Welcome fellow Kindle Press author, James Morris.

James Morris is a former television writer who now works in digital media. When not writing, you can find him scoping out the latest sushi spot, watching ‘House Hunters Renovation’, or trying new recipes in the kitchen. He lives with his wife and dog in Los Angeles.

Melophobia is an alternate history novel set in present day America where music has been outlawed. I also put it in the New Adult category, not because of any “heat” level, but because it’s neither young adult nor adult; one of those neither fish nor fowl, but something in between. While every book I write is a favorite at the time, Melophobia, for me, continues to be a favorite even after the fact.

Tell us three things we’d find if we looked under your heroine’s bed? How about the hero’s?

Interestingly, in this book, there would be nothing under her bed as she keeps it pretty clean and sparse. The hero, however, might have musical notebooks and sheet music!

What is the theme of this book? 

At its root, it’s about identity – are we just the sum of our culture and our parents’ values, or are we something else, something we choose, even in the face of harsh consequences? Can we be ourselves in world that just wants to make us the same?

Why do you write this genre? Do you write any other genres?

I write in a variety of genres – sometimes thrillers, sometimes YA, sometimes gritty adult. For me, it all comes down to the story I’m telling; some stories lend themselves better to a certain genre or age range. That’s really what determines “the market” I write for; but when coming up with the ideas, I like the freedom not to be constrained by any labels, like “I’m the YA guy,” or what have you.

Any tips to share with aspiring authors? What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?

The best advice I heard, and I think it’s appropriate, is “quit.” If you can quit, then writing was never really a passion for you, anyway. It is such a tough business, filled with rejection (in both TV and books), that to make a go of it you really have to love it. Don’t write for money or fame, because most likely neither will happen. And even if they do (and I’ve known writers with both money and fame), like the saying goes, it doesn’t bring people happiness. Write because you love the act of writing, and not necessarily the results. You will be a much happier, healthy person.

A big thanks to James for stopping by! Want to read more? You can catch up with him on social media via Twitter, Instagram, Good Reads, and Facebook. Also be sure to check out his website, http://jamesmorriswriter.com/.