Jeremiah Bass

Jeremiah Bass is an emerging author of speculative fiction, literary fiction, and personal essays. A native of southern Illinois, he has earned advanced degrees in Curriculum & Instruction from Southern Illinois University and Creative Writing & Literature from Southern New Hampshire University. His stories and essays have been published in a wide variety of periodicals, including The Smart Set Magazine, BioStories, Haunted Waters Press, and Penmen Review. Jeremiah teaches English Composition and Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

He also writes under the pen name “Jay Bush” and has had several works published under that pseudonym.

Jeremiah can be found at:
Website: jeremiahbass.com
Bluesky: @jerrybbradley.bsky.social
Facebook: facebook.com/jeremiah.bass1

Tell me what inspired you to write your debut book?
In just about every small town in the US, there’s an old movie theater. They’re typically in the crumbling downtown areas that used to be the heart of these towns but have now been smothered by Walmart stores, Targets, and other corporate giants. One day, on the way to work, I passed by an old theater and saw that the original Art Deco marquee was being painted, and lights were being updated. I had hoped that the theater would reopen, but, alas, it was turned into a church.

That got me thinking, though. There’s an old theater like that in just about every small town across the US, and it would really be amazing if there was a way for someone to travel between those old theaters, like teleportation. That sparked the idea.

What came first, the characters or the world?
In this case, the world came first. That idea of a world where people could travel between theaters had me mesmerized.

How hard was it to get your first (debut) book published?
HARD and time-consuming! I wrote the first draft of this novel back in 2017. My grandfather had recently passed, and my grandmother was in a nursing home. Dementia had taken nearly everything from them, and it was a very hard thing to watch. This novel helped me process that in several different ways. Publishing wasn’t really on my agenda when I wrote it, I just wanted to write (I always want to write). After I finished the first draft, I let it sit for a year while I drafted another novel. Then I joined a writing group and shared a few pages. Then a few more. After my group read the whole thing, they provided some feedback, I edited, and I did some querying. I got an offer, but wasn’t happy with that offer; so I set the book aside and moved on with other stories. I was later encouraged by a member of my writing group to query an up-and-coming small press (WickWeald), and I got a deal I was happy with.

Do you have a writing playlist?
I listen to a lot of different music when I’m writing. I bounce back and forth between YouTube and my Pandora stations. Right now, I’m really enjoying a variety of musicians like Olafur Arnalds, Ludovico Einaudi, and Max Richter.

How many publishers turned you down?
I don’t know the exact number, but I’m going to estimate 20-25.

The Silver Screen

What kind of reactions have you had from your book?
So far, positive! I don’t think people who know me are expecting this when they read my work. It’s not what I’d call a “normal” book. It’s a-linear, told from two different characters perspectives, and these characters aren’t going through a “normal” experience. But people really seem to like the ending.

What’s the favorite reaction you’ve had to your book?
A friend of mine is a professional author—meaning that’s what he does for a living, not a side gig like most of us. He said it’s “…beautifully written and well plotted…” which means a lot to me. I hate to think I’m wasting anyone’s time with drivel. Another reader said, “It’s better than the new Stephen King novel.” Which I felt might have been pushing the envelope a bit, you know, blowing smoke. But it was a nice little ego boost (especially as I struggle with a touch of imposter syndrome).

What can you tell us about your next book?
Right now, I’m in the middle of writing a dark urban fantasy trilogy. I’m done with the first novel and halfway through editing the second novel. These are going to have a very different feel than The Silver Screen, but there are some overlaps in my style that I think will be unmistakable.

What did you do (or still do) before you became an author?
I’ve been an English Composition and Creative Writing Lecturer for nearly 10 years now. I’ve been teaching for 16 years in one form or another.

What authors inspire you?
Well, a lot of them! I’m currently reading through V.E. Schwab’s books, and she just seems to be kicking out one excellent book after another. Stephen King has always been a favorite of mine. I love most of Stephen Gould’s work. Christopher Moore has always been a favorite, reserved for when I want something totally different. And, of course, being a fan of urban fantasy, I have to mention Jim Butcher and Ben Aaronovitch.

What genres do you read yourself?
I read everything except romance. I just haven’t gotten into that genre. Most frequently, I’m looking for something with a twist of magic intertwined into the story. But I also love an engaging piece of literary fiction, time travel is a favorite, stories with unexpected twists, and stories that add in philosophical elements but don’t wax poetically about it for pages at a time.

How much (if any) say do you have in your book covers?
I had a lot of say in the creation of The Silver Screen’s cover. The publisher tossed out a few ideas, I tossed out a few, and together we designed a cover that we were both happy with. Though the publisher’s team did most of the work.

Were you a big reader as a child?
Yes! I loved reading. Even if I didn’t really understand what I was reading, I could gather enough to get a feel for the story. I could get drawn in by any story when I was younger.

What were your favorite childhood books?
You may be able to pick up on this from the style The Silver Screen, but some of my favorite works to read as a child were gothic horror pieces. I loved Poe (still do) and stories like The Tell-Tale Heart and A Cask of Amontillado were like gold to me.

Do you have a favorite bookshop? If so, which?
Having recently moved to a new state, I haven’t found a favorite here yet. There’s a great new/used bookshop with stacks upon stacks of books, and I love things about that store. But it’s definitely not my “favorite” bookstore. When I was younger, I really liked this bookstore in Carbondale, Illinois called “The Book Worm,” but, unfortunately, it closed.

Do you have any rituals when writing?
Not necessarily. But I do have “methods” that work for me. Methods, particularly in the drafting process. For instance, I write in layers; the first layer is dumping a whole lot of story onto the pages. There’s no judgment, no negative self-talk. It is what it is. Then I read that and see what I’ve actually written. I start making notes, pulling out themes, crafting ideas to expand upon, etc. That’s the second draft. Then I get to the really frustrating part, the third draft, where I try to make all of it work, like a puzzle with too many pieces, missing pieces, and pieces with frayed edges that don’t quite fit together.

How many books are in your physical TBR pile?
Right now, I’d say I’ve got a stack of probably 15-20 books. I’ve vowed to get through the bulk of them before I go into another bookstore! But, realistically, that’s not a vow I expect to keep.

What’s your current or latest read?
I just started V.E. Schwab’s Vicious. I’m only about 50 pages in, but I can see the story unfolding already. She’s great!

Any books you’re looking forward to in the next 12 months?
Of course! Jim Butcher’s next Dresden Files book is set to be released in January, and I’ve already preordered a copy.

Any events in the near future?

• I’ll be doing a talk about creative writing, a Q & A session, and a book signing at the Stinson Memorial Library in Anna, Illinois, in January.
• I’m working with a great little bookstore in Menomonie, Wisconsin, to set up a reading and signing.
• I’ve been invited to do some guest lectures in the spring in a variety of film and literature-based courses.
• I’m going to be featured on the cover of a little magazine here in Lafayette, Indiana, in the near future.

What inspired you to write in the genre you do?
Honestly, I have no idea. I’ve always written a little dark. My middle school poetry was all about death and fear and bones. I’m guessing being exposed to Poe at an early age caused some of that. I just thought that’s how writing was supposed to sound, I guess. And, over time, my style has just evolved into this macabre speculative literary fiction mishmash.