M. Adams

Publishing 9 November 2021

Genre: Mixed Paranormal
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!

Ancient cultures often tell tales of ancient legends…

Gathered are 7 such tales told from 7 perspectives.

Shakuita Johnson, Magic Gods
Stephanie Kelley, Pas de Deux
Stephanie Ayers, Broken Chords: Fosse’s Song
Kelsey D Garmendia, The Music
Aubrie Nuttle, Embrace My Ashes
E.S. McMillan, Dita’s Choice
L.M. Adams, Twisted Eventide: Pieces
L.M. Adams, Tainted Blood and A Twisted Christmas

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Featured Author

Shakuita Johnson is a 34-year-old Psychology major. When she isn’t going to school or working, she is doing what she loves most. Writing. She started writing in middle school. She would write poetry in her room or the middle of the night. Then she was introduced to short stories in a creative writing course her senior year. Her love for paranormal and supernatural started with R.L. Stine Goosebumps books and TV shows, Anne Rice Vampire Chronicles, and Christopher Pike books. She is an avid reader with over 100 books on her bookshelf and 1000 plus on her iPad. She also loved to watch Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer with her mom.

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