Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I spent over thirty years in high-tech in California’s Silicon Valley. Prior to that I wrote two unpublished novels and several short stories. I was first published in a horror-genre magazine in the 1980s, so writing has always been in my blood. After graduation from college I worked as a copy editor for a newspaper in Las Vegas. That led me to a career as a technical writer/editor at Stanford, which eventually led me to a career in high-tech sales. 

My career in high-tech blossomed and ended up taking so much of my time that I put writing aside. I resumed to writing after a hiatus from corporate America in 2001, at which point I wrote the first chapter of “Redneck Riviera,” based on my wife’s and my decision to move to a remote island off the coast of North Carolina. 

I returned to corporate America for another twelve years, and finally stepped out permanently in 2018. At my wife’s suggestion, I completed “Redneck Riviera,” and it has led me to develop outlines for several more books, the latest of which will be released at the end of June 2004.

What inspired you to write your book?

I was fascinated by the down-home culture of the island on which we lived and its unique characters. I also struggled to fit in with the locals, who never failed to amuse me. Writing a book about my experiences was the perfect way to explore my relationship with the island. 

What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

That life is a journey and should always be appreciated for what you find on life’s path. 

What drew you into this particular genre?

More than anything, life is a journey to be enjoyed. There is humor and life all around us. Open your eyes and heart to appreciate them. 

If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I would want to sit down with Blackbeard the Pirate and ask him where he hid his treasure on the island. 😉

What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Linkedin and Facebook have both been very helpful channels for me to advertise my book and connect with new readers and fans. 

What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Start with a concept that really interests you and that you know about. Then generate an outline for your book. The content of your outline will tell you whether your concept has legs.

What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I consider myself a commercial writer, and I’ll continue to write for the rest of my life. At the end of June I’ll release “Righteous Rebellion,” a novel about a small southern state that secedes from the union. After that, I have another novel which will be complete by the summer of 2025. I’ll then work on a trilogy of fictional novels on the life of Blackbeard the Pirate. After that, I have outlines written for five more humorous and historical fiction novels. 

About the Author

James Hooker spent over thirty years in research and technology in California’s Silcon Valley. He is a former senior executive in global sales and has travelled extensively throughout North America, Asia Pacific, Japan and Europe. He and his wife have been married for 21 years and make their home in Rhode Island.

Satirical & Humorous Stories