J.L. DuRona

J.L. has always loved the whimsical, macabre, and otherworldly. During recess, he would quietly slip away into the woods surrounding his rural elementary school with the latest Goosebumps book in hand and read until the bell rang. He graduated in 2007 from Castleton University with a BA in Children’s Literature, and received his MFA from the Center for Cartoon Studies in 2011. He lives in Vermont with his wife and three cats.

J.L. can be found at:
Website: jldurona.com
Bluesky: @jldurona.com
Instagram: @jldurona
Facebook: facebook.com/jldurona
Twitter: @jldurona

Tell me what inspired you to write your book?
I’ve always loved spooky middle grade books like the Goosebumps series, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, etc. They gave me solace in a time when I had no control in my own life. I want to create the same kind of books that I enjoyed as a kid for a new audience of of kids that need some spooky-yet-safe escapism in their life.

What came first the character or the world?
The Characters! I spent a lot of time taking personality quizzes and studying enneagrams to make my characters as real and alive as possible. I’m of the mind that the world, while still important in its own right, isn’t nearly as interesting as how that world affects the characters in it.

How hard was it to get your first book published?
It wasn’t hard, per se, but it was complicated. I self-publish my books, so I had to learn how to format both the printed and ebooks versions. There was a lot of trial and error to get them right. It was also expensive, since I had to hire my own artist editors, buy my own barcodes, and get the software I needed.

The Berge Sisters Tour the Neitherswarth

How long did it take to write?
Like everyone else in the world, I started this new journey in 2020 after the pandemic. Luckily I already had a degree in children’s literature, so it was just a matter of kicking off the rust. I wrote two full books that will never see the light of day before settling on THE BERGE SISTERS TOUR THE NEITHERSWARTH. Once I did, it took less than a year to write, the same with the latest story.

How many publishers turned you down?
None! But since I’m self-publishing I didn’t query any, so it’s not really a flex (haha)

What kind of reactions have you had to your book?
Most have been positive, especially from the kids! One reviewer did say they thought my first book was a bit too derivative of my inspirations (Gremlins, Beetlejuice, etc), I redeemed myself with THE GHOSTS OF WARBLE HALL, which she absolutely loved!

What’s the favourite reaction you’ve had to your book?
One little boy (the son of a childhood friend) offered to help me produce the Netflix series.

What can you tell us about your next book?
All I can say is that it MIGHT be about vampires!

Do you take notice of online reviews?
I do! So far reviews of my work have been decent. I’m sure I’ll run into someone someday that’ll hate it, but while I’m sure it’ll make me sad, I’ll try my best to remember that it’s not personal.

Would you ever consider writing outside your current genre?
I already have! My wife and I have brainstormed a historical romance set during the Chicago World’s Fair. I’m hoping to get the next Berge Sisters book drafted early enough in the year that we can get further into it.

What did you do before (or still do) you became a writer?
I was a scheduling coordinator for a medical supply company. Before that I had several retail jobs at all the notable big-box stores.

The Berge Sisters Escape the Galactic Funhouse

Which author(s) inspire you?
R.L. Stine, Mary Downing Hahn, Lora Senf, Dan Poblocki

Which genres do you read yourself?
I love horror for all age groups, but I’ll read anything that interests me.

What is your biggest motivator?
I’m not sure I can answer that. For the first time in my life, it just feels like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. I guess I’m motivated to keep chasing this reality I’ve built for myself, to keep diving deeper into this writing world.

What will always distract you?
I have ADHD, so everything distracts me (haha)

How much (if any) say do you have in your book covers?
I have 100% say since I hire my own artists, but I always take their advice if they have a better idea. This last book, for example: my artists gave me great feedback on my original idea and made it so much better.

Were you a big reader as a child?
I was! I lost the love for it by the time I reach high school, but I loved reading when I was in middle school. It’s probably why I write for that age range.

What were your favourite childhood books?
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, any Goosebumps book I could get my hands on, The Hobbit, and anything by Bruce Colville.

Do you have a favourite bookshop? If so, which?
I have two. Phoenix Books and Bridgeside Bookstore. They are both very committed to their community, and supportive of local authors.

What books can you not resist buying?
Anything with a creepy cover and a great first line!

The Ghosts of Warble Hall

Do you have any rituals when writing?
Not really outside of sitting at my desk and setting my Time Timer. I do try to get my butt in the seat at the same time every day, at least!

How many books are in your own physical TBR pile?
Technically I have tons of options as to what to read next (lots of books in the house), but I don’t have a TBR pile, per se. I am due for another reading of THE HOBBIT, but other than that I’m waiting for THE NIGHTHOUSE KEEPER to show up in the mail!

What is your current or latest read?
I’m currently reading Dan Poblocki’s MORE TALES TO KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT. I really liked the last one, so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one.

Any books that you’re looking forward to in the next 12 months?
The Nighthouse Keeper by Lora Senf! It’s the sequel to THE CLACKITY, which was one of my favorite reads of this year!

Any plans or projects in the near future you can tell us about?
I’m drafted the next Berge Sisters book with a planned release date of September 2024.

Any events in the near future?
Yes! I’ll be at Phoenix Books in Essex VT on the 12th at 6pm for a spooky meet and greet with some fellow writers, then I’m doing a book signing in West Lebanon NH at their new Barnes & Noble on the 14th

and finally, what inspired you to write the genre you do?
I touched on this earlier, but I keep thinking back to those days in middle school when I used to read in the woods during recess. Those books helped me get through some difficult times in my life, and I truly hope my books can do the same for kids today and beyond!